Best Luxury Alpaca Throws for Beds and Sofas- UK Reviews
In this article I am going to review the best Alpaca throws which are designed to be used on a bed or as a throw for furniture such as chairs and sofas. Just before I do that, it is worth just a little time to explain what type of an animal an Alpaca is, and why manufacturers like to use it.
What Is Alpaca Wool?
Alpacas are animals from South America and they span a few countries there. They are mainly bred in Peru, and less so in Chile and Bolivia. They look a lot like a llama in many ways and were used mainly as a pack animal. There are two types of Alpacas which are:
- Huacaya
- Suri
The Huacaya wool appearance is similar in appearance to that of a teddy bear. That is because the fibre grows vertically out of its skin in small tight and short bundles. This gives a tight crimped wave and the wool looks similar to sheep or lamb wool that has gone through some type of manufactured wool process.
The Suri type of Alpaca does not have this crimped look and the locks of wool on this breed twist and hang down and look more like the type of wool we find on a sheep. This type of wool is used in the more expensive suits and coats. It is a more silky type of wool.
Alpaca wool is very similar in structure to sheep wool though it is softer. Breeders have spent a lot of time trying to make it even softer and more like the texture of Merino wool. Alpaca wool is also a good thermal insulator, tougher as it will last longer than sheep wool and more shiny than sheep wool.
This type of wool is most commonly used for bedding such as throws, hats, scarves, gloves, and jumpers. It is also used as a filler for some duvets.(expensive ones I might add)
Baby Alpaca wool is particularly soft, and many buyers prefer this, but it is worth noting that this is even more expensive than the wool taken from a fully grown Alpaca.
Our Top Rated Alpaca Throws
There are quite a lot of these on the UK market, and they do make great but expensive gifts. However they are really very luxurious and a great way to spoil yourself and make your home look incredibly stylish.
Underneath we have listed a number of our favourite choices. We have chosen these based on their high quality, their popularity and also to show you a wide range of the throws that are available on the UK marketplace.
Hopefully you will find this list interesting and also very useful.
100% Baby Alpaca Wool Sofa Throw Blanket
This is an elegant, sublimely soft, hand woven sofa throw
The cozy softness of pure baby alpaca will add rich texture to any room
It is as light as a cloud and is also reversible
It is of course an all natural, hypoallergenic and breathable throw
It has been woven by hand in Peru by fair trade artisans. It is made from sustainable, undyed alpaca, which is sheared off the animal as part of the annual maintenance of the alpacas - to keep them from overheating, they are never harmed for their wool.
It is licensed by the International Alpaca Association for quality assurance, certifying the content is pure 100% baby alpaca. Size 70in X 51in + 3" Fringes - Large enough to share!
Check Amazon UK for Availability
Average Price: £
90% customer satisfaction based on 700+ online buyers
LinenMe Bella Baby Alpaca Throw
As the name would suggest this one is a baby alpaca throw with a fringe at the edge.
Baby Alpaca wool is the softest that you can buy and that will usually make this choice of wool an expensive option.
This one comes in a cream colour and measures 135 x 200 cm.
LinenMe are a company based in Surrey in the UK. They make a wide variety of linen based products and this throw is one of their biggest sellers, and is chosen quite a lot as a gift for that someone special.
Check Amazon UK for Availability
Average Price: £190
88% customer satisfaction based on 10+ online buyers
The Bettersleep Company Ultimate Pure Natural Alpaca Mattress Enhancer
This mattress enhancer is made from 100% British Alpaca wool
The cover is 100% Cotton with elastic corner straps to secure the enhancer
It comes in a rope handled storage bag
Available as a single, double, King and Superking standard UK bed sizes
Check Amazon UK for Availability
Average Price: £130
100% customer satisfaction based on 10+ online buyers
Tumi Latin American Crafts Alpaca blanket/throw
This one measures 1.7m W x 2.3m L and is available in a wide number of different colours.
These colours include green, beige, black, blue, brown, grey, multi, orange, pink, purple and red
This is soft and cosy
Check Amazon UK for Availability
Average Price: £45
72% customer satisfaction based on 50+ online buyers
Videos of Alpaca Wool Being made & Processed
Underneath you will find two videos. The first video explains the process of this Alpaca wool being made and processed. Many of the designs that I have shown on this page are designed, but the manufacturing process is almost always done in Peru.
The second video below explains more about the farming process and also show the natural colours of the wool. It also shows the manual process that is involved when this wool is being spun and weaved.
It also goes on to explain the natural shampoo and dyeing methods used.
Washing & Cleaning of Alpaca Wool & Throws
It is always recommended that any Alpaca wool should be dry cleaned rather than machine or hand washed.
If that is inconvenient or if it proves to expensive to do on a regular basis, then they can be machine washed using a wool detergent and on a wool cycle on your machine.
The important thing to know is that these can never be cleaned in a normal daily wash and need to be treated according to the specific instructions from the manufacturer.