Last year I decided to try knitting a top from bamboo yarn. I read reviews about her - how she behaves in her work, in the product, and decided - her eyes are afraid, her hands are doing the work. Since the top was supposed to be worn in the summer, the yarn chosen was plain white and quite thin: in one 100 gram skein there are 440 meters of bamboo thread. Armed with the thinnest knitting needles, patience, I took a sample (I never make a pattern) - a suitable knitted top - and began work.
1. Impressions of working with yarn.
The first thought after the first rows (about the same as after the first birth): I wish I... just one more time... but never in my life! It took me a long time to get used to it, selecting a design, because my favorite universal elastic band on bamboo didn’t look good at all, and the openwork also looked rather primitive. I'm not good with crochet, but out of desperation, I decided to try that too - but the result didn't inspire me.
It was decided to knit the product using stockinette stitch, with darts, decreases, and increases (oh, but with an elastic band - how simple it would have been!), knitting a raised border along the bottom of the top, and at the end of the work, finish it with black yarn (with a secret).
Bamboo thread consists of many thin fibers, which did not add pleasure to the work and did not contribute to the speed of knitting. The yarn is quite slippery - you need to make extra effort when knitting. I didn't like knitting with bamboo.
2. Do you need a sample?
Experienced knitters may throw balls at me, but I rarely knit a swatch. However, in the case of this capricious yarn, I still had to. One thing I can say with 100% confidence: the number of loops should be less than what you usually cast on for a similar model.
3. Appearance of the product.
Of course, when the finished top was treated with a tricky thread (finishing yarn with a slight metallic sheen, very stiff) that tamed its stretchy essence, and returned to its pristine white color after washing, I loved it. The disadvantages of the yarn turned into the advantage of the product: soft, silky, elastic, pleasant to the skin.
4. Product behavior.
I cannot join the numerous complaints that during wear/after washing the product stretches and loses its shape. Maybe a tricky thread helped, or maybe the sample was knitted for a reason, let’s take into account the density of the knitting and the small size of the top, but it holds its shape.
5. Wear resistance of yarn.
Unfortunately, she didn't show herself very well. Since I picked it up and unraveled it several times, the thread quickly became frayed - and this is noticeable on the lower rows. Therefore, we knit “once and for all.” Washing only gentle.
6. Conclusions.
A dress made of bamboo yarn for the summer heat is a good thing. And you need to start knitting it right from the summer. To be on time for the next one. I can’t say that my acquaintance with bamboo yarn was unsuccessful, but I have no desire to continue it.
This top took me less than 2 skeins (100g), in monetary terms - less than 200 rubles.
I myself have not knitted much from bamboo. But I will share my experience with pleasure.
We will only talk about 100% bamboo yarn.
First experience.
Vita Bamboo Print.
I knitted a top from it.
The thread knits easily and pleasantly, the yarn feels great to the touch - soft, smooth.
But: after 1 day of wear, the top became a tunic, and after the second - a dress. And this happens after every wash: at first the size returns, but then everything repeats.
I’ll explain why this happened below for all bamboo yarn; it turns out there are rules for how to knit it.
Experience two.
Alize Bamboo Batik.
I also knitted a top and a handbag from it.
And although the seller assured me that THIS bamboo behaves perfectly and does not require any tricks in knitting, my story repeated itself. Even though I used knitting needles and a crochet hook number smaller than what the manufacturer indicated.
Experience three.
Bouton d'Or New Bamboo.
Gorgeous bamboo yarn. It is quite expensive, and the salespeople in the stores where it is presented are usually very experienced. They gave specific instructions on how to knit with it.
And now, attention, the rules for bamboo yarn.
Please note that they may be less strict if your future product is not required to keep a given shape.
1. For knitting, take 1-1.5 number crochet needles less than indicated. Ideally, as minimal as you can knit.
2. You need to knit VERY tightly. Again, as tight as possible for you.
3. Despite points 1 and 2, pattern Products should be reduced by 1 size.
4. Wash, strictly following the instructions: hand wash or delicate machine wash without spinning, then spinning at 800 rpm. Dry only in a horizontal position, straightening the product.
Once a product is damaged by washing, it can no longer be corrected!
All these (incredible) efforts are worth the amazing ease with which things made of bamboo are worn, and how much joy they bring to their owner.
I heard that this yarn has a lot of stretch, but the other reviews are so wonderful that I’m just itching to knit something summery.
I’ll write for my girls and for you, dear readers of my blog, what kind of yarn this is - bamboo.
Bamboo yarn is a relatively new product in the world of knitting, but it is quickly becoming popular. This is a beautiful natural fiber made from fast-growing bamboo that has been processed into pulp.
Positive reviews about bamboo yarn:
- Bamboo grows very quickly, and to harvest it for industrial purposes the plant does not die, but continues to grow further and is ready for further harvesting in a few months. Its cultivation does not require the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and therefore does not harm the environment. Production is also environmentally friendly, as it is based on steaming and boiling.
- Bamboo yarn, unless mixed with man-made fibers, is biodegradable.
- Bamboo is easily dyed with natural dyes, which are safe to use and do not cause allergies when wearing clothes made from such yarn.
- Bamboo yarn has natural antibacterial properties.
- Bamboo has protective properties against ultraviolet radiation.
- Fabric knitted from bamboo absorbs moisture well, is breathable, cool in the heat, and drapes easily.
- Bamboo fabric is very soft, comparable to silk, has a beautiful shine, is very durable, and wear-resistant.
Negative feedback:
- Bamboo absorbs moisture very well, which makes it less durable when wet.
- This yarn is not suitable for frequent washing as bamboo products need to be washed by hand.
- Some types of bamboo yarn (especially viscose bamboo) can stretch a lot in the fabric, so you need to knit tightly or in two threads. You can add polyester sewing thread.
So, bamboo fabric is very durable, has a beautiful shine, silky to the touch, allows the skin to breathe, is hypoallergenic, and retains its properties after repeated washings.
You can knit almost anything from this yarn - hats, sweaters, tunics, tops, skirts...
Knitted socks made from bamboo are very good - durable, thin, and absorb moisture well.
So, be sure to buy bamboo yarn and tie it just for the summer!
Properties of bamboo fiber:
It feels very similar to silk, cool, soft;
The products are very comfortable to wear, fit perfectly and fit to the body, and never cause skin irritation;
Hypoallergenic, suitable for children's clothes;
The so-called “conditioned” fiber, due to its structure, is breathable (at t = 36 degrees and relative air humidity of 100%, ventilation is 45%, which is 3.5 times higher than that of cotton);
Good moisture absorption, according to various information, is 2-4 times higher than that of cotton;
Excellent moisture permeability and breathability;
Antibacterial properties: clothing made from this thread absorbs human sweat, since the fibers contain a biologically active substance that does not allow fungi and bacteria to multiply and, therefore, create an unpleasant odor;
Almost does not transmit ultraviolet radiation, which is very important in summer (only 0.6% of UV rays pass through, which is almost 450 times less than through cotton);
Dries quickly;
The products are quite wear-resistant, the fabric practically does not wrinkle;
It is easy to knit, the thread forms even and neat loops;
After washing, the item will look elegant, thanks to its light shine;
It has low thermal conductivity, so it is suitable for both winter and summer;
Softer than cotton;
It retains whiteness well, as well as the freshness of colors, and does not fade.
Now the properties that must be taken into account when knitting products made from bamboo fiber: when washed, it stretches 4-5 cm in length, especially if it is not knitted tightly enough, so the sample must be washed.
The upper part of the item stretches out a little, unlike the lower part, so it is better to dry it horizontally.
The motifs must be knitted very tightly, otherwise they will unravel when washed.
When wet, it loses strength, so it requires some caution. Wash by hand only. As Oksana Trukhan Ursula shared in the comments below, bamboo with cashmere can be machine washed on a delicate cycle.
The conclusion is this: bamboo fiber is a very wonderful thing, but it requires care and accurate calculation.
Bamboo thread is a type of viscose , regenerated cellulose fiber. The herbaceous plant bamboo produces not cellulose, but bamboo fiber. The technological process is simple and, if the rules are followed, is not harmful to the environment. Interestingly, dyeing requires 15-20% less dye than cotton, since bamboo absorbs dye better.
The materials found on the Internet indicate two ways to obtain
bamboo fiber - chemical and mechanical. During the chemical method
leaves and pulp are separated from the hard bamboo stem by evaporation, and then
mechanically crushed. Crushed bamboo is soaked in sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) to obtain cellulose. If sodium hydroxide is used judiciously,
then this substance does not harm the environment and handlers. Hydroxide
sodium is often used to obtain environmentally friendly cotton fiber -
this is confirmed by the International Biologic Textile Standard (GOTS) and
The Soil Association. Sodium hydroxide leaves no chemicals
traces in the bamboo fiber, since when washed it is neutralized and becomes
harmless sodium sulfate salt. During the mechanical method separated
bamboo is treated with biological enzymes (enzymes), which
convert bamboo cellulose into fiber. This method is expensive, but environmentally friendly
it's cleaner. After the bamboo pulp is obtained, it is passed through a device
similar to a sieve, and solid particles, fiber, turn into thread. Received
the thread is twisted repeatedly to obtain bamboo yarn. Bamboo yarn
white, shiny and as durable as viscose. Hence,
It is not difficult to obtain thread from bamboo, it can be done without harm to the environment
environment and the end result is high quality yarn.
The following text is for general information.
In connection with the emerging topic of Naturalness and Chemicalness, I consider it necessary to add the following paragraph.
The raw material for bamboo fiber is the herbaceous plant bamboo, which grows without pesticides and other chemicals, due to its hardiness, and is cut off during harvesting so that the top layer of soil remains intact.
On cotton plantations, 330-500 thousand people are poisoned by pesticides every year, 20 thousand of them die. Also, a huge number of workers get sick from cotton dust at work, after 10-15 years.
When producing flax, the soil is treated with herbicides, since weed infestation leads to poor quality flax. Flax will greatly impoverish the soil; proper crop rotation must be observed. And herbicides and pesticides poison the soil and water.
Of course, there are also environmentally friendly growing methods, but this does not meet the market needs and the price of such raw materials is corresponding.
When writing this article, I used (and processed by me) materials from the Internet and personal feelings.
I by no means urge anyone to give up anything, I was interested, and not only me, judging by the comments, but everyone draws their own conclusions.
For example, there are also a lot of fruits and berries, everyone is free to choose according to their taste. Some people will prefer orange to blackcurrant, although it contains more vitamin C. But the taste is different. And some people like a little bit of everything. Again, it's a matter of taste.The article is informational, but my opinion is not the ultimate truth
Very often the question arises of what to do with this unruly, incomprehensible, stretchy yarn that presents many surprises. In fact, if you know how to deal with the disadvantages of bamboo yarn, then you can enjoy its advantages with pleasure. And believe me, there are many advantages! Very!
To begin with, I will show my works made of bamboo, so as not to seem unfounded and preaching false truths.
These knitting bags are made from thin and thick bamboo. One was sold, I was forced to just sell it. The second one now lives with the person I love. The last one is carried safely by me.
So... ADVANTAGES OF BAMBOO YARN:
~
amazing hygroscopicity, it simply instantly absorbs moisture
~
coolness comparable to silk (by the way, I can now really compare, because I recently knitted from real silk)
~
lightness, in my bamboo things, at first I feel a slight bewilderment - did I forget to put them on?
And here DISADVANTAGES of bamboo many people are very scared. Or rather, there is only one - BAMBOO STRETCHES!
At the same time, you need to keep in mind: it is in the sock that bamboo yarn stretches. If you don’t take this into account before knitting, you will leave the house in a top, and come home in a tunic, or even a sundress! In this case, you just need to wet a product made of bamboo yarn - and it will again become “white and fluffy”, i.e. the dimensions will return to their original place, the thread will become stiff, rough, heavy. A tree, in a word!
So, in order to calmly and with pleasure not only knit from bamboo yarn, but also wear it afterwards, it is better to adhere to the following rules:
~ link a sample! Don't be lazy, tie it up! Or better yet, two! Measure it BEFORE. And then... One - steam without touching the iron. Second - wet it, pin it vertically to the carpet, sofa, curtain, let it dry in a hanging position. The longer and larger the second sample, the more reliable the stretching will be. Now measure both samples and compare them with the measurements you took “BEFORE”. Now you can understand what your product will turn into when worn. Based on these samples, consider that ideally, the first and second samples after WHT (wet heat treatment) should be the same. But the second one is still more reliable.
~ don't knit loosely! Remember that bamboo will stretch! And your knitting will be even looser!
~ avoid elastic bands, arans, braids, cones. Bamboo will not hold all this and will treacherously creep away!
~ weigh your product while knitting! What does it mean. Before going to bed, for example, you simply wet your unknitted item and hang it up, having previously wrung it out. For what - think for yourself. I hung it on clothespins for socks, on tulle, deliberately leaving the bamboo in a draft. On hangers. On pins and needles. Everything depends on ingenuity, according to the principle “the need for invention is strong.” Once it dries (and bamboo does not dry very quickly), you will understand how much you actually knitted.
~ In order to accurately and clearly avoid surprises, additionally strengthen the armholes and necklines. Hat elastic and monofilament are good for this. Place the hat elastic () inside the harness, pulling it slightly. Combine monofilament (thin transparent fishing line) with bamboo yarn, and tie with this duo the places that require fixation.
These are all the tricks that I noticed for myself while knitting from bamboo. Perhaps there are others! If you know them, don't be silent!
By the way, many people complain that bamboo from Alize peels. Freezing helps prevent this!
Bamboo is a unique, environmentally friendly material. Unlike other antimicrobial fibers that require special chemical treatments, bamboo fiber has natural antimicrobial properties and does not need to be treated with chemicals. Bamboo fiber with a natural shine is softer than the softest cotton and has a quality reminiscent of silk and cashmere. In addition, bamboo fiber does not generate static electricity and does not cause allergies.
A type of viscose, only obtained from bamboo wood (the raw material is unprocessed (raw) natural bamboo aged 3-4 years). 2 types of production - chemical and mechanical.
Properties are close to flax. After washing, the products stretch 4-5 cm in length and become soft. The hole allows UV rays to pass through. It fits well when knitted.
It also has antibacterial, deodorizing and bacterial growth-stopping properties.
Matte shine.
Comfortable touch on the skin, gentle and affectionate sensations, feeling like fabric.
Hand wash, dry flat.
Bamboo grows in ecologically clean areas of Asia, Europe, America and Australia. The height of the giant grass can reach 13 meters. The plant is universal; it is used not only as food, but also as a durable building material. In gardening, it is used as a decorative element of landscape design. Musical instruments are even made from the plant.
Such widespread use of bamboo could not but lay the foundation for the production of yarn. The Japanese have developed a special technology that makes it possible to obtain thin fiber from the trunk of a plant. Unfortunately, few thread manufacturers were able to introduce innovation into their production. But those who succeed offer unique material.
Characteristics of bamboo yarn
The material is positioned as environmentally friendly, it is ideal for people with sensitive skin and prone to allergic reactions. The softness of the plant fibers is fairly comparable to silk, and the finished products are durable and wear-resistant. You will be surprised, but after the 500th wash, the knitted item will still retain its original shade, without changing it one bit.
In addition to the traditional properties characteristic of many types of yarn, bamboo threads also have other qualities:
- antifungal and antibacterial effects;
- high moisture absorption with cooling properties. The material acts on the skin as a natural deodorant;
- ensuring optimal air circulation. This exposure has a positive effect on overall health.
Another advantage of bamboo yarn is that it retains the shape of products after mechanical impact on them.
All of the above characteristics apply only to natural bamboo; with any attempts to replace it with artificial material, the unique natural properties are lost.
How to care for bamboo knitwear
The naturalness of the material determines exceptionally careful handling of things - this is a delicate machine or hand wash. Given the hygroscopic nature of the yarn, be prepared for the products to become noticeably heavy and dense after rinsing. But proper drying will correct the situation, and the clothes will become light and comfortable again.
Things are dried in a straightened state on a flat surface. Give the product its shape in advance by straightening all the seams, eliminating irregularities, turning out pockets and collar. If dried incorrectly, bamboo products can stretch, but this can be very useful if the knitted scarf is too short.
There is no need to iron such things, they do not wrinkle. If this is required, then set the iron setting to “silk”.
What to knit from bamboo yarn
In fact, this question should not bother you, since you can create almost anything with this yarn! Here are just a few examples:
By choosing the right color, you can knit a product not only for yourself, but also for your child.
Famous bamboo yarn manufacturers
Lana Grossa yarn collections contain bamboo fiber, the content of which in balls varies from 30 to 100%. On the color map you can see the range of shades of the presented material. Products made from high-quality yarn will have a stunning appearance for a long time and have a beneficial effect on your well-being.
Bamboo fiber has recently found increasing use in a variety of fields. It is successfully used for the manufacture of fabrics, fillers, and bedding. Relatively recently, fans of hand knitting have had the opportunity to buy bamboo yarn, which has truly unique properties. How does this amazing fiber differ from other materials?
Environmentally friendly raw materials
Bamboo grows in environmentally safe areas: in the tropics and subtropics of Asia, North and South America. Some species are also found in other, less warm countries and regions. Bamboo is considered a very valuable industrial crop. It is used for food and for making dishes. This is an excellent building material and ornamental plant for garden decoration.This is one of the fastest growing crops, which forms a powerful root system and quickly grows, occupying vast areas. Some of its species give good monthly growth (up to 22 meters); adult plants can reach 38 meters in height.
When harvesting, bamboo is cut down without damaging the roots and top layer of soil. Therefore, the plants quickly recover, and after four years they reach technical maturity. Bamboo is not affected by pests, is resistant to diseases, and does not rot. When growing it, there is no need to use fertilizers and pesticides, which allows you to obtain high-quality and environmentally friendly raw materials.
Modern production methods
High-quality bamboo yarn consists of a large number of fibers. They are obtained in two ways: mechanical and chemical.In the first case, not chemical reagents are used, but special enzymes - enzymes. With their help, crushed bamboo is converted into raw material, with further processing of which natural fiber is obtained. This method is quite expensive.
The chemical method for producing fibers is used on an industrial scale. Three to four year old bamboo stalks are evaporated and crushed. After this, they are soaked in a strong alkali solution. The finished mass is passed through special filters made of steel or precious metals.
Under pressure, the mass is squeezed out through very small, perfectly smooth holes. Once in the acid solution, the streams quickly harden, turning into thin, even fibers. At this stage, the acid neutralizes the alkali, and the remaining salts are removed by washing. The resulting fibers are twisted into threads.
Unique properties of bamboo yarn
Due to the fact that the hardening process occurs very quickly, the fibers are porous. This structure allows the yarn to absorb water very quickly and evaporate it just as quickly. Bamboo fiber absorbs 3 times more moisture than 100% cotton.In summer, clothes made from this yarn are cool because a special, pleasant microclimate is created around the body. Thanks to its porous structure, bamboo fabric does not stick to the skin even in very hot weather, and in winter it warms perfectly.
High-quality bamboo yarn has a unique matte shine, which gives knitted items a special chic. It is softer than cotton and much lighter than linen, its quality is similar to silk - just as soft and pleasant to the touch. Bamboo fibers are easy to dye, using less dye than cotton yarn, and the color is rich and long-lasting.
Bamboo is known for its antibacterial properties, which are preserved not only during the production process. Even after 50 washes, 70% of the bacteria that get on the fabric die. Thanks to a natural antibacterial agent, bamboo fiber reduces inflammation on the skin, deodorizes, and prevents the appearance of odors.
At the same time, bamboo yarn is a biodegradable material: if the composition does not include other components, it is decomposed by soil microorganisms without harming the environment. The yarn does not cause allergies and is suitable for knitting children's clothing and clothing for people suffering from asthma.
During knitting, the thread easily slides along the knitting needles, the loops are even. The finished fabric looks neat, drapes beautifully, dries quickly and is practically wrinkle-free. In addition, it has the ability to block ultraviolet radiation, protecting the skin several times better than cotton.
Bamboo fiber is often used in conjunction with cotton, wool, and silk. Bamboo added to wool gives it new properties, making it warmer, lighter, more voluminous and breathable. Cotton, in turn, increases the strength of bamboo fiber and makes it more resistant to stretching. And silk mixed with fiber becomes even more comfortable, soft and delicate.
What is knitted from bamboo yarn?
100% bamboo yarn has properties close to viscose, so it is not very suitable for loose knitting (especially crochet). A beautiful, soft and flowing fabric can be obtained if you use knitting needles No. 3-3.5 for work. You need to knit very tightly.Some types of yarn stretch when washed, so before starting work, the sample must not only be knitted, but also washed and dried, and only after that all calculations must be made. This will help you get the results you want.
Bamboo yarn is universal, depending on the thickness of the thread and the components included in the yarn, it can be used for knitting winter and summer clothes. It is perfect for any product: thin, tight-fitting turtlenecks and loose sweaters, hats and socks, scarves and jumpers. Any items will be beautiful, practical and comfortable to wear.
In order for clothes to remain attractive, you need to follow important rules for caring for clothes made from bamboo yarn. Bamboo fiber is not strong enough when wet, so it must be washed with extreme care.
Machine wash is allowed only for some types of yarn (information about this must be indicated on the label). But it is better to wash things only by hand and dry them on a horizontal surface, otherwise the product will stretch under its own weight.
The process of producing bamboo fiber is constantly being improved, becoming more environmentally friendly and less expensive. Therefore, today it is enough to simply buy bamboo yarn and evaluate its unique properties.