Not too long ago I got an e-mail from John, who I'm sure is not a regular reader but who was doing research related to the textile industry. He came across my article on bamboo yarn and wanted to know where the "common knowledge" that bamboo is antibacterial came from and whether there are any scientific studies to back up that claim.
That's a really good question, actually, and one I hadn't considered as much as the common assertion that bamboo is a great sustainable fiber because it doesn't need fertilizer or pesticides to grow successfully (just because a product can be produced in a green way doesn't always mean that it is).
What I found was a website talking about a study that showed a 99.8 percent reduction in bacteria on a sample of bamboo fabric within a 24-hour period. People wearing bamboo socks in another study all saw the burning and itching of athlete's foot disappear within two days of starting to wear bamboo socks, and all symptoms were gone in less than a week.
The site of that second link there is particularly interesting because it talks about the Federal Trade Commission frowning on people using the statement that bamboo fabric is antibacterial because the research on that property is considered inconclusive by the federal government. But that hasn't stopped people from spreading the word about this supposedly powerful fiber.
As a knitter, I know there are a lot of other reasons to knit with bamboo beyond any antibacterial properties it might have. It's soft, silky, shiny and, when not mixed with other fibers, biodegradable. It is cool, breathable and drapey, perfect for summer tops and, yes, socks.
The green and antibacterial properties of bamboo yarn and fiber may not be completely settled issues, but I'd want to knit with bamboo yarn anyway. What do you think?
Comments
I love bamboo because it’s sustainable and oh, so soft!
I’ve heard that the un-green part of bamboo products is the refining and manufacturing. While the growing of the bamboo is green, how does the manufacturing process compare to that of other yarn materials?
I have found that items knit with bamboo yarn stretch terribly.
I think that you should knit with any yarn you want to knit with and if there is a benefit, then —great. The enjoyment of the process is what is beneficial to me and, by the way, I like bamboo yarn and have used it. Who cares if it is a foot “cure-all”.
Streeeeeetches
I steeked my bamboo socks twice.
They are stretching again.
No, they were not too big.
They were not too small.
They were knitted on dp needles.
There is now a thick seam up the back, from the ankle to the top of sock.
Not good.