Animal fibre: alpaca wool

Alpacas are members of the camelid family which live at altitudes of around 3000 m in several South American countries. It was domesticated for its wool, warmer, lighter and more waterproof than sheep’s wool (which did not, in fact, reach America until the Spaniards brought it). This wool is widely used because it makes warmer clothing and is easier to dye than plant fibre.

Many of the beautiful textile craft pieces from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile which are sold on street stalls in European countries are of Alpaca wool, which is easier to dye than vegetable matter and is also warmer.