Wool often offers bounce and recovery, which can be helpful for garments that need to keep their shape. Alpaca can bring warmth and a soft halo, often with more drape. Cotton can feel cool and smooth, while its lower elasticity means gauge and structure deserve extra attention.
Blends are not a compromise by default. They can combine properties that make a yarn easier to wear, wash, or knit at a given gauge. Read the fibre percentage, not only the yarn name.
The best way to learn a yarn is to swatch it, wash the swatch, and notice how it changes. Keep a small note with your project so you can make better fibre choices next time.
