Alpaca or cashmere: which should be wrapped around your neck this winter, or keeping your knees warm on the sofa? People fall for both fibres at first touch. The honest answer is that the name on the label matters less than the fibre grade, the weave and the piece itself. Here is how we would choose.
Alpaca vs cashmere: the short answer
Cashmere is, by definition, the finer fibre. Fine alpaca comes close and has a silky sheen of its own. Nobody has proven which is warmer, and both want the same gentle care. Beyond that, it all depends on what you buy and how you use and look after it.
| Alpaca | Cashmere | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Alpaca fleece, high in the Andes | The soft undercoat of the cashmere goat |
| Fineness | Several grades. Baby alpaca is the fine fibre we use in our scarves and throws | Fine by definition |
| Feel | Smooth and silky, with a soft sheen | Soft and light |
| Warmth | No clear winner. The weight and weave of the piece matter more than the fibre | |
| Sensitive skin | Fine alpaca is a gentle choice | So is fine cashmere |
| Ageing | Pills less than sheep’s wool; can develop a soft halo | Pills with wear, like any fine knit |
| Care | Dry clean, or hand wash in lukewarm (30°C) water and dry flat | |
Is alpaca as soft as cashmere?
On paper, cashmere wins. It is defined by its fineness, and high-quality cashmere yarn is finer than baby alpaca. In the hand, the difference is smaller than the numbers suggest. The surface of the alpaca fibre is smooth, almost glossy, which is why a good baby alpaca scarf feels silky rather than woolly.
“Baby alpaca”, by the way, is a fibre grade, not an age. It is the finest part of an adult animal’s fleece, sorted out by hand.
If softness is what you are after, look beyond the fibre name and read the label. “100% baby alpaca” on our labels means exactly that fine fibre.
Is alpaca warmer than cashmere?
We won’t pretend to know. Nobody has fairly tested the two fibres side by side, and both are warm and light for their weight. What you feel on a cold morning comes mainly from the piece itself: how heavy it is, how tightly it is woven, how much of you it covers.
That is what we suggest testing. Pick up the scarf, feel its weight and think about your wardrobe and your winter. A 30×180 cm scarf fits under a coat on the walk to work. A 65×200 cm wrap is a second layer for the days when the wind comes in off the sea.
Which is gentler on sensitive skin?
Both can feel wonderful around the neck if the fibre is fine. Itchiness is not an allergy, but a few coarse fibres pressing against the skin. The finer and more evenly sorted the fibre, the fewer of them there are. That is the whole secret, for alpaca and cashmere alike.
Fine alpaca is a gentle choice for sensitive skin, and most people who find sheep’s wool scratchy are comfortable in baby alpaca. If your skin is easily irritated, try the piece against your neck first. We go into this in more detail in our article does alpaca wool cause itchiness.
Wear: how each fibre ages
Every fine natural fibre pills a little; those small bobbles come with soft knitwear. Alpaca pills less than sheep’s wool, although a soft halo can develop with wear. Throws shed a little at first, and we say so openly on the product page.
None of this is a defect, and most of it disappears with gentle care. For knitwear, our care and repair service offers depilling, invisible mending and a full refresh. For a scarf or throw, get in touch and ask whether the service is right for it.
How to care for alpaca
Alpaca wants the same gentle care as cashmere. We recommend dry cleaning with a cleaner who knows the fibre. If you prefer to wash at home:
- Use lukewarm water, around 30°C, and a little wool shampoo. No bleach.
- Rinse carefully.
- Gently press the water out. Do not wring or twist.
- Dry flat, out of the sun, without stretching. Do not tumble dry.
- Once the piece is completely dry, fold it onto a shelf with a moth repellent. Do not hang it.
Throws with fur trim have their own instructions in our care guide.
Frequently asked questions about alpaca and cashmere
Is alpaca better than cashmere?
Neither is simply better. Cashmere is finer by definition; fine alpaca comes close and has a silky sheen of its own. For a scarf, choose by fibre grade and feel. For a throw, size, weight and price usually decide.
Which is less itchy, alpaca or cashmere?
Both can feel gentle if the fibre is fine. Itchiness comes from coarse fibres, not from the animal. Fine alpaca and fine cashmere are both kind to sensitive skin.
Is alpaca too warm indoors?
It can be. A dense knit or a heavy throw can even feel hot indoors. For a well-heated home, choose a lighter weave.
What does “baby alpaca” mean?
It is a fibre grade, not an age. Baby alpaca is the finest part of an adult alpaca’s fleece, sorted by hand, and it is exactly what we use in our scarves and throws.