Alpacas are incredibly important to the indigenous descendants of the Incas, culturally and economically. Cashmere goats, who are not native to Mongolia, are overgrazing the land, leading to desertification, and threatening other species such as wild horses, snow leopards and antelope. Different than sheep’s wool, alpaca wool is actually washed after it is spun. This may sound harsh, but if the animal gets scared it may make sudden movements that can cause it more damage.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'yanantin_alpaca_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',109,'0','0'])); The animal is therefore put down on sacks, with its feet tied and stretched out. ETHICALLY MADE ALPACA BRACELET. As long as the treatment of the animals is gentle, there is no harm done to them. During this step it is also time for the wool to be dyed. The washing is done in lukewarm water, placing the wool underwater for about 30 minutes. Let's have a look at my two favorite fibers and see what the features and benefits are of alpaca and merino wool. Alpacas are part of a family of four South American camelids. Alpaca fiber and wool does not contain fat or allergenic lanoline so no strong chemicals are needed to clean it. Every Campo Purchase Supports ... Campo Alpaca. Not only is baby alpaca (the softest part of a full-grown alpaca’s coat) just as soft as cashmere, an alpaca sweater is more durable than a cashmere one and is less likely to pill, while comparable in price. Washing the wool is the next important step in the process. Check out the products in the Yanantin Webshop! Take Action. To shear an alpaca, you will need to make sure that the animal is bound. There were hundreds of alpacas and llamas and vicuñas scattered across it, as if a giant hand had spilled them carelessly across a shaggy green carpet. It can also be used for making exclusively fine fabric that can be used for suits and coats. When the wool has dried, it is ready to be spun into a finalized product. Before the shearing can even begin, it is important that the wool is dry. Now, discover alpaca clothing you can wear through every season, in a soft, sheer blend of "baby" alpaca and silk. It is the classic, fluffy, funky, sheep-alike animal that produces a very soft and silky kind of wool. There’s the vicuña, which almost went extinct in the 1960s, but has staged a comeback and now produces a luxurious fiber that is finer and way more expensive than cashmere — think a $20,000 coat! Even though the alpaca comes in 24 natural colors, you will be able to find an even greater variety of flashing colors that will have been either naturally or industrially dyed. Alpaca wool is 100% compostable at end of life and Arms of Andes sources their wool from Alpaca herders where the alpacas are raised in small herds in the Peruvian Andes where they are naturally adapted to live and are free roaming. When I came across Arms of Andes, I got so excited. A baby alpaca, to be more precise. A farmer came out of his house, and invited us to pick up and hold the baby alpaca, while the mother made Marge Simpson-like concerned noises. What luck! A dry alpaca is cleaner and produces therefore higher quality wool. As a responsible purchaser for value, you must also put factors like environmental and animal … Key is to complete the process as quickly and smoothly as possible to put as little stress on the animals as possible.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'yanantin_alpaca_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',116,'0','0'])); According to Aragon Alpacas, what actually causes the stress is the noise of the shearing machine, rather than the fear of actually being shorn. The shearing process is ethical and animal friendly and often done with indigenous methods.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'yanantin_alpaca_com-box-3','ezslot_11',103,'0','0'])); Obviously, this is a short answer. We are a social impact company benefiting the small businesses and communities in Peru with whom we work. One is that it is not as matted as cashmere, and pilling is not really an issue with Alpaca. ), link to Alpaca vs. Merino Wool: Price, Sustainability & Features Compared. This ground-breaking footage highlights just some of the abuse documented at Mallkini, the world’s … Alpaca wool is one of the most ethical products available and is completely eco-friendly throughout its production. Yanantin Alpaca is a sustainable brand of alpaca woolen products. Depending on the producer, this can also be done manually or by machines. FREE UK DELIVERY (1-3 days) Length: 175 mm/ 6.9 in (braid + closed clasp) Bead: 42 mm/ 1.7 in Diameter: 5 mm/ 0.2 in Extention chain: 45 mm/ 1.8 in. They spend their entire lives roaming freely in their native habitat, the Andes mountains, where they fit right into the ecology. And they’re not killed for their wool, either. Alpaca Wool Cruelty. They might be nervous and dig their heels in and have to be restrained, but they’re not harmed. Hi! It is not uncommon that one of the shearers will get spit in the face, but hey… That’s only fair, right? We create unique, high-quality clothing from some of the best material in the world – alpaca fiber. When we set out for the Rainbow Mountains outside of Cusco one chilly morning in March, our tour guide told us that we could ask our driver to stop whenever we wanted. When the shaving is done well, it creates one big fleece that will not include shorter pieces of hair due to second cuts. All knitwear is made by women in Bolivia, who receive amazing salaries, are given courses and training and a flexible working schedule. A disturbing, first-of-its-kind PETA undercover exposé reveals that workers hit, kicked, tied down, and mutilated pregnant, crying alpacas in Peru, the world’s top alpaca producer. After carding, it is time for the torsion of the wool. It’s worth noting that both in case of sheep and alpacas, shearing is a cosmetic procedure which simply takes out the excess of wool they’ve grown. . Alpaca wool is a fiber that comes from an animal called an alpaca. It is also important that the animals are sorted by their color, breed, and age. The list of qualities attributed to alpaca wool is super interesting, and I have written an entire article about them: Click here if you’re curious to find out more about the Qualities of Alpaca Wool! Alpaca wool is a type of wool that is derived from the fibers that naturally grow on alpacas. Ann Taylor is packing up the alpaca. And they’re not killed for their wool, either. I had seen an alpaca. Alpaca fibre is one of the most ethical products currently available that is completely eco-friendly and cruelty-free at the same time. This is a manual activity and in South America, it is often done by women. For alpaca wool to keep all its qualities, it is important that the wool is treated carefully. And then vicuñas, the alpaca’s luxury cousin. You will very often see women with a large batch of fluffy fleece, turning it magically into spun wool with a wooden spinning wheel. This means that an alpaca must be kept inside or underneath a roof for at least 24 hours before the procedure. They’re caught by … All our clothes are made of natural baby alpaca wool, for a healthy body and a healthy environment. But what is it that makes such materials sustainable? Just look at that face! It is needed to remove any stains, dirt or grease that can be found on the hair. The reason why alpacas are constrained is to make sure they are NOT harmed during the process. No chemicals or dyes are used in the manufacture of our bedding, and the animals themselves are given the best care and nutrition, so as to provide them with long-term health and to help them to maintain a glossy, healthy fleece.Alpacas are not killed for their fur … This is done either by gently pulling or stretching out the hairs until they are ready to be spun. First, the fleece will be spread out on the floor (or on sacks), so that shorter, thicker or uneven pieces of hair can be taken out.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'yanantin_alpaca_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',111,'0','0'])); Then, when only the longest hairs are left, these will be carded. WHY THE ETHICAL BRACELET? The huacaya alpaca is the most common one. Honestly, alpacas may not enjoy the experience, but once their fluffy coat has been taken off they will be thankful for it. The list of qualities is endless and after having started wearing it, there’s no way back to synthetic fabrics. (And Other “Lightweight” Materials? In South America, people have been working with alpaca wool for centuries and they have the perfect set of skills to process alpaca wool in a natural, efficient, and animal friendly way. It is harvested for its own properties and is a great moisturiser. Many people claim alpaca wool is lighter than sheep wool, but there's very little evidence to support this claim. You might be happy to hear that alpaca wool is known to be ethicaland involves much careful, manual labor. The wool of a suri alpaca is also more elastic which makes it more convenient for knitting.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'yanantin_alpaca_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',115,'0','0'])); Alpaca fiber is actually more similar to hair, not wool. This is because, in Everlane’s words, “alpacas are soft-hooved and gentle grazers, which makes them easier on pastures than other herd animals”. Well, lots of possibilities here: alpaca wool can be used for making sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves, blankets, and outdoor garments. They’re caught by the farmers and gently sheared. They make it look like the easiest thing one can ever do, but believe me… It is a true art and not just for everyone! UK Alpaca is proud to offer you this alpaca yarn made from the fleeces of alpacas farmed in Britain and Ireland. I actually ate alpaca twice in Peru, once at a healthy and delicious farm-to-table restaurant in Cusco, and once at the home of an indigenous family in the community of Chari. Now that you have a perfectly winded cone, what can you do with it? When I'm not writing about the wonderful features of alpaca wool, you can find me reading, hiking or cooking. All Rights Reserved. Therefore, it does help to keep an alpaca standing up straight to release the amount of stress put on the animal. Within the category of alpacas there are two different species: the suri alpaca and the huacaya alpaca (read more about it on Wikipedia). Our alpaca yarn comes from small scale ranchers in the Peruvian Highlands, where family-owned alpacas roam free-range. This is why Arms of Andes clothing feels so much softer than other wool clothing you might have tried. In order to maintain high quality wool, their fur has to be long enough to get one big fleece in the first cut of shearing. Got your eye on an alpaca wool gift, but have some reservations? They spend their entire lives roaming freely in their native habitat, the Andes mountains, where they fit right into the ecology. Crying Alpacas Thrown and Cut for Jumpers and Scarves. Alpaca wool comes from the alpaca, a South American camelid. Alpaca fiber is also hypoallergic because it does not contain lanolin, a wax secreted by other animals whose fiber is used for wool production. Once the animal is tranquilized and attached, the shearing can begin. I suspect that as I learn more about the ethics of the world of wool and yarn that the listings will change. If you don’t like the video, then let’s talk about shifting production to indigenous farmers and giving them a better price so production can be slowed down. In Australia for example, the wool industry has a high standard of animal welfare, with sheep that produce quality wool, high in lanolin. The goal is to empower them. But the alpaca is by far my favorite. £30. link to Is Alpaca Wool Lighter than Sheep's Wool? Almost every single alpaca we saw, except for the first mother alpaca and her baby, was wandering completely free through the wilderness, munching on whatever caught their fancy, free of boundaries or fences. I believe that we can create a better world by focusing on what feels good. Everyone working with alpacas will use a small, hand-used razor that is animal friendly and won’t cut or hurt the alpaca. (And Other “Lightweight” Materials?). !eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'yanantin_alpaca_com-box-4','ezslot_10',108,'0','0'])); According to Science Daily, it is not the act of shearing that makes the animals stress out. For more vibrancy, … Alpaca fleece is fine and light, does not retain water, is a thermal insulator even when wet and resists solar radiation. We came around a switchback and found ourselves face to face with a whole herd of alpacas wandering across the road. Benefits of baby alpaca wool. When it comes to cashmere, brands like Stella McCartney … The most well-known one is the llama, which produces a somewhat coarse fiber. A large amount of alpaca wool still comes from Peru, where the animals live in their natural habitat and graze around freely. According to Aragon Apacas, an experienced shearer will be able to do this in a matter of minutes. The spun and washed wool is then drained and laid out, so that it can dry. Color options are endless as Alpaca wool comes in 22 natural colours including variations of white, grey, brown and black and can be blended to create more than 300 shades. These animals are known as camelids since they are similar to camels, and alpacas are native to South America. Alpaca wool’s naturally insulating core keeps you warm without weighing you down. There are two breeds of this four-legged animal: the Huacaya alpaca … Did you know alpaca wool is super sustainable?! Obviously, they are incredibly photogenic and friendly animals. ‘Stop! Alpaca wool comes from the alpaca, a South American camelid. We pulled over, and I jumped out of the car to take pictures of a mama and baby alpaca. Generally, if the wool comes from small artisanal farms, traditional farming methods, or certified organic farms, these are the best ways to ensure that your wool stacks up the best on ethical and sustainability scales. My name is Eveline and I started Yanantin Alpaca after having spent five years living in South America. Alpaca wool needs to be air dried. This makes it an environmentally friendly fiber. Again, this doesn’t hurt the animal, it keeps it from making sudden movements and prevents it from hurting itself. It is important that the wool isn’t rubbed, wringed, or squeezed. This means that during the shearing process there is no going back and forth, rather, only one long haul. Alpaca is famous for its luxurious fleece and its versatility: it won’t shrink or pill if given correct care, it is hyper allergenic and has water resistant properties. The knitwear is ethically handmade in Bolivia, by aymara women. But alpaca wool doesn’t come with any of those concerns. Alpaca wool is recognised world-wide for its luxurious and fine fibres. Last but not least the ethical issues as discussed above. We were running behind because of my alpaca enthusiasm and our guide was starting to get a little nervous. Why choose Inkanti “When ethics meets aesthetics …” Pure Baby Alpaca wool. Ethical & handcrafted Sustainable alpaca wool is known as the perfect cold-weather fiber. We turned another corner, and in front of us was a v-shaped valley stretching off miles into the distance. According to the Programa Alianza en Energía y Ambiente con la Región Andina (AEA) alpacas come in 24 different colors, from pitch black to plain white and every shade of grey and brown in between. Alpacas. To maintain the quality of alpaca wool, it is important that the wool is shorn off in one cut. Mulesing is done to reduce flystrike. Lanolin is a grease produced by sheep to help maintain and protect its fleece. Ascena Retail Group, the clothing conglomerate that owns the Ann Taylor, LOFT and Lou & Grey plans to stop using wool from the llama-like creatures amid con… … So. I love everything alpaca, sustainable and green. Columbia’s ethical and environmentally responsible decision comes on the heels of a PETA exposé of the world’s largest privately owned alpaca farm, in Peru, that documented workers violently hitting, kicking, and slamming alpacas (some pregnant) onto tables and strapping them tightly by the legs into a restraining device resembling a medieval torture rack. Unfortunately, despite high industry standards for merino sheep, there is controversy over the practice of mulesing the sheep. Is Our Alpaca Wool Ethical? I saw an opportunity to make real, local impact and took it with both hands. On top of that, I believe that there is no superior wool than alpaca wool. You might be happy to hear that alpaca wool is known to be ethicaland involves much careful, manual labor. I’m basically doing the equivalent of asking him to stop every time I saw a cow in Texas. Alpacas are shorn once a year. However, this is only possible when they are calm enough to begin with (which they will grow to be over time). Many. Alpaca vs. Merino Wool: Price, Sustainability & Features Compared. From beginning to end, the process is ethically responsible, animal friendly, it generates great working opportunities for indigenous people, focusing on maintaining traditional techniques… It’s just great. The wool Arms of Andes uses isn’t just any wool though—it’s Royal Wool. I popped out of the car to take more pictures. Alpaca fibres have fewer and flatter scales in comparison to sheep's wool fibres, making it especially soft. Some farmers put tracking collars on their alpacas, and go to collect them when they’ve died a natural death so that they can be used for food for locals, and their fur can be sold to artisan brands and made into fluffy ethical and sustainable pillows and shoes. Compared to Baby (which doesn’t actually come from a baby alpaca) and Superfine wool, Royal is the finest and most luxurious—and only about 1% of exported Alpaca wool is royal. If an alpaca’s fur is wet, it is more likely to keep more dust or mud in its fleece. I am currently offering a FREE Premium Listing to suppliers who are taking extra steps to care for their animals, the planet and/or the people involved in the production of their yarns. £25. This technique is called torsion (link goes to information from the Universidad Andina) and it is what gives alpaca wool its final strength. It’s also naturally odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, wind-resistant, and more. This will make for a similar amount of wool as not much of the fiber gets wasted during the process. Arms of Andes was started by a brother and a sister who were brought up in the US in a Peruvian household. And now here they were in front of me, in all their fuzzy, hooved, gentle glory. Cruelty-free. The process therefore is labor intensive and includes much careful, manual labor. Donate Now. Let’s take a closer look at the steps that are involved to transform a fluffy alpaca into an ethicallyknitted alpaca woolen product. Hair from the huacaya alpaca does not have much of a crimp and is therefore very suitable for weaving techniques. It was filmed at the largest alpaca farm in Peru, which is owned by a European family. And I laughed. Alpaca wool is currently one of the most ethical sources of fabric that you can find. While these alpacas look as if they urgently need a bath, their hair can actually be thinner and more precious than their huacaya family members. It is native to South America (mainly Peru, Bolivia and Chile) and its fur is known for its high qualities, like softness and durability. With 80% of alpaca fiber worldwide being produced in Peru — and 85% of the alpacas in Peru raised by smallholder (indigenous) farmers — when you buy something made with alpaca wool, you’re probably supporting a Peruvian alpaca farmer, and you are definitely wearing an eco-friendly and beautiful material, even if it’s from an alpaca farm somewhere else in the world. But alpaca wool doesn’t come with any of those concerns. In 2020, PETA released what they deemed an exposé of alpaca abuse. Branding by Idil Berken. Longer pieces of wool make for a higher quality of wool, as smaller pieces of wool can cause the wool to become thinner and tear apart. In Peru, this is often done manually as well. Ethical and artisan clothing. Dyed alpaca wool will be washed a second time to get rid of any extra dye. It’s similar to when you bring your pet to the vet. It is important that the cone is easy to use for either handknitting or machine knitting. This is the only activewear brand I’ve found so far that uses alpaca, and I am so here for it because of the potential that alpaca wool has in terms of high performance. If you are curious to learn more about sustainable fashion, you might have read about many different examples of fabrics and materials that don’t leave (as much of) a footprint on the planet. Eventually, I put the baby alpaca back down unharmed and we got back in our car and drove on. Because of the way alpacas have evolved to live in such high altitudes, their wool easily adapts to changes in temperatures, which means it’s great for hiking and other outdoor adventures. It’s been well-known for almost a decade that the Chinese are flooding the market with cheap and low-quality cashmere . ]. And what it shows is nervous and scared alpacas being roughly sheared. I took him seriously. Not all wool is made equal though, on the sustainability stakes nor on the ethics. Carding is the process of combing the wool fibers so that they become more uniform. The answer is not replacing alpaca with acrylic. It is the restraining that makes them tense (indicated by an increase in stress hormones). And when you do know, it is hard to be sure whether your materials are ethically obtained or not. Flystrike happens when blowfly eggs l… Each fibre has large hollow spaces, which increases thermal capability and temperature regulation, meaning that you can opt for a slightly lighter duvet if this is your preference. There is always one person holding the alpaca’s head down.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'yanantin_alpaca_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',110,'0','0'])); Then, the shearing itself is done from the lower belly to the back, and on to the spine, to the other side (the alpaca is rotated here), and back down to the belly. During the washing process, shampoo or some type of detergent is used to remove any grease and dirt. Let's see if it's true! I spied several alpacas climbing a steep alpine slope, so I made the driver stop the car so I could take more pictures. It’s also healthy for them to be sheared, because if their wool grows too much, it can impact their quality of life. The guanaco is mostly in Argentina, and his hardly known at all. The Higg Materials Sustainability Index ranked alpaca wool as the second most environmentally damaging material after silk, noting that it’s six times as harmful as polyester and more than four times as damaging as modal, viscose, rayon, lyocell, acrylic, and other vegan materials. Yanantin stands for slow fashion and quality. Campo = Cambio Positivo … Our alpaca socks are deliciously warmer than sheep’s wool, yet cool in the summer, due it being a hollow fibre, alpaca fibre maintains a constant temperature gradient and allows your skin to breathe, not sweat. Because they regrow their wool, which can come in 20 different colors, from white to coffee brown and even orange, it’s in a farmer’s best interest to let them live as long as possible.
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