Hats and Beanies

Alpaca wool hats are winter's lightest warm layer: alpaca fibre is partly hollow, traps air and warms better than sheep's wool of the same thickness. The range has plain reversible baby alpaca beanies, patterned machine-knitted beanies in Andean designs, a chullo with ear flaps for the coldest days, a 3-in-1 hat, headband and neck warmer and baby alpaca fur hats. An alpaca hat rarely itches, even on a sensitive forehead, because baby alpaca fibre is typically 22.5 microns or finer. Pair it with alpaca scarves and gloves; why the fibre works this way is in our fibre guide.

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Why choose an alpaca hat

A hat is where itchy wool bothers you most. Alpaca has no lanolin and the fibre is smooth, so forehead and ears rarely itch. The hat weighs little, fits in a coat pocket and keeps its shape for years, because alpaca fibre is stronger than sheep's wool and pills less. The fur hats are made for Andean winds: dense fur blocks wind and damp while staying light.

Where our hats come from

Knitted and sewn in the Cusco region of Peru from baby alpaca yarn that comes from animals on the high Andean plateau. The patterns are local, not drawn for Europe. About our partners.

How to care for an alpaca hat

Wash a knitted hat rarely and by hand in lukewarm water, dry flat, shape by hand. A fur hat is never washed: shake it, air it, dab stains with a damp cloth, dry at room temperature if it gets wet. All the instructions are in our care article.

What is a chullo?

A chullo is the traditional Andean hat with ear flaps, worn there all year round. The flaps and ties keep the hat on in the wind and cover the ears, which an ordinary hat does not.

Is an alpaca hat suitable for a child?

Yes. A child's skin is often more sensitive to wool, and alpaca has no lanolin and a fine, smooth fibre, so it rarely itches. The hat is also light and dries quickly.