Comments

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 18:01

icecharm (not verified)

Is bamboo absorbent enough for towels? I have a bunch of bamboo that I am wondering what to do with.

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 18:10

tomrsey (not verified)

icecharm,

This is my first time using bamboo, but I started the project because others have told me that bamboo works very well for towels, and is very absorbent.  Time will tell!  I haven't put them to use yet.  I warped enough for six towels.  Most are going to be gifts. 

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 19:47

Evelyn (not verified)

The colours  in your towels are incredible and gorgeous. 

It is interesting that people are using rayon for towels.   Perhaps because it is a thicker yarn, it has more absorbancy  than what I would associate with rayon.    

This is one of the suppliers of this yarn and another says "processed much like rayon"  The correct description is Rayon sourced from bamboo cellulose. 

http://www.btyarns.com/servlet/the-33/Bambu-7/Detail

 

Bambu 7

Viscose-type yarns
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 20:31

tomrsey (not verified)

Thanks for the comments.  Yes, I was surprised that it would be good for towels.  Right now I am taking others word for it.  I knew it to be an extruded fiber, although I did notice that it had a tendency to fray a bit.    Testing them out is next.  I'm glad you liked the colors.  The colored stripes I dyed during a "dye day" at our guild.  I knew nothing about dying, so this is a first attempt.  The colors are actually very bold, and go well with the azure background.

Wed, 06/30/2010 - 21:11

ktweaver48 (not verified)

Indeed, bamboo is very absorbent.  However.......it is also very retentive of that moisture.  I recently experimented with bamboo yarn when a supplier asked me to weave some towels.  I wove three samples, each the same set,  the same weave structure, with yarns the same size:  100% bamboo;  100% cotton; and 50/50  bamboo/cotton.   I laundered the samples in the machine, and then hung them to dry in the house, as you would a towel used in the kitchen.  My recollection is that the  bamboo took at least three times  as long to dry as the cotton.   If this is acceptable, then bamboo can make a lovely towel; if drying time is an issue, than use cotton and/or linen. 

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 09:29

tomrsey (not verified)

Very interesting information ktweaver48.  Thanks for looking and commenting.

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 17:03

jmoster80 (not verified)

I also wanted to make towels with bamboo and I had a poorly knit 100% bamboo scarf to experiment with. I wet it down and hung it up to dry. It is beautiful to feel and drapes nicely, but it does take a very long time to dry. I was disappointed because I had my heart set on it, but I will use it for a better scarf instead.
Finished Length Unit
yards
Finished Width Unit
yards
Length Off Loom Unit
yards
Length on Loom Unit
yards
Notes

The colors in the hand spun stripes are much brighter than they appear in the picture.

Number of Shafts
4
Number of Treadles
2
Project Status
Finished
Sett Unit
epi
Width off Loom Unit
inches
Width on Loom Unit
inches