For autumn and winter, wool and wool blends are popular. Alpaca fleece, once reserved for Inca kings, is hypoallergenic and provides extraordinary warmth. Yet alpaca is also lightweight and soft. Cotton and pima cotton are great options for spring and summer, as is chenille derived from bamboo fiber. Linen and hemp may be used in ponchos and any of these may be combined with synthetic fibers such as acrylic, polyamide and nylon. It’s up to the artisan and the shopper.