subject: Alpaca Wool Blankets In Australia [print this page] Every year during winter, most people put on a least a few layers in an effort to keep warm and stay healthy. More often than not, one of those layers is made from wool, usually sheep wool. Unfortunately, many individuals have never heard of alpacas or vicunas, which are similar in appearance to the fairly well-known llama. While all three species originated in the southern Andes, areas that today are part of the countries Peru and Bolivia, alpacas have been most successfully exported to other countries such as the United States and Australia, where they are bred for their exquisite wool.
Wool from the alpaca is reputed to be one of the world's finest fibres. Alpaca wool is as soft as cashmere; it doesn't have that itchy feel that wool made from sheep has, which makes you scratch and squirm unless you're accustomed to it. Additionally, alpaca wool is less dense than sheep wool, which makes it lighter and more breathable, and yet this Andean wool actually insulates better than the traditional sheep wool with which most people are familiar. Alpaca wool does not contain lanolin (also called wool wax), which results in it being hypoallergenic, but it also means that alpaca wool absorbs water, unlike sheep wool which is somewhat water repellent.
You can find all kinds of products made from alpaca wool: hats, scarves, sweaters, gloves, socks, blankets and in South America ponchos, which are similar to shawls and are used by both men and women. Alpaca wool is classified into 52 natural colours in Peru, while in the United States there are just 16 recognized colours and 12 in Australia.
If you plan to purchase alpaca wool, be careful as there are many products referred to as alpaca, but are actually made from other fibres. But if you're really concerned about getting a top quality, authentic product, you should visit http://www.creswickwool.com/. Creswick Woollen Mills brings you a luxurious range of blankets, picnic rugs, wholesale crafts, socks and plus size knitwear in Alpaca, Wool and Cashmere. Some of Creswick Woollen Mills luxurious products manufactured at the mill include Alpaca throws, blankets and accessories woven into sophisticated modern designs. Other natural fibre products designed by Creswick for optimum comfort include merino, cashmere, cotton and bamboo. Other innovative products produced at the Creswick Mills include the Personal Protection Blankets for The Country Fire Authority (CFA) Victoria and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) New South Wales. To know more about Creswick, please visit the site http://www.creswickwool.com/
