Excellent recommendations, I am Peruvian from Arequipa and I recommend buying alpaca from recognized brands in Peru, in Cusco there is a brand that is the most famous and of the best quality, which is KUNA, and on the labels it says the alpaca combination they use. so look at the labels, the information always appears there.
Thanks for sharing! I'm familiar with the brand, they make beautiful products. I guess it gets tricky when you shop at markets, where there are no labels and you have to rely on the sales person. I found some of my favorite alpaca products at the Baratillo markets in Cusco, but you had to look carefully to see if they were real :-) I miss Peru, I loved Arequipa. Such a vibrant city with amazing nature. Thanks again for reaching out.
This was SO helpful oh my gosh. I bought a 100% alpaca sweater online but the brand is nowhere to be found. I think it is definitely mixed fibers, but still high percentage of actual alpaca wool. I wish I had seen this sooner. Thanks, looking forward to checking your shop out in depth!
Hi Rini! Thank you for your comment and your kind words! I'm glad you found my channel!! :) Some wool blends can be great and actually add more benefits to alpaca wool! Especially when mixed with other natural (wool) fibers! Hope you enjoy lots of warmth and fluffy love from your sweater nonetheless!!! :) Warm regards, Eveline
@@yanantinalpaca376 I know they can help strengthen, I guess I just don't like how easy it is for companies to lie about it haha. I'm okay with strengthening, I just wanna know what it actually is :P It's super warm and I'm very excited to use it. Less excited for washing ;)
You're so right! I totally agree and it shouldn't be allowed! Yay happy to hear that it is nice and warm!! :) Actually, alpaca wool is pretty odor-resistant and shouldn't absorb smells easily. I rarely wash my alpaca woolen products! When I feel they could use some refreshment, I hang 'm outside (or in the bathroom) where they can air (and steam)! This often helps A LOT!!!! :)
Fresh from the farm! Hahaha sometimes that will happen! In my experience it happens when the wool is very rustic and not treated chemically. Was that the case for your rug? Thank you for your comment and apologies for the late reply!! Evelien
Hi Shauna, Thanks for reaching out, these stores do offer mittens. Not sure if they're exactly what you're looking for butit might help :) lnknits.com/collections/accessories/products/mittens kunastores.com/world/category/general/31?departmentId=UHJvZHVjdERlcGFydG1lbnQ6NA%3D%3D Hope this helps :) Eveline
Hi Signor Gucci! Thanks for your comment. We don't have sweaters yet, but stay tuned because I'm definitely planning on adding sweaters to our brand! :)
Hi Awesome Ewok! Sorry for the delayed response, and thank you for your question! :) Washing an alpaca woolen poncho could be quite the task! When alpaca woolen garments get wet and absorb a lot of water they can actually get really heavy! So, you want to prepare accordingly and maybe make this a two-person job! -Make sure to use only cold or lukewarm water (and use a constant temperature throughout the washing process!) and let your garment soak for about 30 minutes with some mild detergent (something organic and natural or baby shampoo). -Then, rinse the poncho thoroughly, but make sure that the weight of the water doesn't pull too much on the garment. It could potentially lose shape because of all the water weight! You are probably going to want to do this with two people, so that one person can hold the garment and the other can rinse it. -Try to squeeze out some of the water before putting the garment to dry. Again, this might be easier with two people. Make sure not to twist, turn, rub or wring the garment!!! Just gently squeeze out the water without handling it roughly. -To dry the garment, place it between 2 large towels (or more if needed!) and roll the garment (without stretching it or changing its shape) to squeeze out any access water. -Put the garment to dry on a flat surface, probably a drying rack in your case, with a towel underneath. Make sure the rack is strong enough to hold the garment - and make sure you've squeezed as much water out of the garment as possible - this should help reduce the weight! -Turn the garment as necessary and remove the towel when most water has been absorbed. -Make sure the garment is completely dry. -Be careful not to hang the poncho, as the water weight can pull the garment out of shape! Alpaca woolen garments are very breathable and odor-resistant. If you don't need to wash the garment, you might as well hang it outside to air (on a dry day, away from direct sunlight!) or steam it (in your bathroom could even be enough), which should help a lot freshening it up! I hope this helps, feel free to reach out to me if you have any further questions! I also made another video in which I wash my alpaca woolen hat. You could follow those instructions, except you'll have to make sure to really support the garment throughout the washing process as a poncho is obviously much heavier than a hat!!! (And therefore more at risk to lose its shape). (You can find the video here >> ua-cam.com/video/j0T9cs33Wro/v-deo.html ) Good luck and I hope you receive lots of fluffy warmth of your poncho!!! :) Eveline
@@lidlrini Hahah yeah I know! With the right tools (like a towel rack or drying rack) you can manage, but I always find it helpful to ask my boyfriend for help XD
In my experience Alpaca wool items do not shrink. I wash them by hand, though. Maybe machine washing is different. Or maybe there is some other factor at play like different kinds of fibers, or different ways of spinning the fiber.
Hi! Thanks for your comment! :) I agree! As long as you wash alpaca wool by hand, it shouldn't shrink! When you put them in the washing machine, the friction causes the fibers to felt and tighten up, and that causes the shrinking :) And that's different too when it's a wool blend :) Although, like you, I would wash alpaca wool by hand, always! :)
Yes! Sorry for the late response. But... Glad you asked! Yanantin is a social enterprise and so we sell beautiful alpaca woolen products PLUS we make sure the knitters get a great salary and flexible working hours. Here's the link: shop.yanantin-alpaca.com
Hii @ana1ysis! 😊 Sorry for the late response! YES, you can totally distinguish alpaca fibers from others! 🦙✨ Look for: Fewer scales (super smooth 🌟), Hollow core (great for insulation 💨), and Less crimp (it’s straighter than sheep wool 🐑). You’ll need the right equipment 🔬 and a good eye 👀. Are you diving deep into fiber analysis? Sounds fascinating! 😍
Excellent recommendations, I am Peruvian from Arequipa and I recommend buying alpaca from recognized brands in Peru, in Cusco there is a brand that is the most famous and of the best quality, which is KUNA, and on the labels it says the alpaca combination they use. so look at the labels, the information always appears there.
Thanks for sharing! I'm familiar with the brand, they make beautiful products. I guess it gets tricky when you shop at markets, where there are no labels and you have to rely on the sales person. I found some of my favorite alpaca products at the Baratillo markets in Cusco, but you had to look carefully to see if they were real :-) I miss Peru, I loved Arequipa. Such a vibrant city with amazing nature. Thanks again for reaching out.
Great video Eveline, thanks for the superb beneficial info.
Hii Magirus! Amazing to hear. Thanks for the compliments. Always great to hear that the information is useful
This was SO helpful oh my gosh. I bought a 100% alpaca sweater online but the brand is nowhere to be found. I think it is definitely mixed fibers, but still high percentage of actual alpaca wool. I wish I had seen this sooner. Thanks, looking forward to checking your shop out in depth!
Hi Rini! Thank you for your comment and your kind words! I'm glad you found my channel!! :)
Some wool blends can be great and actually add more benefits to alpaca wool! Especially when mixed with other natural (wool) fibers!
Hope you enjoy lots of warmth and fluffy love from your sweater nonetheless!!! :)
Warm regards,
Eveline
@@yanantinalpaca376 I know they can help strengthen, I guess I just don't like how easy it is for companies to lie about it haha.
I'm okay with strengthening, I just wanna know what it actually is :P
It's super warm and I'm very excited to use it. Less excited for washing ;)
You're so right! I totally agree and it shouldn't be allowed! Yay happy to hear that it is nice and warm!! :) Actually, alpaca wool is pretty odor-resistant and shouldn't absorb smells easily. I rarely wash my alpaca woolen products! When I feel they could use some refreshment, I hang 'm outside (or in the bathroom) where they can air (and steam)! This often helps A LOT!!!! :)
@yanantinalpaca376 I have a 100% alpaca skirt from Intiwara. The fibres are short enough to stick out. Thoughts?
How do I find your shop.. not real technically inclined
I bought a alpaca furry rug back in 1994 it had a scent like lanolin that sheep have .
Fresh from the farm! Hahaha sometimes that will happen! In my experience it happens when the wool is very rustic and not treated chemically. Was that the case for your rug?
Thank you for your comment and apologies for the late reply!!
Evelien
I bought Alpaca gloves in Belfast Maine… I have Reynauds and want to buy mittens and a hat do you have a suggestion where I can order online?
Hi Shauna,
Thanks for reaching out, these stores do offer mittens. Not sure if they're exactly what you're looking for butit might help :)
lnknits.com/collections/accessories/products/mittens
kunastores.com/world/category/general/31?departmentId=UHJvZHVjdERlcGFydG1lbnQ6NA%3D%3D
Hope this helps :)
Eveline
I’m going to Cusco next month. Can you come with me? Lol. I need your knowledge.
Hahaha! LOVE THAT! I'm so jealous! Hope you enjoy it, it's such a magical place!
Hey Eveline, can you make me a sky blue Baby Alpaca Sweater in size Men's Medium? I'm so in love with it!
Hi Signor Gucci! Thanks for your comment. We don't have sweaters yet, but stay tuned because I'm definitely planning on adding sweaters to our brand! :)
How would I go about washing an alpaca poncho
Hi Awesome Ewok! Sorry for the delayed response, and thank you for your question! :)
Washing an alpaca woolen poncho could be quite the task! When alpaca woolen garments get wet and absorb a lot of water they can actually get really heavy! So, you want to prepare accordingly and maybe make this a two-person job!
-Make sure to use only cold or lukewarm water (and use a constant temperature throughout the washing process!) and let your garment soak for about 30 minutes with some mild detergent (something organic and natural or baby shampoo).
-Then, rinse the poncho thoroughly, but make sure that the weight of the water doesn't pull too much on the garment. It could potentially lose shape because of all the water weight! You are probably going to want to do this with two people, so that one person can hold the garment and the other can rinse it.
-Try to squeeze out some of the water before putting the garment to dry. Again, this might be easier with two people. Make sure not to twist, turn, rub or wring the garment!!! Just gently squeeze out the water without handling it roughly.
-To dry the garment, place it between 2 large towels (or more if needed!) and roll the garment (without stretching it or changing its shape) to squeeze out any access water.
-Put the garment to dry on a flat surface, probably a drying rack in your case, with a towel underneath. Make sure the rack is strong enough to hold the garment - and make sure you've squeezed as much water out of the garment as possible - this should help reduce the weight!
-Turn the garment as necessary and remove the towel when most water has been absorbed.
-Make sure the garment is completely dry.
-Be careful not to hang the poncho, as the water weight can pull the garment out of shape!
Alpaca woolen garments are very breathable and odor-resistant. If you don't need to wash the garment, you might as well hang it outside to air (on a dry day, away from direct sunlight!) or steam it (in your bathroom could even be enough), which should help a lot freshening it up!
I hope this helps, feel free to reach out to me if you have any further questions!
I also made another video in which I wash my alpaca woolen hat. You could follow those instructions, except you'll have to make sure to really support the garment throughout the washing process as a poncho is obviously much heavier than a hat!!! (And therefore more at risk to lose its shape). (You can find the video here >> ua-cam.com/video/j0T9cs33Wro/v-deo.html )
Good luck and I hope you receive lots of fluffy warmth of your poncho!!! :)
Eveline
@@yanantinalpaca376 Thanks
@@awesomeewok733 You're welcome! :)
@@yanantinalpaca376 Oh wow this is intense, did not expect this. I will have to figure out a 1 person solution!
@@lidlrini Hahah yeah I know! With the right tools (like a towel rack or drying rack) you can manage, but I always find it helpful to ask my boyfriend for help XD
In my experience Alpaca wool items do not shrink. I wash them by hand, though. Maybe machine washing is different. Or maybe there is some other factor at play like different kinds of fibers, or different ways of spinning the fiber.
Hi! Thanks for your comment! :) I agree! As long as you wash alpaca wool by hand, it shouldn't shrink! When you put them in the washing machine, the friction causes the fibers to felt and tighten up, and that causes the shrinking :) And that's different too when it's a wool blend :) Although, like you, I would wash alpaca wool by hand, always! :)
Do you sell any items made from Alpaca?
Yes! Sorry for the late response. But... Glad you asked! Yanantin is a social enterprise and so we sell beautiful alpaca woolen products PLUS we make sure the knitters get a great salary and flexible working hours. Here's the link: shop.yanantin-alpaca.com
Is Ecualama real alpaca?
Hi @daniel51404! Thanks for your question! I'm not familiar with the brand. Can't help you here, sorry!
Muy buena
Gracias querida Nona
Can you definitely tell alpaca by microscope?
Hii @ana1ysis! 😊 Sorry for the late response!
YES, you can totally distinguish alpaca fibers from others! 🦙✨ Look for:
Fewer scales (super smooth 🌟),
Hollow core (great for insulation 💨), and
Less crimp (it’s straighter than sheep wool 🐑).
You’ll need the right equipment 🔬 and a good eye 👀. Are you diving deep into fiber analysis? Sounds fascinating! 😍
Hi, how interesting your video, I invite you to visit Tinkuy.
Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing :)