Alpaca vs. Cashmere: What’s the Difference?
We’ve written about the properties of alpaca fibers before, but we’ve never fully explained why our product line includes Alpaca, Merino, and Shetland wools, but no Cashmere.
Cashmere is not environmentally friendly. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, cashmere supply cannot keep up with demand in a sustainable way. The yield per goat is small, so herd sizes have increased. As the alpine terrain where the goats live becomes overgrazed, the Inner Mongolian region of China suffers frequent dust storms.
While alpaca is mostly sourced from Peru, sustainable alpaca farms have also cropped up throughout Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States. Like sheep’s wool, alpaca fibers have been used to make clothes and blankets for hundreds of years.
Similar to cashmere, alpaca is a natural fiber with a silky, luxurious feel; it is just as warm and soft as cashmere, but even more durable. Alpaca fibers are hollow with an insulating core that makes them both warm and breathable. Alpaca fleece contains no lanolin and is hypoallergenic.
When you want to give someone (or yourself) the gift of true luxury, reach for one of our Alpaca throws, wraps, or stoles.
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