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Toronto, Canada
Last modified on
Aug 31, 2010

 

The Cashmere of the Andes: Llama, Guanaco, Vicuña


The Llamas
Photo © imrsheep.com
  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


Ancient Peru, Culture   Did the ancient Inca make the finest woolen cloth the world has ever known? - by By Heather Pringle, Rocky Mountain Llama & Alpaca Association

 

Llama, Peruvian Wool
 
Cascade Pastaza, made in Peru

natural

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.

Pastaza is suitable for hand knit garments of any type and style, including fancy outfits. Garments made of this yarn are carefree, cozy, and comfortable to wear. They are so soft that they can be easily worn next to the skin, and will give you a feeling of protectiveness. * Note: we would recommend the use of needles of a slightly smaller size (up to 5 mm) to avoid stretching after the first wash.

* Similar yarn: Gobi, Super Alpaca, Snuggle


FIBRE: 50% Llama Down (Tapada), 50% Peruvian Wool
YARN WEIGHT: Aran
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 16 sts / 22 rows on 4.5 mm, 4 sts = 1" on 5.5 mm needles
NEEDLES: 4.5 - 5.5 mm (US No.7-8)
LENGTH: approx. 119 m / 132 yards
HANK WEIGHT: 100 g
Shade Card 1 | Shade Card 2 | Shade Card 3
Shades 2009 | Knitted Sample
PATTERNS: free downloads, Chunky Striped Men's Pullover, Suss Cousins Hollywood Knits; Cascade Yarns Pastaza Patterns
Sample patterns for alpaca
Sample patterns for wool (light chunky /aran weight garments are suitable)
Price: $9.99
In stock: 001 Winter White, 026 Doeskin Heather (10+2 hanks), 059 Maroon, 064 Charcoal, 068 Sapphire Heather, 070 Olive Heather, 072 Timber Brown, 077 Golden Heather, 085 Duck Egg Heather, 270 Turquoise, 281 Dark Olive
* awaiting arrival: col. 311 Lavender Heather
» request colour description
» Cascade Yarns Index


Garment Care: hand wash with woolwash or baby shampoo in lukewarm water. Do not wring out, gently press to remove excess water. Dry flat pulling the garment into correct shape, away from direct heat and sunshine.

 


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Pastaza Shrug
Pastaza Shrug, © Cascade Yarns.

 

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]

 

Colour:
Quantity:


Cascade PASTAZA, 001 Winter White 001, Winter White   Cascade PASTAZA, 026 Doeskin Heather 026, Doeskin Heather
* 10+2 hanks
  Cascade PASTAZA, 059 Maroon 059, Maroon   Cascade PASTAZA, 064 Charcoal 064, Charcoal
Cascade PASTAZA, 068 Sapphire Heather 068, Sapphire Heather   Cascade PASTAZA, 070 Olive Heather 070, Olive Heather   Cascade PASTAZA, 072 Timber Brown 072, Timber Brown   Cascade PASTAZA, 077 Golden Heather 077, Golden Heather
Cascade PASTAZA, 085 Duck Egg Heather 085, Duck Egg Heather   Cascade PASTAZA, 270 Turquoise 270, Turquoise   Cascade PASTAZA, 281 Dark Olive 281, Dark Olive   Cascade PASTAZA, 311 Lavender Heather 311, Lavender Heather

 

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