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Aug 31, 2010
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The Cashmere of the Andes: Llama, Guanaco, Vicuña
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Llamas and Alpacas have lived in Bolivia and Peru for thousands of years. They were mostly bred for their fine and warm fibers. The llamas are double coated with a coarse guard hair and soft undercoat. The llama's undercoat is about 16-18 micron in diameter, and is finer than the best cashmere. The Incas also used Llamas for transportation purposes and called them "silent brothers". For the last 20 years, Peru has been well known for the industrialization of Alpaca and Llama fibers, and has become the major exporter of Alpaca and Llama fibers in various forms to the world. Peru has more than 3 million Alpacas, the largest population in the world, and 300 thousand Llamas - the second largest population of these animals in the world, after Bolivia, which has more than 3 million Llamas. Llama fiber, the so called Cashmere of the Andes, is non-allergenic in that it does not contain any oils or lanolin. It is not necessary to use bulky yarn in order to obtain warmth. Llama fibre structure is semi-hollow, like a polar bear's coat. This gives it excellent insulation qualities. The fiber comes in many natural colors: white, grey, redish brown, brown, dark brown, and black. Llama fiber has not been used extensively, because it is unappealing for the textile industry, thus limiting the industrialization of the Llama fiber. More information about Llamas, Guanacos, Vicuñas → Wikipedia.org |
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• Did the ancient Inca make the finest woolen cloth the world has ever known? - by By Heather Pringle, Rocky Mountain Llama & Alpaca Association |
Pastaza is a remarkably soft and fluffy, superfine yarn similar to pure alpaca. A llama's coat structure is semi-hollow, like a polar bear's coat, and this gives it excellent insulation qualities. Like Alpaca, Cashmere Goat, and Vicuña's wool, the Llama's fiber can "breath" and is called "The Cashmere of the Andes" because it is even finer than the best cashmere. As a matter of fact, Llama's wool, as well as a spun llama yarn are non-allergenic and lanolin free.
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Yarn Name Index >>
Patterns for Pastaza: • Chunky Striped Men's Pullover, Suss Cousins Hollywood Knits, yarn: Pastaza • Blithewold Cardigan, Kristin Nicholas, book "Knitting the New Classic". Yarn: Classic Elite Montera [50% Llama, 50% Wool] • Seed Rib Crewneck, Classic Elite, book Classic Elite Knits, 100 Gourgeous Designs for Every Occasion. Yarn: Montera [50% Llama, 50% Wool]
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001, Winter White
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026, Doeskin Heather* 10+2 hanks |
059, Maroon
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064, Charcoal
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068, Sapphire Heather
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070, Olive Heather
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072, Timber Brown
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077, Golden Heather
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085, Duck Egg Heather
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270, Turquoise
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281, Dark Olive
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311, Lavender Heather
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