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International Yarn Standards

To standardize the naming of alpaca yarn, the AOA
(Alpaca Owners Association) Fiber and Fiber Products Committee, along with the AOA Board, recommend the adoption of the International Yarn Standards as created by the Craft Yarn Council. This standard represents a language that is universally recognized by knitters and crocheters around the world.

Numerical identification will replace the common practice of identifying yarn based on names such as “fingering weight.” The numerical naming system categorizes yarn by its diameter and assigns a number from zero to seven, with zero being the finest.

It is standard for designers worldwide to recommend the correct size of yarn for their patterns and projects. The adoption of these standards will allow yarn sellers to communicate more effectively with their customers while recommending the correct yarn for a specific pattern.

Communication with mills will also improve as it will eliminate the confusion of identifying yarn weights by name. Mill owners will simply follow the standards for categorizing yarn and supply you with the appropriate numerical name.

For more information regarding the International Yarn Standards visit

www.craftyarncouncil.com/label.html and
www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html.

 

 

 

Alpaca Fiber Study by AOBA

Results are Here!
An Overview of the AOBA Alpaca Fiber Study
What we can say about alpaca fiber:

Alpaca is flame resistant, meeting the standards of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's rigid testing specifications as a Class 1 fiber for use in clothing and furnishings.

Alpaca is water resistant, making spills easy to clean up before water saturates the fiber allowing stain to develop. It is also absorbent to oils, meaning that the oils do not penetrate the fibers, but merely cling to the fiber for easy cleaning without harsh chemicals.

Alpaca is resistant to external water penetration like wool, but can slowly wick away perspiration because of its unique ability to act like cotton in moisture regain.
These factors are what makes alpaca feel lighter than wool, but warmer than cotton in cool, damp conditions.

Alpaca is free of lanolin, and thus can be processed without the need for high temperatures or harsh chemicals in washing.

Alpaca is a natural renewable fiber with a wide range of applications.