Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection is one of a kind
Passion for Slow Fashion
Ruukin Kehräämö's clothing collection was born from a burning desire to create beautiful, durable, and genuinely responsibly produced knitwear. Our goal is to make clothes so pleasant to wear and versatile that you'll put them on day after day, year after year. When our knitwear becomes your favorite garment, we know we've succeeded.
Transitioning away from disposable fashion requires more than timeless design. It's only possible if the garment stays neat with use. That's why premium quality material is key for us. No other fiber can adapt to such demanding conditions as nature's own luxury product, Royal Alpaca. Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection is a tribute to this luxurious fiber and its superior qualities.
Warm and Breathable
Alpacas graze high in the Andes mountains in highly variable weather conditions. Snow-capped mountains and icy winds are not a problem for alpacas, as alpaca wool is extremely warm. In addition to cold and wind, alpacas also tolerate scorching heat.
Alpaca wool's excellent thermal regulation capability is due to its structure. The fibers are strongly crimped into pleated curls. Thanks to these pleats, air acts as an insulator between the fibers. The more crimps per inch in the fiber, the higher the quality of the wool.
The finer the alpaca fiber, the more of it there is in the yarn quantitatively, and the higher the quality of the yarn. Royal quality alpaca fiber is the finest alpaca fiber available for industrial production. This exceptionally thin fiber is 18 microns thick. Baby Alpaca, which is more commonly used in clothing, is 4 microns thicker. With the fineness of alpaca fiber, its special properties also increase.
Alpaca wool is a breathable material. It regulates body temperature like a thermostat. An alpaca knit is warm in cold weather but feels cool in warm weather. Alpaca fiber wicks moisture away from the skin better than other natural fibers or technical fibers.
Luxuriously Soft
Alpacas are bred to produce wool that is as fine and consistent as possible. Genetic heritage determines the quality of the wool. Royal quality fiber is rare, as only 10% of alpacas produce such fine wool. For this reason, every knit in the Alpaca Royal collection is actually a rare collector's item, a practical luxury for everyday life.
The superior softness of Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal products comes from their long and smooth-surfaced fiber structure. The knit feels luxuriously soft against the skin, and its softness only increases with use. Thanks to the fiber's good thermal regulation capability, knits don't need to be thick; they can be designed to be pleasantly thin and elegantly draped.
The densely crimped structure of Royal quality alpaca fiber makes the yarn flexible and lightweight. Thanks to the flexible yarn, the knits hold their shape well. Indentations and stretches are easily straightened by steaming.
Alpaca wool is naturally hypoallergenic because it does not contain fat (lanolin) like other commonly used wool fibers. Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal products are suitable for most people with sensitive skin.
Water and Dirt Repellent
In case of rain, alpaca only gets wet on the surface of its fleece, as alpaca wool repels water. An alpaca knit is therefore the best possible garment for outdoor activities. Drizzle drops can simply be shaken off, and even a soaking wet knit feels warm and comfortable to wear.
Royal Alpaca is an antibacterial fiber and naturally repels dirt. It also doesn't generate static electricity in the same way as synthetic fibers, and therefore doesn't attract dust. Cleaning Alpaca Royal collection knits is easy, and they only need to be washed very rarely. This further extends the lifespan of the knit.
Often, simply airing out the knit is enough to refresh it, and small stains can be removed locally. If necessary, an alpaca knit can be washed on the washing machine's hand wash program or by hand in lukewarm water. It's best to dry it flat to prevent stretching.
Royal quality alpaca knit does not pill due to the long structure of the fiber. It stays neat even with repeated use, and with minor care, it will be a trusted friend for years to come.
Ethical and Ecological
Alpacas grazing in the Andes mountains live in natural balance with their environment and support biodiversity. The soft pads of alpacas' feet do not wear down the soil like hooves, and their grazing does not harm vegetation.
The water consumption of alpaca wool garments throughout their life cycle is lower compared to other natural fibers and especially synthetic fibers. Like other camelids, alpacas thrive with extremely little water. Water consumption during fiber processing is moderate. Water is also saved because alpaca knits only need to be washed rarely. Since alpaca wool does not contain lanolin, washing can be done without strong detergents. This reduces the burden on wastewater.
The fine and high-quality Royal Alpaca fiber enables the production of thin and consistent yarn. This is why Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection knits are exceptionally long-lasting. The knits remain neat and structured even with heavy use. The most ecological garment is precisely the one that is used often. When a knit reaches the end of its life cycle, the fiber continues its existence. Alpaca fiber is 100% biodegradable. Knits can also be recycled into new fibers.
Natural
The superiority of Royal Alpaca fiber as a clothing material is noticed at the latest when you try it yourself. Once you've experienced its softness and warmth on your skin, you probably won't want to wear other clothes. Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection products are a pleasure to wear every day, and they only get better and softer with use. A high-quality alpaca knit is like a second skin. That's how natural and comfortable it feels to wear.
Alpacas occur naturally in nearly 30 different colors. Our Alpaca Royal collection's color palette follows this stunning natural color chart. We have selected the most beautiful and practical shades of brown and gray, from light to dark. Also included are a perennial favorite, a deep black shade, and a soft natural white.
We always use Royal Alpaca fiber as untreated as possible. Royal quality alpaca fiber does not require smoothing treatments like merino wool, for example. We use undyed color shades that are available, and some of the yarns are dyed. Dyeing is always done using strictly controlled, GOTS and Reach certified methods.
Ruukin Kehräämö's knitwear is designed with warmth and expertise in Mathildedahl, just for you. Every knit in our Alpaca Royal collection is a carefully finished, unique product. You will see and feel this in the final result.
Promise of Quality
Ruukin Kehräämö uses only high-quality and ethically produced, RAS-labeled (Responsible Alpaca Standard) alpaca wool. Breeders belonging to indigenous Peruvian communities care for their small herds with respect for nature, and animal welfare is paramount. For each batch of yarn arriving at Ruukin Kehräämö, the wool is collected separately from local small farms. Breeders receive double the price for Royal Alpaca fiber compared to coarser Baby Alpaca.
Ruukin Kehräämö is the only Finnish company to have been awarded the prestigious Golden Alpaca mark by the international alpaca association IAA (International Alpaca Association). This recognition, guaranteeing exceptionally high quality, has been awarded to only three clothing brands in Europe.
