Now that summer is here lets talk about fibers for warmer weather.
While cotton is considered the king (or queen?) of warm weather yarn, it’s not the only contender for the throne.
It makes sense to take fluffy white balls of fiber and turn them into yarn.
But how did a panda’s favorite snack become one of the best yarn fibers there is?
Let’s discover together why bamboo might be the perfect thing to knit with this spring.
What is bamboo?
Bamboo is a type of grass that comes from the Poaceae family. It grows quickly with minimal inputs and can be harvested without killing the plant.
In many countries throughout Asia it is used for everything from building scaffolding, to furniture, to food. Because of its sustainable properties it has become popular as an eco-conscious material for all kinds of products. You can even buy bamboo bikes!
Knitters will be most familiar with bamboo knitting needles (we’re big fans of these).
But in the last 15 years or so bamboo has been finding its way into yarn for handknitting.
What is bamboo yarn?
As you might guess, you can’t cut off a piece of bamboo and start knitting it into a shirt.
Yarn made from bamboo is biosynthetic; a man-made fiber that comes from natural, renewable resources.
Unlike cotton and linen, which need minimal processing to have usable fibers, bamboo must be turned into viscose (or rayon or tencel or some other man made extruded fiber).
This require heavy processing to make the bamboo usable.
Essentially the bamboo is turned into a pulp or goo using sodium hydroxide. From there it is reconstituted into fiber using chemicals like carbon disulfide or sulfuric acid.
What’s left is a pure cellulose fiber that has some unique properties that make it great from knitting.
Benefits of bamboo yarn
Bamboo has a few characteristics that give it an advantage over other plant fibers like cotton.
Here are a few of them:
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Hypoallergenic and antibacterial
Bamboo does not produce any allergens but it also has properties that fight odor causing bacteria. -
Lightweight and breathable and protective
Like cotton, bamboo is great at absorbing moisture, helping you stay cool and comfortable in warm weather. It also can block UV sun rays. -
Soft and smooth with beautiful drape
Depending on how the fibers are processed and spun, bamboo can have a silky sheen and smooth texture. It’s often called a vegan silk, and it has the same lovely drape. -
Strength and durability
Man-made fibers are known for their resistance to wear and tear. This is why you’ll often find nylon or similar fibers blended into socks. If you want your knits to last, a little bamboo wouldn’t hurt.
Cons of bamboo yarn
Like all things, bamboo is not 100% perfect.
It certainly has its drawbacks, so let’s take a look at them now:
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Mostly Blended
100% bamboo yarns are uncommon and not very fun to knit with since they are often made into “tape” or “ribbon” yarn. Most bamboo yarns on the market are blended with other fibers, diminishing some of its benefits. -
Expensive
While this silky yarn is cheaper than real silk, it’s still more expensive than cotton. -
Doesn’t dry quickly
Bamboo is GREAT at soaking up moisture. It’s just not good at letting it go -
It stretches
Like most cellulose fibers, bamboo has a tendency to lose its shape over time. If you knit it into a shirt or sweater, make sure it has strong seams
Despite its shortcomings, bamboo yarn is still a great option for spring time knitting.
So what is bamboo yarn good for?
Bamboo is an ideal warm weather yarn. Its more comfortable to wear than cotton and often paired a fiber like wool to balance out some of its disadvantages.
If you want a lightweight shawl or sweater for the spring and summer, then bamboo might be the way to go.
Our favorite Bamboo Yarns to knit with
Here’s some of our favorite Bamboo yarns you might want to check out:
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CoBoo by Lion Brand Yarn
DK Weight (CYC #3)51% Cotton, 49% Rayon from Bamboo (232yds / 100g)
Coboo® is a light weight mix of cotton and bamboo perfect for those who love working with natural fibers. It is soft and breathable, making it great for all seasons including those warm summer months. It has a beautiful drape and stitch definition that makes it perfect for shawls, home decor, and many other garments and accessories. Coboo® was one of four Lion Brand® yarns to receive a Business Intelligence Sustainability Award for 2022.
Get it here -
TruBoo by Lion Brand Yarn
DK Weight (CYC #3)100% Rayon from Bamboo (241yds / 100g)
This eco-friendly yarn is soft and breathable, making it great for breezy garments that are perfect for transitioning from spring into summer. Truboo® was one of four Lion Brand® yarns to receive a Business Intelligence Sustainability Award for 2022.
Get it at Amazon -
Galileo by Knit Picks
Sport Weight (CYC #2)50% Merino Wool, 50% Viscose from Bamboo (131yds / 50g)
Galileo is a luscious luxury sport weight yarn that combines the lush softness of Merino wool with the brilliant luster and strength of bamboo. This exquisite blend of luxurious fibers produces a yarn with wonderful elasticity and bounce while the bamboo adds a lovely drape and a silky soft hand—a perfect fiber combination for those with sensitive skin as well as special baby projects. Whether you indulge your creativity with lightweight cardigans, elegant tops, or stunning wraps, you'll love exploring all of Galileo's alluring possibilities!
Get it here -
Flora by Premier
Bulky Weight (CYC #5)85% Acrylic, 14% Rayon from Bamboo, 1% Nylon (98yds / 100g)
Refresh your Spring style with new Flora, a bulky weight yarn with a bamboo fiber blend that's perfect for transitional weather. Soft and silky, this yarn glides over your tools with ease, ensuring an enjoyable stitching experience.
Get it here -
Sueno by HiKoo
Sport Weight (CYC #2)80% Superwash Merino, 20% Bamboo Viscose (255yds / 100g)
Sueno, pronounced Swen-Yo, means dream in Spanish. This Peruvian yarn lives up to it's moniker! A super soft and springy blend of superwash merino and bamboo viscose, it is made with strength and wearability in mind. Available in a wide range of lustrous solids, this washable yarn is perfect for socks, sweaters, accessories, kids garments, and hard-wearing garments that will last a lifetime.
Get it here
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Conclusion
So there you have it.
We think bamboo is a pretty amazing fiber and an absolute pleasure to work with in warm weather.
But what do you think?
Have you knit with bamboo yarns before?
How did it go?
Hit reply and share your experience with us!
We’d love to hear your feedback. 😊