Difference between revisions of "Alpaca"
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| − | [[File: | + | [[File:Alpaca vs. llama 2 large.jpg|thumb|right|The two breeds of alpaca; Suri and Huacaya, standing next to a llama for comparison]] |
| + | [[File:AlpacaWool undyed colors (J.Lekavicius-Shutterstock).jpg|thumb|right|A few of the many colors of raw Alpaca wool]] | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | + | A silky wool obtained from a domesticated llama (''Lama pacos'', ''Vicugna pacos'') found mainly at high altitudes in Bolivia and Peru. Two breeds of alpaca, the huacaya and the suri, were developed in pre-Columbian times. The wool of the suri is fine and silky while the wool of the huacaya is shorter and slightly coarser. The straight, silk-like wool grows about 8 inches annually and will touch the ground if the animal is not sheared. Alpaca wool is lightweight, strong, lustrous, and can be white, light brown, or black. Because it is high in insulation value and resistant to rain and snow, alpaca is used in parkas, sleeping bags, and coat linings. The fibers are used alone or blended with [[cotton|cotton]], [[polyester%20fiber|polyester]], or sheep's [[wool|wool]] to make dress fabrics and suit fabrics. Imitation alpaca fabric is made of cotton, [[rayon%20fiber|rayon]], or [[acetate%20fiber|acetate]] yarns interwoven with a mohair filling. | |
| − | A silky wool obtained from a domesticated llama (''Lama pacos'') found mainly at high altitudes in Bolivia and Peru. Two breeds of alpaca, the huacaya and the suri, were developed in pre-Columbian times. The wool of the suri is fine and silky while the wool of the huacaya is shorter and slightly coarser. The straight, silk-like wool grows about 8 inches annually and will touch the ground if the animal is not sheared. Alpaca wool is lightweight, strong, lustrous, and can be white, light brown, or black. Because it is high in insulation value and resistant to rain and snow, alpaca is used in parkas, sleeping bags, and coat linings. The fibers are used alone or blended with [[cotton|cotton]], [[polyester%20fiber|polyester]], or sheep's [[wool|wool]] to make dress fabrics and suit fabrics. Imitation alpaca fabric is made of cotton, [[rayon%20fiber|rayon]], or [[acetate%20fiber|acetate]] yarns interwoven with a mohair filling. | + | [[File:1992.573-E10137CR-d1.jpg||thumb|right|Woven alpaca cloth]] |
| − | + | [[File:52.1653-SC45598.jpg|thumb|right|]] | |
| − | [[File:52.1653-SC45598.jpg|thumb|]] | ||
| − | |||
== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
| − | ''Lama pacos''; ''Viguna pacos'';Alpaka (Deut., Pol.); alpaca (Esp., It., Ned., Port.); alpaga (Fr.); Luster (Ned); huacaya; suri; | + | ''Lama pacos''; ''Viguna pacos''; Alpaka (Deut., Pol.); alpaca (Esp., It., Ned., Port.); alpaga (Fr.); Luster (Ned); huacaya; suri; |
== Other Properties == | == Other Properties == | ||
| + | *Fiber length = 8 cm (undercoat) | ||
| + | *Alpaca fiber comes in a range of diameters. Fiber quality is determined by the diameter of the fiber. Smaller fiber diameters are considered more luxurious and higher quality because they create softer wools. The following table has been adapted from the [http://aia.org.pe/la-alpaca/ International Alpaca Association]. | ||
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | ! Fiber Classification !! Avg.Fiber Diameter (microns) | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Super Baby || ≤20 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Baby|| 20.1-23 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Fleece || 23.1-26.5 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Medium Fleece || 26.6-29 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Huarizo || 29.1-31.5 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Gruesa (Coarse) || >31.5 | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | Alpaca fibers typically over 30 microns are often prickly to the skin. | ||
| − | + | *IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern | |
| + | *CITES Status: Unlisted; There are special regulations for the trade of Vicuna (''Vicugna vicugna'') and Guanacoe (''Lama guanacoe'') fibers and cloth, yet alpaca fibers and cloth are not listed. See [http://checklist.cites.org/#/en CITES] | ||
== Comparisons == | == Comparisons == | ||
| Line 21: | Line 40: | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| − | |||
File:26 alpaca 200X.jpg|Alpaca | File:26 alpaca 200X.jpg|Alpaca | ||
File:alpacanaturalcharcoallarge.jpg|Alpaca | File:alpacanaturalcharcoallarge.jpg|Alpaca | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | |||
== Sources Checked for Data in Record == | == Sources Checked for Data in Record == | ||
| Line 36: | Line 53: | ||
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca (Accessed Oct. 18, 2005) | * Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca (Accessed Oct. 18, 2005) | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca_Fiber (Accessed Oct. 25, 2019) | ||
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p... 32 | * G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p... 32 | ||
Revision as of 17:43, 29 October 2019
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Description
A silky wool obtained from a domesticated llama (Lama pacos, Vicugna pacos) found mainly at high altitudes in Bolivia and Peru. Two breeds of alpaca, the huacaya and the suri, were developed in pre-Columbian times. The wool of the suri is fine and silky while the wool of the huacaya is shorter and slightly coarser. The straight, silk-like wool grows about 8 inches annually and will touch the ground if the animal is not sheared. Alpaca wool is lightweight, strong, lustrous, and can be white, light brown, or black. Because it is high in insulation value and resistant to rain and snow, alpaca is used in parkas, sleeping bags, and coat linings. The fibers are used alone or blended with Cotton, polyester, or sheep's Wool to make dress fabrics and suit fabrics. Imitation alpaca fabric is made of cotton, rayon, or acetate yarns interwoven with a mohair filling.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Lama pacos; Viguna pacos; Alpaka (Deut., Pol.); alpaca (Esp., It., Ned., Port.); alpaga (Fr.); Luster (Ned); huacaya; suri;
Other Properties
- Fiber length = 8 cm (undercoat)
- Alpaca fiber comes in a range of diameters. Fiber quality is determined by the diameter of the fiber. Smaller fiber diameters are considered more luxurious and higher quality because they create softer wools. The following table has been adapted from the International Alpaca Association.
| Fiber Classification | Avg.Fiber Diameter (microns) |
|---|---|
| Super Baby | ≤20 |
| Baby | 20.1-23 |
| Fleece | 23.1-26.5 |
| Medium Fleece | 26.6-29 |
| Huarizo | 29.1-31.5 |
| Gruesa (Coarse) | >31.5 |
Alpaca fibers typically over 30 microns are often prickly to the skin.
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
- CITES Status: Unlisted; There are special regulations for the trade of Vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) and Guanacoe (Lama guanacoe) fibers and cloth, yet alpaca fibers and cloth are not listed. See CITES
Comparisons
Properties of Natural Fibers.pdf
Additional Images
Alpaca
Alpaca
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: alpaca" from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. [Accessed May 8, 2003].
- Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990
- J.Gordon Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:I Natural Fibres, Merrow Publishing Co. , Durham, England, 1984
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca (Accessed Oct. 18, 2005)
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca_Fiber (Accessed Oct. 25, 2019)
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p... 32
- Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985
- Marjory L. Joseph, Introductory Textile Science, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Fort Worth, TX, 1986
- Edward Reich, Carlton J. Siegler, Consumer Goods: How to Know and Use Them, American Book Company, New York City, 1937
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
- Website address 1 Comment: www.fabrics.net