Rayon, Viscose, Tencel Yarn

Last modified on
May 05, 2008

100% Rayon, Viscose, Tencel and Blends

To make rayon, sheets of purified cellulose are steeped in caustic soda, dried, shredded into crumbs, and then aged in metal containers for 2 to 3 days. The temperature and humidity in the metal containers are carefully controlled. After ageing, the crumbs are combined and churned with liquid carbon disulfide, which turns the mix into orange-colored crumbs known as sodium cellulose xanthate. The cellulose xanthate is bathed in caustic soda, resulting in a viscose solution that looks and feels much like honey. Source: MadeHow.com

Rayon is called an " artificial silk" and is produced from naturally occurring polymers and therefore it is not a synthetic fiber, but a manufactured regenerated cellulosic fiber. Georges Audemars developed the first rayon fibre about 1855, but his method was impractical for commercial use. Hilaire de Charbonnet, Comte de Chardonnay, patented "Chardonnay silk" in 1884, but it was so flammable it had no safe use. Finally, in 1894, Charles Frederick Cross, Edward John Bevan, and Clayton Beadle patented the first safe and practical artificial silk, which they named "viscose". Avtex Fibers Incorporated began selling their formulation in 1910 in the United States.

Rayon is a very versatile fiber and has the same comfort properties as other natural fibers and can imitate the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton and linen. Rayon fabrics are soft, smooth, cool, comfortable, and highly absorbent, but they do not insulate body heat making them ideal for use in hot and humid climates.

Trade names are used within the rayon industry to determine the type of rayon used: BEMBERG, for example, is a trade name for cupramonium rayon that is only produced in Italy. MODAL is a widely used form of rayon produced by Lenzing Fibers Corp. which is based in northern Austria. Galaxy, Danufil, and Viloft are rayon brands produced by Kelheim Fibres, a German manufacturer. GRASIM (India) is the largest producer of rayon in the world (claiming 24% market share). - Source: Wikipedia.org.
More information about rayon fiber and its production: Mindfully.org and MadeHow.com

♥ FINAL SALE

Mystik DK [54% Cotton, 46% Viscose], Estelle

* awaiting arrival: Lana Grossa Chiara [70% Viscose, 20% Kid Mohair, 10% Polyester], col. 6,7 and 14

100% Rayon and Blends

CHICAGO by Lanas Stop
FIBRE: 84% Rayon, 13% Lurex, 3% Polyamide
YARN WEIGHT: Worsted
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 20 sts/ 24 rows
NEEDLES: 4 - 4.5 (US No. 6-7)
LENGTH: approx. 100 m / 111 yds
BALL WEIGHT: 50g
* machine wash | made in Italy

100% Viscose and Blends

LUMINA by Jo Sharp
FIBRE: 62% Viscose, 32% Cotton, 2% Polyester (sequins)
YARN WEIGHT: Double Knit
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 22.5 sts / 30 rows
NEEDLES: recommended: 4 mm (US No. 6)
LENGTH: approx. 120 m / 131 yards
BALL WEIGHT: 50g
* hand wash | made in Italy

MALIZIA by Estelle
FIBRE: 60% Viscose, 40% Polyester
YARN WEIGHT: Fancy
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 16 sts / 20 rows
NEEDLES: 5 - 6 mm (US No.8-10)
LENGTH: 50 m / 56 yards
BALL WEIGHT: 50 g
* hand wash | made in Italy

MALIZIA by Cascade
FIBRE: 60% Viscose, 40% Polyester
YARN WEIGHT: Fancy
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 16 sts / 20 rows on 6 mm
NEEDLES: 5 - 6 mm (US No.8-10)
LENGTH: approx. 50 m / 54 yds
BALL WEIGHT: 50g
* hand wash | made in Italy

BELFILO by Lana Grossa
FIBRE: 45% Viscose, 40% Cotton, 10% Linen, 5% Polyamide
YARN WEIGHT: Double Knit
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 26 sts / 32 rows
NEEDLES: recommended 3.5 - 4 mm (US No.6-7), LENGTH: approx. 140 m / 152 yards
BALL WEIGHT: 50g
* hand wash | made in Italy

AURA with Sequins by Lang
FIBRE: 22% Viscose, 38% Cotton, 40% Microfibre
YARN WEIGHT: Fancy
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 18 sts / 22 rows
NEEDLES: 5 - 5.5 (US No.7-8)
LENGTH: approx. 70 m / 76 yds
BALL WEIGHT: 50g
* hand wash | made in Italy

Blends with Tencel

PIMA TENCEL by Cascade
FIBRE: 50% Tencel, 50% Pima Cotton
YARN WEIGHT: Worsted
TENSION: 1" = 5 sts
NEEDLES: 4 - 4.5 mm (US No. 7-8)
LENGTH: 99 m / 109 yards
BALL WEIGHT: 50 g
* hand wash | made in Peru