Yarn dyed or piece dyed, the difference in the fabric

Short answer: Yarn dyed means the yarn is coloured before the fabric is knitted, while piece dyed means the whole fabric or garment is coloured after it is knitted. You can see the difference in patterns, in the depth of the colour and in how the colour behaves over time.

Two moments for the colour

Colour can enter the process at two points. Either the yarn is dyed first and then knitted into fabric, or the fabric is knitted in one colour and dyed afterwards as whole pieces. Both methods are used in clothing, and neither is automatically better. They just give different results.

What yarn dyed looks like

When the yarn is dyed first, two or more colours can be knitted together into stripes, checks or mottled surfaces. Look closely and you can see the individual threads in their own colours. This often gives a lively look, where the colour runs through the whole yarn and not only on the surface.

What piece dyed looks like

With piece dyeing the whole fabric gets the same colour at once, and the result is often even and uniform. It is the usual way of making plain clothes, and it allows the colour to be chosen late in the process. You can see that the surface is the same everywhere, without the small shades that yarn dyed can have.

Test at seams and edges

Look at the inside of a seam or at a spot where the fabric is folded. If the colour is paler where the fabric is stretched, that suggests the colour sits on the surface. It is not an exact test, but it is a way to get a feel for the fabric without reading the label.

How the colour looks over time

How the colour looks after many washes depends on more than when it was dyed. Dye, yarn and care all play a part. Wash dark and strong colours separately the first few times, and follow the care label so the colour does not bleed onto other clothes.

What you should choose

If you want stripes and mottled surfaces, yarn dyed is the obvious choice. If you want an even, plain surface, piece dyed is the normal one. It depends on what you like and what you will use the piece for. Look at a selection of the bestsellers for men and compare how different colours look.

When the colours should match

If you like to combine several pieces, it is important to know that two identical colours can look different if they are dyed in different ways or in different batches. Meet the colours in daylight and compare them side by side. You can find an overview of the bestsellers from Copenhagen Bamboo, where you can see the colours together.

Socks and colour

Socks are a good place to see the difference, because small patterns and stripes are often yarn dyed, while plain socks can be dyed in other ways. You can compare the socks for men and women and see how the colours sit in the fabric. Wash them inside out and avoid heat.

Frequently asked questions

Is yarn dyed better than piece dyed?

No, they are different methods with different looks. Yarn dyed suits patterns and stripes, while piece dyed is usual for plain clothes.

Can I tell from the garment how it is dyed?

Partly. Look closely at the fabric and see whether the individual threads have different colours or the surface is even. The label can also tell you more.

Does yarn dyed bleed more?

It depends on the dye and the care, not only on the method. Wash dark and strong colours separately the first few times, and follow the instructions.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.