There are two basic types of yarns from which sweaters are made: naturally occuring, such as alpaca, cashmere and various types of wool and synthetic, or man-made. Tuttle offers some of the most interesting and beautiful Bolivian knit cardigans which feature a 60/40 cotton/viscose yarn. A cotton-viscose blend produces a beautiful and distinctive luster and drape that cotton alone cannot replicate. Adding to shape retention and durability as well, viscose is also known as “artificial silk” and dates from its invention in 1891. It is the first and most highly refined member of the family of man-made fibers.
Viscose, or the founding member of the rayon family,is <ital>not a synthetic fiber. </ital>Rayon was the first man-manufactured fiber. Unlike most man-made fibers, rayon is not synthetic. It is made from wood pulp, a naturally-occurring, cellulose-based raw material. As a result, rayon’s properties are more similar to those of natural cellulosic fibers, such as cotton or linen, than those of thermoplastic, petroleum-based synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester. The qualities of rayon are quite different than nylon and explains why it is used in higher end garments.
Adding to the quality of our cotton/viscose cardigans is the fact that the exacting specifications of knit stitch and intricate designs, including beading, coloration and finishing, follow the best traditions of single-piece, hand crafted creations. Our sweaters are a combination of fine-machine knits assembled and finished by hand, creating a garment of intrinsic beauty and value. We welcome you to shop and select from our current offerings.
