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 and timeless knitwear. Our goal is to make clothes so comfortable and versatile that you'll wear them day in and day out, year after year. When our knitwear becomes your favorite piece, we know we've succeeded.
The shift away from fast fashion requires more than just timeless design. It's only possible if the garment stays neat through 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 properties.
Warm and breathable
Alpacas graze high in the Andes mountains in very variable weather conditions. Snow-capped mountains and freezing cold winds are not a problem for alpacas, as alpaca wool is extremely warm. In addition to cold and wind, alpacas also tolerate scorching heat.
The good thermoregulating ability of alpaca wool is due to its structure. The fibers are strongly crimped into pleated curls. Thanks to these pleats, air is trapped between the fibers, acting as insulation. 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 quantitatively in the yarn, and the higher the quality of the yarn. Royal quality alpaca fiber is the finest alpaca fiber available for industrial production. This exceptionally fine fiber is 18 microns thick. Baby alpaca, more commonly used in clothing, is 4 microns thicker. With the fineness of the 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 transfers moisture away from the skin better than other natural 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 the long and smooth fiber structure. The knit feels luxuriously soft against the skin, and the softness only increases with use. Thanks to the fiber's good thermoregulating ability, knitwear doesn't need to be thick; it can be designed to be pleasantly thin and beautifully draped.
The densely crimped structure of Royal-quality alpaca fiber makes the yarn flexible and light. Thanks to the flexible yarn, knitwear retains its shape well. Indentations and stretches can be 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
When it rains, 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. Droplets left by drizzle 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 the knitwear in the Alpaca Royal collection is easy, and they only need to be washed very rarely. This further extends the lifespan of the knit.
Often, just airing out the knit is enough to refresh it, and small stains can be removed locally. If necessary, an alpaca knit can be washed using the hand wash program of a washing machine or by hand in lukewarm water. It's best to dry it flat to prevent the knit from stretching.
Royal-quality alpaca knitwear does not pill due to the long structure of the fiber. It stays neat even with repeated use, and with small maintenance steps, you'll have 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 an alpaca's feet do not wear down the ground like hooves, and grazing does not harm vegetation.
The water consumption of knitwear made from alpaca wool throughout its life cycle is lower compared to other natural fibers and especially synthetic fibers. Like other camelids, alpacas thrive on extremely little water. Water consumption is moderate during fiber processing. Water is also saved because alpaca knitwear needs washing only rarely. Since alpaca wool does not contain lanolin, washing can be done without harsh detergents. This reduces the burden on wastewater.
Fine and high-quality Royal Alpaca fiber enables the production of thin and consistent yarn. That's why the knitwear in Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection is exceptionally long-lasting. The knits remain neat and structured even with heavy use. The most ecological garment is precisely the one that is used a lot. When the knit reaches the end of its life cycle, the fiber continues its life. Alpaca fiber is 100% biodegradable. The 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 have experienced its softness and warmth on your skin, you will likely not want to wear other clothes. You can happily wear products from Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection 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 naturally occur in nearly 30 different colors. Our Alpaca Royal collection's color palette follows this wonderful natural color chart. For the collection, we have selected the most beautiful and practical shades of brown and gray, from light to dark. Also included are a timeless favorite, a deep black shade, and a soft natural white.
We always use Royal Alpaca fiber as unprocessed as possible. Royal-quality alpaca fiber does not require smoothing treatments like, for example, merino wool. We use undyed color shades that are available, and some yarns are dyed. Dyeing is always done with carefully monitored, GOTS-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 can see and feel this in the final result.
A promise of quality
The alpaca yarns used by Ruukin Kehräämö have the Fair Trade Peru certificate. Growers, who are part of Peruvian indigenous communities, care for their small herds with respect for nature, and animal welfare is of utmost importance. For each batch of yarn arriving at Ruukin Kehräämö, the wool is collected separately from local small farms. Growers 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). This recognition, guaranteeing top quality, has been granted to only three clothing brands in Europe.
