Granite and Bamboo

Michelle brought her copy of Rowan 43 to the Bohus class (it was so new I swear I could smell the ink) and I affirmed my love of this sweater:

I see myself in some dressy wide legged khaki pants and that sweater looking fresh and breezy (run with this okay?  I like thinking of Spring and me as "breezy") (Craig: tread lightly in the comments).  It's also an easy knit.

BUT.

I hear that bamboo yarn isn't so great.  That it grows until that slit in the front is something like the opening to a tent where you walk in and out of your sweater if you're not careful (or worse, a camisoled boob pops out while your talking with your boss' boss who has letters like V and P in his title). 

So, any comments on Rowan Bamboo Tape or other Bamboo yarns are welcome  I like the idea of bamboo--drape, coolness, anti-bacterial properties and sustainable fibre production, but I don't want to buy 16 balls of knitting disaster.  I also think even a big swatch will not give me the answers I need.  Substitution suggestions are also welcome.

Comments

[Aubra]

Well, I have only done small things in bamboo, but I was thoroughly traumatized by my pair of Fetching in Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo, which was something like 20% wool. It's the only bamboo I've used, mind, but my experiences seem to match up with what I've heard.

The pros: So, so snuggly. Warm. Soft. A nice amount of weight, showed cables like you wouldn't believe possible.

The cons: the ribbing and the cables- not the stockinette, as far as I could tell- relaxed and stopped springing back. I was worried about this in the beginning, but it showed no signs of floppiness, so I kept knitting. The thing was, the stretch only left after I'd worn them for a day and a half. Also, even for a pair of mitts, heavier than you would expect. Ends also tend to unweave unless you're very militant with them.

I would suggest finding a bamboo blend, and then making something smaller- like mitts or a hat or something- out of it, so that you can see how it behaves with wear. I'm still wearing my mitts, even though they're an inch too big now, because they feel so nice. The blend would be important, because the weight of the fabric (I'm told) can destroy sweaters- so lighter is better.

...verbose enough for you?

[Elspeth]

Having swatched pretty extensively for a design of my own in Bamboo, I can say with authority: it grooows. But, looking at the design, it appears that the ribbing band is designed to take into account that tendency to grow and give the sweater an anchor. If you're totally set on the idea of a bamboo sweater (and you ought to be, because it's an amazing fiber) I'd tinker with the size, making something slightly smaller and a good deal tighter (to the tune of about 3 inches or more) than you'd normally pick. The tighter size will force the sweater to grow with blocking, especially once you have it on and the shorter length will accommodate the additional, expected vertical growth. The weight of the fiber is probably what makes this design work: the drape is what holds the slit in an elegant place, without allowing it to travel like a celebrity's hemline.

In the interest of full disclosure, I only handled RYC Bamboo Soft, which handled a great deal like a multiply silk. It slip like nobody's business but blocked unbelievably. For a sweater like this, with limited (if any) shaping, it's the weight and hang of the garment that makes it sing. You need a heavy fiber with limited memory (or else you'd have a charming, belly clinging shirt) and you need a fiber that can keep itself steady. Bamboo, ho!

[deeni]

Haven't tried any bamboo but what Aubra said about the weight makes sense. You'll be flashing ta-tas.

How about a smooth silk blend? Has drape and is light to enough to fit into the 'breezy' adjective.

[sandi]

sorry steph. no advice here the bamboo. but i love the sweater, i can see my self breast feeding in it. mmmm. ya, these are the things i think about these days. *sigh*

[Deb]

Wilton Fibre Mill (in Odessa, near Kingston, Ontario) will custom spin you a bamboo mix with something you can live with- say bamboo and linen?????? Just talk to Jan!!!! That way you can get what you want for your summer fantasy!!!! Email me for contact info, or else google them- they have a website!

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

I can't advise you about bamboo, since I have avoided it for all the reasons you mention, but I could see that sweater in some Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (80% cotton, 20% wool).

[Mel]

Silk? Not the smooth gorgeous stuff but the rougher raw kind. I just rescued some from a very '90s looking sweater and it would be amazing as this one. I can see myself breastfeeding in it as well....must be catching.

[not an artist]

Mmmmm bamboo.

Something to consider: you could always stabilize the edges of that slit with a narrow piece of ribbon sewn on the backs. That would force the edge to maintain the length that you wanted (although I would wash and wear to see how it behaves before adding the ribbon!)

[Anna]

I made a long sleave v neck stockinette sweater in a DK weight bamboo and it grew so much that it has been passed on to someone 4 sizes bigger than me. I also used it for a lotus tank (intereweave a couple of summers ago) and it was ok for that. I was able to wear it for 2 summer and I'm hoping it will make it through this year also!

[jayne]

Before I knew about bamboo's tendency to grow I made a pair of fingerless mittens; the main seed stitch part was fine, but the ribbing...it's completely lifeless now, won't spring back at all.

[Carol]

Hmm, I have some dk weight bamboo in the tash. I hope it will knit up well. But I will definitely keep the whole growing problem in mind. knit small and tight? Thought will be taken.

[Janine]

Sorry, but it's not the flashing ta-tas I'd be worried about--it's the pornographic connotations of that opening if it stretches down another few inches that would concern me! My bamboo experience is confined to Regia bamboo/wool/nylon sock yarn--delicious but definitely drapier than I'm used to.

[Kate]

Have worked and designed with bamboo -- both Rosarios Bio Bamboo, and a bamboo cotton blend that's not yet widely available on the market.

Even the blends are splitty to a degree I've never experienced in any other yarn, and it drove me insane. It's also very very slippery. And it grows.

Looks beautiful when it's done, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to work with it again.

Swatch and see what you think.

[alison]

I know nothing about bamboo, but I do like that sweater.

[Kessa]

Love that sweater!

[Juno]

What about CE Wool Bamboo- has lovely shine and drape, a bit of structure from the merino and the swatch I made wore like absolute iron during the swatch test.

Also, I love that sweater.

[Diane]

I love that sweater. I made a Bamboo Tape sweater last year and I love it. It was wonderful to work with during the Summer because it has such a cool touch. The drape is nice and it has a great shine.

[claudia]

I'd buy a ball and swatch it. I think you COULD learn useful things from that, not the least of which would be whether or not you enjoy working with the yarn.

I'd be concerned what that slit will look like when you are sitting down.

[Mary Beth]

I made the Puff Sleeved Cardi from Fitted Knits in SWTC Bamboo. It's a DK yarn that looks like chainette. I made the sweater one size smaller & it grew some. I LOVE it. It is beautiful, has a nice sheen & drape & is very flattering. I'd go for it, but definately go a size smaller at least.

[martin m.]

That chick is ugly.