We at Pledd.net have had the pleasure of producing alpacaproducts formany years . Blanket made of alpaca, poncho made of alpaca is permanently in our collection. We simply love it, so we would like to share with you our observations about this wonderful yarn. We traveled to Peru to get a feel for the atmosphere surrounding its creation but covid times took away this opportunity. We hope to be able to carry out our plans in the near future.

What captivates us most about this yarn is not only its properties, about which we will discuss later, but also the fact that the colors of the yarn are the natural colors of the alpaca fleece, ranging from ecru through various shades of brown, chocolate color, ending with stunning black. Imagine a herd of freely grazing alpacas in various colors on the slope of the majestic Andes.....Isn't it a beautiful sight?

What is the uniqueness of the alpaca? Here is a handful of information that we would like to present to you.

These wonderful creations of nature, whose scientific name is Lama Pacos have lived for more than a thousand years in the higher reaches of the Andes , from 2500-4500 meters above sea level in the territory of Peru, Chile and Bolivia. With a population of about 4 million in Peru which is 75% of the world's alpacas, they are the main source of livelihood for thousands of families living in these areas of South America. Domesticated since ancient times, these animals produce an annual fleece named after their name alpaca. They are 80-90 cm tall animals, their heads are small and rounded, with tiny ears, large eyes and a sweet muzzle expression that is incredibly captivating.

There are two varieties of alpacas: Huacaya and Suri. The former is the dominant variety, giving the finest fleece in a very wide natural range of colors. It accounts for 90% of Peru's alpaca population. Nature could not have designed a better insulating fiber than is alpaca. If it were not for the special structure of their hair, these animals would not be able to survive in extreme weather conditions where temperatures range from +30 ° C to -20 ° C in a day.

Alpaca is the warmest wool in the world. It is valued not only for its thermal properties but also for its silkiness, softness and durability. It is from 3-5 times warmer than other wools. Also noteworthy is the fact that it is more durable in use than merino wool and other fibers. An alpaca blanket can be used for up to several years without losing its unique properties. It is a yarn considered one of the most luxurious in the world.

Why do we offer you blankets made of Baby Alpaca? Baby alpaca is a fiber considered one of the most exclusive. It is obtained from one- or two-year-old animals mainly from the sides of the animal and parts of their necks. Its thickness is between 20 - 22.5 micrometers. This variety accounts for about 25% of all alpaca production.

Alpaca and ecology

Alpacas pluck only the tops of grasses and other plants typically found on high-altitude heathlands.They do not pl uckplants from the ground causing less disruption to vegetation and allowing grasses to regrow. Unlike, for example, cashmere goats and sheep which have sharp hooves that damage pastures and soil, alpacas have two toes with nails on top and a soft pad on the bottom of each foot that minimizes their impact on pastures. The alpacas' natural habitat is at an altitude of 2,800 m. At this altitude, the water supply is natural and the land is generally not suitable for cultivation anyway. The indigenous people of the Andes harvest this high-quality alpaca fiber every 12 months during the shearing season, from November to March, without harming the alpacas. The harvested fiber is hand-sorted by skilled workers, resulting in 15 natural hair colors. Due to its diet, the hair is composed solely of protein and as such is 100% biodegradable in a very short time , unlike synthetic fibers, which take a very long time to decompose and therefore have a negative impact on our environment.

Is it possible to obtain fiber without burdening the environment? The answer is ALPAKA.