Alpaca vs Sheep Wool: What's the Difference?

When it comes to selecting natural fibres for crafting, alpaca and sheep wool are perennial favourites among knitters and weavers. Both offer incredible versatility, warmth, and beauty, yet they differ significantly in texture, insulation, memory or elasticity, durability, and even how they handle moisture. Understanding the differences between these two wool types can help you make the best choice for your projects, ensuring your creations are not only beautiful but perfectly suited to their purpose.

This article delves into the details of alpaca vs sheep wool, offering a side-by-side comparison to guide your fibre selections.

What is Sheep Wool?

Sheep wool is one of the oldest and most widely used fibres in the world. Sourced from a variety of sheep breeds, it comes in different textures and qualities depending on the type of wool. Popular breeds like Merino and Corriedale dominate the textile industry due to their unique properties.

• Merino wool: Renowned for its fine softness, this wool is a favourite for garments worn next to the skin.
• Corriedale wool: Known for its durability and warmth, it’s excellent for outerwear and long-lasting projects.

Sheep wool is prized for its elasticity, making it ideal for crafting items that require stretch and shape retention, such as fitted garments or socks. Its natural crimp adds warmth and structure to the finished product.

What is Alpaca Wool?

Alpaca wool is sourced from alpaca fleece, native to the Andes mountains. This luxurious fibre is highly valued for its silky softness and lightweight warmth. Unlike sheep wool, alpaca lacks lanolin, making it naturally hypoallergenic and perfect for sensitive skin.

There are two main types of alpacas, each with a distinct fleece:

• Huacaya alpacas: Their fleece is soft, fluffy, and slightly crimped.
• Suri alpacas: Their fleece is silky, with a smooth draping quality.

Alpaca wool is often seen as a premium fibre, ideal for creating high-end garments and accessories.

Key Differences Between Alpaca and Sheep Wool

Both fibres have unique qualities, and understanding their differences can help you decide which is best for your project.

Texture and Softness

• Alpaca wool: Exceptionally smooth and silky, with a luxurious feel.
• Sheep wool: Varies by breed, with Merino offering comparable softness to alpaca. However, some sheep wool can feel coarser, especially in rugged breeds like Shetland.

Warmth and Insulation

• Alpaca wool: Warmer and lighter due to its hollow fibre structure, trapping heat efficiently without adding bulk.
• Sheep wool: Dense and crimped, offering excellent warmth, particularly in breeds like Merino, Corriedale, and Shetland.

Durability and Elasticity

• Sheep wool: Highly elastic and durable, making it great for everyday use and items requiring stretch.
• Alpaca wool: Strong but less elastic, making it prone to stretching, better suited for special or less frequently worn items.

Moisture Resistance

• Alpaca wool: Naturally water-resistant and quick-drying.
• Sheep wool: Absorbs moisture while retaining warmth, a feature especially useful in damp climates.

Lanolin & Washing

• Alpaca Wool: Lacks lanolin, making it easier and less time-consuming to clean.
• Sheep Wool: Contains lanolin, requiring more intensive washing to remove grease and impurities before further processing.

Carding Cloth

• Alpaca Wool: Before spinning typically carded with fine/higher count cloth (120 TPI and above) or combed into top. Can also be spun "from the cloud" (unprocessed).
• Sheep Wool: Carded on a spectrum of cloth, from coarse to fine, based on micron count.
  Can also be combed into top for spinning. May be spun “in the grease” by hand spinners.

Spinning Differences

• Alpaca Wool: Spins into a soft, smooth, and lightweight yarn with a slight sheen, ideal for hand spinners who prefer a finer, more delicate fibre that requires gentle handling. It can be a more difficult fibre for beginner spinners, who may find it slippery in comparison to sheep wool.
• Sheep Wool: In comparison, produces a textured, elastic yarn with more bounce, making it easier for hand spinners, especially beginners, to work with due to its natural crimp and sturdiness.

Characteristics of Alpaca vs Sheep Wool

Here’s a quick breakdown of their defining traits:

Key Traits of Sheep Wool

• Elastic and resilient
• Warm and breathable
• Versatile across a range of crafting projects
• Available in a variety of textures depending on the breed
• Water and fire-resistant

Key Traits of Alpaca Wool

• Luxuriously soft and silky
• Lightweight yet incredibly warm
• Hypoallergenic and lanolin-free
• Water-repellent and ideal for skin-contact items

Best Uses for Alpaca Wool and Sheep Wool

Each fibre shines in different types of projects.

Ideal Projects for Alpaca Wool

• Lightweight Garments: Alpaca’s warmth without bulk makes it ideal for shawls and wraps.
• Luxurious Accessories: Its softness is perfect for scarves, hats, and gloves.
• Baby and Children’s Clothing: The hypoallergenic nature of alpaca is ideal for sensitive skin.
• Home Decor Items: Use alpaca for throws and decorative cushions to add a touch of elegance.
• Special Occasion Items: Alpaca is perfect for heirloom-quality pieces that showcase its luxurious qualities.

Ideal Projects for Sheep Wool

• Sweaters and Cardigans: Elasticity and structure make sheep wool, such as Ashfords new Perendale and Corriedale blend, perfect for fitted garments.
• Socks and Accessories: Durable and shape-retentive, ideal for frequently used items like socks, hats, and gloves.
• Outerwear and Coats: Weather resistance makes it a great choice for robust, functional garments.
• Home Textiles: Insulating qualities suit blankets and cushion covers.
• Baby Items: Merino wool is soft enough for delicate baby garments.

Blending Sheep Wool and Alpaca

Blends of alpaca and sheep wool combine the best of both fibres. For example, a blend with Merino adds elasticity to alpaca’s softness, creating a versatile, durable, and luxurious yarn. These blends are ideal for projects requiring a balance of durability and luxury, like cosy jumpers or delicate shawls. To achieve this blend, fibres may be blended into the same yarn by carding or combing them together before the spinning process, or strands of alpaca and wool yarn may be held together as you craft.

Choosing the Right Wool for Your Project

Whether you’re knitting, weaving, or crocheting, the fibre you choose significantly impacts your crafting experience and the finished product. Alpaca and sheep wool each offer unique qualities that cater to different needs.

Explore Thread Collective’s curated selection of alpaca yarn, sheep yarn, and blends to find the perfect match for your next project. With a focus on quality and sustainability, we’re here to support your crafting journey.

Selecting the right fibre isn’t just about the project; it’s about the joy of creating. Happy crafting!