Pascuali Sayama

Sayama: Inspired by the Majestic Splendor of Mount Sajama in Bolivia

Pascuali set off to Sajama National Park on a llama-lovin' adventure, all in the name of creating a yarn made from llama hair. As they cruised through the park, soaking in the breathtaking views of Nevado Sajama and its surrounding landscapes, they couldn't help but wonder with delight at the sight of thousands of llamas and sheep frolicking about. Talk about llama drama! This llama extravaganza only fueled their excitement for creating a yarn that captures the essence of this magical place.

Mount Sajama (Nevado Sajama) is the highest peak in Bolivia, located in the southwestern part of the country near the border with Chile. It is part of the Andes mountain range and stands at an impressive elevation of 6,542 meters (21,463 feet) above sea level. Mount Sajama is an extinct stratovolcano and is considered one of the highest peaks in the world outside of the Himalayas. 

Long-necked, big-eyed, fluffy creatures, llamas have captured the hearts of many around the world. Belonging to the camelid family alongside alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, llamas were domesticated around 6,000-7,000 years ago by pre-Columbian societies in the Andes Mountains, quickly becoming indispensable to Andean cultures. Used as pack animals, sources of meat, sacrifice, and fiber, llamas played a crucial role in the economy and trade of these societies.  

Llamas are social animals that live in herds, grazing on grasses and vegetation in the high-altitude grasslands. Encountering llamas in the wild or in the company of local herders is a common sight around Mount Sajama, adding to the unique and rich cultural and natural heritage of the region. In addition to their practical uses, llamas are also revered for their cultural significance. They play a role in traditional ceremonies and festivals, and their images often appear in Andean art and folklore.

Luxurious Llama Wool: Nature's Secret to Softness and Strength

Llama wool is a versatile material with two distinct coats: guard hair and down also known as baby hair. Guard hair is sturdy and perfect for rope-making, while down is soft and luxurious, ideal for finer garments. With its hollow core, llama wool offers excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. Shearing yields about 8 pounds of fiber, but it takes two years for the fleece to regrow. 

Llama wool shares the luxurious softness of alpaca but brings added durability and strength to the table. Llama wool is naturally free from oils or lanolin, maintaining its original weight through processing, which is 90-93% of its initial weight.So, it can be a bit heavy on its own. 

To tackle this, Pascuali created a blend with Bolivian highland wool which comes from sheep that also inhabit the Sajama valley and have adapted to the harsh high altitudes of the Andes creating a soft fine wool that is quite hardy. By blending llama and highland wool together, Pascuali brings you a yarn that is perfectly balanced between lightness and sturdiness, without compromising on quality and that is especially tailored for Scandinavian-style knitting and anything multicolored.

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