You have probably heard of alpaca yarn, but why should you use it in your next
knitted or crocheted handmade project? Seven reasons. It is softer, warmer, stronger, and more lustrous than sheeps' wool, hypoallergenic, hand washable, and comes in 22 natural colors.

Let's take a look at those seven reasons individually.

1. What makes alpaca softer? The low micron count (a measurement of
fineness) means the fiber is soft. Animal fibers have scales on the outside
of the fiber. Alpaca scales are smaller and overlap less than wool. There are fewer scales in alpaca as compared to sheeps' fiber. This makes alpaca smoother. Smoother yarn means less "itch" factor.
Therefore, alpaca is softer than wool.

2. Alpaca fiber has microscopic pockets that trap air creating excellent
insulating properties. This makes alpaca warmer than wool. Seven times
warmer!

3. As strong as synthetic fibers, projects made with alpaca last a long time.

4. Your projects will shine. Due to the smoothness mentioned above,
alpaca yarn has greater luster than wool.

5. Alpaca contains no lanolin. Most people allergic to wool are allergic to
the lanolin in sheeps' wool. So, people allergic to wool can pretty much wear alpaca
with no problems. No lanolin makes alpaca lighter in weight than wool, too.

6. Your project made with alpaca yarn can be hand washed. No need to
dry clean.

To wash an alpaca garment, fill a tub or sink with lukewarm water and a small amount of liquid dish soap. Put the project in the tub or sink and let it soak for 20-30 minutes. Drain the water and gently squeeze the garment. Remove it from the tub or sink. Do not let it stretch. Refill the tub or sink with lukewarm water with a small amount of white vinegar. Let it soak for 20 minutes. Drain the tub or sink and gently squeeze the water out of the item. Again, take care not to stretch the garment. Place it between towels and squeeze out excess water. Lay it on a flat surface and let it air dry away from direct sunlight.

7. Although alpaca easily takes dye, there are 22 natural colors to choose from. What could be more organic than using only natural colors? No need to worry about dyes bleeding or fading.

For a truly special, durable project that anyone can wear, why not give alpaca yarn a try?