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Dreamweaver
New Pal
USA
14 Posts |
 Posted - 01/14/2008 : 3:24:46 PM
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| I was just reading about bamboo yarn being antibacterial and antiviral even after 50 washings. My daughter is pregnant and I was thinking this would be a great yarn for one of those hooded sacks that zip up the front, for the newborn, since he'll be wearing it outside around a lot of strangers, who may have colds ect. But I have a ton of questions. Is it soft? What weight class is it in? Is it hard to knit with-I'm just a beginner? If anyone knows could you please spare a few minutes so I know whether to order some and how much I'll need. Thank you Connie |
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knit4sanity
Chatty Knitter
USA
156 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 6:32:25 PM
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I've never knit with bamboo, but I have some waiting to be used. I've also read a little on it & supposedly it gets softer each time its washed.
But really, I think it would depend on the manufacturer. The quality will probably range like any average cotton yarn. Rowan, Classic Elite & a whole other slew of companies use bamboo, whether 100% or in blends. And you can probably get it in various weights (I would think any weight you want)
I hopes this helps some & know there's someone out there right now who can answer your questions in great detail. Good Luck!
Stop thinkin' about it & Just do it!! |
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fiberlicious
Permanent Resident
1637 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 7:47:17 PM
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| It's not antibacterial per se - it doesn't KILL bacteria - it's just resistant, which means it's not a great growing medium. |
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MindyO
Permanent Resident
USA
2493 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 10:16:12 PM
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Yes not like wools or cottons that can grow mildew and other bacteria much easier. I haven't worked with it yet, but a lot I've felt in stores are bamboo or blends and very soft. I have talked to an LYS owner who says its a lot like linen in the respect that it does soften with washings/wear but doesn't start out as stiff and scratchy. I've had many skeins in my hand just haven't had a good project in mind so didn't buy it
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Dreamweaver
New Pal
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 3:26:01 PM
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| Well I've learned alot, and before I buy I will check out the blend and the quality. Maybe I will buy enough for a hat or a bib, and then if it's good & soft, I'll buy enough for the sack. Thanks everyone, Connie |
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MindyO
Permanent Resident
USA
2493 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 9:07:38 PM
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| Let me know if you find any must have, I've been looking for some to do I don't knwo what with, and just haven't found the I have to buy this with or without project in mind. |
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Mocha
Permanent Resident
Singapore
2903 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 08:25:45 AM
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| Oh yes, it is soft. 100% Bamboo may be difficult to manipulate (i.e: RYC Bamboosoft) so you may want to consider blend such as Sirdar's baby bamboo. They are cool and soft. Ideal for baby in our tropical country. |
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mkfromKansas
Chatty Knitter
339 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 09:28:24 AM
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| Oh I think I'll throw a skunk in the pot.....isn't bamboo what those adorable koala bears eat and aren't they endangered because the bamboo forests are disappearing. Are we knitting koala food? |
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MindyO
Permanent Resident
USA
2493 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 11:03:54 AM
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Yes.  But its more Panda food from what I know. I think Koala is eucalyptus. |
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Chemcats
Permanent Resident
3337 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 05:57:05 AM
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...and Panda will only eat a certain kind of bamboo. Bamboo is a grass and can be insanely invasive, which is fine by me. I just wish I had the space to process the bamboo for yarn! There is a monster patch of bamboo growing down the road, and it is hacked down to nothing a few times a year just to try to control it. The stuff isn't as bad as kudzu but it is close! heehee
Meribeth |
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steff13
Chatty Knitter
USA
348 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 1:01:04 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by mkfromKansas
Oh I think I'll throw a skunk in the pot.....isn't bamboo what those adorable koala bears eat and aren't they endangered because the bamboo forests are disappearing. Are we knitting koala food?
The "green" movement is really pushing bamboo because it is the fastest growing woody plant on the planet, and it is a viable replacement for wood in flooring, cabinets, etc. It is a highly renewable resource. I would think it would be a different variety of bamboo that is used for those purposes than what the pandas eat. At least, I would hope so. What self-respecting environmentalist would support the use of bamboo as an alternative for wood at the expense of an endangered creature? |
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susan14_23
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
550 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 2:55:18 PM
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I recently made a baby hat with Sirdar's Baby Bamboo. It was very soft and cuddly. I definitely plan on using it again.
Susan |
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knittingrunner
Seriously Hooked
USA
797 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2008 : 07:48:17 AM
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Is there 'superwash' bamboo?
I have some soft sock yarn in pretty colors but I think it is handwash only, somewhere in the forums someone mentioned shrinking a sweater that came out oversized but fit after washing and drying.
Thanks!
Ev
Runner who knits: knitter who runs |
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Strin9Theory
Chatty Knitter
130 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2008 : 03:53:59 AM
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I recently made a shrug with Plymouth Royal Bamboo. It is VERY soft!!! Absolutely delightful to have in your hands while knitting. However, it shows stitch imperfections somewhat easily, and it tends to loosen or stretch. I would still use it again, because it really is so wonderfully soft, but I would go down several needle sizes to tighten it up. It would be very nice next to a baby's skin!
Eve
Strin9Theory
http://strin9theory.blogspot.com/ |
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2008 : 04:04:26 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by mkfromKansas
Oh I think I'll throw a skunk in the pot.....isn't bamboo what those adorable koala bears eat and aren't they endangered because the bamboo forests are disappearing. Are we knitting koala food?
Pandas, and I'm pretty sure bamboo forest in China are disappearing for reasons other than yarn. Like, uh, manufacturing. And handling our electronic waste, to start.
Hand and foot when harmonized forms martialism/but Military and literary when harmonized is art and this brings/philosophy. (Lee, Chang Hoo) |
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Strin9Theory
Chatty Knitter
130 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2008 : 09:41:55 AM
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My understanding is that bamboo is a VERY fast growing plant. It can be invasive, so I'm not sure running out of it would be a problem. I think the panda problem is due to encroachment on their habitat by humans, not lack of bamboo per say. Oh, and koalas eat eucalyptus.
Eve
Strin9Theory
http://strin9theory.blogspot.com/ |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2008 : 10:20:00 AM
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I have some Zenstring sock yarn that is a blend of 60%merino/40%bamboo. I can tell you it is quite soft in the skein but I haven't knit or washed it yet.
GFTC of NYC
www.flickr.com/photos/gftc_knits/
click here for free sock pattern |
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pandorasslave
Chatty Knitter
102 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2008 : 12:59:38 PM
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SWTC Twize is the best of the bamboo yarns that i've worked with, 100% bamboo, a little slippery, but still great on wooden needles.
Also, Plymouth Yarn puts out a set called "Royal Bamboo" that is just as soft, and comes in solid colors (all of the twize that i've seen is heathered...)
All in all, it's not that hard to work with, but you do need to be aware that the bamboo fiber is not really antibacterial. It just doesn't grow mold. No bubble to protect the kid.
I love the stuff though!
"Right, we'll call it a draw..." |
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lld
Chatty Knitter
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2008 : 1:25:11 PM
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I know I'm kinda late on this one but.....for anyone who might still be interested.....
I agree, bamboo is delightfully soft and very cool to wear; For one of my semi-recent projects I used Plymouth Royal for a summer top from Fitted Knits. The one thing I found with this particular version of bamboo yarn, it split really easily if I wasn't careful so it required more looking at the needles than usual. Unfortunately not finished before fall arrived so it hasn't seen much use yet :-).
The yarn comes in a variety of weights - another I didn't see mentioned here - Silk City makes Bambu7 and Bambu 12 that you could consider maybe fingering and lace/cobweb weights - ideal for weaving (which it's also good for).
As for the plant, there are literally 100's of varieties of bamboo, nearly all are fast growing and invasive (VERY - it can even work it's way under a 6ft deep barrier). For some varieties (I believe like that used for making the yarn) a bamboo shoot can literally grow 3 feet overnight. Some are edible....and not just for pandas but also a veggie for people.
The insulation value is very high, it has anti-bacterial properties and can help eliminate odor naturally. This would be in the fiber itself, not the wearer. The absorbency rate is, I think, about twice that of cotton but also has even better ventilation properties so it's kind of like built in air-conditioning and it cleans more easily in many cases. Completely biodegradable. I'm sure there's more but that's just what comes to mind right off ;-). All in all, I've thought several times it would be an ideal fiber for any number of summer things in addition to it's variety of uses in blends.
Just my two cents worth :-)
Lara |
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socker
Chatty Knitter
258 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 07:47:10 AM
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| I know the party is over, but, I'm knitting bamboo/nylon socks right now, using SRK On Your Toes Bamboo. Dream to knit with, soft, doesn't split easily. They are still on the needles, so I haven't washed them yet, but, hopefully the band's instructions will be correct "machine washable and dryable |
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lld
Chatty Knitter
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 08:48:34 AM
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Sounds really nice......I'm not familiar with that one, I'll be curious to hear how it goes. After all, you can't have too many socks/sock yarns, right? :-)
Lara
http://larascreations.blogspot.com/ |
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Topic |
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Bamboo yarn
