What is Cotton Yarn?
Cotton yarn is a type of yarn made from the fibers of the cotton plant. It is known for being lightweight, soft, and breathable, making it an ideal choice for summer clothing and accessories. Its breathable nature ensures comfortable wear during warmer months.
What are some characteristics of cotton yarns?
Lightweight: Cotton yarn is relatively light, making it perfect for garments that are comfortable to wear in hot climates.
Softness: It has a naturally soft texture, which feels gentle against the skin. This quality makes it a popular choice for baby clothes and items for sensitive skin.
Breathable: Cotton fibers allow air to circulate, keeping the body cool and dry. This makes cotton yarn ideal for summer clothing and accessories.
Absorbent: Cotton yarn can absorb moisture well, enhancing comfort during wear.
Cool: Cotton yarn does not retain heat, making it suitable for hot weather.
Less Stretchy: Compared to milk cotton, cotton yarn is less stretchy but is often chosen for its gentle texture and suitability for sensitive skin.
Comparison with Milk Cotton
In comparison, milk cotton is a blend of cotton and acrylic fibers. The presence of acrylic makes milk cotton warmer and stretchier, which is beneficial for projects intended for cooler weather. Milk cotton is commonly used for sweaters and other warm garments because it helps retain heat, unlike pure cotton, which is more suitable for summer clothing due to its breathable and cool nature.
What can I make with Cotton Yarns?
Cotton yarn is incredibly versatile and can be used to create a variety of items, including:
Is Cotton Yarn Washable?
Yes, cotton yarn is washable. Cotton yarn is strong and durable, becoming softer with each wash. It does not require delicate care, but here are some tips and considerations for washing cotton yarn projects:
Machine Washable vs Hand-Washing: Most cotton yarn items can be machine washed at 40 or 60 degrees Celsius. This convenience makes it easy to care for your cotton creations. However, For the best results, especially with hand-made wearables, consider hand washing your items. This gentle method reduces the risk of stretching and maintains the integrity of the fibers.
Drying: After washing, reshape your cotton garments and lay them flat to dry. This helps maintain their shape and prevents unnecessary stretching.
Shrinkage: Cotton yarn tends to shrink slightly after washing, especially in hot water. To minimize shrinkage, use cold or lukewarm water.
Stretching: Cotton yarn can stretch and sag when wet due to its water absorption and increased weight. To prevent distortion, lay your items flat to dry in their intended shape rather than hanging them.
Colour Bleeding: Some colors may bleed during the first wash. To avoid colour transfer, wash new cotton items separately and by hand initially. This will help maintain the vibrancy of your yarn.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your cotton yarn projects remain in excellent condition, retaining their softness and durability over time.
What should I take note of when working with cotton yarns?
Tension: Because cotton yarn lacks elasticity, maintaining consistent tension is crucial to ensure the final piece has the desired shape and fit.
Stretch and Sag: Be mindful of how cotton yarn stretches and sags when wet. Plan to lay items flat to dry and avoid hanging them to prevent distortion.
Colour Care: Hand wash new items separately to avoid color bleeding.
Project Suitability: Choose the appropriate cotton yarn for your project. For example, YarnArt Luxor is great for lightweight garments, while Drops Paris is a thicker option for more substantial items.
Splitting: Some cotton yarns, like Pokkomi Combed Cotton, may split easily, so use the right tools and techniques to manage this characteristic.
Introducing our cotton yarns
Drops Yarn
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Drops Paris |
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Yarn Weight: 4 - Aran Material: 100% Cotton Ball Weight: 50g Yarn Length: 75m Recommended Hook size: 3 - 4mm for Amigurumi 4 - 4.5mm for Wearables or other projects |
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Drops Safran |
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Yarn Weight: 2 - Sports Material: 100% Cotton Ball Weight: 50g Yarn Length: 160m Recommended Hook size: 2 - 3mm for Amigurumi 3 - 3.5mm for Wearables or other projects |
YarnArt Yarn
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YarnArt Lily |
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Yarn Weight: 1 - FINGERING (Sewing thread) Material: 100% Cotton Mercerized Ball Weight: 50g Length: 225m Recommended Hook size: 2.5mm for Wearables or other projects |
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YarnArt Begonia |
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Yarn Weight: 2 - SPORTS Material: 100% Mercerized Cotton Ball Weight: 50g Length: 169m Recommended Hook size: 3.5mm for Wearables or other projects |
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YarnArt Luxor |
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Yarn Weight: 2 - SPORTS Material: 100% Cotton Mercerized Ball Weight: 50g Length: 125m Recommended Hook size: 2.5 - 3.5mm for Amigurumi 3.5mm for Wearables or other projects |
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YarnArt Rosegarden |
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Yarn Weight: 1 - FINGERING Material: 100% Cotton Ball Weight: 250g Length: 1000m Recommended Hook size: 3mm 3mm for Wearables or other projects |
Pokkomi Yarn
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Pokkomi 100% Cotton |
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Yarn Weight: 2 - Sports Material: 100% Combed Cotton Ball Weight: 100g Length: 210m Recommended Hook size: 3 mm for Toys and Amigurumi projects 3.5 - 4mm for Wearables or other projects |
We hope this guide has helped you in some way and we look forward to seeing your completed creations! Feel free to tag us @memo.arthouse on instagram, we would love to see and feature your projects!
Last but not least, remember to have fun & enjoy! :)
With Love,
Team Memo