Viscose knit is a popular fabric found in many types of clothing. This semi-synthetic material is made from regenerated cellulose, which usually comes from wood pulp. The production of viscose knit involves both natural and chemical processes, resulting in a fabric that feels soft and allows air to flow through easily. Many people choose viscose knit because it is comfortable and versatile. You’ll find viscose knit used in a wide range of garments, including:
Blouses and dresses
Sports shirts and sportswear
Lingerie and linings
Jackets, hats, and slacks
Viscose knit absorbs moisture effectively and drapes beautifully, making it an excellent choice for summer clothing and stylish, breathable outfits.
Key Takeaways
Viscose knit is a soft and airy fabric. It is made from plant cellulose and chemicals. It feels silky and hangs nicely.
This fabric soaks up moisture well. It stays cool, so it is great for summer clothes and sportswear.
Viscose knit can wrinkle and shrink. It also gets weaker when wet. Washing it gently and storing it well helps it last longer.
Mixing viscose with fibers like spandex makes it stretchier and stronger. Using eco-friendly ways to make it is better for the planet.
Reading care labels and picking certified viscose fabrics is smart. This helps you get safe, high-quality clothes that feel good on your skin.
Viscose Knit Fabric
What is Viscose Knit
You can find viscose knit in lots of clothes. This fabric is made from regenerated cellulose. The cellulose usually comes from wood pulp or bamboo. Both natural and chemical steps are used to make viscose knit. That is why it is called a semi-synthetic material. Some people also call it rayon or rayon fabric.
Viscose knit feels soft and smooth when you touch it. It is light and gentle on your skin. The fabric can stretch well, especially with spandex. This helps it move with your body. Viscose knit is used in dresses, shirts, and activewear. It drapes nicely and looks flowy, so it is great for stylish clothes.
Note: Viscose knit is often picked because it costs less than silk. It feels soft and fancy, but you do not have to pay a lot.
Key Features
When you pick viscose knit, you get some special features. Here are some main things you will notice:
The texture is soft and silky, so it feels gentle.
It is light and lets air pass through, which keeps you cool.
It soaks up water well and can hold a lot of moisture.
Air moves through the fabric easily.
It helps your body let out heat, so you stay cool.
The fabric hangs nicely and moves smoothly, which is good for dresses and skirts.
It has a bit of shine, so your clothes look fancy.
Colors stay bright and fresh, even after many washes.
When mixed with spandex, it stretches and moves with you.
It can be treated to give extra benefits, like UV protection.
There are some problems with viscose knit too. It can wrinkle fast and gets weaker when wet. If you do not care for it right, it might shrink. Many makers mix viscose knit with other fibers like cotton, wool, or spandex. This helps the fabric last longer and work better.
Here is a simple table that compares viscose knit to other fabrics:
Fabric Type | Softness | Breathability | Moisture Absorption | Drape | Elasticity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Viscose Knit | High | High | Excellent | Excellent | Good (with spandex) |
Cotton | Medium | High | Good | Moderate | Low |
Wool | Medium | Medium | Good | Moderate | Low |
Bamboo | High | High | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate |
Polyester | Low | Medium | Low | Moderate | High |
You can see viscose knit is soft, light, and drapes well. These features make it a top pick for many clothes, especially for summer and sports wear.
How Viscose Knit is Made
Raw Materials
Viscose knit fabric starts with cellulose from plants. Most of the time, wood pulp is used to get cellulose. Fast-growing trees like beech, pine, and eucalyptus are common choices. Some companies use bamboo, soy, or farm leftovers too. Lately, people have tried using waste from factories and old products as new sources.
Here are some usual sources for the raw materials:
Wood pulp from beech, pine, and eucalyptus trees
Bamboo and other plants
Farm leftovers
Waste from factories and old products
The supply chain for viscose is spread across many countries. China, South Africa, the USA, Brazil, and Canada supply a lot of dissolved pulp. Most fiber is made in China, the USA, India, Austria, and Indonesia.
Supply Chain Stage | Description |
|---|---|
Raw Material Source | Cellulose from wood pulp (beech, pine, eucalyptus), bamboo, soy, sugar cane |
Top Countries Supplying Dissolved Pulp | China, South Africa, USA, Brazil, Canada |
Top Countries Producing Fiber | China (over 60%), USA, India, Austria, Indonesia |
How Viscose is Made
Making viscose uses both natural and chemical steps. First, you get cellulose from wood pulp or bamboo. Then, chemicals change the cellulose into rayon fabric. Here are the steps for making viscose:
Cellulose is mixed with sodium hydroxide to make alkali cellulose.
The alkali cellulose sits for a while to break down.
Carbon disulfide is added to make cellulose xanthate, which is sticky and orange.
This is mixed in a strong solution to make viscose solution.
The viscose solution sits again to change the molecules.
The solution is filtered and air is removed.
The solution is pushed through tiny holes into a bath with sulfuric acid. This turns it into solid fibers.
Zinc sulfate in the bath helps the fibers form right.
The fibers are stretched, washed, and bleached. Sometimes, they are cut into short pieces.
⚠️ Note: Some chemicals in this process, like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, are dangerous. Carbon disulfide can hurt the environment and people. Factories must be careful to keep everyone safe.
This process makes a semi-synthetic fiber. It uses plant cellulose and strong chemicals. The end result is a soft, smooth fiber for fabric.
Knitting Process
After making viscose fibers, the next step is making fabric. The fibers are spun into yarn. You can use long filaments or short fibers, depending on the rayon type. Knitting machines turn the yarn into viscose knit fabric.
Knitting gives the fabric its stretch and soft touch. Different knit patterns, like jersey or rib, change how the fabric feels and looks. Sometimes, viscose is mixed with spandex for more stretch or with cotton for strength.
The finished fabric is soft, drapes well, and lets skin breathe. You see this fabric in many clothes, like dresses and sportswear. The whole process uses both natural materials and modern machines.
Viscose Knit: Pros and Cons
Advantages
When you choose viscose knit, you get many benefits that make this fabric stand out from other types. Here are some of the main advantages:
You will notice how soft and smooth the fabric feels against your skin. Many people compare it to silk or high-quality cotton.
The fabric is lightweight and lets your skin breathe. This makes it perfect for warm weather and active days.
Viscose absorbs moisture well, so you stay dry and comfortable. It can soak up sweat and wick it away from your body.
You will see bright, rich colors on this fabric. Viscose takes dye very well, so your clothes look fresh and vibrant.
The fabric drapes beautifully. Dresses, skirts, and blouses made from viscose knit move with you and look elegant.
You can find many types of viscose blends. When mixed with elastane or cotton, the fabric becomes stretchier, stronger, and even more comfortable.
Viscose is more affordable than silk or some other natural fibers, so you get a soft, stylish look without spending a lot.
This fabric is biodegradable, which means it breaks down more easily in nature than many synthetic fabrics.
If you wonder how is this fabric used, you will see it in nightwear, lingerie, sportswear, and even luxury dresses. Blending viscose with elastane or other fibers improves stretch, fit, and durability, making it a top choice for many types of clothing.
Disadvantages
Even though viscose knit has many good points, you should know about its drawbacks:
The fabric can shrink if you wash it in hot water or dry it with high heat.
Viscose wrinkles easily, so you may need to iron your clothes often.
This fabric loses up to 50% of its strength when wet. It becomes delicate and can tear more easily than cotton or other types.
The fibers do not bounce back well after stretching. Your clothes might lose their shape over time.
Viscose is sensitive to heat and light. Too much sun or heat can fade the colors and weaken the fabric.
You may notice mildew if you store the fabric in damp places.
Many types of viscose require dry cleaning, which can be less convenient.
The production of rayon uses chemicals that can harm the environment and workers if not handled safely.
Blending viscose with elastane improves stretch, but it can also increase microfiber pollution during washing.
Here is a table comparing the strength of viscose and cotton when wet:
Fabric Type | Strength When Dry | Strength When Wet |
|---|---|---|
Viscose | Good | Loses up to 50% |
Cotton | Good | Increases |
If you ask how is this fabric used in daily life, you will find it in dresses, blouses, sportswear, and even home textiles like bed linens and curtains. Blends with elastane or cotton help solve some problems, but you should still care for your viscose knit items gently.
Caring for Viscose Knit Fabric
Washing and Drying
Taking care of viscose knit fabric helps your clothes last longer and look their best. You should always check the care label before washing. Most viscose knit items need gentle cleaning. Here are some steps you can follow:
Hand wash your viscose knit in cold water with a mild detergent. This keeps the fibers strong and prevents shrinking.
If you use a washing machine, place the garment in a mesh bag. Choose the gentle cycle and use cold or lukewarm water. Avoid fabric softeners.
Turn your clothes inside out before washing. This protects the color and texture.
Never wring or twist wet viscose. Gently press out the water instead.
Lay the garment flat to dry or hang it on a padded hanger. Do not use a dryer, as heat can shrink and damage the fabric.
For delicate or expensive items, dry cleaning works best.
Tip: Using a gentle, biodegradable detergent helps protect both your clothes and the environment.
Improper washing or drying can cause problems. Hot water makes the fibers shrink right away. Rough washing or machine drying can change the shape and size of your clothes. Wringing the fabric may leave it stretched or misshapen. If you want your viscose knit to stay soft and bright, handle it with care.
Storage and Maintenance
Storing viscose knit the right way keeps it looking new. You can hang some items, but folding works better for most knitwear. Use soft or padded hangers to avoid shoulder bumps. If you fold your clothes, do it loosely to prevent creases.
Keep your storage area cool, dry, and clean. This protects the fabric from mildew and pests.
Store your garments in breathable cotton bags or bins lined with tissue paper. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture and cause yellowing.
Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets to keep moths away.
Do not overpack your storage containers. Give each piece enough space to keep its shape.
Air out and refold your clothes from time to time. This helps them stay fresh and prevents permanent creases.
Note: Always follow the care label, especially for items that say “dry clean only.” Iron viscose inside out on low heat or use a steamer to remove wrinkles safely.
With the right washing, drying, and storage habits, you help your viscose knit fabric last longer and look great every time you wear it.
Environmental and Health Impact
Chemical Use
Viscose knit fabric feels soft and nice to wear. But making it needs some strong chemicals. Here are some chemicals used to make viscose:
Sulfuric acid (helps make the fibers solid)
Heavy metal dyes (used for bright colors)
Formaldehyde-based finishes (helps stop wrinkles)
These chemicals can hurt people if not used safely. Carbon disulfide can bother your skin and is dangerous to breathe. Heavy metal dyes might cause allergies or make your skin itchy. Formaldehyde finishes can also bother your skin. The viscose fiber itself does not cause allergies. Most health problems come from leftover chemicals on the fabric.
Tip: Washing new viscose knit clothes at 60°C can wash away most chemicals on the surface. Look for OEKO-TEX or REACH labels to know your fabric is safer for you and the earth.
Sustainability
You may wonder if viscose knit fabric is good for the earth. Making viscose uses chemicals that can pollute water, air, and soil if waste is not handled right. Viscose needs more chemicals than natural fibers. Modal and lyocell are like viscose, but lyocell uses a closed-loop system. This system recycles almost all chemicals, so it is safer.
Many companies now try to make viscose in better ways:
They get wood from managed farms, not endangered forests.
They use safer chemicals or new ways to make viscose.
They clean and reuse water to stop pollution.
They use less energy and try solar or wind power.
They use leftover materials again.
Labels like GOTS and OEKO-TEX help you find better fabrics. When you pick certified viscose knit, you help the planet and get safer fabric for everyone.
You now know that viscose knit fabric comes from wood pulp and uses both natural and chemical steps in its production. This fabric feels soft, breathes well, and drapes nicely, but it can shrink and wrinkle. Check the table below for a quick review:
Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
Soft, breathable, affordable | Shrinks, wrinkles, weak when wet |
You can make better choices by learning about care and eco-friendly options. New trends in closed-loop production and smart technology will help make viscose knit more sustainable.
FAQ
What makes viscose knit different from cotton knit?
Viscose knit feels softer and drapes better than cotton knit. You will notice more shine and a silkier touch. Cotton knit stays stronger when wet and wrinkles less. Viscose knit breathes well, but it can shrink or lose shape if you do not care for it properly.
Can you iron viscose knit fabric?
Yes, you can iron viscose knit. Always turn your garment inside out. Use a low heat setting. Place a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric. This helps prevent shine or damage. A steamer also works well for removing wrinkles.
Is viscose knit fabric good for sensitive skin?
You can wear viscose knit if you have sensitive skin. The fabric feels soft and smooth. Most people do not have problems. If you worry about chemicals, wash new clothes before wearing. Look for OEKO-TEX or similar safety labels for extra peace of mind.
Does viscose knit stretch out over time?
Viscose knit can stretch out, especially if you pull or hang it often. Blends with spandex or elastane hold their shape better. Fold your viscose knit clothes instead of hanging them. This helps keep the fabric looking new.
How can you tell if a fabric is viscose knit?
Check the label on your clothing. It should list “viscose” or “rayon.” You can also feel the fabric. Viscose knit feels soft, smooth, and cool. It drapes well and has a slight sheen. If you are unsure, ask the store or manufacturer.
