For other things, you can totally use low-crimp material for knitting. Not good, not good.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'yanantin_alpaca_com-box-4','ezslot_4',108,'0','0'])); There are so many different examples that show why flexibility is important (from sleeping to working out… From sitting on your couch to grabbing something from the highest shelf at the supermarket… From hugging someone to sitting cross-legged… Oooh, imagine all of that without being able to move freely! It doesn't snap back. The alpaca fiber is untreated, which means that it is only washed and not exposed to any chemical treatment prior to the dyeing. Let air dry. So, when you wear an alpaca woolen garment, it … One way to work around the lack of crimp is by using a knitting pattern, not a weaving pattern, for garments. Measurements laying flat: Pit to pit: 21” Shoulder to hem: 24” Because the scales are small, alpaca yarns will take a little bit longer to felt than traditional wool. Stretch is important when it comes to user-friendliness. Alpaca fiber is a material that was once reserved for royalty. However, like all alpacas, Dalma was dusty. Can I still use alpaca? Socks need to stretch around a foot but then cling to the foot while wearing and hug the calf. You can easily compare it with other fibers by just looking at the number per inch (basically, how many curves on an inch of a hair). Does Alpaca Wool Stretch? That means 100% alpaca yarns will have a tendency to stretch, and they won’t shrink back into place like some wools will. Numbers on this year’s alpaca sales aren’t yet available, but some designers say their alpaca yarn orders are on wait lists, as mills in Europe and Asia rush to buy up Peru’s supply. The smooth fiber texture assures that the wool can move loosely, and the crimp helps put the fabric back into its natural shape (which is the resilience or memory). Is it stretchy, too? Women's Size XS. The natural fibers loosen when wet, and therefore will stretch to accommodate the wearer. Alpaca garments should always be hand washed. That means most of the icky bits were removed and all that was left was the good stuff to spin. So now that you know a little more about alpaca, why not give it a try? For wool-lovers, you don’t need to worry about wearing wool on a drizzly day, as it will most likely not deform your item. Hi! Yarns that are a wool and nylon blend is a great choice. Lightweight. Natural fiber sweaters, such as those made from sheep's wool or alpaca fur, stretch much more readily than artificial fiber sweaters, such as polyester. Does alpaca yarn felt? Bamboo : Bamboo yarn is another natural plant fiber that works well for lightweight knitting projects. For this reason, be gentle when blocking so you don’t stretch it out too much. Ideally on an equal surface, like a table. © 2018 Copyright Lion Brand Yarn. It doesn’t stretch out any more than any other type of wool yarn as long as you knit it to the proper gauge. We do not recommend a very bulky alpaca yarn, as alpaca does not have “memory”, and knitted stitches will stretch under their own weight when used for larger projects like sweaters. I can’t wear wool. Crimp can be more “dented”, meaning that it has a deeper curve (better visible, if you were to take a closer look), which will result in more elastic fibers. This highlights the fiber’s natural properties, while it also provides a … It’s easy to see why. A yarn’s bounce or stretch is determined by its scales. Experts on yarn like the author Clara Parkes, says the best yarns for socks are elastic. Your recovered alpaca item should now be softer, flexible and larger. The LB collection baby alpaca also takes dye beautifully. Keep reading to learn how I took Dalma’s alpaca fiber from farm to yarn! (Prevent Shrinking, Felting & Fading). Pink, Crewneck, Long Sleeve, Pullover. Suri alpaca is very dense, and we recommend no heavier than sport, unless you blend in wool. Not sure, haven't worked with a high percentage of bamboo blend. Some bamboo fabrics stretch over time. I was using 100%baby alpaca yarn. soft knit blend: 56% nylon, 30% wool, 10% alpaca, 4% elastane. Given that wool is elastic, you might wonder whether alpaca woolen items can lose their shape. Alpaca yarns have been gaining in popularity quite quickly over the past few years, and it’s no wonder: alpaca yarn is strong, soft, and warm. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked alpaca questions. Yanantin Alpaca is a sustainable brand of alpaca woolen products. Ideally on a sweater drying grid but however you can get air to move around the item should work. Many people describe alpaca yarn as being as fine and soft as cashmere. Crimp varies per breed of alpaca: suri alpacas have no crimp and huacaya alpacas have regular crimp. Alpaca fiber scales are short and smooth, therefore do not lock together well. (Elasticity is the ability to stretch and memory is the ability for materials to return to their original shape). But, be careful when you get caught in a raging storm and you are soaked to the bone, because your garment might actually get out of shape because of the weight of the wool (gravity!). This is a fantastic advantage when knitting or crocheting lace, as the stitches will really open up. Still, shedding can happen with other types as well, particularly with fuzzy yarns like angora, mohair, and alpaca. Patterns that are worked sideways are perfect for using alpaca yarns. How stretchy is alpaca? It does not have memory like wool does. - Crewneck - Long sleeves - Approx. Wet yarn is much more malleable than dry yarn, and certain fibers will stretch more than others. Fiber curvature is the fancy, more technical word for elasticity, and can be measured by looking at single hairs (compared to staples, which are multiple hairs bundled together). This is the feature that literally remembers the original shape of the wool (closely related to the resilience and springiness of the fiber). Alpaca 2 and Aran Tweed held together are knitted on 5.5 – 6.5 mm needles. Alpaca is one of the warmest animal fibers, estimated three times warmer than wool. I love everything alpaca, sustainable and green. This term is used to illustrate the micron level. I’ve dyed the Fawn Heather into a beautiful heathered burgundy shade. The hair of an alpaca has natural crimp, which means that it has high fiber curvature. I LOOOOOOOVE oversized woolen sweaters. Felting makes garments tighter and therefore smaller. In general, wet wool has more elasticity than dry wool. As Alpaca 2 it consists of 50% wool and 50% alpaca. I actually made a little video to show you how stretchy alpaca wool is: So, yarn-flexibility is important for making items comfortable. Whenever gravity gets a hold of your sweater and stretches it out, wool memory becomes important. When I'm not writing about the wonderful features of alpaca wool, you can find me reading, hiking or cooking. The goal is to empower them. J.Crew Crewneck Sweater in Super Soft Yarn Size XLarge Merino wool Alpaca. Condition is "Pre-owned". But when it rains, I often wonder… Can I wear my alpaca woolen garment in the rain? I love to wear my alpaca woolen products every day, every moment of the day. ISAGER ALPACA 3 50% wool and 50% alpaca from Peru Yarn meterage: 250 m in 100 g. ISAGER ALPACA 3 is an I-cord spun yarn. There is actually an important difference between the two types of alpaca that are roaming our planet. Due to alpaca’s water-resistant properties, you can simply blot away any spills. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Although it’s very light, alpaca is incredibly warm, even when wet. How stretchy is alpaca? It has literally 0,0 crimp. That means that people with wool sensitivities can wear it. Why Does Agitation Cause Wool to Shrink? In fact, it’s my go-to yarn for winter knits because I know that it’ll keep me cozy. Did you know alpaca wool is super sustainable?! The resilience is dependent on the memory of the wool fiber, which shows how well the fiber is capable of reestablishing its original shape (Referenced from the book: Textiles: A History, by Fiona McDonald).eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'yanantin_alpaca_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',106,'0','0'])); The combination of these three wool characteristics is important to maintain the quality of a woolen item. Alpaca yarn and products can also be labeled as: Royal Alpaca = 19 microns or less; Baby Alpaca = 20-22 micron; Superfine Alpaca = 23-25.5 microns; Note that baby alpaca does not mean it comes from a cria (baby alpaca). I bought some Alpaca yarn to make socks with but I’m not sure that will work now…anyone have some ideas…Thanks. Alpaca yarns do not contain lanolin, an oil that sheep produce to protect their fleece. This is mostly important for manufacturers and knitters, who will need to know how to work with the wool. Alpaca is a strong fiber, but it doesn’t have as much elasticity as wool, so it tends to “grow” or stretch after you finish it. I believe that we can create a better world by focusing on what feels good. That means that people with wool or lanolin sensitivities can still wear alpaca. Since the scales are so short and smooth, they don’t lock together. While it does come with a price tag to match, alpaca fiber is easily one of the most durable materials that you can stock in your yarn selection today. Weight - Fingering (14 wpi) Meterage - 437 yards(400 meters) Unit weight - 100 grams (3.53 ounces) Needle size - US 1½ - 4 or 2.5 - 3.5mm Hook size - 1mm - 3mm Fibers 92% Manufactured Fibers - Microfiber 8% Other Texture - plied Machine wash - yes The first thing I had to do was wash the fiber. All our items are made by women in Bolivia. Alpaca wool is not machine washable, as the process can damage the wool. Weaving with yarns that have no flexibility will work perfectly for placemats, rugs, and sheets (things that you would like to keep in the same shape). As long as you don't wring it out or throw it around and are reasonably gentle I thnk it should be fine. Not so good for your sweater, because it will stretch OUT and completely deform! The drying section is step 3 . This is a fantastic advantage when knitting or crocheting lace, as the stitches will really open up. Baby alpaca is especially great for people with sensitive skin. In other words, if the regular or merino wool varieties measure between 20 and 30 microns and the alpaca measures only 18, then the alpaca wool will be softer. Plus, it is also able to stretch somewhat allowing you to move freely without fear of any embarrassing moments. Not sure about hand knits. Great point, Calenia! We also have a full line of patterns to use with each of the yarns we offer. The final step in creating a knitted scarf is blocking, which is the process of wetting and shaping it into a permanent shape. Our LB Collection Baby Alpaca comes in beautiful undyed shades, and our Martha Stewart Crafts Alpaca Blend combines alpaca with wool and acrylic for an easy care yarn. How do alpaca yarns drape? The reverse is true as well. How are there so many undyed shades of alpaca? Fibers that have little crimp can still be used in wool blends or for weaving. Alpaca wool is stretchy for two reasons: it has natural crimp and a smooth fiber. One of them is called the Suri alpaca – a funky looking fellow, with beautiful rastafari hair, – and the other one is called the Huacaya alpaca – the well-known teddy bear with a high fluffability rate. Skein – Yarn is typically sold in a ball, hank, or skein. NEW with tags MSRP $80. The yarn is spun in a way that gives it a special soft and airy feel. Soak the sweater in water, or wash according to the product label instructions. That means 100% alpaca yarns will have a tendency to stretch, and they won’t shrink back into place like some wools will. It is important that a garment is put to dry in its original shape. See PurelyAlpaca Catalog Don’t wring, twist, or rub the garment, as this will increase your chances of ruining your item.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'yanantin_alpaca_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',110,'0','0'])); I wrote a Step by Step Guide on How To Wash Alpaca Woolen Products. Animal fiber yarns that are soft tend to have very small, short scales. Be careful if you're hanging a wet sweater, you might OVER stretch it. I saw an opportunity to make real, local impact and took it with both hands. Since the scales are so short and smooth, they don’t lock together. Never hang it, otherwise it will stretch the garment out of shape. This can be compensated by using patterns that use a lot of cables, or use smaller needles and know it will stretch and use that to your advantage. My name is Eveline and I started Yanantin Alpaca after having spent five years living in South America. This means that when a garment gets wet, it gets even more elastic. I was the kind of kid who would sit on the couch with my knees folded and my sweater pulled out over them. Wet-blocking is a method of relaxing stitches by wetting them and pinning them into shape. It's a common problem with chenille and similarly produced yarns, which have a pile (raised, hair-like fibers) worked around a core yarn. And here comes the difference: alpaca wool has slightly less memory than sheep wool, making it thus similar in elasticity and stretchiness, yet a little harder to get back into shape. At the same time, you don’t need to fear that an item will lose its shape after wearing it once, as it will naturally spring back into its original state. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!-Brian Need a replacement alpaca items? Blending fibers makes a better yarn for knitting or crocheting garments. After the item has soaked, gently agitate and rinse, making sure you support the weight of the item so that it does not stretch. Man-made fibers don’t have any natural crimp, but it can be added chemically. link to Can You Wear Alpaca Wool in the Rain? (Prevent Shrinking, Felting & Fading). As if silkiness and versatility weren’t enough, alpaca makes highly wear-resistant garments: its strength reduces stretching and distortion, and grease and oil don’t spot alpaca as easily as they do other fibers. She discusses sock yarn in … When it comes to alpaca wool, there is a slight difference with other wool types. The fiber that came to me was lovely and well skirted. That should do it! How Do You Dry Alpaca Woolen Garments? But the level of softness depends on the width of the fibers. Be sure to ask in the comments! But I've heard that you might want to use bamboo needles because bamboo yarns (plus silk!) Yanantin stands for slow fashion and quality. Alpaca. When researchers, wool experts or producers test the quality of the wool, they look into two aspects of elasticity: when dry and when wet. Getting wet in and of itself is not as much of a problem, as the elasticity will mostly bring it back into shape… HOWEVER, for alpaca wool, which has less memory, this is the moment that the stretch or different shape can become permanent. Having worked with alpaca from the raw fiber in spinning, and in using both handspun and commercial alpaca yarns in weaving and knitting, I would say that the tendency for the knitted garment to "grow" has a lot to do with the way the yarn is spun and subsequently knitted. Memory is the degree to which the wool is able to recover after having been stretched (a term mostly used for knitters). A benefit of Merino over Alpaca is that it is more elastic and has better memory. It also has great moisture wicking properties. 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