I was recently flying on a major airline carrier while perusing the selection of in-flight reading material I found their monthly magazine dog eared and tucked in the seat back pocket. This magazine was devoted entirely to sustainable and eco friendly communities and living situations. 

On my return flight home I grabbed a copy of the

USA TODAY and again found my self reading yet again about sustainable and green living. More and more options are being uncovered of how to help, participate in or make our personal worlds and homes a wonderful nest full of friendly options and interiors that would make mother earth swoon. It is everywhere! Sustainability, eco friendly, green, energy consolidation, recycling, the list is endless and it is only the beginning. 

I began thinking how sustainable alpaca is and as my thoughts unfolded, I was amazed.

I can’t think of another natural fiber so sustainable, friendly or earth conscience. (OK, some might argue the point, but I am admittedly an Alpaca advocate but I make a pretty good argument, read on!!) 

Alpaca is a natural fiber and is shorn from the animal annually. It is a necessary part of the husbandry associated with this livestock. The animals are not harmed; rather they need to have their hair removed so that they can better cool themselves. These alpacas are raised in the US in loving environments and in

South America they are treasured as well. Alpaca is a fiber that contains no lanolin and it doesn’t need to be washed in harsh chemicals to remove any residual contaminates. It comes in 22 natural colors so in many cases it can be colorful yet remain pure and un-dyed. Forget dousing it in unnatural chemicals! Did you know that alpaca was naturally flame retardant? 

Do I have your curiosity peaked? I hope so! Let me continue… 

So what does that mean in the way of sustainability? Well, once harvested, production of the hair into yarn creates a textile that is far softer and less harsh to the wearer than wool or other natural fibers. Once processed into yarn alpaca takes on a whole other side… one of pure softness, completely hypoallergenic, thermal and luxurious; naturally! 

Alpaca is thermal and will keep you warm! Each fine hair is hollow so it is like wearing insulation ~ only much softer! Put on a pair of alpaca socks and a sweater and turn down your thermostat! Alpaca will keep you warm with less bulk, less irritation and it will last longer and look better than wool or cashmere. (It doesn’t pill, loose its luster or wear thin.) 

Get it dirty and just hand wash it! You don’t even need to wait long for it to dry; generally overnight it will dry completely. You don’t use the electricity to wash it in the washing machine nor do you need to go to the expense or use chemicals (unless you want to!) by dry cleaning!  Now you say, alpaca, isn’t that expensive? No more than a quality item bought at the mall, and if you amortize it over its life, far less. If you compare it to a sweater made of synthetics remember you get what you pay for! The acrylic, nylon or acitate won’t wear as well, won’t breathe and remove the natural perspiration your body creates away from the skin, it won’t look as good for as long and in the end you can only turn it into something else by melting it. Wizard of Oz anyone? 

Alpaca will last years longer (on average alpaca sweaters will last 6-10 years!) and because the styles are timeless, you won’t look like you’re stuck in a time warp 10 years from now. That acrylic sweater will be long forgotten, while you continually reach for your favorite alpaca cardigan, pullover or vest. 

Alpaca is perfect for the home as well. Throws to snuggle under, afghans and slippers are ready and waiting to be enjoyed. Alpaca bedding, comforters, pillows, bed blankets and even quilts are all a wonderful, earth friendly solution guaranteed to heat up your nights. Alpaca sleepwear and robes are available too!

What do you do when it’s time to say goodbye? Well if you ever voluntarily give up your alpaca sweater or blanket to mother earth (Most folks have to have them pried from their mitts) it will naturally decompose since it is made of natural hair! Instead though, why not recycle it or make it an heirloom. Alpaca can be passed from generation to generation or given to a charity organization for resale. 

Alpaca is crafted in so many options to make your life friendlier. Apparel for men, women and kids is readily available. It can be bought as yarn and be hand made, or can be purchased on the web and in select specialty stores or US alpaca farms. Visit www.alpacaunlimited.com to see our selection of goods. Blankets and jackets, hats and scarves, gloves and socks… so many options for being good to the earth and good to ourselves. 

Alpaca is truly the sustainable win win for everyone and it makes the perfect gift of sustainability and love! After all, if you think about it, alpaca has been a gift to us from Mother Earth all along!

Alpacas resemble sheep in appearance, but they are larger and have a long neck (similar to a giraffe but not as long) as well as coming in many colors, whereas sheep are generally bred to be white and black. Typically when people think of Alpaca they think of llamas but alpaca are smaller than llamas and are valued for their fiber. Alpacas also have straight ears and stubby tails. Alpacas are social herd animals and should always be kept with others of their kind which is why when you see one alpaca you see them in a herd of others. They are gentle, inquisitive and very smart.

Alpaca warn the rest of the herd about intruders by making sharp, noisy whine and they can spit and kick. They have soft pads on their feet so their kick isn’t as hurtful as say a horse. As far as spitting goes, some alpacas will sit and others will never spit. Usually alpacas spit at each other but sometimes us humans get in the way. Their spit is a very smelly, green goop so you need to avoid it when possible.

Most alpacas that have gotten used to their owners will be ok with being stroked and if you need to catch one, their neck is very effective. You can put them in what us humans call a choke hold but without the choke.

Some azaleas as well as other plants are poisonous to the Alpaca.