Most people know alpacas are soft. Fewer know that there are two distinct breeds — and that the difference between them is significant enough to change what you make, wear, and buy.
At Chetwyn Farms, our herd is Huacaya. Here’s why that matters, and what you should know about both breeds before you shop for alpaca fibre.
The Two Breeds at a Glance
There are approximately 3.5 million alpacas in the world. Around 90% of them are Huacaya. The remaining 10% are Suri — rarer, more specialised, and producing a fibre so different from Huacaya that the two are almost incomparable.
Huacaya: The Fluffy One
Huacaya (pronounced wah-KI-ah) alpacas are what most people picture when they think of an alpaca: round, fluffy, and somewhat resembling a very large, very calm stuffed animal. Their fleece grows perpendicular to the body in a dense, crimped structure — similar in appearance to a fine merino sheep, but dramatically softer and without the itch.
The crimp in Huacaya fleece is what gives it its loft, elasticity, and insulating power. Air is trapped between the crimped fibres, creating natural warmth without weight. This makes Huacaya the ideal fibre for:
- Socks — the crimp provides cushion and resilience underfoot. Our entire alpaca sock range is Huacaya.
- Throws and blankets — loft means warmth without heaviness. See our throws collection.
- Knitwear — the elasticity makes it forgiving to knit and comfortable to wear. Our yarn range is Huacaya throughout.
- Insoles and felted goods — Huacaya felts beautifully due to its crimped structure. Our felted insoles and felt slippers are made from Huacaya fleece.
Huacaya is also the more forgiving fibre for hand-spinners and beginner fibre artists — its crimp makes it easier to draft and spin consistently.
Suri: The Silky One
Suri alpacas are immediately recognisable by their fleece, which hangs in long, lustrous, pencil-like locks rather than puffing outward. Think less teddy bear, more show dog. Suri fleece has virtually no crimp — instead, it is extraordinarily fine, silky, and with a natural sheen that rivals silk itself.
Because of this structure, Suri behaves very differently from Huacaya:
- It has less insulating loft (the fibres lie flat rather than trapping air)
- It has exceptional drape — making it prized for woven shawls, scarves, and luxury suiting
- It does not felt (the smooth fibre surface resists matting)
- It is rarer and typically more expensive
Suri is the fibre of choice for weavers and for garments where drape and lustre matter more than warmth and bounce. It is less commonly found in socks or knitwear precisely because it lacks the elasticity that makes Huacaya so practical.
Which Is Better?
Neither — they are simply different tools for different purposes. Huacaya is the workhorse of the alpaca world: versatile, warm, durable, and accessible. Suri is the specialist: rare, luminous, and extraordinary in the right application.
At Chetwyn Farms, we raise Huacaya because their fibre aligns with what we make — practical luxury goods designed to be worn, used, and loved for years. Our socks, yarn, throws, and garments are all Huacaya — chosen for performance, not just prestige.
A Note on Grading Within Huacaya
Even within Huacaya, not all fleece is equal. Fineness is measured in microns — the lower the number, the finer (and softer) the fibre. Baby alpaca (under 20 microns, from a young animal’s first clip) is the softest grade and is used in our most next-to-skin products, including our baby alpaca scarves and fine knitwear. Adult fleece, while slightly coarser, is more durable and ideal for outerwear, socks, and hard-wearing goods.
When you shop at SHED, you’re buying Huacaya fibre from animals we know by name, graded and matched to the product it’s best suited for. That’s not a marketing line — it’s just how small-farm fibre works.
Want to meet the herd? Book an alpaca encounter or join us for a fibre workshop and handle the fleece yourself.
Leave a comment