Alpaca

Soft Deadstock Alpaca Yarn with Elegant Drape

Alpaca is prized for lightweight warmth, softness and a fluid drape. Our deadstock alpaca yarn is sourced from finite surplus lots and may appear alone or in blends with fibres such as merino wool. Blending allows the yarn to balance alpaca's warmth and graceful movement with wool's elasticity and shape retention, making it suitable for cosy sweaters, cardigans, scarves and other cold-weather layers.

Many alpaca yarns in mill production are supplied on cones and use industrial measurements. Compare products using metres per 100g and the listed fibre percentages, then consider whether to work with one strand or combine several fine strands. Alpaca naturally behaves differently from springier wool, so a familiar commercial weight name cannot tell you everything about the finished fabric.

Judge Alpaca from a Washed Swatch

Industrial cone yarn may contain spinning oil that affects its initial handle and appearance. Knit directly from the cone, then wash and block a generous swatch using the care appropriate to its full composition. Alpaca often becomes softer and more fluid after washing, and a blended yarn may also gain loft or elasticity. Let the swatch dry flat before measuring gauge and checking whether the drape suits your project. As exact deadstock lots are rarely repeatable, calculate the full meterage before ordering. Our guide to cone yarn covers labels, NM counts and finishing.