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Sweaters and Cardigans

Alpaca wool sweaters are light and warm at once: baby alpaca yarn weighs less than sheep's wool and warms more thanks to the hollow fibre. The range has baby alpaca wool sweaters and button cardigans that can stand in for a jacket. The sweater rarely itches at the neck or wrist, because baby alpaca fibre is typically 22.5 microns or finer, and it pills less than cashmere or merino. No lanolin, so it rarely needs washing and resists odour. It pairs with alpaca scarves; why baby alpaca is the practical sibling of cashmere is in our fibre guide.

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Why choose an alpaca sweater

A sweater is the largest woollen item in the wardrobe, so weight and pilling matter most. Alpaca fibre is strong and smooth: the sweater keeps its shape, the elbows stretch less and the surface pills little. The warmth comes from the hollow fibre, not from thickness, so the sweater also works in a heated office. Colours are the alpaca's natural shades and plant dyes.

Where our sweaters come from

Knitted in the Cusco region of Peru from baby alpaca yarn that comes from animals on the high Andean plateau. We have worked with the same artisans from the start, read our story.

How to care for an alpaca sweater

Air it after wearing, wash at the end of the season by hand in lukewarm water with wool detergent, roll in a towel, dry flat and shape by hand. Store folded, not on a hanger. The full guide is in our care article.

Baby alpaca or cashmere?

Cashmere is slightly softer, but pills heavily, wears out faster and costs several times more. Baby alpaca is almost as soft, more durable and keeps its shape.

Will the sweater felt in the wash?

Not by hand in lukewarm water. Felting is caused by hot water, sudden temperature changes and the machine drum, so hand wash and dry flat.