WoolWeenies Club

[mariposa]

Which of these three is the warmest per weight:

Alpaca wool
Cashmere
Angora RABBIT fur (as distinct from angora GOAT)

Here's why I'm asking:

I'm going thrift-store-diving this weekend. The consignment stores are now getting rid of winter sweaters for cheap! I'd like to buy a fabric that is even lighter than merino wool, per weight. (Merino wool is actually kinda heavy for the warmth it provides.) This is for around-town, and/or for very delicate use on a bike or for hiking (under a shell, to protect the fragile fabric).

I realize it'll be more delicate than merino...But for $10 second-hand, I won't worry about that.

Thanks!

[pdxgal]

I would say alpaca, because the fiber is hollow. Alpaca typically isn't quite as "sturdy" a fiber as a result, as you have noted.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Alpaca is said to be the warmest type wool...substantially warmer than sheep wool.

I have found it to be true in my own experiments as well.
I think it might shed more, though.

[Crankin]

Lisa, what type(s) of clothing do you have in alpaca? I can't remember seeing anything made of that in a long time.
Angora makes me itch/break out in hives horribly. A couple of years ago there was a trend to put tiny amounts of it in lots of sweaters and I made a couple of purchasing mistakes. But, it was around the time I found merino.

[Cataboo]

Powderhorn makes some alpaca blend baselayers.

Most of my alpaca stuff I bought in Peru

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa, what type(s) of clothing do you have in alpaca? I can't remember seeing anything made of that in a long time.
Angora makes me itch/break out in hives horribly. A couple of years ago there was a trend to put tiny amounts of it in lots of sweaters and I made a couple of purchasing mistakes. But, it was around the time I found merino.

I have some alpaca gloves I got from an alpaca farm near here. I also have a couple of older alpaca sweaters, one of which has shrunk too much. But MAN, they are warm!
I use the gloves all winter as really warm glove liners.

[merlin]

As a serious woolly woman, I feel compelled to delurk. I think Mariposa has a good idea!
I agree that alpaca is the warmest fiber, usually very soft and light weight. There are different grades of alpaca fiber, some finer/softer than others. The reason for shedding is usually that there are guard hairs mixed in with the finer hairs. In higher quality products, guard hairs have been removed, or only the better parts of the fleece have been used. Not all alpaca fibers are hollow; the coarser ones are more likely to be hollow.

Hope that's not TMI. I happen to know way more about fiber than about cycling.

[OakLeaf]

Oh merlin, I don't know what might be TMI on this forum. But I know that that definitely ain't it.

[merlin]

Oakleaf, you may live to regret those words!
So did anyone ever notice that alpaca garments are more drapey than wool? Alpaca fibers have less crimp than most wool, so it's less stretchy. Often, it is mixed with wool for better resilience. For any knitters, Nashua Handknits makes wonderful alpaca mix yarns.

[KnottedYet]

Oh, darn...

Sudden loss of Visa continence. I bought the LAST piece of Ibex in "thistle heather" that I want and don't have. Thistle heather is my all-time favorite color. I guess no-one else liked it, because it's hanging out in the Outlet.

To keep it company, I bought something in my second favorite color: charcoal heather. (I think Ibex calls it "black marle")

Sigh. I'm pretending I bought these two thingummies for work. Professional wear and all that.

Stop me, before I buy again!!!!

(there's still a hooded Shak in thistle heather.... I don't want it, but it's in my favorite color... urg!)

Beware the Ibex Women's Outlet! http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/products/4/0/womens-outlet

[redrhodie]

Beware the Ibex Women's Outlet! http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/products/4/0/womens-outlet

Beware the outlet? A little too late for me. Even though I got way more stuff than I had any business buying, I REALLY REALLY (REALLY!) regret not getting a couple of short sleeve Giro jerseys while they were on sale. I fooled myself into thinking I had time to space out all my shopping (like a junkie, getting my "fix" in small, harmless doses). Luckily, I got 2 long sleeve ones.

[OakLeaf]

I can't believe they discontinued the Woolie tank. I LOVE that thing for yoga and general light base-layer-ness. But I only have one.

[sandra]

Hi WoolWeenies!

I have an Icebreaker crew neck top for sale if anyone is interested.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...192#post501192

[redrhodie]

I won a $200 gift certificate from Ibex ! They have a monthly drawing for submitting product reviews on their website, and I got a call today that I won January's contest! This is the best thing I've ever won! I only wear their jerseys now, so I'm getting another one of those. I'll save the rest for later.


ETA: A really weird thing. The bells from the church I grew up attending were stolen last week. Although I'm not religious, I feel a strong connection to that church. My grandparents were married under those bells. I feel like they're part of my history. So, on Monday, I sent the church a $200 donation, in my mother's memory, because it was what I thought she'd want me to do. Just strange that that's the same amount I won from Ibex. And, the news this morning said someone was arrested for the theft, so maybe the bells will be returned.

[Juliegoddess]

Hey Merlin! You must be a spinner? I am a fiber artist, and I couldn't help but understand your language! Nice to see other wool and fiber-lovers here on TE!!