Alpaca fibre sits at the heart of some of our most-loved socks, and we think it's worth explaining exactly where it comes from and why we chose it. This isn't a story about a separate brand called "Alpacasa" — it's the real, traceable journey our alpaca fibre takes from the Peruvian highlands to a finished pair of Cambridge Sock Company socks.
Where Our Alpaca Fibre Comes From
Our alpaca fibre is sourced from Peru, working with established producers including Incatops and Pacomarca — names well known in the alpaca fibre trade for their work with Andean herds and smallholder farmers. Peru is home to the vast majority of the world's alpaca population, and the high-altitude climate of the Andes is part of what gives the fibre its distinctive qualities.
Rather than inventing a supply chain story, we work with these established Peruvian sourcing partners so the fibre in our socks can be traced back to real farms and real herds, not just a marketing claim.
What Makes Alpaca Fibre Worth Choosing
Alpaca fibre has a naturally hollow core, which helps it trap air and insulate without adding bulk. That's part of why alpaca socks tend to feel warm without feeling heavy. The fibre also contains no lanolin, unlike sheep's wool, which is one reason people with sensitive skin often find alpaca comfortable against the foot.
These are inherent properties of the fibre itself rather than claims we've added — they're widely documented characteristics of alpaca wool, and they're a big part of why we chose to build socks around it in the first place.
From Peru to a British-Knitted Sock
Our alpaca socks use a fibre blend of around 73% alpaca, with the remainder made up of a small amount of polyamide. That polyamide blend isn't there to cut corners — it's what gives the sock the stretch and shape retention that pure alpaca fibre alone doesn't provide, so the sock keeps its fit wash after wash.
Once the fibre reaches the UK, it's knitted at traditional British mills, alongside the other natural fibres we work with — merino, mohair, and cashmere, sourced respectively from the UK, South Africa, and further afield. Knitting in Britain lets us work closely with experienced mill teams and keep production close to home, in keeping with our wider "Handcrafted in Britain" approach.
The Cambridge Sock Company: Natural Fibre Socks, Knitted in Britain
Every pair of our alpaca socks follows this same route: fibre from Peru, knitted into shape at a British mill, and finished as a sock designed to be worn, washed, and worn again for years — not a season.
Why We Chose Alpaca Over Alternatives
Alpaca farming is generally lighter on land and water than sheep farming, and alpacas graze in a way that's gentler on pasture. We're not going to attach a certification to that claim that doesn't exist — there's currently no alpaca-specific welfare or environmental certification scheme we hold — but the farming practices themselves are well documented, and they're a genuine part of why we find alpaca an appealing natural fibre to build socks from.
Combined with its durability — alpaca fibre is naturally strong and resists pilling better than many wools — it's a fibre that holds up to regular wear while staying soft against the skin.
Explore Our Alpaca Socks
If you'd like to feel the difference for yourself, you can browse the full range in our alpaca socks collection. Every pair is built on the same sourcing story described here — no invented brand, no unverifiable claims, just alpaca fibre from Peru, knitted into socks in Britain.