Lighter and more impalpable, bamboo yarn is the perfect alternative to cotton: its thermoregulatory and breathable properties make it ideal for the production of fresh, soft and enveloping summer garments.
Smooth and shiny, bamboo allows you to obtain a thin and regular stocking stitch, but it also lends itself perfectly to the creation of refined openwork stitches, like the ones we have chosen for our ESOTICA top.
The natural antimicrobial properties of bamboo make it particularly suitable for even the most delicate skin: you can wear your clothes all day long without ever sacrificing comfort.
The fiber is obtained from the stem of the plant. This is capable of regenerating from its own roots, which is why it does not need to be replanted frequently.
Compared to cotton, bamboo cultivation is undoubtedly more sustainable , as it requires a small amount of water and does not require pesticides: however, it is a good idea to select supply chains that guarantee ethical production, since to implement it some companies continue to use chemical substances that are harmful to the environment.
Fortunately, China – a major producer of bamboo yarn and fabric – has recently introduced new regulations that significantly limit the use of harmful chemicals.
There are also various methods for obtaining yarns and fabrics , some of which necessarily imply the use of acid solvents, while others are based on entirely eco-sustainable mechanical procedures.
In particular, while the former undergo chemical extraction of cellulose, the latter use natural enzymes that allow the breaking of the stem fibres, which are then washed and worked into yarn.
Compared to the balls of yarn used for knitting - which in our brand is entirely handmade - bamboo fabrics are more often obtained through chemical extraction processes that not only reduce the purity of the final product, but also lead to a significant loss of the beneficial properties naturally inherent in the material.
The production processes are being perfected, and while waiting for a greater diffusion of the more eco-sustainable ones, we always choose to supply ourselves from companies that guarantee the organic nature of the bamboo, to protect the environment.
Types of bamboo yarn
The textile derivatives of bamboo available today can be distinguished precisely on the basis of the production methods, since these affect the final characteristics of the product.
- Bamboo viscose is obtained chemically, and is therefore a semi-synthetic fabric that has the same characteristics as viscose from other sources: the only reason why bamboo is used to obtain viscose is the lower production cost, given that the natural properties of the fibre are completely lost in this case.
- “lyocell” bamboo is obtained through a mechanical procedure that does not alter the structure of the cellulose, a production process that preserves the properties of the fibre: the final fabric is decidedly more eco-sustainable than the previous one.
- Finally, pure mechanically produced bamboo fabric is the only product that keeps all the original characteristics of the fibre perfectly intact, from its antimicrobial properties to its resistance, and although it involves higher costs and production times, it is undoubtedly the most valuable of the plant's textile derivatives.
Yarn - especially if obtained mechanically - is quite resistant, but to preserve its shine and to prolong the life of your knitted garments we always recommend hand washing.
To dry, remember to lay the wet garment flat , laying it out on a dry cloth or towel in which to roll it up, so as to eliminate all the water. Then let it air dry, away from direct light.