The Alpaca is a mammal that lives in high altitudes in South America and has a wonderful fleece that keeps it comfortable at a wide range of temperatures. Alpacas are seasonally shorn of their fleece which is combed and cleaned and made into these gorgeous clothes.

Baby Alpaca is a very fine grade of alpaca fibre, often from the belly of grown-up alpacas, not necessarily from actual baby alpacas. It's around 19-21 micron in diameter.

Alpaca clothing has heaps of benefits for your child and family as it is actually superior to Merino wool in a number of ways!

• Warmth. Alpaca fleece is unique in that it consists of hollow cells. It demonstrates perfect thermo-regulatory properties: alpaca fibre is ideal in cold weather conditions, and protects the child’s body from overheating when it is warm. It is much lighter than wool for the same warmth.
• Moisture resistance. Alpaca wool is naturally breathable and does not retain moisture, but allows perspiration to evaporate.
• Softness. Baby alpaca is super-soft, in the category of luxurious fibres such as cashmere. It's suitable for people with sensitivity to wool as it is smoother and usually finer..
• Lightweight. It's easy to be warm and free to move freely with lightweight alpaca.
• Durability. The Alpaca fibre is soft, smooth, elastic and strong! It doesn't felt as quickly as wool and is more durable, making high quality fabric that lasts and lasts and lasts, not just for one or two children but many.
• Eco-friendly. Alpaca has an entirely natural origin and requires very little processing.
• Stain resistant. Alpaca is naturally stain resistant which means you won’t have to wash it as often. As with wool, simply hang to air instead.

If you need to wash it, hand-wash in lukewarm water, cool to tepid, no more than 30C.

Use a liquid detergent designed to protect natural fibres for wool as sold in our fabric care category here.

Gently squeeze water through, avoiding any rubbing or wringing action.

Rinse at the same lukewarm, tepid temperature avoiding temperature change. Gently squeeze the water through.

Lay out on a towel, and then gently roll it up to remove excess water. Do not wring or twist the garment.

Lay flat to dry, re-shaping while damp. Avoid direct heat and sunlight.

MILLWA is a German-Peruvian family business that specializes in producing high-quality knitwear made from alpaca fibre. Its product range includes a wide selection of accessories such as hats, scarves, and gloves, as well as sweaters, cardigans, lined jackets, and coats.

The origins of MILLWA date back to 2005, when the company began working in the alpaca market, initially producing items for direct sales at craft and Christmas markets. It soon became clear that even small-scale production could provide a meaningful livelihood for people in Peru. As a result, the company opened its product line to wholesalers in 2011. What began with just two knitters and one hand-knitting machine has since grown into a substantial operation that now works with up to 100 hand knitters in the Peruvian highlands, including women’s cooperatives in remote regions.

Today, MILLWA’s studio is equipped with several hand-knitting machines for different yarn thicknesses, as well as a selection of industrial knitting machines that broaden the company’s production capabilities. New collaborations are continuously formed, with a strong preference for working with small local businesses to support Peru’s predominantly rural population. At the same time, the company also partners with well-established firms to maintain the high quality standards expected within the alpaca market.

Sustainability plays a central role in MILLWA’s philosophy. The company regularly conducts training sessions in its studio, where new knitting techniques and models are taught. It actively seeks young talent, offering training and guidance to help them build a foundation for a successful future. Young knitters are encouraged to practice, learn, and bring their creative ideas to life in the studio.

For the fabric collection, MILLWA collaborates with small local tailors who craft the garments with precision. Production focuses on the finest alpaca fibres, especially baby alpaca. A new eco-collection, made exclusively from natural, undyed fibres and entirely hand-knitted, reflects the company’s commitment to environmentally conscious production. Additionally, the entire bouclé collection has been replaced with a natural alternative blended with silk and linen. Customers can therefore be assured that MILLWA products are made from pure, natural materials with exceptional comfort.