Why not to use 100% alpaca yarn in making a sweater
When you want to buy an alpaca sweater in local market or online shop, it is hard to find a sweater made of 100% alpaca. They usually made of alpaca wool blend or alpaca acrylic blend.While you will be easy to find a sweater made of 100% cashmere or 100% wool.
Alpaca yarn is a popular choice for many knitters and crocheters who love its softness, warmth and natural colors. However, using 100% alpaca yarn for making a sweater may not be the best idea. Here are some reasons why you should avoid using pure alpaca yarn for your next sweater project.
1. Alpaca yarn is too warm for most climates. Alpaca fiber is known for its excellent thermal insulation properties, which means it can keep you warm in cold weather. However, this also means that it can make you overheat in warmer weather. Alpaca yarn is not very breathable, so it can trap moisture and sweat on your skin, making you feel uncomfortable and sticky. Unless you live in a very cold climate or plan to wear your sweater only in winter, you may want to choose a lighter and more breathable yarn for your sweater.
2. Alpaca yarn is too stretchy for most sweater patterns. Alpaca fiber has a low elasticity, which means it does not bounce back to its original shape after being stretched. This can cause your sweater to lose its shape and fit over time, especially if you knit it with a loose gauge or a lot of negative ease. Alpaca yarn also tends to grow when washed or blocked, which can make your sweater too big and baggy. To avoid this problem, you may want to choose a yarn that has more elasticity, such as wool or a blend of alpaca and wool.
3. Alpaca yarn is too delicate for everyday wear. Alpaca fiber is very fine and soft, which makes it prone to pilling, shedding and breaking. Alpaca yarn can also be easily damaged by moths, insects and other pests that feed on animal fibers. If you want your sweater to last longer and look better, you may want to choose a yarn that is more durable and resistant to wear and tear, such as cotton or acrylic.
In conclusion, alpaca yarn is a wonderful fiber that has many benefits, but it may not be the best choice for making a sweater. You may want to consider using a different yarn or a blend of alpaca and other fibers for your sweater project. This way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the softness and warmth of alpaca and the durability and elasticity of other fibers.
CH Cashmere offers many kinds of alpaca blends yarns for your choice. For example.
Yarn1: 78% Alpaca 19% Nylon 3% Spandex
Yarn2: 55% Alpaca 15% Wool 24% Nylon 6% Spandex
Yarn3: 39% Alpaca 39% Wool 20% Nylon 2% Spandex
Yarn4: 32% Alpaca 32% Wool 34% Nylon 6% Spandex
Yarn5: 30% Alpaca 30% Wool 40% Nylon
Yarn6: 15% Alpaca 35% Wool 47% Nylon 3% Spandex
Yarn7: 8% Alpaca 20% Wool 47% Acrylic 22% Nylon 3% Spandex
Yarn8: 8% Alpaca 15% Wool 48% Acrylic 26% Nylon 3% Spandex
You could contact CH Cashmere to get the color cards and available colors.
