Soft as a whisper, rarer than cashmere
Coveted for centuries, guanaco fibre is one of the finest natural fibres in the world. Our herd was born and bred here in the Peak District, and the fibre is prized for its exceptional softness, warmth and durability.
With a diameter as fine as 12 to 18 microns, guanaco fibre rivals the softness of vicuña, with a buttery feel that melts against the skin. Its inner fleece, the down coat, is incredibly insulating yet breathable, ideal for garments that keep you cosy in winter without overheating indoors.
Our 2024 clip, painstakingly dehaired here in the UK, is now available to buy along with a limited edition of handspun yarn. Supply is very limited.
Qualities of the fibre
Rivalling vicuña for the finest fibre in the world
Beyond comfort, guanaco fibre is naturally hypoallergenic, lanolin-free and biodegradable. It comes in two natural shades, fawn and warm cinnamon, which shine in their natural state but also take beautifully to dye.
For a hand spinner, guanaco fibre from the Peak District offers the perfect blend of artisanal luxury and local provenance: astonishing softness and warmth, and the story it carries.
Spinning a yarn
Hand spinning is an intimate, tactile craft, and guanaco fibre elevates it: a fine micron count, minimal lanolin and a lofty, breathable structure mean less preparation, an elegant spin, and finished yarn that feels featherlight yet insulates like a dream.
Sourcing it from the Peak District adds something special. You’re supporting small-scale, ethical farming where guanaco live with space to roam, and there’s a real connection between the land, the animals and the spinner.
We shear only every two years to get the staple length, so the fibre is harvested in limited quantities. It’s then meticulously dehaired in Bradford to leave the precious downy undercoat. It isn’t washed with harsh chemicals, just de-dusted and combed.
How it compares
Softness & fineness
At 12–18 microns, guanaco is finer than cashmere (typically 14–19 microns) and second only to vicuña in softness. That ultra-fine texture gives a buttery handle that spinners adore, especially for next-to-skin garments.
Warmth & weight
Like other camelids, guanaco fibre has a hollow core that traps heat, giving exceptional warmth without bulk. It’s warmer than sheep’s wool and comparable to qiviut (muskox down), with a lighter drape.
Hypoallergenic & lanolin-free
Unlike sheep’s wool, guanaco contains no lanolin, making it ideal for sensitive skin. It’s naturally hypoallergenic, like alpaca and bison down.
Spinability
Once dehaired, guanaco is easy to spin, with a lofty, elastic quality suited to both woollen and worsted techniques. It’s less slippery than silk, less prone to felting than angora and more forgiving than mohair.
Rarity & price
Guanaco fibre is extremely rare, especially outside South America. Its scarcity and the ethical, low-yield harvest make it more expensive than alpaca or cashmere, but for hand spinners looking for something truly special, it doesn’t disappoint.
From Andes to artisan
Dehaired guanaco fibre from the Heathylee herd is a rare and luxurious treasure. Bred on a 200-acre hill farm at 1,200 feet above sea level, these guanaco produce fibre that is finer than cashmere, rivals vicuña and is three times warmer than wool.
What sets it apart is its provenance. The guanaco are ethically farmed in an environmentally sensitive way and cared for before and after shearing, and the fibre is processed and dehaired to the highest standards here in the UK. With exports reaching Japan and the US, and strict CITES rules limiting availability, it’s a true Peak District gem.
Guanaco fibre and yarn from our herd
Every skein and bag of fibre starts with our own guanaco in the Peak District: hand-sorted, dehaired and spun into some of the softest yarn grown in the UK.
An endangered species
Licensing luxurious fibres
All guanaco fibre is covered by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). We’re free to sell within the UK, but need an individual licence to ship anything abroad. Get in touch for the cost and lead time if you’d like to buy from outside the UK.