Walk into any yarn shop and you'll see "baby alpaca" on the label. But what does it actually mean? And how does it differ from regular alpaca, or superfine, or first clip? The terminology around alpaca grading can be confusing — so here’s a plain-language guide to how fibre quality is measured, and how we apply it at SHED.
It Starts With Microns
The primary measure of alpaca fibre quality is fineness, expressed in microns (µm) — one micron being one millionth of a metre. The lower the micron count, the finer the fibre, and the softer it feels against skin.
To put it in context: human hair averages around 70 microns. Cashmere sits between 14–19 microns. Alpaca spans a wide range depending on the animal, its age, and the part of the fleece:
- Royal alpaca: under 19 microns — the finest grade, extraordinarily soft
- Baby alpaca: 19–22 microns — next-to-skin soft, no prickle
- Superfine alpaca: 22–25 microns — very soft, suitable for most garments
- Fine alpaca: 25–28 microns — excellent for outerwear, socks, and accessories
- Medium alpaca: 28–32 microns — durable, ideal for hard-wearing goods
- Strong/coarse alpaca: 32+ microns — used for rugs, felting, and industrial applications
Most of what you’ll find at SHED falls in the baby to fine range — chosen specifically because we make products designed to be worn against skin.
What “Baby Alpaca” Actually Means
Here’s where it gets interesting: “baby alpaca” does not necessarily mean fibre from a baby animal. It is a grade — a fineness classification — that can come from a young animal’s first shearing (which is typically the finest clip of its life) or from an adult animal that naturally produces very fine fibre.
The term is used consistently across the industry as a quality descriptor, not a literal age reference. When you see “baby alpaca” on a SHED label, it means the fibre has been tested and confirmed at or below 22 microns — regardless of which animal it came from.
First Clip vs. Subsequent Clips
An alpaca’s first shearing — typically at around 12–18 months — almost always produces the finest fibre of its life. As the animal ages, fibre diameter tends to increase slightly each year, a process called “fibre diameter drift.” This is why first-clip fibre is so prized, and why young animals command attention at fibre shows and auctions.
At Chetwyn Farms, we track each animal’s clip history. First-clip fibre from our younger animals goes into our finest products — our baby alpaca scarves and select yarn weights. Fibre from our mature animals, while slightly coarser, is still exceptionally fine by any standard — and its added durability makes it ideal for socks, throws, and outerwear.
The Blanket vs. Seconds
Within a single shearing, not all fleece is equal. The blanket — the prime cut from the back and sides — is the finest and most consistent portion. The seconds (neck, legs, and belly fibre) are coarser, shorter, and contain more vegetable matter. We sort every clip by hand to separate blanket from seconds before any fibre goes to the mill.
Blanket fibre becomes yarn and finished garments. Seconds find their way into our felting sheets, rovings, and craft kits — because in a small-farm operation, every part of the clip has value.
Why This Matters When You Buy
Understanding grading helps you shop smarter. A sock labelled “alpaca” with no grade information could be anywhere from baby to medium — and the difference in softness and longevity is significant. At SHED, every product description specifies the fibre type and, where relevant, the grade — so you know exactly what you’re getting.
If you want to feel the difference for yourself, come to the farm. Book an alpaca encounter and we’ll let you handle raw fleece from different animals side by side. Or join one of our fibre workshops and learn to spin, felt, or knit with graded alpaca fibre firsthand.
The numbers tell part of the story. The feel tells the rest.
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