The choice of yarn can significantly influence the outcome of your knitting or crochet project. Cotton yarn stands out for its features and versatility. I'm taking a look at why cotton yarn is loved by many crafters, how to work with rather than against its properties and some projects you can create using cotton yarn.
This post contains both affiliate links and non-affiliate links. Read about how I use affiliate links here.
What is Cotton Yarn?
In the picture: Scheepjes Cotton 8 Yarn, Brittany Needles Hook, A E Williams pewter scissors keep, Furls wooden needle case
Cotton yarn is a natural fibre derived from the fluffy covering over the seeds of the cotton plant. There are many different types of cotton yarn for knitting and crochet, from smooth, tightly plied cottons that give a crisp and smooth finish to crocheted doyleys and lacy knitted summer tops to loosely plied fluffier craft cottons and specialist yarns like jersey knit t-shirt yarn and blown yarns where raw unspun cotton fluff is blown into a cotton mesh tube. Cotton can also be blended with other fibres for yarns with an interesting combination of textures and properties.
Why Use Cotton Yarn?
In the picture: Vivid Bucket Hat
Cotton yarn is known for its softness, breathability, and durability, making it an excellent choice for various knitting and crochet projects. Here are a few reasons why cotton yarn is popular:
1. Comfort: Cotton yarn is soft against the skin, making it perfect for garments, especially summer wear.
2. Absorbency: Cotton is highly absorbent, which is ideal for items like dishcloths, towels, and baby items.
3. Breathability: Cotton allows air to circulate, keeping you cool and comfortable, making it a go-to for warm-weather projects.
4. Natural, durable, biodegradable and hypoallergenic: Being a natural fibre, cotton is less likely to cause allergic reactions, making it suitable for people, especially babies, with sensitive skin.
5. Durable and biodegradable: cotton is biodegradable and items made from it can bear hard usage, frequent wetting and may need replacing less often than other comparable fibres. This may appeal to those with ecology in mind. If that's your goal, it's worth bearing in mind that much of the cotton produced in the world is not grown and processed with ecological principles in mind, so do choose from one of the cotton yarn suppliers that matches your values in this case.
How to Work with Cotton Yarn
Working with cotton yarn is a bit different from using other types of yarn like wool or acrylic. Here are some tips to help you get started:
In the picture: Exact Bookmark
Gauge: For garments, cotton yarn is best worked at a slightly looser gauge than you might use for springier fibres. This is because cotton yarn is typically dense and low in elasticity, and a looser gauge helps prevent the fabric from becoming stiff. However, this is a great feature for toys, some accessories like hats and many homewares. However, many knitters and crocheters also find their tension is naturally a fair bit looser when working with cotton, so you may actually need a smaller needle even though you are seeking a slightly looser gauge for the yarn weight
Blocking: Cotton benefits greatly from blocking, especially if you're working a lace project. It helps to even out stitches and improves the drape of the finished item. It tends to block easily and maintain the blocked result very well.
Joining Ends: When joining new balls of cotton yarn, it is often best to use a method like a Russian join, even trimming a few plies first to ensure a smooth transition without bulky knots.
Challenges of Using Cotton Yarn
Despite its many benefits, cotton yarn does present a few challenges. You can see some illustrated in this cabled dress which was not intended for cotton yarn. The dense sturdiness of the Tunisian crochet stitch used for the belt is a big contrast to this and the belt is really useful in supporting the weight of the dress and avoiding the upper part being stretched out of shape.
In the picture: Tunisian Corset Belt and Cable Luxe Maxi from Lion Brand Yarns (with a modification to the cable in the pattern instructions to make it look like the one in the photo)
Lack of Stretch: Cotton yarn has very little elasticity, which can make it less forgiving or uneven tension and unsuitable for some types of project, e.g. those where a springy strip of ribbing is needed to keep the piece in place.
Heaviness: Cotton is heavier than some other fibres, which can be a disadvantage for larger projects like blankets and perhaps also for those making garments in larger sizes.
Tendency to Shrink: Cotton can shrink when washed, especially if hung to dry rather than drying flat.
Splitting: Cotton yarn that is not tightly plied is prone to splitting, which can make it a bit tricky to handle, especially for beginners
Hard to secure: Weaving in the ends of cotton yarn needs care as it is smooth and dense and can slip out easily or create bulk in the area.
What to Knit and Crochet with Cotton Yarn
Cotton yarn is incredibly versatile, and you can create a wide variety of projects with it. Here are some ideas from my patterns and those of a few designer friends Crochet with Tuula Maaria and The Fairythorn. Just click on any that interest you if you want to find the pattern or tutorial video or hover your cursor to see the name.
Summer garments: Tops, cardigans, and lacy summer dresses are perfect for cotton yarn due to its breathability.
Accessories: Hats, belts, and bags and summer shawls can all be beautifully crafted from cotton.
Home Decor: Dishcloths, tea towels, pot holders, and coasters are popular cotton projects. Cotton's absorbency and durability make it ideal for these items.
Baby Items: Baby blankets, booties, and clothes are often made from cotton yarn because it is soft and gentle on the skin.
Amigurumi: Cotton yarn is a favourite for amigurumi (crocheted or knitted stuffed toys) due to its structure and stitch definition.
In conclusion, cotton yarn is a fantastic choice for both knitting and crochet projects. Its natural properties, durability, and versatility make it a go-to for many crafters. While it has some challenges, with a bit of practice and patience, you can create beautiful, lasting items with cotton yarn. So, pick up your needles or hooks, grab some cotton yarn, and start your next project today!
Comments