Alpaca Knitwear

Baby alpaca is the finest grade of alpaca fibre. The pieces in this collection are 100% baby alpaca at 22.5 micron, made from yarn grown and spun in Peru and knitted in New Zealand by Royal Merino. Alpaca fibre has a smooth surface, which gives it a silky hand-feel that is noticeably different from wool.

Alpaca feels silkier and drapes more fluidly than merino, which has more spring and holds its shape more firmly. Royal Merino's merino is finer, at 19.5 micron compared with 22.5 micron for the baby alpaca, but the smooth alpaca fibre still feels soft. Alpaca suits drapey pieces like a lace wrap; merino suits structured jumpers and cardigans.

The collection has two pieces from Royal Merino. The Alpaca Lace Wrap is a fine openwork wrap measuring 176cm x 92cm (69" x 36"), large enough to wear open over the shoulders or fold narrow as a scarf. The Wavy V Neck Alpaca Cardigan is a button-front cardigan with columns of wavy stitch down the body. Both are 100% baby alpaca.

Yes. Alpaca fibre is semi-hollow, so it holds warmth while keeping the knit light. The Alpaca Lace Wrap has an open lace construction and works as a light layer over a dress or fine knit. The Wavy V Neck Alpaca Cardigan is a closer knit and gives more warmth through the body.

The alpaca pieces are knitted in New Zealand by Royal Merino. The baby alpaca yarn is grown and spun in Peru, so the fibre itself is not from New Zealand. Royal Merino's other knitwear uses 100% merino wool.