There is something invigorating about the arrival of Spring, a lightness in the air, that draws a knitter out of winter’s snug cocoon, in search of fresh fibres.  Before heading out the door to try some of the newest offerings at your LYS, take a minute or two and familiarize yourself with a few well-blended ingredients in the current collection of knitting yarns. 

Yarn is spun from fibre, which falls into one of three categories:  plant-based, animal-based or man-made.  While some yarns are a pure fibre, others are a chemist’s harmonious concoction of two or three categories.  By reading the ball band or wrapper on your favorite new yarn, what fibres were spun together to create a texture that appeals to you?  In celebration of the first week of Spring and all things fresh and green, here is a brief rundown on some of the most popular plant-based fibres. 

Viscose and Rayon cover a broad range of natural plant fibres originating from different types of wood pulp.  This plant matter is processed into a complex carbohydrate known as cellulose, and then spun into yarn.  With characteristics similar to cotton and silk, these fibres breath easily, and have lovely drape and sheen.  

Bamboo is a type of viscose, derived from the leaves and inner stalk of the plant.  The pulp is extracted by steam, mechanically crushed, and soaked to produce a lustrous fibre, for spinning and rolling onto spools for yarn.  Bamboo sourced viscose yarn wicks away moisture from the skin, stays cool and comfortable and is hypoallergenic and odour resistant.  Its a renewable fibre that blends exceptionally well with cotton, wool, and silk.

Modal is a cellulose type fibre, created from Beech trees.  This is a fascinating fibre, in the way that it absorbs much more readily than cotton, accepting dye and remaining colour-fast when washed in warm water.  Modal is extremely soft and smooth, a great additional ingredient spun with cotton, hemp and linen fibres.

Lenpur comes from the white Fir tree and is part of the viscose family.  Very much like Modal in its absorbent properties, it is extremely tactile with the softness of cashmere and the durability of cotton.

Linen is a fibre that has been around for centuries, originating from the Flax plant.  Known to be one of the strongest and most durable fibres, linen has a loose organic structure, and keeps the wearer extra cool in the summer heat.  Sometimes overlooked for its rough texture, it actually softens as it is handled.

Corn is one of the new ‘foodie fibres’.  This plant is easily grown, and has a very high level of natural starch that can be broken down and fermented into sugar,  forming a paste that becomes suitable for spinning into silken strands of yarn.  

Soya is manufactured from the soybean plant.  Its the oil of the bean that is used to create a supple and luxurious yarn, with the drape and softness of bamboo sourced viscose yarn.  Soya is highly absorbent, and resistant to certain bacteria.  It blends well with other plant-based and animal-based fibres.

Cotton remains the most popular of all plant fibres.  Obtained from the seed pod, which splits open at maturity, this soft and fluffy fibre has its own natural twist, making it much stronger than wool.  Known for its plush texture and super absorbency, it lacks only one thing- the elasticity and memory of wool.  For that reason it is often spun with wool or man-made fibres to correct its imbalance.  Egyptian cotton is regarded as the highest grade quality with extra long fibres and luxurious sheen.  

Sugar Cane is another member of the ’foodie fibre’ generation.  It is a type of viscose, extracted from the pulp of sugar cane.  A very smooth and supple fibre with superior strength and silky sheen. 

Kapok is another natural cellulose fibre originating from the Kapok Tree, the tallest tree in Africa, growing well over one hundred feet in height.  The seed pods protect the silky down that is used in the yarn manufacturing process.  Kapok is the lightest and thinnest of all cellulose types, it has a hollow core and spins together smoothly with cotton and other natural fibres. 

This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 9:41 pm.