Alpaca Yarn
Alpaca yarn comes from this South American mammal that’s closely related to the llama. Alpaca fiber is very strong and projects knit in it will be very durable and long lasting. Like wool, it can absorb moisture and still feel dry next to the skin, making it perfect for Portland winters and springs. Alpaca fiber has a sheen to it that wool typically does not. Also, many people with wool sensitivities can wear alpaca without complaint. Alpaca looks best when the knit fabric has some texture, though complex cables should be avoided because they are heavy and alpaca will not bounce back into shape if it becomes stretched out. Also, because of the lack of memory, ribbing knit in alpaca will not pull in the way it does when knit in wool. Alpaca can be blended with wool or cashmere to add memory to a finished project.
Alpaca yarn will make durable, long-wearing garments. Alpaca yarn has similar moisture properties to wool, being able to absorb a good deal of moisture while maintaining a warm and dry feel against the skin. Alpaca has far fewer scales, however, which helps contribute to its lustrous appearance. Also, the alpaca does not secrete lanolin, so the fleece is far cleaner and more hypoallergenic for those with lanolin sensitivities.
Alpaca has a smooth, dense, and lustrous hand, absorbing dye readily and reflecting it back with brilliance and luster. When knit, alpaca produces a dense, relaxed fabric that drapes beautifully on the body. Alpaca is well-suited for garments that will rest directly against the skin–even that of babies.
Any kind of ribbing in pure alpaca will be decorative only–the yarn won’t reliably keep your fabric snug. If cables and ribbing are your thing, that’s OK, too. Just stick with a yarn that blends alpaca with a loftier, more elastic fiber, such as wool.
Although not as warm as cashmere, alpaca fiber has a hollow core that helps it hold in heat, making it several times warmer than wool.
Purchase your cashmere yarn in any quantity or weight you’d like, using our Custom Yarn Creator.
- Type of fiber: Protein (derived from animal)
- Hand: Lustrous and drapey
- Care: Hand wash recommended
You may purchase solid colors of alpaca yarn here, in any weight you’d like — or, use them as ingredients in creating your own custom blend of yarn, using our Custom Yarn Creator!
Source: The Knitter’s Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn by Clara Parkes
From our Customers…
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It is such a wonderful service to be able to mix your own yarn, especially if you want something particular, such as an interesting mix of wool-free fibers.
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Just wanted to say that the yarn came the other day, and it is so pretty! I just love it, and so does my three-year-old. She took it out of the package and (budding knitter that she is) actually kissed it, and took it to bed with her. I had to pry it out of her hands when she was asleep to get it back! And the hat pattern is perfect, I can’t thank you enough. Yarnia is one of the best companies I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing any kind of business with. I’m so sorry you have to close your store front; I’ll certainly continue to buy yarns from you, recommend you to everyone I know, and I do wish you the very best.
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I just received my order 🙂 The colors are awesome and can’t wait to knit!! Thank you for great service and look forward to ordering from you in the future.
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This was my very first time ordering custom yarn and I could not be more pleased. Keep up the wonderful work. Love and Hugs.
– Roberta E., Tallahassee, FL -
I was very happy with the yarn I received. I’m currently knitting with it & love it! Thank you.
– Margaret T., Anchorage, AK
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Fast service, the cardboard cones were exactly what I wanted. I was very pleased
– Judith A., Rocky River, OH
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Everything was great, and so speedily delivered! This service is such fun, I am excited to create a new order soon!
– Susan B., San Mateo, CA
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I was so surprised at how quickly I got my yarn and it was exactly what I had hoped for. I’m so glad to have found you guys.
– Lauryn C., Aurora, OR
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I have had such a great day making some Christmas shopping decisions with Yarnia and your chat-line was so very helpful. It really was a nice surprise to know that there is a company out there that will take the time to listen to what a customer wants and then do their best to be helpful. Restores my faith in shopping online!
– Debbie D., Hot Springs, AR
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The whole experience was wonderful. I think this is the best concept ever. To be able to purchase what fabric, how much and the color I want is awesome. I have already submitted another order. Thank you
– Cookie M., Douglasville, GA
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This was a great experience and love the fact that the color blend is exactly what I wanted. Lindsey was great in responding quickly to my questions. I will order from here again and have been telling my friends about Yarnia.
– Ana Paula A., Swansea, MA
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I am a real fan of ordering yarn by the yard rather than by the skein. This definitely reduces the number of yarn ends that need to be woven in after the project is finished – a task that I don’t like and do not do very well.
– Sally D., Nevada City, CA
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I appreciate the personalized service, emailing to inform of out of stock items and problem solving to create the same look.
– Candice D., Cuyahoga Falls, OH -
It was really a lot of fun to choose your own fibers and colors. The site was easy to use. I’ll definitely order again!
– Kristen M., Poughkeepsie, NY
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Exceeded expectations. Colors perfect for making a baby blanket for a San Francisco 49er fan. Thank you so much!
– Sandy H., San Jose, CA
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I ordered the yarn cones for my bridal bouquets! They are absolutely perfect! If I need more I will definitely be sending people in your direction!
– Ashley M., Clawson, MI
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Got my order sooner than expected & the color is very close to the picture. Gorgeous yarn! This could become dangerous for my Paypal acct :). Very happy with the whole process & my yarn. Thank you very much! Definitely will visit next trip to PDX
– Kat T., Mesquite, NV
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Wonderful idea for custom yarn! Very pleased with my order and will come back for more.
– Heather M., North Bethesda, MD
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The order was processed and delivered more quickly than expected. You were out of one colour that I ordered but was exchanged to my satisfaction. As I said earlier, I did have to pay duty on the order, which I didn’t expect. I definitely will order again but probably not for quite some time. I already had way too much yearn before I even ordered from Yarnia! Thank you for the oh-so-efficient service, I greatly appreciate it. You should be proud of yourselves!
– Lesley R., Coquitlam, B.C.
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Nice experience shopping. Quick responses, friendly and helpful. The adjustment to shipping costs was easy. Looking forward to sharing my creation for you.
– Meredith H., Womelsdorf, PA
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Lindsey was a dream to work with: patient, able to offer suggestions and communicated well. The color and fiber were perfect.
– C.J. S., Boone, CO
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Yarnia has become one of my favorite yarn stores to buy yarn from. I like the fact that I can chose yarn, colors and weight and have it come on one cone is great. Makes my life a lot easier, when it comes to purchasing one of a kind yarn. Thanks again Lindsey, love the yarn!
– Linda W., Ruther Glen, VA
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The customer service was wonderful. I have never made an order where the people helping me went so far out of their way to be sure I got exactly what I wanted. Will be getting most of my yarn for now on from yarnia’s and will recommend ya’ll to to others who love to knit like myself. Thank you again for making my shopping the best.
– Diane J., Lakeland, LA
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Wow!!!!!!!!! I was impressed with the service and quality of the product, and the handwritten thank you note and pattern. I have told every yarn person I know about you and my wonderful experience.
– Roberta E., Tallahassee, FL
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I was so surprised at how quickly I got my yarn and it was exactly what I had hoped for. I’m so glad to have found you guys.
– Lauryn C., Aurora, OR
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I ordered a single cone of ‘Seahawk’ for the purpose of sampling Yarnia’s product and to know what to expect if I wanted to order a custom yarn in the future. It is even better than I had expected.
– Renee S., Lynden, WA




