Alpaca Fleece and Yarn

WORKING WITH SURI YARN

Why knit with suri? What can I expect?

• only 15% of all alpacas are suri


• fine suri yarn is a beautiful lustrous yarn


• 20% warmer than wool, like cashmere in it softness and silk in drape and luster

• takes color as beautifully as silk or kid mohair

What are the properties of suri yarn?

• its drape and weight make it perfect for garments that drape rather than cling


• fine and open-work garments are warm


• not as resilient as wool but more resilient than silk, cotton or bamboo


• suri blocks and holds its shape if it isn't made of heavy yarn and not knit loosely


• does not contain lanolin so it is a good substitute for those allergic to wool


• hollow fiber helps regulate your temperature

How do I use my fine suri yarn? How do I find patterns?

• suri is fine, lustrous, sound, consistent in handle and staple length and considered a luxury fiber
• the yarn is ideally suited to shawls and scarves but also lace sweaters christening bonnets, dresses and wedding veils
• whether spun in a fine lace weight or a fingerling weight, it should adapt easily to patterns for such garments. Attention to needle size is important.
• go down a needle size or two from a pattern created for wool. Always check gauge!
• patterns for silk and fine cotton should behave much the same way as suri yarns, as these yarns do not have the elasticity of wool.

What needles should I choose?

• for knitting suri yarn, smooth wooden or bamboo needles are good. For lace projects, addi lace needles are wonderful. As suri is a slippery yarn, the addi lace needles have just enough drag to hold the yarn on the needle and are still fast.
• needle size can vary according to the project. The finer the needle, the more stable the finished piece.