Alpaca is an animal whose 4 types of wool are used to sew expensive but high-quality clothes.

Alpaca is a fabric for patchwork and interior decoration. Translated from the Indian language it means “dog”. To produce the fabric, they use the wool and skin of animals that live in the highlands of the Andes. Thanks to a special processing technology, the yarn does not fall into lumps and, accordingly, does not roll down. Alpaca is considered the warmest wool of the animal. Alpaca products are very soft and warm. The fabric drapes beautifully, and thanks to the high density of the fabric, you can sew any product.

The expensive plain or twill weave wool fabric was named after a domestic animal that belongs to the camelid family. Alpacas are bred in South America - in the Peruvian Andes. These beautiful and intelligent creatures were tamed by local residents several thousand years ago.

• In the distant past, their unique and high-quality wool even played the role of currency .
• However, later the Spaniards arrived in their habitat and preferred to raise sheep.

The alpaca returned to its former glory as recently as 1984, when these animals began to be transported from Chile to America. Today, Peru is considered the most famous and largest supplier of wool raw materials. This area has the most suitable conditions for alpaca breeding. The condition and smooth structure of the wool is influenced by the ambient temperature, nutrition with certain mountain herbs, processing technology and even air density.

• The number of tons of alpaca wool per year reaches about 4000. It is important that the animals are sheared only once every two years, so such a large amount of raw material sounds impressive.

Secrets of alpaca production

Alpacas are bred for the purpose of trimming their hair. Despite the fact that it is often impossible to shear these animals, you can get a maximum of three kilograms of wool from one adult alpaca per shearing. The blended fibers are hand-sorted to ensure the finished fiber is of incomparable quality.

After sorting, the threads go through a cleaning stage: craftsmen remove grains of sand, dirt and grass. Next, the spinning process itself begins. Then the finished fabric needs to be washed to remove previously unnoticed debris or greasy stains. The next stage is considered optional: the fabric can be dyed with high-quality dyes or left in its natural form.

• Dyed fabrics may fade when washed , but it all depends on the type and quality of dyes.

Alpaca wool - what kind of material is it, description

Alpaca is a naturally occurring wool that is widely used for fabric production. The fiber is warm, light, but durable. The products last a long time, and pellets rarely form on the surface. Read about the features of stripe satin fabric here.

Manufacturers practically do not use dyes due to the wide variety of natural shades of the material.

What does an alpaca look like - what kind of animal is it, where does it live?

This is an artiodactyl domestic animal that lives in the mountainous regions of South America. In appearance it resembles a sheep with a large long neck. The sides of the animal are covered with long, thin hair, from which the fabric of the same name is made. Feeds on mountain grass; In the wild, animals gather in small herds that periodically change pastures in search of new food sources.

Genetic and historical studies show that the animal was domesticated about 5-6 thousand years ago. After the discovery of America, Europeans tried to import alpacas to Europe, but they did not succeed - it turned out that the animal could grow and reproduce normally only in the mountains of South America. Scientists say that today the total number of animals is about 3 million individuals, and most of them live in Peru. Find out what the texture and density of satin jacquard fabric looks like here.

The average weight of one animal is 50-80 kilograms, and about 2-4 kg of wool can be cut from one adult individual.

Advantages and disadvantages

Wool has both pros and cons. The main advantage is its hypoallergenicity.

The mechanism for the formation of allergies to clothing is as follows: during their lives, European animals secrete organic fats that remain on the fur even after shearing. This link will tell you what denim fabric is.

Alpacas are unique in that the animal does not lubricate its wool with organic fats, which makes the fabric safe for all allergy sufferers.

The material has other advantages:

1. Retains heat well. Wool threads have curled ends, which creates small pockets that trap heat.
2. The average length of the threads is quite long - approximately 15-25 centimeters. Therefore, such fabric does not fall off, pills do not form on it, and it can be stored for a very long time without losing its properties.

When in contact with dust, debris particles “stick” to the fat on the fabric, which leads to the formation of allergies in humans.

However, the material also has several disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the rather high price compared to others.

Characteristics and properties

The fibers are very thin - from 19 to 32 micrometers in diameter, and the average length of one fiber is from 10 to 25 centimeters. This makes the fabric very soft and smooth, but at the same time very durable. Temperature range – from -30 to +50 degrees Celsius. Canvas fabric and alpaca wool allow water and various liquids to pass through very poorly, and also do not cause allergies. It is ideal for knitting, and if necessary, with the help of organic dyes it can be easily dyed to create any design or pattern. Find out about the description and properties of tiara fabric in this material.

Alpaca can be adapted to make various complex jewelry with inserts of wood, metal, and so on.

How to obtain and produce threads and yarn for knitting

Threads and yarn are made as follows:

1. The animal is shorn, and then the wool is manually sorted and cleaned of debris and organic matter.
2. To make threads, after sorting, the fibers are twisted manually or using special spinning machines.
3. The threads are placed in large bins for washing and final cleaning. If necessary, painting can be done after washing.

Composition, properties, characteristics

Warm, expensive and pleasant to the touch, the fabric combines the softness of llama wool and the healing properties of camel hair. Alpaca wool fibers are suitable for a wide range of weavings as they do not retain their shape. Alpaca is not usually dyed as the wool is available in 22 luxurious natural dyes from white, pearl to brown, coffee and deep black.

These woolen fabrics are stain-resistant, do not pill, do not lose shape, do not stretch or wrinkle. In addition, they can be used for sewing products for allergy sufferers: the fabrics do not cause dangerous allergic reactions. It is comfortable to wear clothes made from alpaca wool in both hot and cold weather. The fabric adapts perfectly to any weather conditions.

• However, for many, the price of this wool may seem too high, which makes this fabric inaccessible to ordinary people.

How does alpaca wool differ from llama wool and from sheep wool?

The main differences between alpaca wool and sheep wool :

• It is seven times more warm than sheep's wool and three times more durable.
• It has extraordinary lightness, but it is more difficult to process than sheep.
• Alpaca wool does not absorb moisture as much and also dries faster.
• At the same time, yarn made from sheep wool fibers is more durable.

Difference between alpaca and llama :

• The first one is much thicker and also longer. Alpacas have hair that grows from their head to their hooves.
• Llama wool is coarser, while alpaca wool is soft and delicate.
• One adult alpaca produces much more wool than a llama.

Alternative

In terms of softness and strength, alpaca surpasses all basic fabrics - silk, sheep's wool, acrylic, and so on. In terms of insulation quality, the material is second only to clothing based on super-heat-intensive materials (Alpolux, Thinsulate and others). However, alpaca is noticeably more expensive than its main competitors, which does not allow it to become widespread. Read about the composition and properties of the biomatin material in this article.

This is insulation that was created by Austrian developers specifically for the Russian climate. It retains heat perfectly, but is also lightweight. Contains merino wool and microfiber.

Alpaca or merino: which is better and warmer

The main competitor is high-strength merino sheep wool. However, sheep and goat wool is inferior to alpaca in all respects - it retains heat worse, is less smooth, deteriorates faster, and so on. The only significant advantage of Merino sheep wool is its lower price.

Types of alpaca fabric

There are two generally accepted ways to vary alpaca wool, thanks to which you can easily choose the fabric you need for your purposes. The first of them is based on the type of alpaca, and the second indicator is based on the thickness of the fiber.

Depending on the breed of animal

The difference between the fabrics is obvious depending on the alpaca breed. Suri and Huakaya are considered the most popular and in demand. The first type of alpaca is quite rare, so the cost will be much higher. This wool is considered the best in the whole world.

By fiber thickness

Alpaca is distinguished depending on the size of the fiber:

1. The Royal Alpaca is considered the finest. Its fibers are 19 microns thick.
2. Baby Alpaca. Fiber diameter is approximately 22.5 microns. It is considered one of the highest quality.
3. Very soft. This fabric is made from fibers 25.5 microns thick.
4. Adult alpaca. Fiber diameter – 32 microns.

History of creation

According to scientists, alpaca wool appeared before our era. Its creation belongs to the ancient Indians. The Incas, who lived in what is now Peru and Chile, tamed the wild herbivorous alpaca and learned to weave yarn from its soft wool.

During the time of Columbus, Spanish conquerors began to actively conquer America. The settlers brought sheep to the continent, which filled the pastures where alpacas had previously grazed.

Europeans forgot about the miraculous wool of this amazing animal for several centuries.

The fabric received its rebirth in the middle of the last century. Farmers from the USA have become interested in alpaca breeding. And already woven in the United States, Peruvian wool conquered the world.

Today, the world leaders in alpaca wool exports are Peru, Chile and the USA.

Premium wool - what products are made from alpaca

Particular attention is paid to sewing alpaca coats. Lightweight, wear-resistant elite fabric is suitable for both warm winter and cooler demi-season models. Not only does it retain heat well, but it is also not afraid of bad weather conditions. It will delight you with excellent condition both on the front and back for many years!

• The silky threads of alpaca wool are also loved to create cozy sweaters or jumpers.

Determining the quality level of the material

The quality of wool is difficult to determine by eye to a person far from the world of the textile industry. However, the authenticity and high level of production of the canvas can still be indicated due to the following factors:

Buy fabric or yarn only from trusted suppliers. TISSURA has been collaborating with time-tested brands for many years. Such companies do not hide information and are ready to share it upon request, so if desired, you can track the full fabric production cycle from processing raw materials to creating the finished product.

• High price. Fabric made from 100% alpaca or blends with other elite wool fibers cannot be cheap if first-class raw materials, modern technologies and many years of experience of professionals in their field were used to create them.

You can distinguish it from a fake using a simple experiment. Take the alpaca thread and set it on fire; when it burns, it will smell like an animal, not something burning or resinous.

A product made from natural alpaca will not be too hot or uncomfortable. This fabric does not create a greenhouse effect, unlike fakes made from other materials.

Coat

What are coats made from? For warm weather, choose thin and light fabrics: gabardine, crepe, felted knitwear. Durable wool or wool blend fabric is suitable for winter: boucle, drape and, of course, alpacas. The last option is a profitable investment that will delight its owner for more than one season. The alpaca coat is practical, elegant, windproof and does not get wet.

How to sew outerwear from alpaca material?

The ideal fabric for a coat should hold its shape, protect from the elements, hide imperfections and highlight the beautiful lines of the body. You can buy such things, but if you create them yourself, it will be more economical and individual.

A simple coat without darts or lining is easy to sew yourself. No pattern needed. Alpaca is a reversible material that fits perfectly.

1. We take measurements: chest, hips, waist, neck, shoulder and sleeve length.
2. Parts of the shelves and back must correspond to the width of the half-circumference of the hips + 5 cm. To build a one-piece sleeve, you need to measure the width of the shoulder from the neckline and add the required sleeve length.
3. To build a collar, you need to measure a line of material along the length from the neckline.
4. The side stitches, hem lining and collar are sewn on a machine.
5. You can sew and stitch the removable belt separately.

Check the cut for shrinkage first!

Popular models

A variety of styles, textures and shades can be seen among outerwear made of any material, including alpaca. 100% natural wool of Peruvian animals does not need dyeing, as there are more than 20 colors in nature.

1. Loose-fitting coat and short coat. These models are suitable for ladies with curvy figures. An outfit made from this material looks discreet and stylish. And to add a “zest” you can decorate it with a brooch, sequins, and beads.
2. The fitted model emphasizes the curves of the female body, and the alpaca texture does not add volume. The ideal length is maxi or midi.
3. With a hood. A good option for those who don't like hats. The product does not get wet and protects from the wind.

4. Combined outerwear. Firstly, it will be cheaper. Secondly, different textures always look interesting. Alpacas are combined with suede, drape, and corduroy.
5. Knitted cardigan coat. It can be created from yarn. It is suitable for cool spring or early autumn.
6. Jacket-coat. A good strict option that will save its owner in a cold office.
7. Oversized. This season the “man’s shoulder” model has been popular on fashion platforms. Voluminous, wide outerwear allows you to hide figure imperfections.

Alpaca fabric or yarn is suitable for any style of coat. Its texture is delicate and tactilely pleasant.

Artificial alpaca

Wealthy people can afford things made from natural fur from Peruvian animals. But what to do if you want to be in trend, but finances don’t allow it? Artificial materials or a mixture of alpaca and synthetics come to the rescue.

Externally, clothes made from these materials are difficult to distinguish from each other. They are equally soft, fluffy and presentable looking.

An artificial coat or jacket is several times cheaper. It does not have high thermoregulation, the skin in such things can sweat, and bright unnatural colors are often found. In order to hide the budget of the outfit, you should choose calm natural tones: sand, beige, gray.

Pros and cons of fabric

The obvious advantages of wool fabric are:

• Lightness and subtlety.
• High breathability, which is characteristic of all natural fabrics.
• Hypoallergenic. A suitable option for allergy sufferers.
• Excellent thermoregulation. Suitable for both cold and warm seasons. Alpaca products are never too hot or too cold. The body in such clothes is always comfortable and comfortable.
• It is considered the warmest wool fabric. At the same time, as mentioned above, you will not sweat in clothes made from this wool, because alpaca does not create a greenhouse effect.
• Does not accumulate static electricity.

Not without its drawbacks:

• High price. This fact is not at all surprising, since transporting raw materials to other countries from South America is an expensive and time-consuming process. In addition, the processing of these raw materials is carried out by real professionals in their field.
• The fabric requires careful handling. Be sure to study the rules for caring for alpaca wool before performing any manipulations.

How is it produced?

After shearing, the melange fibers are manually sorted, distributing the raw materials according to natural shades, of which there are up to 24 in animals of this species - from silver and snow-white to jet black.
This is painstaking and tedious work, which also further increases the cost of the resulting material. After sorting, impurities of dirt and plant residues are removed from the raw materials, then the wool is spun, washed, removing residual sand and fat, and, if necessary, dyed. After such processing, the raw materials do not lose their quality for a long time.

Cost of fabric per meter

The TISSURA Fabric House presents original alpaca wool, delivered to us straight from Peru. Baby alpaca can be bought in our store from 7,300 rubles per meter. Italian Loro Piana coat fabric made from a mixture of alpaca and Australian merino wool is available at a price of 9,100 rubles per meter. The design of the latter is presented in several pastel shades: the Windsor check is available in grey, burgundy and beige. Read more detailed description on our website. The most expensive alpaca fabric costs 89,900 rubles per meter. This fabric from the Swiss brand Jacob Schlaepfer features elegant floral embroidery along the edges, imitating lace.

You can purchase fabrics online in an online store or in our Fabric House, where our experienced employees will advise you. Come visit us, because this way you can not only look, but also touch the canvases, evaluate in person the softness of their surface, check how dense they are, as well as how well the color, pattern or design meets your expectations. In TISSOURA you will find not only alpaca, but also other luxury wool fabrics from leading European brands: angora, vicuna, llama, cashmere and camel hair. For the lining, our staff will help you choose elegant silk options, both plain and printed, for example, striped.

How to care for her?

Products should be washed using special products in water at room temperature. It is recommended not to wring out the items, but to allow the water to drain, and only then lay them out on a horizontal surface, aligning the seams and sleeves.

Important! To maintain alpaca items in proper condition, they are washed after six to seven wears and always by hand.

Clothes made from delicate fibers should be ironed using a damp cloth at low temperatures . It is easy to restore the pile by simply running a brush along the outside. Such things should be stored with sprigs of lavender, cedar or tobacco instead of aggressive moth repellents.

What is boiled wool?

What to wear with women's wool trousers?

Application

For many years, the unique features of this fabric have been appreciated by many people around the world. In the distant past, alpaca products were available only to a certain class, but today everyone can experience luxury, even though it is not cheap. Alpaca wool yarn is often used not only for making finished fabric, but also for needlework. Popular products that can be sewn from alpaca fabric:

1. Outerwear: coats, jackets.
2. Accessories: caps, scarves and hats.
3. Casual clothing: socks, dresses, sweaters, tracksuits. Particularly convenient are double-sided products that can be turned inside out and worn that way.
4. Interior items, a set of home textiles: rugs, bedspreads and carpets. For this category of items, manufacturers often resort to wool raw materials obtained from old alpacas.

The high cost of this wonderful material is justified by the unsurpassed characteristics of natural raw materials. Excellent thermoregulation, durability and excellent aesthetic qualities make clothing made from alpaca wool truly versatile and suitable for wearing all year round.

Valuable properties and negative points

The undoubted advantages of the material include:

• ability to keep its shape - products practically do not stretch, do not roll, do not wrinkle;
• the natural composition of the clothing has hypoallergenic properties;
• despite the lightness, the fabric is dense and durable;
• experts attribute a healing effect to the canvas - dry heat improves blood circulation and reduces the intensity of pain in the joints and lower back;
• The fabric does not electrify and repels dust and dirt.

The combination of useful properties of the material with an elegant appearance has made the clothes loved by adults and children.

The only disadvantage of the products is their high price.

Recommendations for care and washing, protection against moths

Rules to follow if you want to extend the life of your favorite woolen product:

Alpaca requires care not only in care, but also in the method of storage. Wool made from such fibers does not like mothballs: if you want to get rid of moths, turn to alternative methods of protection of natural plant origin - lavender or cedar. Do not use synthetic repellents.

1. Wash. Before any manipulations, be sure to read the manufacturer's recommendations. Depending on the type of item and its density, you should wash the item in a washing machine or only by hand. Very thin things that become completely thin at the slightest stretch should never be trusted in a machine. Alpaca is washed in cold water (about 30 degrees) with detergents that are specifically designed for this material. Avoid using harsh substances like bleach. You can use dry cleaning services. We recommend washing the item every seven to eight wears to prevent rapid wear.
2. Drying. You should not squeeze them, it is better to let the water drain on its own by hanging the product horizontally. Dry away from heating devices and scorching sun. Remember to return the item to its original shape when drying so that the fabric does not become deformed in the process. You can return the pile to a presentable appearance using a brush or a not very hard sponge.
3. Ironing. Carefully, on a delicate setting, iron through a damp cloth.

Easy care

Natural alpaca fibers have another remarkable property - they do not absorb dirt. In view of this, it is recommended to wash products made from them only after the item has been worn for seven days.

Washing is done in cool water using delicate detergents, preferably by hand. After washing, you need to let the water drain, then dry the straightened product, placing it horizontally (especially knitwear). Ironing is done, if necessary, from the wrong side, always through a damp cloth, and the crushed pile is restored with a soft brush. When storing things, arrange them with fragrant plants, avoiding chemical repellents.

How to combine it with other fabrics in an outfit?

The most popular is the combination of alpaca and the fur of other animals , for example, silver fox, arctic fox, mink. This decor is relevant for winter models.

Great combinations with faux fur . Today in stores you can find a huge number of interesting models, the collar, pockets or cuffs of which are decorated with inserts made of such material. They look no worse than those for which natural fur is used.

Alpaca is combined with accessories made of woolen threads . For example, a classic coat with a knitted hat and a wide scarf looks great.

Alpaca wool goes well with genuine leather or suede . A bag made of these fabrics emphasizes the luxury of the coat material and decorates the look.

You can stay beautiful and not freeze at any time of the year, it is only important to buy the right, good coat. The alpaca model is excellent proof of this.

Reviews

On sale you can find a large number of different types of alpaca wool knitting threads from different manufacturers. Reviews from those women who use it for knitting will help you understand this diversity.

Review of YarnArt Alpina Alpaca yarn (YarnArt Alpina Alpaca)

Anastasia, 25 years old

I'm not a professional at knitting, but I can do something. Due to the high price of large-knit hats and snoods, I decided to knit them myself and, listening to the seller’s advice, purchased three skeins of 150 g each of white Turkish-made Alpina Alpaca thread. It contains 10% wool, 30% alpaca and 60% acrylic. Despite this not entirely natural composition, the items turned out to be very warm and well-made. For knitting, I used needles No. 10, since the thread is quite voluminous, and I want to note that during the knitting process it did not fluff or tangle.

Expert comment: Alpaca is often combined with other types of wool and synthetic fibers in order to increase the strength and wear resistance of the product.

Review of Alpaca baby lux yarn

Oksana, 52 years old

I have long been in love with this Italian yarn, made from the down of baby alpacas obtained from the first shearing. Products made from it are so light and delicate, but at the same time very warm. It also makes magnificent shawls and stoles, and sweaters and jumpers are pleasant to the body and do not cause allergic reactions. For knitting, I usually use needles No. 2, 5, but if I want a looser knitting, then I take No. 3.

A comment:

Expert's comment: This type of knitting thread is perfect for making children's clothing. It is hypoallergenic and does not cause skin irritation.

Review of ALIZE Alpaca Royal yarn (Alize Alpaca Royal)

Marina, 35 years old

I started my acquaintance with alpaca threads with Alize Alpaca Royal, choosing it to knit a winter bodysuit for my baby. The main criterion for choosing was the ability to retain heat and not irritate the baby’s delicate skin. I can also say in favor of this particular Turkish yarn that it is pleasant and easy to work with, and after washing it does not lose its shape and color. I plan to knit myself a warm sweater for the winter.

Expert's comment: This type of knitting thread is quite popular due to its high quality and practicality. Products made from them are warm, light, pleasant and last a long time.

Review of Alpaca Gold yarn (Alpaca Gold)

Polina, 48 years old

The composition and quality of Alpaca Gold threads gave me the idea to knit a large blanket with a pigtail pattern. It contains 60% acrylic, 20% wool and 20% alpaca, which will make the product warm, durable, and will not deform during use. For knitting, I chose three rich colors and knitting needles No. 6. I think that hats, scarves and sweaters made from this type of yarn will look great and last a long time.

Expert's comment: The threads of this yarn have a fairly tight twist, which ensures good knitting uniformity.

Review of Alpaca Wool Vita yarn (Alpaca Wool Vita)

Veronica, 28 years old

It took me a long time to choose threads for knitting my new cardigan, but I still chose Alpaca Wool Vita in a chocolate shade with long fibers. This yarn is made in China, but is made using German technology. It contains 60% wool and 40% alpaca, which makes my cardigan very warm. For knitting, I used classic garter stitch and I want to say that in this yarn it looks very impressive. In general, the product itself is very light, soft and pleasant to the body.

Expert's comment: If you need a really warm thing for low temperatures, then this is the best choice.

Review of Peruvian alpaca yarn from

Victoria, 45 years old

I really wanted to knit warm mittens myself, and for this purpose I chose threads from Pekhorka made of merino wool and Peruvian alpaca in a ratio of 50% to 50%. It took me a skein (100 g) to make a pair of mittens, and for the work I used knitting needles No. 3. The thread itself is thin, smooth and quite light. The price of the skein is high, but the quality of the product completely justifies it. I think the only drawback is that the mittens are a little scratchy, probably due to the presence of merino fibers.

Expert's comment: Such a natural composition will provide good heat capacity for the products you are knitting.

Review of Trinity Alpaca yarn

Olga, 36 years old

Having bought a skein of Alpaca from Troitsk thread, I, as a beginner in knitting, realized that I was very lucky. I needed to knit a yellow hat for my daughter to match her down jacket, and this shade and quality of yarn suited me perfectly. The already knitted hat was surprisingly warm and very soft to the touch, and after numerous washes it did not fade or lose its shape at all.

Expert's comment: If you know how to make a pompom from yarn, we recommend decorating a baby hat with them.

Reviews of KARTOPU Alpaca Polo Mix yarn (Alpaca Polo Mix)

Natalya, 33 years old

I purchased this Turkish yarn to knit myself a vest. It contains acrylic, wool and alpaca, so I decided that the item would be warm. It was a little disappointing that this type of thread did not fit well on the knitting pattern, and the long white fibers in the yarn spoiled the look a little. Already at the very beginning of knitting, I replaced the recommended needles No. 6 with knitting needles No. 5, because the knitting turned out to be quite loose, and in general the vest turned out to be very warm and good quality.

Expert's comment: This thread will be good for knitting cardigans or jackets, but for a vest or jumper it is better to choose a thinner alpaca thread without impurities.

The advantages of alpaca are obvious, and we are confident that now you can choose the right type of thread so that the product you knit will bring joy and comfort for a long time.

The world of knitting is diverse and fascinating, so you can not only knit warm clothes for yourself and your family, but also create various accessories with your own hands. For such purposes, tape or knitted yarn made from fabric will suit you. - Products made from knitted yarn are very beautiful and functional. Having set a goal, you can easily master knitting various bags from knitted yarn, and knit functional baskets and containers from it to store all kinds of small items and accessories.

We hope that we managed to inspire you to create original and useful things, and that the information received will find its application. We are waiting for your feedback in the comments.

Flaws

If alpaca fabric is better than other wool materials, then why not put it into mass production? It's all about the price. This type of wool is considered one of the most expensive. To reduce its cost, manufacturers mix natural fibers with synthetic or budget wool, which affects the quality of the material.

If you're in Peru...

When traveling to the homeland of the Incas, do not forget to purchase a souvenir made from Peruvian llama wool. Here literally everything is made from this fabric - homespun carpets, bags, ponchos and, of course, clothes. You can also bring home wool for knitting. Its average cost is about $300 per kilogram.

When you buy this season's fashionable hat or cardigan in ethnic colors at a wild market in South America, you can be sure that it is real alpaca, hand-processed. If you don’t have time to travel right now, you can always use the services of online stores and purchase the desired item with home delivery.