Vicuña
August 09 2016 – Holly
What is Vicuña? Perhaps you're familiar with the word, or maybe you've only heard it in whispers at your local yarn shop, and have just been too afraid to ask. The best way to summarise it? Vicuña is, what we would call in the fibre community, our unicorn. Vicuña is synonymous with Royalty, luxury, and the highest level of exclusivity, and we feel humbled to have it in our shop.
So, why is Vicuña the pinnacle of all wool? Let's begin with it's origin: The Vicuña is a llama/alpaca like "camelid" that is native to the Andes. Their wool is extremely fine and unbelievably soft (micron count of just 12, compared to Cashmere which is 14-16, and Merino which is 18-24), they are only shorn once every three years to produce a mere half kilogram of wool, and are caught from an expansive nature reserve where they roam free. Considered sacred to the Incas, they were once endangered due to poaching; now, after the admirable efforts of the Peruvian and Argentinian people, they are a protected species.
The fibre is so rare and admired, it was once prohibited by law to wear a Vicuña garment, unless you were of course Royalty. This spun gold has been called the “Fibre of the Gods,†and was exclusively worn by the Incan emperor. Thankfully it is now available to us mere mortals! The wool is produced humanely, and via a completely traceable process which ensures the protection of the sacred Vicuña.
This limited edition, Vicuna Presentation Box includes: two balls of 100% Pure Peruvian Vicuña, 125 yards/25 grams each, in it's natural, golden brown shade, a stunning lace shawl pattern, a set of size 4.5mm circular bamboo knitting needles, an accompanying booklet telling the Vicuña story, and a certificate of authenticity. This is one of only 10 sets to be released in Europe; talk about a rare gem! Maybe it's time to treat yourself?
So, why is Vicuña the pinnacle of all wool? Let's begin with it's origin: The Vicuña is a llama/alpaca like "camelid" that is native to the Andes. Their wool is extremely fine and unbelievably soft (micron count of just 12, compared to Cashmere which is 14-16, and Merino which is 18-24), they are only shorn once every three years to produce a mere half kilogram of wool, and are caught from an expansive nature reserve where they roam free. Considered sacred to the Incas, they were once endangered due to poaching; now, after the admirable efforts of the Peruvian and Argentinian people, they are a protected species.
The fibre is so rare and admired, it was once prohibited by law to wear a Vicuña garment, unless you were of course Royalty. This spun gold has been called the “Fibre of the Gods,†and was exclusively worn by the Incan emperor. Thankfully it is now available to us mere mortals! The wool is produced humanely, and via a completely traceable process which ensures the protection of the sacred Vicuña.
This limited edition, Vicuna Presentation Box includes: two balls of 100% Pure Peruvian Vicuña, 125 yards/25 grams each, in it's natural, golden brown shade, a stunning lace shawl pattern, a set of size 4.5mm circular bamboo knitting needles, an accompanying booklet telling the Vicuña story, and a certificate of authenticity. This is one of only 10 sets to be released in Europe; talk about a rare gem! Maybe it's time to treat yourself?
2 comments
We’d throw in a glass of bubbly in that case, lol! :)
I now know the answer to “What’s the first thing you would buy ifyou won the lotto?”