Alpaca wool and cashmere wool are often compared and their similarities praised, however they not only come from very different animals, but also have different characteristics. Let’s see which ones.
Cashmere is certainly among the best known and most used wools in the world. It is obtained from the undercoat of the Capra Hircus which lives in the mountainous areas of southern Asia, on the Tibetan plateaus, in the Himalaya region and mainly in Mongolia, but also in areas such as Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Turkey and India.
It is said that Marco Polo discovered in the thirteenth century, inside some caves in Mongolia, representations of wild goats domesticated by man. It is therefore probable that, already in very distant times, shepherds raised these goats capable of providing particularly warm wool.
To protect themselves from the climate conditions, these goats have two coats: one is superficial, formed by coarse hair called “giarre”, and one is closer to the body, composed of a short, thin and very warm fluff, called “duvet”. In the spring, the shepherds first cut the external hair with scissors and then collect the finer part with special long-toothed combs. The fibers of the two goat coats are then separated, because only the duvet constitutes the proper cashmere.
Alpaca wool, on the other hand, is rarer than cashmere. However, it is 7 times warmer than sheep’s wool and 3 times more resistant and much softer and lighter. This silky, soft and resistant fiber has unique thermal properties thanks to the microscopic air pockets. These pockets allow the body to breathe while maintaining a constant body temperature.
There are 2 alpaca breeds, the Suribreed and theHuacaya breed. The Suri breed is more valuable than the Huacaya breed because its fiber is smooth and very fine, brilliant enough to resemble silk, but the Suri breed is only 1% of the world population of Alpaca in percentage.
Alpaca group grazing in the Andes
Depending on the age, an alpaca can produce 3 to 6 kg of wool per year, so in 30 years of life it produces about 120 kg. Shearing can be done every year in spring, before summer.
Both yarns have the characteristics of being hygroscopic, antistatic, very soft and hypoallergenic, however, comparing the two wools, an alpaca dress is lighter, perspires more, is warmer and more resistant to wear and isn’t pilling. Alpaca wool is also present in nature in many more color variations than cashmere, thus requiring less dyeing.
The increase in the demand for cashmere wool has also increased the number of farms of these goats which in turn has pushed prices and quality downwards. Breeders started to cross herds and, as a result, goats produce more wool, but the fiber is shorter and unrefined. Fabrics not only lose their softness, but are also more likely to pilling. Also, many manufacturers mix cashmere fibers with yarns, often synthetic, to increase the softness of the garment and further lower the price.
The growing breeding of Hircus goats has become harmful to the environment. Their sharp hooves destroy herbs and plants close to the ground. They graze the plants near their roots destroying them. It is an animal that is easily adapted, which is why it has been introduced in different territories far from the area of origin, causing serious damage to ecosystems: in fact, the species has been included in the list of 100 of the most invasive and harmful in the world.
The alpaca, on the other hand, is an animal that does not harm the territory as it grasps the grass without damaging the roots and the cushions that cover the hooves allow the animal to walk on the ground without compromising its integrity. Finally, alpacas consume less water than goats and grow enough wool for four or five sweaters in a year. According to the National Resource Defense Council, four goats take the same amount of time to produce enough cashmere for a single sweater.
- yarn in baby alpaca
- yarn in baby alpaca
A sweater made of baby alpaca wool, in terms of softness and strength, wins over cashmere. Cashmere fibers are four centimeters long, while alpaca fibers measure between eight and twelve centimeters. This means that alpaca fiber garments are more resistant, therefore long-lasting and less prone to pilling effect.
The baby alpaca is the new cashmere!
When purchasing a wool product, it is therefore advisable to choose a garment that can last over time and which also has an eco-sustainable aspect for both the animals involved and the environment. We therefore want to remind you that Inkanti garments are 100% baby alpaca wool, obtained and treated in an ethical and eco-sustainable way.
Let yourself be enchanted by Inkanti baby alpaca fiber!
FAQs
A sweater made of baby alpaca wool, in terms of softness and strength, wins over cashmere. Cashmere fibers are four centimeters long, while alpaca fibers measure between eight and twelve centimeters. This means that alpaca fiber garments are more resistant, therefore long-lasting and less prone to pilling effect.
Is alpaca or cashmere less itchy? ›
Unlike other wool fibres, alpaca is not as itchy, specifically because the fine and sleek alpaca fibre has a smooth surface and it also lacks lanolin. Lanolin is a natural oil that can act as an irritant, causing itching and discomfort.
Is alpaca really softer than cashmere? ›
Softness. Wool fiber is measured in microns and the smaller the micron, the finer and softer the wool. Good quality alpaca will typically have a thickness that ranges from 18-23 microns, while most cashmere fibers fall at 19 microns. This means alpaca can be just as, or softer than cashmere.
What is the finest wool in the world? ›
Vicuna wool is the finest and rarest natural fiber in the world. One strand of vicuna wool measures approximately 12 microns, which is 12 thousandths of a millimeter. That is about 7 microns finer than the best Cashmere.
What is better, cashmere or alpaca wool? ›
A sweater made of baby alpaca wool, in terms of softness and strength, wins over cashmere. Cashmere fibers are four centimeters long, while alpaca fibers measure between eight and twelve centimeters. This means that alpaca fiber garments are more resistant, therefore long-lasting and less prone to pilling effect.
What is the least irritating wool? ›
Alpaca wool is also naturally softer than cashmere because it is a finer fiber with more malleable edges, making it the perfect hypoallergenic cozy companion. Merino Wool may have stopped some of its itchy problems, but alpaca wool is the best hypoallergenic natural fiber.
What is the controversy with alpaca wool? ›
Despite how it's marketed, alpaca wool comes from cruelty.
Alpacas are tied down when they are shorn. There are recordings of alpacas being stitched up without any pain relief after being cut with shears.
Can bacteria grow on alpaca wool? ›
Alpaca wool has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The thin waxy coating of wool fibre contains fatty acids that inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria.
Does alpaca wool get softer over time? ›
Alpaca Wool Properties
Let me tell you that instead of being coarse like wool, alpaca throws have a smooth texture that gets even softer over time. Warmer and softer than common fabrics like wool or cotton and even other luxurious fabrics like cashmere or merino wool.
What wool is better than cashmere? ›
Yak wool, AKA “khullu” is not only a cashmere alternative because it's similarly soft and comfy to wear all the time. Khullu is also considered an alternative because it's more sustainable, breathable, durable, and warmer than cashmere.
Alpaca offers the same great characteristics as merino wool, but it has a better performance with warmth and odor control, it has more natural color options, and it is better for the environment.
Is alpaca wool very itchy? ›
On a microscopic level, wool fibers have a scaled surface that causes them to be itchy to some people. Alpaca fur doesn't have this scaled texture, meaning it won't bother sensitive skin. For people with allergies to animal fibers, alpaca wool is a chance to be included.
What is the most luxurious type of wool? ›
Vicuna Wool is the most expensive wool as it comes from Vicuna, which is a wild camelid that lives in the high Andes mountains of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. This fine wool costs from $400 to $600 per kilo of unprocessed fibre.
Why can't vicuña be farmed? ›
When modern Europe caught on to the vicuña's luxuriousness last century, poaching brought the species to the brink of extinction. (The vicuña is virtually impossible to domesticate because of its unique mating habits and bullish character.)
What is more expensive than cashmere? ›
The most expensive fabric in the world is fiber from a type of llama, the Vicuña. Found high up in the Andes Mountains of South America, this fabric is even more expensive and harder to find than Cashmere. Throughout history, this fabric was known as the 'Fabric of the Gods' and only royalty wore it.
What is the least itchy wool sweater? ›
Merino, cashmere, alpaca and lambs wool are especially known for their non-itchy character. In case of a blend, you'll have lesser chance of itching if the item consists of at least 30% of one of the wool types mentioned above.
Does cashmere get less itchy? ›
Cashmere is considered to be far less itchy than other wools. Cashmere does not contain lanolin, so it's an entirely hypoallergenic alternative to merino and other fibres. However, cashmere is a natural yarn and this can cause mild irritation for some people.
Does alpaca make you itch? ›
Alpaca wool, no matter where it comes from, will still be of better quality than standard sheep's wool. Alpaca wool does not itch if the quality of the wool is good. Sheep's wool is itchy because the fibre of this wool is not fine and the scales of the wool "stick out" like spikes. The skin feels it in the same way.
Which wool is most itchy? ›
As a general rule, the larger the diameter of the wool strands, the lower the quality and the itchier it will feel. Wool with smaller strands will feel softer. Many wool producers use cheap wool to lower product costs, but cheaper wool with thick fibers is often responsible for itching.
