🌿 Everything You Need to Know About Bamboo Yarn: Pros, Cons & What to Make With It
- Tiffany
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 4
If you’ve ever picked up a skein of bamboo yarn and thought, “This feels like magic”—you’re not wrong.
Bamboo yarn is gaining popularity in the crochet world, and for good reason. It’s incredibly soft, drapey, and perfect for certain types of projects. But is it always the right choice?
In this post, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about bamboo yarn—including how it’s made, what it’s great for, a few honest drawbacks, and where you can find some beautiful options to try.
Let’s dive in. 🧶
🌱 What Is Bamboo Yarn?
Bamboo yarn is made from the pulp of the bamboo plant—a fast-growing, renewable resource that’s often considered eco-friendly. The result is a fiber that’s ultra-soft, lightweight, and has a gorgeous natural sheen.
It’s commonly blended with other fibers (like cotton, silk, or Sorona) to create even more versatility in texture and strength.
🧪 How Bamboo Becomes Yarn
There are two main ways bamboo yarn is produced:
Mechanical Process - The bamboo is crushed and broken down using natural enzymes, then combed and spun into yarn. This process is more sustainable but less common (and often pricier).
Chemical Process (Bamboo Viscose) - The bamboo is chemically processed to extract the cellulose, which is then regenerated into fiber. This is the most common method for commercially available bamboo yarn.
Chemical Process
So, while bamboo itself is a sustainable crop, the final product’s eco-friendliness depends a lot on how it was processed.
✅ Pros of Bamboo Yarn
Bamboo yarn has a lot of perks that make it an amazing fiber for certain projects:
Soft & Silky: Feels smooth against the skin—some say it’s like crocheting with butter.
Breathable: Makes it perfect for summer garments and warm-weather accessories.
Antibacterial & Hypoallergenic: Great choice for babies and sensitive skin.
Drapey & Lightweight: Beautiful flow and movement, especially for shawls and garments.
Easy to Care For: Machine washable (gentle cycle), lay flat to dry.
Strong & Durable: Despite being silky, it holds up well over time when properly cared for.
⚠️ Cons of Bamboo Yarn
While it has a lot of appeal, bamboo yarn does come with a few quirks:
No Stretch: It doesn’t have natural elasticity, which can affect fit in wearables.
Slippery: Can be hard to work with, especially using metal hooks.
Splitty: Some bamboo yarns separate easily as you crochet, which can be frustrating.
👉 Tip: Try using a wooden or grippy hook to help manage tension and control.
🎯 Best Projects to Make With Bamboo Yarn
This yarn shines in patterns that benefit from drape and softness. Here are a few ideas:
Shawls & Wraps: Like my My Second Shawl project—it flows beautifully.
My Second Shawl Tanks & Tees: Bamboo is breathable and perfect for garments like my My First T-Shirt.
My First T-Shirt Lightweight Hats: Try it with my Simple Beanie For Him for a slouchy, comfortable fit.
Simple Men's Beanie Baby Blankets & Accessories: Gentle and skin-friendly.
Lacy Scarves or Summer Cardigans: Adds elegance and softness without heaviness.
🛒 Where to Buy Bamboo Yarn
Here are some great options if you’re looking to try bamboo yarn for yourself:
🧶 My Top Picks:
CWT EcoLuxe Gemstone Yarn – My own exclusive bamboo blend (80% Bamboo / 20% Sorona). Super soft and ethically crafted. Shop here
Michaels:
Silky Soft by Loops & Threads
Lion Brand Coboo
Hobby Lobby:
Yarn Bee Bamboo-tiful
Premier Yarns:
Bamboo Select
Anti-Pilling Bamboo Chunky
Bamboo Bloom Handpaints
Each yarn has its own texture and feel—if you can, try swatching a few to compare.
📥 Free Printable Resources
I created a helpful download to go along with this topic:
Cheat Sheet: Bamboo Yarn 101 – Pros, cons, where to buy, and project ideas.
(Perfect to tuck into your yarn planner or stash notebook!)
💬 Final Thoughts
Bamboo yarn might not be your go-to for everything, but when it works—it really works. From breathable wearables to elegant shawls, it brings a luxurious touch to handmade pieces.
If you’ve never tried it, I say go for it! Just keep those quirks in mind and choose your projects wisely.
Let me know in the comments:
Have you worked with bamboo yarn before? Love it? Hate it? Curious to try it?
Want more deep dives like this? I host weekly Crochet Club meetups where we talk about yarn, crochet tips, and seasonal projects in a friendly, supportive space. You’ll get access to replays, printable resources, and exclusive content.
Happy crocheting,
Tiffany 💛
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