He became an expert in alpaca wool, and in 1842 began business as a dealer in South American products.

Specialists in textiles were especially impressed with the fine alpaca wool of the girl's garments.

Conservative Spanish media criticizes Morales for dressing informally, wearing a sweater made of alpaca wool with Amerindian motifs and colors during his encounter with the king.

Our hostess is called Olga - she greets us with one hand while continuing to spin her bobbin of alpaca wool with the other.

In one climactic and stilted exchange, he mocks Pizarro's crucifix-bearing priest for having what looks like alpaca wool on his face.

The Peruvians, knowing nothing of the arch or iron metallurgy, instead relied on what they knew best, fibers from cotton, grasses and saplings, and llama and alpaca wool.

Finally, he shrugged and opened the wrapping; inside was a winter scarf of hand-woven alpaca wool, as rare as hen's teeth these days.

But many owners say that it is the high quality of alpaca wool that will preserve the animals' commercial value after their novelty wears off.

He said increasing numbers of alpaca owners operate stores to sell products made of alpaca wool.

The great majority of traditional Quechua clothing is now woven with sheep wool, while alpaca wool is reserved for special or ceremonial items.