Hilo de Bamboo

From plant source to regenerated fibre

Bamboo can supply the cellulose used to make viscose. The cellulose is processed and regenerated into fibres before those fibres become yarn. Directly processed bamboo fibre also exists, but it should not be assumed to be the material in every product called bamboo yarn.

The US Federal Trade Commission distinguishes actual bamboo fibre from rayon or viscose made from bamboo. Its guidance also cautions against assuming that properties of the living plant, such as resistance to bacteria, survive the conversion into rayon. A plant source by itself does not establish that the finished yarn is antibacterial or environmentally preferable.

Reading a bamboo yarn for your project

Start with the manufacturer's full fibre description. Hobbii Rainbow Bamboo, for example, specifies 60% bamboo viscose and 40% cotton. The named plant source and the regenerated fibre type are both useful information, while the cotton is a separate component of the blend.

For a smooth garment yarn, assess drape and stitch structure with a washed sample. Do not assume the same spring as a wool yarn, particularly when adapting fitted ribbing or a sweater that carries weight at the shoulders. Compare actual gauge, metres per gram and the full blend, including any supporting fibres. Follow the product's care instructions, since the word bamboo does not establish how to wash or dry the finished piece. A substitute should match the fabric you need and the role of the original yarn, as well as its advertised plant origin.