About the Suri Alpaca
and Its Fiber

by Linda Berry Walker

The suri alpaca evolved from the vicuña, and since the time of the Incas has been selected for its rare and unusual phenotype and fiber. Native to the Andean altiplano, some believe the suris originated in one small area of Peru, while others believe it is a recessive gene occasionally expressed in the larger alpaca population. Treasured by Inca Rulers, suri fiber was reserved exclusively for Inca Royalty, with the offense of anyone other than Royalty wearing suri fiber punishable by death. Since then, suris have faded in memory and survived only in the hands of a few campesinos and Quechuan Indians in the remote areas of the altiplano at elevations of 14,000 to 17,000 feet. In this harsh environment, with little appreciation and minimal care, the suri population was often crossbred to the more dominant huacaya alpaca population, and the lustrous silken fiber and distinct phenotype was almost lost forever. Today, it is estimated that less than 60,000 suris exist worldwide, with 1 to 2% colored.

Since the times of Inca Royalty, suri fiber has been synonymous with luxury to those lucky few who have known its qualities. With a silky soft hand and elegant luster, much of the suri fiber produced in the altiplano is sold to Italian couture houses. European processors have long recognized the 22 natural colors of huacaya alpaca, but the rare suri has been primarily only available in whites and fawns. Ultimately, though, we expect to see the same range of colors as is currently available in huacaya alpaca.

Suri fiber has some unique characteristics. It can be as fine as cashmere (17 microns being common for baby suri and tui suri), with adults ranging up to 28 microns. Due to the cellular structure of the fiber, it has a hand as soft as cashmere, but with the luster of silk. One large advantage suri has over cashmere, camel and vicuña is the longer staple length, which means items made from suri will not pill as easily. It has an unusually high tensile strength, which does not diminish with increased fineness, thus making it suitable for industrial processing. Mills find it most similar to processing kid mohair in terms of slip, with static being the primary processing problem, but which can be overcome by humidifying the processing areas.

Suri fiber is suited to both woolen and worsted processing, but shows the greatest luster when spun worsted. Knitwear has a wonderful drape, but little memory. Woven fabric will easily range from smooth ultra lightweight suit fabric to heavier interior fabrics with considerable abrasion resistance. As a napped fabric, it is one of the most luxurious available!

It is our hope, and intent, to have suris flourish in North America. Here they will have lush pasture, skilled management and veterinarian expertise with breeders devoted to preserving suri character and phenotype.

Copyright © 1996 Linda Berry Walker