I hope you’re sitting down, because I have some potentially shocking information. Baby alpaca does not come from baby alpacas. Baby alpaca, in fact, has nothing to do with the chronological age of the alpaca. Instead, this term is used to describe the type of yarn that is made from the softest, finest hair of the animals. It is the most prized and luxurious type of alpaca yarn, and produces the highest quality garments.
While garments made from baby alpaca have been popular in South America for generations, there are lots of surprises about baby alpaca for people new to the fabric besides the name. Taking proper care of your baby alpaca will ensure its longevity, turning your Perfect Pullover into an investment piece that will looks sharp for years to come.
If you experience a minor spill while wearing your Perfect Pullover we recommend gently blotting the spill with a soft towel. Since alpaca doesn’t easily absorb liquid (which makes it great for rainy weather!) a quick blot should take care of it. Do not rub as this can cause pilling.
Should your Perfect Pullover need a full wash, fill your sink basin with cold water and a squeeze in a tiny bit of ultra mild soap, such as baby shampoo. We suggest cold water because keeping the same temperature of water is key to making sure your Pullover stays super cozy. Shocking the fibers with different temperatures will mat them together making the fabric feel more like felt. Soak the sweater for a few minutes, and then gentle work the soap through the sweater, taking care not to stretch or tug the fabric out of shape. Rinse the garment gently and thoroughly, and then rolling with a towel to pull out excess water. Finally, lay the sweater flat to dry.
Baby alpaca doesn’t wrinkle easily, but if you’re pulling your Perfect Pullover out of the bottom of a duffle bag after a transatlantic flight, you might need a quick refresh. You can watch our YouTube video on how to dewrinkle. Just a little steam is all it needs!
Baby alpaca is naturally low on the pilling scale. It is soft and strong, making it much more resistant to pilling with proper care. However, should you find a few small pills you can easily remove them with an emory board or fabric shaver, shaving away the offending fibers.
Do you have any questions on how to take care of your Perfect Pullover? Ask in the comments and we’ll have the experts weigh in!