Llama Wool Colors

Indigenous to the Andes Mountains in South America, llamas have been prized for their wool by both ancient and modern societies. Because of its strength and versatility, llama wool has a variety of uses, including clothing items, ropes and rugs. Llama wool boasts a wide variety of natural colors and can be easily dyed to suit any preference.

  1. Llama Wool Overview

    • Pre-Incan cultures used llama wool for clothing, but it wasn't until the Incan civilization took root in the 11th- to 13th-centuries that llamas were bred for wool. Today, llamas are successfully raised in North and South America for their wool. Llama wool consists of two layers of hair, a coarse outer layer called guard hair that protects against rain and snow, and a soft downy inner layer that insulates the llama. Both of these layers can be spun into wool, to be woven into many products. Llama wool also has a hollow core, which gives it long-lasting durability.

    Natural Colors

    • Llama wool comes in a wide variety of natural colors. These colors comprise an earth tone spectrum and typically include black, dark brown, fawn, auburn, gray, ivory and white. Some llamas may also be spotted or have up to three colors in their fleece. Llama fleeces come in many different patterns and combinations of colors.

    Dyed Colors

    • Llama wool can be dyed to any artificial color and holds color very well. Like sheep's wool, llama wool is dyed by immersing it in a large pot of water and dye. It is typically dyed using natural-sources dyes, and many llama wool dye their fleeces and yarn by hand. Some dyes are specifically formulated for llama wool, but dyes made for other kinds of wool, like sheep or alpaca, can work just as well. Most available artificially-colored llama wool is dyed in the range of natural llama colors. Other colors are commercially available, including turquoise, fuchsia, deep blue, purple, pink and yellow. If you are unable to find the color of llama wool you desire, consider placing an order with llama wool craftsman.

    Uses

    • Small mills and independent craftsmen process llama wool. Much like sheep's wool, llama wool is first carded, or pulled between two strong combs, to remove all tangles and debris. The wool is spun into fine yarn and woven into a wide variety of products. Wool that comes from the outer layer of hair (guard hair) is coarse and used for utilitarian items like ropes or rugs. Wool from the undercoat of hair is much softer and finer and is woven into clothing, including scarves, blankets, shawls and sweaters. Processors also sell the yarn for crafts.