Hooray, they’re back! The ILOE from LES RACINES DU CIEL is that kind of sweater where we now perfectly understand why customers keep coming back for it. Made from 100% baby alpaca, it features a fine, airy knit and a beautiful, subtle V-neck. It’s not a thick, bulky wool piece, but rather an elegant alpaca sweater 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 slightly heathered character of the baby alpaca really stands out.
- 100% baby alpaca
- Fine, soft, and airy knit structure
- Subtle V-neck
- Slightly heathered appearance
- Temperature-regulating and wonderfully warm
- Available in 5 colors: Grege (sand), 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 good 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 creates an incredibly soft, fine fiber that feels wonderful against the skin.
And just 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 qualities of alpaca wool.
Moreover, alpaca naturally contains almost no lanolin, the wool fat found in sheep's wool. As a result, alpaca is often experienced as comfortable by people who are sensitive to regular wool. We cannot, of course, guarantee that you will never react to it or that it will absolutely not itch for everyone—every skin is different—but baby alpaca is one of the softest wool types 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 knit. This means you don't immediately get the feeling that you are 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 varies quite a bit throughout the day.
How does the LES RACINES DU CIEL ILOE fit?
The ILOE has a normal, feminine fit and is true to size. Are you between two sizes? Then we would choose the larger size. Not because the sweater runs small, but because we find baby alpaca looks best when it isn't too tight on the body.
The subtle V-neck also makes it very easy to combine. Simply wear it against the skin, with a camisole underneath, or over a blouse. And here's another tip we once received from a customer that turned out to work surprisingly well: try wearing it backwards. This gives you a higher neckline in the front and the V on 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 craft businesses to preserve traditional knowledge and local employment.
That is precisely why the brand is such a great fit for Natur-el: beautiful materials and clothing that you can enjoy for years to come, combined with a focus on the people who make them.
How do you wash a 100% baby alpaca sweater?
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 still need to be washed? Always use a detergent without lanolin for alpaca. 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 carefully according to the care label, gently pull the sweater back into shape after washing, and let it dry flat. Do not hang it: wet knitwear is heavy and can therefore lose its shape.
Can a baby alpaca sweater pill?
Yes. Even with a high-quality baby alpaca sweater, pilling can occur, especially in areas where friction occurs, such as under the arms or along a coat. This is part of natural, soft fibers and says nothing about the quality of your sweater.
Whatever you do, don't pull the fluff off with your fingers. This pulls more fibers out of the knit and ultimately makes the problem worse. Instead, carefully use a Gleener fabric shaver. This allows you to remove the loose fibers without picking 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. For this, LES RACINES DU CIEL uses fine Peruvian alpaca fibers.
Does baby alpaca itch?
Baby alpaca has very fine fibers and therefore feels exceptionally soft. Many people who find regular wool itchy often experience alpaca as much more comfortable. Sensitivity remains personal, however, so we prefer not to promise that no skin will react to it.
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 happen with soft natural fibers. Do not pull the fluff off; instead, 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 works wonders.
