la imilla knitting cooperative

located in the high tropical valleys of cochabamba, bolivia, the la imilla knitting cooperative is an 18+ member cooperative that works with fine knitwear made of the highest quality alpaca wool.

organized in 1979, la imilla is an association of craftswomen created to improve the social and economic condition of rural women.

the alpaca fleece

the wool comes from free range alpacas that graze on the tough native grasses of the vast Andes Mountains, just as they have been doing for 5,000 years.

the fleece is usually hand shorn using scissors, then hand washed with a mild, biodegradable, detergent specially designed for the bolivian environment.

alpaca fleece is one of the rarest of the natural textile fibers. the individual shaft of an alpaca fiber is measurably smoother than that of other natural fibers giving it a light luxurious hand while providing breathable warmth.