There are a lot of choices when it comes to finding the best cotton yarn for your knitting or crocheting project. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best options and provide you with information on what to look for when choosing cotton yarn.
We’ll also give you some tips on how to care for your finished project. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, keep reading for great cotton yarn advice!
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What is Cotton Yarn?
What to Consider when Choosing Cotton Yarn
Let’s take a look at all the factors that should come into play when choosing the perfect cotton yarn. Keep in mind that there are many amazing cotton blends out there, too, that are combined with acrylic, bamboo and other fibers. These are also worth a look for your knit or crochet projects.
1. Ease of Care
This is a big one in my book. I want a yarn that is easy to care for (especially since I have four kids!).
Luckily, most all cotton yarns are easy to care for thanks to the nature of cotton. (Thanks nature!) You can machine wash most cottons and they just get softer with time.
This is what makes them such good choices for kitchen and bath items.
2. Cost
There are plenty of affordable, quality cotton yarns on the market today. This is great for us as knitters or crocheters, as we can easily find a yarn to meet our needs.
From sturdy kitchen cotton to mercerized cotton soft enough for a summer top, you can find great affordable yarns in just about any yarn weight.
3. Weight
Speaking of yarn weight, the type of item you are making is another thing to keep in mind when choosing the right cotton yarn.
Cotton comes in pretty much every weight of yarn there is, from size 0 lace weight to size 6 super bulky (and maybe even some size 7 jumbo!).
4. Availability
I know the internet has opened up lots of options, but sometimes I just want to feel the yarn before I decide which yarn I want to use, especially with cotton.
So as much as I love online shopping, there is just something about being able to handle the yarn that appeals to me. I tend to use yarn that is available nearby, although there are times that I really love ordering online, from places such as We Crochet (they have several cotton yarns I love!).
Best Cotton Yarns on the Market Today
There are many different cotton yarns that make wonderful projects, and it would be impossible for me to list them all here, but these are some of my favorite ones that I have personally used and loved.
Here they are in no particular order:
1. Knit Picks/We Crochet Dishie
This cotton yarn is known for making amazing kitchen and bath items such as dishcloths, face scrubbies and soap savers. It comes in a huge variety of vibrant colors and stays bright even after repeated machine washing.
This yarn is a good choice for items that need a lot of washing. Definitely one of my favorites!
Fiber Content: 100% cotton
Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)
Yardage/Weight: 190 yards/100g
Care: Machine wash and dry
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2. Lily Sugar N Cream
This cotton yarn is also well known for making amazing kitchen and bath items. It can be found at most big box craft stores (and even my Walmart carries it!) and it is very affordable. This is a real favorite among both knitters and crocheters.
This is the best yarn if you are budget-conscious.
Fiber Content: 100% cotton
Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)
Yardage/Weight:
- Solids: 71g / 2.5 oz, 109 meters / 120 yards
- Ombres: 57g / 2 oz, 86 meters / 95 yards
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to check out Lily Sugar N Cream yarn!
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3. Lion Brand Yarn Mako Cotton
This is honestly one of my favorite cottons for summery tops. The feel of this yarn is lofty and soft due to the chainette construction, and it is such a joy to work with. My only complaint about it is the care – it’s hand wash only. I wouldn’t use this for kitchen or bath items due to that fact, but if you are looking for a soft cotton for a garment, you’ll love this one.
Fiber Content: 94% mako cotton, 6% nylon
Yarn Weight: Worsted (#4)
Yardage/Weight: 125 yards/1.75 oz
Care: Hand wash, lay flat to dry
Check out LB Collection Mako Cotton here!
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4. Knit Picks/We Crochet Billow
This is my favorite heavierweight cotton yarn. It has a wonderful feel, comes in a wide variety of colors and is very reasonably priced for a bulky weight hank of cotton yarn. It even comes in a bare yarn if you want to try dyeing your own!
This yarn is 100% pima cotton yarn, and it’s one of my favorite yarns for bulkier projects like blankets. It’s also the perfect yarn for bulky cotton garments, but keep in mind that it is not machine washable so you will have to wash by hand.
Fiber Content: 100% pima cotton
Yarn Weight: Bulky weight yarn (#5)
Yardage/Weight: 120 yards/100g
Care: Hand wash, dry flat
Click here to check out Billow yarn!
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5. Lion Brand Yarn Oh Baby Organic Cotton Yarn
If you are in the market for an organic cotton yarn, look no further than Oh Baby! This yarn is super soft, great for baby things (and tons of other projects) and is an affordable organic option and one of the most popular choices for organic cotton yarn.
You can work up a wide range of projects with this yarn including wash cloths, garments for summer months, baby items, and household items as this is a soft yarn with superior stitch definition. It’s definitely one of my favorite cotton yarns to make baby things with.
Fiber Content: 100% organic cotton
Yarn Weight: Sport (#2)
Yardage/Weight: 180 yards/1.75oz
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to check out Oh Baby! yarn!
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6. Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton
This cotton yarn is a mercerized cotton, which means that the yarn has bright color and a sheen to it. This makes it great for almost any project you’d want to use cotton for – garments, baby items, kitchen and bath, etc. The sky is the limit! I’ve even seen the most adorable amigurumi with this yarn.
It comes in tons of bright colors and is a perfect choice for kitchen accessories, garments worn in warmer months, and other craft projects. It’s worsted weight but it’s a bit of a thinner yarn in my opinion so more like light worsted. It has great stitch definition and makes for a very breathable fabric.
Fiber Content: 100% mercerized cotton
Yarn Weight: Worsted weight yarn (#4)
Yardage/Weight: 186 yards/3.5oz
Care: Machine wash, machine dry
Click here to check out 24/7 Cotton yarn!
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7. Red Heart Scrubby Cotton
Looking for the perfect scrubby yarn for your kitchen?? You have got to try this Scrubby Cotton yarn! This yarn combines the scrubby texture that is so famous plus all the great qualities of cotton. It gets softer when it’s wet, so you can also use it for bath items.
Fiber Content: 100% cotton
Yarn Weight: Worsted (#4)
Yardage/Weight:
- Solids: 3.5 oz/145 yards
- Prints: 3 oz/121 yards
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to check out Red Heart Scrubby Cotton yarn!
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Common Cotton Yarn Questions
Is cotton yarn good for blankets?
Yes. Cotton yarn is a great choice for blankets, but keep in mind it is better for lightweight, more summery blankets. A cotton yarn is not going to be as warm as a wool or acrylic, but it can still be a wonderful choice, especially for baby blankets, as it is good for sensitive skin and it can also cover baby without being stifling hot.
Which cotton yarn is best?
This depends on what the end use of the item is. If you are looking for a durable kitchen or bath item, then go for a tougher cotton yarn such as Dishie or Lily Sugar N Cream yarn. If you are making a summer top or blanket, I would go with Lion Brand Yarn Mako Cotton or We Crochet/Knit Picks Billow.
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Today we’ve learned about the best cotton yarn, whether you choose to knit or crochet with it. I hope you’ve enjoyed this post!
Also check out:
Best Acrylic Yarn
Best Wool Yarn
Happy Knitting and Crocheting!
Amanda
