| Organic Fibers |
| Bamboo |
| Cotton |
| Hemp |
| Linen |
| Nettle |
| Silk |
| Soy |
| Wool |
| Fabric Care |
| About Dyes |
Soy
Fiber characteristics
Soy is sometimes referred to as "vegetarian cashmere" because of its incredible softness and luxurious hand. Soy is softer than cotton and more durable, so it makes a great choice for garments that hug the skin (camisoles, yoga pants, undies, etc.). It's also warm and absorbent, even though lightweight, so it makes a great all-season knitted sweater or fleece pullover.
In fabric, soy is often blended with other fibers to make linen weaves, jersey, french terry, and many other styles of fabric.
Soy yarns are also soft, luxurious feeling, and a joy to knit with.
Made from tofu
Soy is the ultimate sustainable fiber -- it's made from discarded tofu! Leftovers from tofu manufacturing are gathered up, liquefied, and extruded through spinnerets to create filaments which are then spun into fine yarns. The process is very similar to how bamboo fibers are spun.
Interestingly, Henry Ford first investigated the use of soy in textiles for his automobiles in the 1940's, but the arrival of synthetics on the scene caused this effort to fade away. Now, manufacturers and consumers are looking for more sustainable sources for their textiles, and soy has been "rediscovered."
For further reading
Alternative Soy and Bamboo Fabrics (Suite 101)
