Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: Ultra Alpaca
Review Date: January 25, 2011
Date Introduced to Market: 2006

Ultra Alpaca Cloisone Jacket

Ultra Alpaca Dog Leash

Ultra Alpaca Willet

Kirsti Felted Bag

The Look

Ultra Alpaca is a blend of 50% super fine alpaca and 50% soft Peruvian wool. It is firmly spun into a light strand of yarn that is highly resilient. Tug on the yarn and it springs back nicely with an elasticity that promises to remember the shape of each stitch you knit. It is slightly hazy as might be expected from an alpaca fiber, but the firm spin should keep the fibers in place.

The Feel

Alpaca is noted for its long fine fiber and deep luster; blending of alpaca with Peruvian wool adds softness and drape. Ultra Alpaca rates #7 on the softness scale.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

Try to avoid becoming overcome by the rich selection of patterns and projects available for this yarn. It knits so perfectly that it is suitable for nearly any use you want to put it to; textured, cabled, or softly draped lines. Berroco supports Ultra Alpaca with a vast number of patterns by clever designers. Moreover, at this widely used gauge of 20 stitches over 4 inches, Ultra Alpaca can stand in for any medium (worsted) weight yarn. From funky to high style and everything in between, Ultra Alpaca will make the knitting special.

Color Range

Working It

Ultra Alpaca knits up with excellent resiliency, bounce and elasticity, making an ideal canvas for textured stitches. The firmly spun 3-ply yarn transforms into chunky garter stitch, crisp traveling stitches, deeply carved Aran and consistently smooth stockinette. The silky alpaca/wool blend is a pleasure to handle. Since it is firmly spun, the yarn doesn’t split when it’s knit and it maintains its shape.

What I’d Like to Make with It

You can really get your felt on with Ultra Alpaca. It felts into a firm fabric but still maintains the fresh sparkly color and luster that attracted you to the yarn in the first place. There are dozens of ideas and patterns available for free, from Berroco, or from independent designers. Try one of the classic felted bag patterns like the Lucy Bag from Two Old Bags.

Knitting Outside the Box

Combine Ultra Alpaca with Berroco’s companion yarns, Ultra Alpaca Fine (machine washable), Ultra Alpaca Light, and new Ultra Alpaca Tonal, arriving in Spring 2011. Using Berocco’s perfectly matched colors, you can add a lightweight ruffle or a lacy edging.

Blocking It

Lay flat to dry.

Washing It

Hand wash in cool water using a gentle wool wash.

Wearability

Ultra Alpaca is a premium yarn with all the longwearing qualities of wool.

Overall Recommendation:

Choose Ultra Alpaca for its body, luster, and softness not to mention the wide color range and compatibility with its companion yarns. This premium yarn with generous yardage is strongly recommended and earns a #10 rating.