| Alpaca | Angora | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical diameter | 18–32 µm | 11–15 µm |
| Source | Alpaca | Angora rabbit |
| Lanolin | No | No |
| Warmth | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Softness | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ | ★ |
| Luster | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Elasticity | ★★★ | ★ |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Bottom line
Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool.
Ultra-warm, fluffy halo; usually blended because it sheds and felts.
Choose alpaca for warm, drapey, lanolin-free garments; choose angora if you value softer. Blends often give the best of both.
Angora hair or Angora fibre is the downy coat produced by the Angora rabbit. While the names of the source animals are similar, Angora fibre is distinct from mohair, which comes from the Angora goat. The cloth produced has sometimes been named Angola fabric. Angora fibre is also distinct from cashmere, which comes from the cashmere goat. Angora is known for its softness, thin fibres, and what knitters refer to as a halo (fluffiness). It is also known for its silky texture. It is much warmer and lighter than wool due to the hollow core of the angora fibre. It also gives the wool its characteristic floating feel.From Wikipedia — “Angora wool”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
FAQ
Is alpaca better than angora?
Alpaca is more durable and more elastic. Angora is softer. Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool. Ultra-warm, fluffy halo; usually blended because it sheds and felts.
Is alpaca warmer than angora?
Angora is at least as warm as alpaca.
Is alpaca softer than angora?
It depends on the grade: fine alpaca (18–22 µm) is very soft, while angora typically measures 11–15 µm.