While some of our artisans use their own alpaca yarn, for all our hand knit sweaters, we collaborate with Michell Yarn located in Cusco, Peru. Michell supplies the highest quality alpaca yarn available. Based in Arequipa, with acres and acres of land in Puno, Michell has its own herds of alpaca. The animals roam free and are happy. They are sheared once a year, usually in November. Alpaca are treated humanely in Peru and by Michell. The animals are revered and there is usually a ceremony honoring and thanking the animals before they are gently sheared. These are the guys that help us along with Libia Zarate of Viva Peru.