Cotton yarn is an ideal choice for crochet as we move into the warmer parts of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. Cotton fiber creates breathable items that are also wonderfully sturdy and durable.
Here are ten tips to consider when crocheting with cotton yarn.
1. Yarn weight matters.
Cotton tends to be a heavy yarn, especially once it has gotten wet. Pay particular attention to the yarn weight when choosing projects. Cotton thread and sock weight cotton will be less dense, of course, than a worsted weight or bulky weight cotton. Of course, if you're working on a thick project that you want to be really heavy (such as a winter blanket or a big crochet basket) then the heaving yarn weights make sense.
2. Cotton is for items that don't require stretch.
As a rule, cotton doesn't stretch. This makes it a great choice for items that are intended to be sturdy and durable. For that reason, cotton yarn is great for making crochet baskets, dishtowels, market tote bags and amigurumi. Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton Yarn is one example of a 100% cotton yarn often used to make kitchen towels and potholders. Note that when cotton does stretch (such as when you hang a wet piece of cotton from a line), it is inelastic so it won't bounce back into its original shape. It will stretch out like a big yawn and then just hang there, slack-jawed and unable to return to normal.
3. Use textured stitches for holding shape.
If you want to create cotton items that don't stretch out that way when wet then you should crochet textured stitches. Post stitches, especially those that lock around each other to make crochet cables, are a great choice.
4. Cotton blends may work better for wearables.
Because cotton doesn't stretch, it can sometimes be unforgiving for wearable items where you might want more drape. For those projects, you might want to choose a cotton blend. Rowan Wool Cotton Yarn is an example of a blend that's 50% cotton, 50% merino wool.
5. Pick "organic cotton" to be eco-friendly.
Many people choose cotton yarn because it's a natural fiber and they seek to engage in earth-friendly crochet. That's great! However, if that's why you're choosing cotton, then you want to be careful to select "organic cotton yarn". Pesticides are frequently used on cotton that's not organic
Here are ten tips to consider when crocheting with cotton yarn.
Cotton tends to be a heavy yarn, especially once it has gotten wet. Pay particular attention to the yarn weight when choosing projects. Cotton thread and sock weight cotton will be less dense, of course, than a worsted weight or bulky weight cotton. Of course, if you're working on a thick project that you want to be really heavy (such as a winter blanket or a big crochet basket) then the heaving yarn weights make sense.
2. Cotton is for items that don't require stretch.
As a rule, cotton doesn't stretch. This makes it a great choice for items that are intended to be sturdy and durable. For that reason, cotton yarn is great for making crochet baskets, dishtowels, market tote bags and amigurumi. Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton Yarn is one example of a 100% cotton yarn often used to make kitchen towels and potholders. Note that when cotton does stretch (such as when you hang a wet piece of cotton from a line), it is inelastic so it won't bounce back into its original shape. It will stretch out like a big yawn and then just hang there, slack-jawed and unable to return to normal.
3. Use textured stitches for holding shape.
If you want to create cotton items that don't stretch out that way when wet then you should crochet textured stitches. Post stitches, especially those that lock around each other to make crochet cables, are a great choice.
4. Cotton blends may work better for wearables.
Because cotton doesn't stretch, it can sometimes be unforgiving for wearable items where you might want more drape. For those projects, you might want to choose a cotton blend. Rowan Wool Cotton Yarn is an example of a blend that's 50% cotton, 50% merino wool.
5. Pick "organic cotton" to be eco-friendly.
Many people choose cotton yarn because it's a natural fiber and they seek to engage in earth-friendly crochet. That's great! However, if that's why you're choosing cotton, then you want to be careful to select "organic cotton yarn". Pesticides are frequently used on cotton that's not organic
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