Alpaca, Graded in Microns
Most sweaters on this page are knit in 100% alpaca or 100% baby alpaca, and every product page states its exact fiber content. Fineness is graded in microns: royal alpaca measures under 19.5, baby alpaca under 22.5 — fine enough that almost no fibers are coarse enough to prickle. It traps warmth sheep's wool can't match at the same weight, and it carries none of wool's lanolin.
Shopping for someone specific? Browse men's alpaca sweaters, women's alpaca sweaters, or alpaca hoodies for men & women. Buying a gift: orders ship free over $150, and gifts bought November 15–December 15 return through January 15.
Alpaca Sweater Questions, Answered
Are alpaca sweaters itchy?
No — and there's a number behind that. Prickle comes from coarse fibers above roughly 30 microns, which ordinary sheep's wool carries plenty of. Baby alpaca averages about 21.5 microns, so almost no fibers are coarse enough to prickle. Alpaca is also lanolin-free, which removes the other common wool irritant.
Alpaca vs. cashmere — which is better?
Cashmere is a touch softer out of the box; alpaca is warmer, far more pill-resistant, and holds its shape for years longer. Cashmere's short fibers work loose and pill at every friction point, while alpaca's long fibers stay anchored. Full comparison: Alpaca vs. Cashmere.
Alpaca vs. sheep's wool?
Alpaca is finer (21.5 microns vs. 28+), warmer by weight, naturally water-resistant, and lanolin-free. Wool's advantages are price and elasticity; alpaca's are softness, warmth, and wearing it directly against skin without a layer underneath.
Are alpaca sweaters warm?
Warmer than sheep's wool at the same weight — its natural crimp traps still air, and it takes on very little moisture. The same structure wicks moisture, which is why an alpaca sweater works across a wide temperature range instead of only in deep cold.
How do you wash an alpaca sweater?
Cold water, gentle wool wash, no wringing, dry flat. Most sweaters only need washing once or twice a season because alpaca resists odor on its own. Step-by-step: How to Wash & Care for Alpaca Sweaters.
Are alpaca sweaters worth the price?
A 100% alpaca sweater runs $120–$330 here, against $80–$150 for merino and comparable or higher prices for good cashmere. What you're buying is longevity: alpaca resists pilling and holds its shape, so a well-cared-for sweater wears for a decade, not a few seasons.
Can I give one as a holiday gift and return it later?
Yes. Gifts bought November 15 through December 15 can be returned through January 15, beyond our standard 30-day window, and orders over $150 ship free. If the size misses, exchanges are easy through our returns portal.