Llama Wool, Cascade Pastaza

Last modified on
May 02, 2008

Llama

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♦ Llamas, Guanacos, Vicuñas on Wikipedia.org

Llamas and Alpacas have lived in Bolivia and Peru for many thousands of years. It is known that the Incas have used Llamas for transportation purposes and Alpacas were mostly breed for their fine fibres. For the last 20 years, Peru has been well known for the industrialization of the Alpaca and Llama Fibres and has become the major exporter of Alpaca and Llama Fibres 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 in the world after Bolivia (it has more than 3 million Llamas, the largest Llama population in the world).
Llama Fiber, called "The 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, and this gives it excellent insulation qualities. Llama fibres have not been used extensively, as these present coarse fibres of up to 90 microns, making these fibres unappealing for the textile industry, thus limiting the industrialization of the Llama fiber.

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Pastaza by Cascade,
made in Peru

The fiber produced by llamas is very soft and lanolin free (non-allergenic). Like Alpaca and Vicuña, the llama fiber is hollow, and therefore can "breath". Because of this, llama fiber is called "The Cashmere of the Andes" and considered as an exotic and luxurious. Pastaza is an aran weight blend of Llama and Peruvian Wool, suitable for hand knitting and felting. Garments made from Pastaza are very comfortable, and give you a feeling of protectiveness when worn: "Pyjamas from Llamas" - Customer's Comments

Yarn Code: CY801
FIBRE: 50% Llama, 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.7-9)
LENGTH: approx. 119 m / 132 yards
HANK WEIGHT: 100 g
PRICE: CA$8.99
Shade Card 1 | Shade Card 2 | Shade Card 3
Knitted Sample
Irene & Mr.Sheep Knitwear:
♦ [Men's Llama Cardigan] * will be available in our knitwear boutique in June-July
In inventory: 001 Winter White, 026 Beige, 059 Burgundy (10 hanks), 064 Charcoal (9 hanks), 068 Sapphire /Heather(6 hanks), 072 Timber Brown (8 hanks), 270 Turquoise, 281 Dark Olive
* awaiting arrival: 1002, 1017, 021, 030, 044, more stock of 068 Sapphire

Garment Care: hand wash with woolwash or baby shampoo in lukewarm water, dry flat pulling the garment into correct shape, away from direct heat and sunshine.

Peacock Jacket, Kim Hargreaves. Enlarge.

* More Patterns:
- Blithewold Cardigan, Kristin Nicholas, Book "Knitting Beautiful Classic", yarn: Classic Elite Montera [50% Llama, 50% Wool]
- Felted Bag, Nicky Epstein
- Kilim Jacket, Kaffe Fasset. Pattern is suitable for Pastaza.[ KaffeFasset.com ]

001, Winter White		026, Beige		059, Burgundy * 10 hanks		064, Charcoal * 9 hanks
068, Sapphire /Heather * 6 hanks		072, Timber Brown * 8 hanks		270, Turquoise		281, Dark Olive