Vicuña is as good as gold
The finest fiber in the world
Native only to the Andes mountains, vicuñas are known as the "bearers of the golden fleece" for a good reason.
According to Inca legend, the Incas valued vicuñas for their wool and believed the animal was the reincarnation of a beautiful young maiden who received a coat of pure gold.
A symbol of nobility that allowed only royalty to wear this precious fiber. Even from that time, they knew how special this fiber was.
By the 1960s, there were only about 6,000 vicuñas living in Peru due to hunting. The government had to place the animal on an endangered species list.
Thankfully, today, there are strict rules and national protections in measure that have preserved the animal.
The Ancient Art of the Chaccu
A Ceremony of Care
These graceful animals are gathered just once a year during the Chaccu ceremony ~ A sacred Incan tradition that has been practiced for generations.
The Chaccu is more than a harvest; it’s a celebration of community, conservation, and culture.
Local herders gently round up the wild vicuñas, shear them by hand, and release them back into their natural habitat unharmed.
Customer Reviews
This is the first time I have purchased from Windy Valley Muskox. I finally made my purchase of the century on a skein of 100% Vicuna. Ordering from the website was super easy, and my skein arrived quickly in a nicely made pouch. There was a small issue with my initial on-line order. Windy Valley Muskox family contacted me immediately to correct my order. They were so kind and prompt. I am extremely please with the customer service!! And wow!! The vicuna yarn is a dream!! I am in love!!!! I will continue to do business with Windy Valley Muskox. I highly recommend them to anyone wanting to purchase from them.
I have been trying all of the exotics I can get. Now I have added Vicuña and Guanaco! My quest is never ending and supremely enjoyable!
Wowza! I bought this to knit a hat for my husband (Christmas gift). I’ve been reading about this amazing fiber for years and it is definitely worth the praise. He loves the hat but is paranoid that he’ll lose it so he’s very cautious when and where he wears it.
Because it’s such a delicate fiber, I added rows of navy blue silk. The vicuña is just as soft as the silk. Absolutely incredible! Love-love-love!
I love the look and feel of the yarn. The natural colour is so rich. I am still deciding what to knit with this yarn. I want it to be special so I’m going to take my time deciding.
Absolutely breathtaking! Love this company, very high standards and great customer service.
This yarn is a buttery soft delight. I am so happy that Windy Valley makes it available. Great service, splendid product, lucky me.
Thank you Giovanna.
I’m floored. My yarn is gorgeous. And the only thing better than my vicuña is the customer service. They make every purchase easy and fabulous. I can’t wait to start knitting! Giovanna and her staff are the best. So is the yarn. I’m a customer for life now.
I just completed the Bison Lace Scarf pattern using 100% pure Vicuna. I was very nervous using such expensive yarn, but the pattern is easy to follow and after a few repeats I could knit without having to refer to the printed pattern. I find that small. light scarves like Bison Lace are very useful for taking off the chill in over-air-contioned venues. The yarn arrived in a nice drawstring bag so I can comfortably carry the scarf in my bag and bring it out when needed.
FAQ
Vicuña yarn is sourced from wild animals that live high in the Peruvian Andes and can only be gently shorn every two to five years. (even though each community does the chaccu once in a year.)
Because each animal produces only a few ounces of fiber, and Peru limits how much can be exported annually, only a handful of skeins are ever available worldwide.
Yes. Vicuña fiber is collected through the traditional Chaccu ceremony, a community-led event that ensures each animal is shorn by hand and released unharmed.
Every batch must carry official CITES permits and pass Fish & Wildlife inspections, guaranteeing full traceability and adherence to strict conservation laws.
This method supports local communities with fair compensation while honoring and preserving this precious natural resource.
Vicuña is often called the “gold of the Andes” for good reason. Its rarity, softness, and the extensive ethical process behind each skein ~ combined with centuries of reverence ~ make it one of the most luxurious natural fibers in the world.
Vicuña’s natural caramel hue makes it one of the hardest fibers to dye.
Creating deep, even shades like our Limited Edition Desert Rose, Cypress Blue, and Bottle Green requires expert craftsmanship and small-batch dyeing, resulting in colors that can’t be mass produced.