How to pick what to buy?
There are a few considerations in choosing what to buy.
For example, the diameter of individual fiber can impact fleece softness. The diameter is measured in microns. The lower the microns, the thinner the fiber. Over time, industry naming conventions have changed so the grid below provides some terminology you may have seen.
For comparison: Human hair is 50 microns, Merino wool 18-24 microns, other wool 25-40 microns. Another animal fiber, Cashmere (goat) is one of the few that competes with alpaca at <19 microns.
Grade (fineness)
Alpaca comes in over 20 different natural colors
Here are the main categories
More questions? click on FAQ button
Iron Vista Ranch has tack and equestrian items covering a variety of disciplines and horse breeds (from Arabs to Draft sizes) Inventory is updated regularly.
Don't see something? - Just send us an email to see if we have it available.
Frequently asked questions about alpacas
Why choose alpaca fiber for your next project ?
It is soft
Alpaca is considered a luxury fiber with some individuals producing fleece that rivals cashmere.
Softness is determined by the diameter of the strands (micron) and the smoothness of the outer layer (cuticle)
It is warm
The alpaca fiber is hollow. This layer of air adds an insulating effect. For example, by weight, alpaca fiber is 7 times warmer than wool. Apparel made from alpaca doesn't have to be bulky to provide warmth.
It's water repellant
Since alpaca fiber is hollow, water is repelled rather than being absorbed by the fabric. While not waterproof, Alpaca fleece only absorbs about 10% moisture. When compared to wool (which may absorb as much as 30%), alpaca fleece is lighter when wet and dries faster than wool. And alpaca apparel tends to shed the majority of water before reaching the skin.
Can it take dye?
Yes. Like other animal fiber, you can dye alpaca fleece - But why would you want to? Alpaca comes in 22 natural colors already. At Iron Vista Ranch we have individuals that cover the spectrum of colors. But if you need another color for your project, we suggest buying a light to medium color fleece for best dying results. For all the natural colors, see the guide above.
Can it be felted?
Like other animal fleece, alpaca can be felted.
Remember the part about softness, however? Since alpaca isn't as "scaly" as wool, it often takes a little longer and more agitation to actual get a nice sturdy felt fabric. The good news is that for a felted project, we recommend a less expensive grade of 3,4 or 5 for best results.
Is alpaca fiber sustainable?
Iron Vista Ranch purposely focused on an agricultural product that our animals can continue to produce over their lifetime. In most circumstances, younger animals produce the finest fleeces. But we have focused on a breeding program where we have alpacas between 3 to 15 years old still producing fleeces in grade 1 and 2. And our "grand old ladies and gentlemen", (between 16-22+ yrs.) produce grade 4 and 5, that may be used in all sorts of crafts.
Alpacas are gentle on the land and are very feed efficient. They live their lives in a very sustainable footprint.