Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: SMC Select Highland Alpaca
Review Date: September 22, 2011
Date Introduced to Market: Fall 2008

The Look

Highland Alpaca is a super bulky yarn blended of Andean Highland virgin wool and super-fine alpaca. It has lots of volume for big knitting and comes in a wide range of tempting colors. Alpaca is an exceptionally warm fiber, making this yarn an ideal choice for outer coats, wraps and ponchos. You'll stay warm but not feel the weight of pounds of yarn; Highland Alpaca is light and lofty. On first glance, Highland Alpaca looks like a ball of roving saturated in deep rich color. Actually, it's two plies of roving gently twisted to add more bounce and memory to hand knit garments.

The Feel

You may wonder if you’re holding a fleece or a ball of yarn. Dig your fingers deep into this plush yarn, and you can feel the thick wooly wonder of super-fine alpaca blended with Andean Highland wool. It is soft, silky, and satisfying to touch. Highland Alpaca ranks #9 on the softness scale.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

Tap into the Euro Chic design aesthetic with SMC pattern books and free online patterns. The fascinating sleeve scarf, for example, is available free on the SMC site along with other patterns for Highland Alpaca. This yarn has inspired designers to create epic scale berets, capes, shawls, scarves, and sweaters. These modish designs feature out-sized cables, lace and shapes that are only possible with a yarn like Highland Alpaca. Highland Alpaca is fast and easy to knit in this big gauge (8 stitches over 4 inches!). Even so, you the many trendy and appealing fashions could keep you knitting one project after the next right through to spring.

Color Range

When a yarn is available in a wide color range, you can assume two things about it. First, it's obviously a best seller that’s in demand by a wide range of knitters. Second, the fiber absorbs dye well and is easy to dye. Highland Alpaca is available in 24 vibrant colors so rich that it looks like each ball soaked up the entire vat of dye.

Working It

So smooth that it’s almost watery, Highland Alpaca slides along like a coursing stream as you knit. If your last project was a pair of socks, you may feel like a beginning knitter as you get accustomed to giant needles (recommended US 17), but the rows are short and the knitting goes very fast with this super bulky yarn. The wool component gives the alpaca body and the resiliency needed to maintain shape and stitch definition.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Big bulky yarn is ideal for warm outer jackets, hats and scarves. It is warm but lightweight so long garments won’t drag if knit in Highland Alpaca. The simple hooded coat with three-quarter length sleeves is perfect for autumn weather. With the huge range of colors available, you can probably knit it in your favorite team color and look very chic at the tailgate or in the stadium. There’s also an elegant long coat that takes on a more sophisticated look when knit in one of the many natural shades. For a quick, easy and splashy project, the multi-color scarf, also from SMC, reflects the subtle shading available in Highland Alpaca.

Knitting Outside the Box

You may not think to use a super bulky weight yarn to knit a skirt, but this textured fitted skirt with chunky lace border is very trendy and could become your go-to garment for winter weather. Paired with boots and a belt for contrast, this soft lustrous skirt is a stunner.

Blocking It

Lay flat to dry. Do not apply heat or steam.

Washing It

Hand wash only. May be dry cleaned.

Wearability

Very soft yarn can pill, especially when it is softly spun as Highland Alpaca, but careful brushing should prevent serious problems. Alpaca and wool are strong fibers that will bounce back after wearing. Be sure fold and block coats or capes as they can become misshapen if hung on hangers. If you must hang, use a well-padded hanger, and hand only briefly. Fold out of season garments for storage.

Overall Recommendation:

Highland Alpaca will keep you fashionably warm. It rates #9.