Hurray, they’re back! The ILOE by LES RACINES DU CIEL is that kind of sweater that makes us understand exactly why customers keep coming back for it. Made from 100% baby alpaca, it features a fine, airy knit and a beautiful, subtle V-neck. Not a thick, bulky wool sweater, but an elegant alpaca piece that is wonderfully warm without feeling heavy.
And those colors! This season, we have the ILOE in Grege, Dark Green, Olive, Plum, and Denim Blue. Five beautiful, easy-to-combine shades in which the light, heathered character of the baby alpaca really stands out.
- 100% baby alpaca
- Fine, soft, and airy knit structure
- Subtle V-neck
- Lightly heathered appearance
- Temperature-regulating and wonderfully warm
- Available in 5 colors: Grege, Dark Green, Olive, Plum, and Denim Blue
- Fits true to size; if you are between two sizes, we recommend the larger one
- From the French brand LES RACINES DU CIEL
Why is baby alpaca so incredibly soft?
Anyone who has ever felt quality baby alpaca knows why we are so enthusiastic about it. For this sweater, LES RACINES DU CIEL uses Peruvian baby alpaca with a fiber fineness of approximately 19 to 22 microns. This results in an incredibly soft, fine fiber that feels wonderful against the skin.
And to be clear: ‘baby alpaca’ does not necessarily mean the wool comes from a baby alpaca. The name refers to the fineness and quality of the selected fibers. It belongs to the more luxurious grades of alpaca wool.
Furthermore, alpaca naturally contains almost no lanolin, the wool fat found in sheep's wool. Because of this, alpaca is often experienced as comfortable by people who are sensitive to regular wool. We cannot, of course, guarantee that no one will react to it or that it won't itch at all – every skin is different – but baby alpaca is one of the softest types of wool we know.
How warm is the ILOE baby alpaca sweater?
That is perhaps the best thing about this sweater: it is warm without being thick. Alpaca fibers provide excellent insulation, while the sweater itself is finely and airily knitted. This means you don’t immediately feel like you’re wearing a massive winter sweater.
Alpaca is also temperature-regulating. This makes the ILOE not only great for the middle of winter, but also very suitable for spring and autumn, and for days when the temperature fluctuates throughout the day.
How does the LES RACINES DU CIEL ILOE fit?
The ILOE has a normal, feminine fit and runs true to size. Hesitating between two sizes? We would choose the larger one. Not because the sweater runs small, but because we find baby alpaca looks best when it doesn't fit too tightly against the body.
The subtle V-neck also makes it very easy to combine. Wear it directly against your skin, with a camisole underneath, or over a blouse. And here’s a tip we once received from a customer that turned out to be surprisingly effective: try wearing it backwards. That gives you a higher neckline in the front and a V-neck in the back. Two sweaters for the price of one. ;-)
What makes LES RACINES DU CIEL special?
LES RACINES DU CIEL was founded in 2005 by Nathalie Goyette and Christian Tournafol and is based in Quimper, Brittany. The brand creates feminine, timeless clothing and consciously works with producers and artisanal companies to preserve traditional knowledge and local employment.
That is exactly why the brand fits so well with Natur-el: beautiful materials and clothing you can enjoy for years, along with attention for the people who make them.
How do you wash a 100% baby alpaca sweater?
Preferably as little as possible! Alpaca barely absorbs odors and definitely does not need to be washed after every few wears. Hang your sweater outside for a night to air it out. Often, that is all it needs.
Does it need to be washed after all? For alpaca, always use a detergent without lanolin. Our own WASHPACA detergent for alpaca has been specially developed for this. Alpaca itself contains almost no lanolin and therefore does not need the extra lanolin found in traditional wool detergents.
Wash gently according to the care label, carefully pull the sweater back into shape after washing, and let it dry flat. Do not hang it: wet knitwear is heavy and can stretch out of shape.
Can a baby alpaca sweater pill?
Yes. Even with a high-quality baby alpaca sweater, pilling can occur, especially in areas where friction arises, such as under the arms or along a coat. That is part of natural, soft fibers and says nothing about the quality of your sweater.
Do not pull the fuzz off with your fingers. This pulls more fibers out of the knit and will ultimately make the problem worse. Instead, carefully use a Gleener fabric shaver. This removes the loose fibers without plucking at your beautiful sweater.
Frequently asked questions about the ILOE alpaca sweater
What is the ILOE made of?
The sweater consists of 100% baby alpaca. LES RACINES DU CIEL uses fine Peruvian alpaca fibers for this.
Does baby alpaca itch?
Baby alpaca has very fine fibers and therefore feels exceptionally soft. Many people who find regular wool itchy find alpaca much more comfortable. Sensitivity, however, remains personal, so we prefer not to promise that no skin will react to it at all.
Which colors of the ILOE do you have?
We have this sweater in Grege, Dark Green, Olive, Plum, and Denim Blue.
What should I do if my alpaca sweater starts to pill?
A little pilling can occur with soft natural fibers. Do not pull the fuzz off, but remove it carefully with a Gleener.
Which detergent should I use for baby alpaca?
Preferably use a special alpaca detergent without added lanolin. We recommend WASHPACA for this. And remember: the less often you wash this sweater, the better. A quick airing out usually does wonders.
