We love natural fibre yarns at Bendigo Woollen Mills. We have wool and cotton in our core range...but there’s nothing quite like alpaca! So we’re excited to share a new release of our Limited Edition Alpaca 8 ply!
So, what is so special about alpaca?
Luxuriously soft, lusciously warm, and with an unmistakable drape that’s loved by crafters, our Alpaca 8 ply showcases everything there is to love about this natural fibre.
Whether you’re new to alpaca, or have been waiting eagerly for it to return to our shelves, this yarn is sure to be jumping onto your needles and hooks.
Read on for more about alpaca fibre, why knitters and crocheters all over the world love to craft with it, and how to get the best from this yarn in your projects.
Photo by kaboompics.com
Meet the Alpaca!
Hailing from South America, alpacas are long-necked herd animals, closely related to llamas (though smaller and more friendly). They are seriously cute and quirky looking characters!
Almost 90% of the world’s alpacas live in Peru, with smaller populations around the world (including Australia, which has the world’s second largest population!)
Their long fleece helps them stay warm in the Andes Mountains and other chilly parts of the continent, with a hollow core to each fibre that provides excellent insulation. This provides a hint as to why their fleece makes such amazing yarn.
Alpacas are an environmentally friendly choice too! They’re appreciated by farmers looking for lower impact, lower maintenance animals than sheep: emitting less gases, requiring less feed, and causing less damage to the pasture (due to their soft, cloven feet), there’s a reason they’re so popular around the world.
Fun Alpaca fact: they’re often used as guard animals, so some farmers keep a couple of alpacas in with their sheep or even poultry to keep foxes and wild dogs away.
Photo by Anyela Málaga
Alpaca vs Wool: what’s the difference?
While both are natural fibres, and they may look and feel similar, Alpaca and wool yarns have some key differences!
In particular:
- Elasticity and drape: Wool is more elastic than alpaca, helping it “bounce back” into shape – great for fitted garments or accessories that need to stretch and recover. Alpaca has less elasticity and memory, which means it drapes well, but can sag or stretch out if not carefully handled. This makes it a popular option for accessories and garments that require a soft drape and won’t be impacted by being a little longer.
- Softness: Knitting or crocheting with alpaca fibre can feel like working with a cloud! It’s a popular choice for projects worn close to the neck and face or anyone who can be irritated by textured yarn.
- Suitability for sensitive skin: Alpaca doesn’t contain lanolin, the natural grease found in wool, which some people find irritating. This makes it a great alternative for those with wool sensitivities or allergies.
- Warmth: with a hollow core soft crimp, alpaca can be warmer than wool – making it excellent for layering pieces that still feel airy and comfortable.
- Ease of processing: As alpaca fibre doesn’t have the same ‘scales’ as wool does (they’re much smoother), it is harder to combine into yarn. It requires extra care and slower spinning to create yarn from the more delicate fibres. (This is also partly why we’ve used a different style of ball for this yarn!)
Tips for using Alpaca
Can you use Alpaca 8 ply in your favourite Bendigo patterns for 8 ply wool? In many cases, yes... but with some caveats.
Alpaca yarns behave differently to wool, particularly when it comes to elasticity and drape. You may find that a garment originally designed for wool doesn’t work as well when made in alpaca (just as you might find when working with a bamboo-based or cotton yarn).Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check your tension. We’d always recommend checking your tension before beginning a project – especially a garment that needs to meet specific measurements. Check out our blog post on tension here. You may even want to reduce your needle size, to account for the fibre relaxing after your project is finished.
- Expect more drape. In structured garments like cardigans or jumpers, alpaca may cause the shape to “drop” more than intended, because of the soft, flowing drape. Choose patterns that will be enhanced by this drape, like relaxed fits, simple shapes, and pieces that benefit from a little swing.
- Mind your ribbing. Alpaca doesn’t spring back like wool, so ribs, cuffs and collars won’t be as elastic. You may wish to use a tighter gauge in these areas, or add some elastic thread when finishing.
- Support your seams (and beware when knitting a seamless garment). When sewing up alpaca garments, take care to reinforce seams where needed. Side seams and shoulder seams may benefit from a little extra strength to hold the garment’s shape. While you can use Alpaca 8 ply in seamless garments, you will need to be extra cautious with tension and may need to consider reducing the length of the piece to account for potential drop.
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Block gently. Wet alpaca stretches easily, more so than wool. If you’re blocking or steaming your project, be gentle, and dry flat to avoid distortion.
Head to our article on yarn substitution for more information on how to make your substitution a success!
Why craft with Alpaca 8 ply?
If we haven’t convinced you yet, here's what people have said about our previous releases of 100% Alpaca:
- Many years ago I bought some 100% Alpaca 8 ply from you and it was such a pleasure to work with - Debbie
- So durable and warm! - Lisa
- Please bring back Alpaca 8 ply. It’s great for my aran jumpers – Elizabeth
- One of the nicest yarns I’ve ever worked with – Jessica
- Your alpaca is the best value anywhere and lovely quality – Marie
- I do love your alpaca for the warmth factor without weighing too much – Liz
Be inspired: some of our patterns especially for Alpaca
If you’re ready to cast on & need some inspiration, we've got you covered!
Our newest release, the Laurel Lace Jumper, features gorgeous lace panelling and a structured fit that works beautifully with Alpaca.
Or if you'd prefer a basic - but beautiful - jumper, our Amelia V-Neck Jumper is the perfect project to highlight Alpaca’s unique qualities! With its cosy, relaxed fit and elegant deep v-neck, this lusciously soft & drapey jumper transforms from a simple staple to a stylish wardrobe standout.
Feeling inspired? Find our new limited-edition Alpaca 8 ply range here and plan your next make!