What You Should Know About Viscose Yarn

Viscose is a semi-synthetic material made from wood pulp that is treated and spun into yarns to make fabric. This soft, lustrous, and lightweight material drapes beautifully. It's a good choice for garments that require a draped look such as dresses and skirts. It also takes dyes well and is easy to wash and care for. However, there are a few things you should know about viscose that may change how you use it.

It's important to understand what viscose is and how it is made before you decide to work with this material. It's a manufactured fiber that's considered a manmade, cellulosic fiber because it is derived from cellulose--the primary constituent of plant walls. The cellulose is broken down and "regenerated" into a fiber, most commonly through wood pulp but other plants can be used as well.

The process of making viscose is similar to the way cotton is made, but it's much more involved. The wood pulp is dissolved in chemicals like sodium hydroxide and then pressed to eliminate the liquid. The pressed matter is then chopped into crumbs and treated with carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid. This creates a solution known as viscose solution. This is filtered to remove any traces of the chemicals and is forced through a spinneret, which makes filaments (slender thread-like fiber) of regenerated cellulose. This regenerated cellulose is then spun into yarns that can be woven or knitted into viscose rayon fabric.

While the fibers that are produced from other plants can also be spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric, there is something unique about rayon. It doesn't have the natural elasticity that many other types of yarns have, which can make it difficult to sew or knit into clothing. This is why it is often blended with other types of fibers, such as polyester or spandex.

Interestingly, the blends help to bring out some of the best qualities of each of the different types of fiber. Viscose, for example, is sometimes blended with silk, linen, or cotton, which gives the yarn a more luxurious feel and helps it to wear better. In addition to being soft and lustrous, it can also be very durable and stretchy.

One of the drawbacks to viscose is that it's a little bit more volatile than other synthetic fabrics and is less suitable for cold weather garments. It doesn't insulate well, so you'll want to choose a blend or a heavier weight viscose for cold-weather clothing. This is not to say that it won't work for those who live in warmer climates or who simply prefer a more relaxed fit. Viscose is a very versatile material that can be worked into a wide variety of projects, from shirts to sweaters to blouses to dresses. It's worth trying a few pieces of viscose yarn before you decide whether it's right for you.