Soy Yarn: An Old Idea Whose Time Has Finally Come
Soy yarn is eco-friendly, and wonderful to knit with
In this day and age of soy sauce, soy burgers, soy milk--it is no surprise that there's also a soy yarn. What is surprising, however, is that the idea of using soy fiber is not new at all. Henry Ford was actually one of the first soybean pioneers back in the 1930s, touting the many agricultural and industrial uses of soy. In 1938, Ford researcher Robert Allen Boyer produced the world's first plant protein fiber, made out of soy.
Past
Ford happily wore a suit and tie partially made from "soybean wool." With the onset of World War II, sheep's wool was harder to get, so Ford began to produce his car's upholstery with a mix of sheep and soybean wool. Unfortunately, he never won a contract to supply the soldiers with soy fabric uniforms because wool was cheaper to produce. After the war, rayon and nylon were in demand, and interest in soy died off.
Present
With the increased interest in environmentally sound practices, soy fiber is back in the news. It's a study in successful recycling, made completely from tofu production waste. Soy fiber is extruded and spun from the recycled soy proteins, and is completely biodegradable.
The South West Trading Company, with its branded SOYSILK yarn, has helped soy fiber gain the popularity it nearly had in the 1930s. SWTC offers soy yarn in three weights--worsted, sport weight, and lace weight--for all kinds of knitting projects. Other popular yarn suppliers also offer soy yarn, including Bernat, Sublime, and Kollage Yarns. All offer the yarn in a dizzying array of colors.
Your knitting future
If you like silk or cashmere, you'll like soy yarn. It is both elegant and strong. Because of its softness, it is great for knitting projects for babies and for clothing worn next to the skin. Soy yarn is a good choice for summer knits like tank tops and bathing suit cover-ups because it is light and breathes well.
Some knitters find soy yarn to be a little slippery and stretchy. If this is the case, try a wool/soy or other soy blend instead. Block your knitting to prevent the stretching.
Whether you're interested in organic yarns or just looking for new ways to knit, give soy yarn a try.