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Classic Cotton Yarns
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Welcome to the 4th issue of the new Yarnmarket Just Your Type newsletter. Each month we’re featuring a different Yarn Types category from our store and showcasing many of the sensational fibers & fiber blends in stock and just right for your favorite knitting & crochet projects. With over 700 yarns now available in our store, you’re sure to find the right choice for your next creative endeavor no matter what it is. Having trouble reading this issue? Then please enjoy the online version.
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Wondrous Cotton -- Soft, Comfortable & Versatile
Particularly in the United States, it seems as if all our thoughts turn to summertime as soon as Memorial Day rolls around. Perhaps it’s because the swimming pools open this particular weekend or maybe it’s because the end of the school year is fast approaching. Whatever the cause, knitters and crocheters seem to turn their attention to warm-weather fibers, so what better yarn is there to showcase this time of year than Classic Cotton Yarns?
Some knitters and crocheters think of cotton as only a spring/summer yarn, but it’s really a non-allergenic, extra absorbent, all-seasons fiber that’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Some knitwear designers such as Debbie Bliss prefer cotton because they feel it has a special crispness and that stitch detailing really stands out.
Even yarn companies relatively new to the North American and European yarn markets like Aslan Trends highly prize cottons & cotton blends in their yarn collections. But what makes cotton so special and how is the raw fiber transformed into some of the most popular handknitting yarns available today?
The earliest records of cotton use go back over 8,000 years, and some even believe that cotton dates back as early as 12,000 B.C. as Amy Singer points out in her informative book No Sheep for You. We definitely know that cotton has primarily been grown in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world including India, Africa, North America & South America and that Wikipedia describes it as the most widely used natural fiber for textiles and yarns today.
Cotton fibers grow around the seed pod of the cotton shrub plant in what is called a "boll" (think "boll weevil" from the late 19th & early 20th centuries when these beetles devastated U.S. cotton production). As the boll matures, it splits open and the fiber strands are revealed. After the bolls are picked, the cotton fibers are separated from the seeds and then carded so that extraneous materials are removed. Often the cotton is also combed to weed out the shortest fibers and ensure that the softest, highest quality cotton is available for spinning.
Certain types of cotton are more highly prized than others, and their yarn prices reflect their exclusivity and/or more labor-intensive production. Egyptian cotton is considered one of the finest cottons available because of its long fibers, and Pima cotton, named after the Pima American Indians of Arizona, is also a prime cotton choice because of its super softness. In addition, mercerization gives cotton yarn a lustrous sheen, strengthens the fiber, reduces shrinkage and helps it absorb dyes even better than non-mercerized fiber.
Those who enjoy knitting & crocheting with cotton yarns & threads like Stephanie Pearl-McPhee cite its durability, softness and ease of use along with how superbly it absorbs dyes especially bright colors. Also cotton has outstanding breathability when worn next to your skin because it can absorb up to 20 times its weight in moisture, and then through fast evaporation, the surface of your skin is quickly cooled. The down side of 100% cotton fibers can be heaviness and lack of elasticity, but various yarn manufacturers address these issues with special processing and spinning techniques plus sensational cotton blends.
So with 42 Classic Cotton Yarns plus oodles more non-traditional cotton blends currently in stock at Yarnmarket.com, you have plenty of 100% cotton and cotton blend beauties from which to choose. We know that you enjoy browsing for yourself, but we also have the following special staff picks so that you can enjoy the softness, great stitch definition and breathability of wearable cotton year round.
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For a 100% high-quality cotton yarn that's loved by craftspeople & designers alike, you must experience for yourself the wonders of Cotton Classic from Tahki. Perfect for any DK-weight project, "Cotton Classic" knits & crochets up with beautiful stitch definition with crisp, even patterns, plus it's mercerized for a lovely sheen plus extra softness & durability.
But if the currently available 130 solid shades of "Cotton Classic" aren't enough options to satisfy the Picasso in you, explore the variegated hues of Tweedy Cotton Classic. Totally interchangeable by gauge, "Tweedy Cotton Classic" is crafted of several solid-colored strands twisted together to give you superb color contrasts. Just think of all the tops, cardigans, scarves, ponchos, shawls, bags and pullovers you can craft from these terrific cotton yarns.
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Cotton Textured
Lacy Pullover
Eyeglass or
Phone Pouch
Scalloped Camisole
Simple Jacket
With Pockets
Denim Beach Bag
Flower Washcloth
Cotton Baby Blanket
Basic Dog
or Cat Sweater
Nanette Cotton
Twist Tunic
Tara Mini Dress
Cotton Twist
Lace Argyle Top
Bamboucle
Pele Tank Top
Tara Cable Hat
Girl's Ty-Dy Cardi
Hempathy
Sapana Top
Ty-Dy
Carnival Top
Oasis Holey Moley Wide Scarf
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Next, for another 100% cotton yarn that designers love to use as their inspiration but this time with a little twist, discover marvelous 1824 Cotton from Mission Falls. What makes "1824 Cotton" so exceptional is its composition: each single, 100% cotton strand has a superb cotton thread twisted with it to give you a splendid nubby effect and sensational texture.
As a lovely complement to "1824 Cotton," Mission Falls also has available 1824 Cotton Whirl. Comprised of three to four ever-popular solid shades of "1824 Cotton," "1824 Cotton Twirl" is terrific to knit or crochet by itself or blend it with its coordinating solid colors. And to top off this sensational duo, remember that "1824 Cotton" is totally interchangeable with 1824 Wool and 1824 Wool Tricolors, so you have oh-so many pattern and project options with this collection.
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When you're looking for what knitwear guru Debbie Bliss most enjoys, consider her velvety soft Pure Cotton. A wonderful complement to her "pure" fiber creations -- Pure Silk and Pure Cashmere, "Pure Cotton" gives you lovely stitch definition yet looks terrific in the simplest of stitches too.
As Debbie Bliss herself describes it, "Pure Cotton is a super soft cotton that is a perfect fibre for creating elegant, simple styles." Great for spring & summer and for those with skin sensitivities, this worsted-weight gem is available in a soft, subtle, vintage palette and is marvelous in jackets, pullovers, tops and other knitted & crocheted designs.
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Or when you need a variety of cotton yarns & cotton blends in a variety of yarn weights, we recommend the fabulous array of smooth, classic cottons available from Rowan Yarn. First off comes versatile, worsted-weight All Seasons Cotton. Available in 25 solids, "All Seasons Cotton" is ideal for year-round comfort and is especially great for those with sensitive skin since it's crafted of 60% non-allergenic cotton & 40% supersoft acrylic microfiber
Then when you want a DK-weight cotton option, explore the 32 single hues of Handknit Cotton. Great for children's & baby's clothing & toys, we bet "Handknit Cotton" will quickly become one of your all-time faves. Or for an innovative DK-weight choice designed to react to laundering just like jeans do, check out terrific Denim yarn. As one final Rowan cotton alternative, DK-weight Cotton Glace has a beautiful, natural sheen to enhance all your spring & summer tops, cardis, bags, pullovers and camisoles for adults, children & babies.
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Now for a totally different 100% cotton creation, discover cuddly soft Cotton Chenille yarn from Crystal Palace. Currently available in 31 solid shades, "Cotton Chenille" is a marvelous aran-weight fiber gem that knits up & crochets sensationally into tops, baby blankets, home decor items and much, much more.
Add that you have variegated options with the 17 multis of Cotton Chenille Print yarn plus the six spot colors of Cotton Chenille Dot, and you have a fabulous array of options that are totally interchangeable by yarn gauge. Just mix & match them to your heart's content, and we bet you'll love the cuddly softness the most!
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Next you can count on the yarn aficionados at Berroco for splendid cotton blends that will enhance your spring & summer wardrobe. Elegant and soft Cotton Twist yarn is a wonderful yarn choice for all your lightweight, spring and summer tops, sweaters and accessories when you crave a luminous yet subtle sheen. With the Berroco "Gold Quality" label, you know that this cotton-rayon blend is of superior quality and construction, and in particular the 30% rayon adds a silky, shimmering luminosity to a classic yarn.
Then add the fabulous multi hues of Cotton Twist Variegated yarn, and you have a fantastic alternative also in that ever-versatile worsted weight to mix & match with the solid shades. The result? A wide range of beautiful spring/summer garments & accessories spectacularly supported by various Berroco Books & Patterns plus special magazine features.
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For those who crave new technology and being first in their group to try out the latest fiber innovations, the yarn geniuses at GGH Yarn (Rebecca) have developed a whole new way to spin cotton with their sensational Tara yarn.
When you need yarn volume without the usual heaviness of 100% cotton, select "Tara" from GGH for your knitting & crochet projects year round. Using the same spinning technology as with deliciously soft & lightweight wool-blend Bel Air, "Tara" is a splendidly airy cotton/nylon blend creation.
Also since it's a heavy worsted/aran weight yarn, it works up quickly in all your favorite sweater, top, jacket, shawl & handbag patterns and is an ideal choice for any season when you're making garments for babies, children and folks with sensitive skin. And remember -- "Tara" will give you knitted & crocheted finished projects weighing about half as much as comparable items from leading competitors!
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Another type of marvelous innovation comes from the creative genius of knitwear designer Elsebeth Lavold. To best suit her geometric-inspired, figure-enhancing designs, Elsebeth has created two cotton blends for us to enjoy all year long.
First off, enjoy Elsebeth's superb cotton blend Bamboucle yarn for all your worsted-weight knitting & crochet projects. "Bamboucle" offers the best of both worlds in this versatile gauge -- the natural fibers of bamboo, cotton & linen with a touch of nylon for added durability. Add small boucle loops for interesting texture, and you have a marvelous fiber blend that's easy to knit & crochet & comfortable to wear.
Elsebeth's second innovative yarn blend combines cotton with hemp & nylon in lovely Hempathy. The hemp gives terrific drape with a linen-like feel, the cotton adds sensational softness, and the Modal nylon provides elasticity & snap-back shape, just what you need for your spring/summer tops, jackets, bags, pullovers & more.
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Using the same wonderful self-striping effect of their Paint Box yarn, the yarn gurus at Knit One, Crochet Too have developed 100% cotton Ty-Dy yarn sensationally crafted in Italy.
Available in 15 color combos from brights to earthtones, "Ty-Dy" is extra special with a fabulous retro effect similar to the fashions so popular in the 1960s & '70s where one color gradually fades into the next one on the ball.
The added benefit? It comes in 100-gram balls with a generous yardage of 196 yards so that you'll have fewer ends to weave in for your projects. Just imagine how great your knitted & crocheted tops, vests, cardigans & accessories will look in this self-striper!
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And last but certainly not least you can opt for spectacular hand-dyed cottons & cotton blends from Twisted Sisters. Starting with the lovely tone-on-tone variations of 100% cotton Daktari yarn, explore the wonders of knitting & crocheting with this slubbed, light worsted fiber gem. The subtle differences in shades give each strand a three-dimensional depth akin to a fine watercolor masterpiece. Then add multi-hued Daktari Hand Paints and Yarnmarket-exclusive Impressionist Daktari, and you'll have the ultimate choice for one-of-kind creations.
Then when you're ready to enjoy some of the same superb color varieties in marvelous cotton/rayon blends, check out fantastically smooth, DK-weight Mirage and its cousins Mirage Hand Paints and Impressionist Mirage. Or for more sheen because of a higher percentage of rayon than cotton, explore the wonders of Impressionist Oasis yarn and also a DK-weight option but this time the cotton is slubbed once again.
And just as a little preview of what's to come, our 5th issue of the Just Your Type newsletter will be emailed to you on Tuesday, June 23rd, so get ready to update your year-round wardrobe with Eco-Friendly Fibers. Explore the wonders of organic & earth-friendly fiber gems along with us, and learn how to knit & crochet terrific projects crafted from readily-renewable resources.
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Orginally published by Yarnmarket.com in 5/2009. Please note
that yarns and links may change over time.
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