As a hobby artist, I like to work a lot with the various materials. Knitting and crocheting I have been practicing for years with great passion, which is why it is my pleasure to tell you more about this topic today and to answer the question: What is it used for? Yarn with cotton?

Well, I can tell you: It is particularly soft and cuddly, which is why it feels incredibly good. This natural material with a huge range of colors is suitable for a wide variety of creative projects - for crocheting, embroidery, knitting, knotting, weaving and tying. It is so popular because 100 percent cotton fibers are particularly ideal for babies and children, because they are much more durable than new wool and can withstand higher temperatures in the washing machine.

The fashion world is fast-paced and changeable, which is why a lot is bought but rarely worn. The counter-movement to this is called "Slow Fashion": Here crocheting and knitting are in the foreground. In this blog post you will find interesting facts about cotton yarn and many useful tips on how to use it.

What cotton yarns are there?

A creative textile and hobby artist's heart beats with the many possible applications and the color nuances produced today. Here is a brief overview of the yarn jungle - for beginners and inquisitive people to find their way around the great diversity of the cotton yarn world:

CROCHET THREAD

Made of 100% cotton, is optimally processed with a crochet hook.

The properties of cotton: hard-wearing, durable and easy-care.

Mercerized cotton yarn has a slight sheen and impresses with its high dimensional stability. It is particularly popular when you want to crochet or knit light tops and thin transitional sweaters, when filet crocheting lace doilies or when it comes to accessories and small gifts.

Did you know that there is a special potholder yarn? Crocheted or knitted pot holders and tea towels for washing dishes are becoming increasingly popular from an ecological point of view and are quickly made. These robust and easy-care kitchen helpers can easily be washed in the washing machine at 60 degrees.

WARP YARN

Light weight, high running length, the thread seems rather voluminous

In warp yarn, the threads are only loosely spun and mostly look like braided cords or crocheted chain stitches. This makes the result look fluffier and automatically gives it more volume. By trapping more air, there is better heat retention.

Cotton yarns such as warp yarns are designed in such a way that they result in cuddly soft knitted fabrics when processed - even organic cotton is more in demand than ever. Especially knitted blankets are a nice eye-catcher - not only for babies, but just as good for adults at picnics or as a throw for the (guest) bed.

The loose cotton warp yarn is airy, loose, light and yet very cuddly. With its colorful threads, it makes for great summer patterns and is ideal for pullovers, slipovers and cardigans that are comfortable to wear all year round. Warp yarn is also a perfect choice for light shawls, soft cardigans and chic accessories.

RIBBON YARN

Woven or knitted, the thread should not be compressed

(loose, open patterns)

The tightly twisted variant is often found in decorative bistro curtains, doilies and lace trimmings

They are used in particular for sewing projects made of pure cotton fabrics (which are not stretchy), such as patchwork and quilting. Cotton yarns can still be dyed and the following applies to crochet yarns: the lower the specified number (of strength), the thicker the thread.

SEWING THREAD

Non-elastic, no stretchability; should only be used for non-elastic fabrics such as cotton or linen

Sewing threads made from pure cotton fibers are often elastic because they tend to tear more easily than when they are made into blended threads. Nevertheless, you can use them with a clear conscience - especially if the entire workpiece is to consist exclusively of them.

What yarn size is best for what?

The 8/4 cotton yarn is a special kind. The eight means that 1g of processed cotton thread corresponds to a length of 8m, while the four indicates that the wool was spun from 4 threads. In plain language this means: The higher the number, the thicker the cotton yarn.

The yarn thickness is crucial for the desired result. It ranges from 0 to 6. Zero is the finest and 6 is the thickest. The needle size also plays a role.

The amount of cotton yarn purchased per spool is measured in yardage. A roll should have a minimum length of 80m to be suitable for the most common crochet work.

Size 0: for filigree work with lace

Strength 1: hosiery and delicate baby items

weight 2: thin sweater

Strength 3: medium strength is suitable for most handicrafts

Strength 4: since it starts to get thicker here, it is ideal for sweaters, hats, gloves and scarves

Strength 5: for heavier clothing such as jackets and also blankets

Strength 6: for really heavy blankets and carpets

Cotton yarns are priced between 2 and 10 euros per roll - depending on how the material is processed. In Germany there is even a quality test in terms of flawless processing by the TÜV independently.

How can cotton yarn be sensibly recycled?

Best leftovers: Every yarn stock always contains new leftover materials that are simply too good to throw away, even if they are dirty grey. It is therefore up to us to skillfully recycle these plant fibers. Crocheted scraps of wool create a colorful mood in the house and garden. For example in the form of crocheted make-up removal pads (if you like, with a matching wrist strap), chair leg glides, table mats, candle doilies, hair bands, ...

Or how about an original soap bag? It serves to ensure that the soap bar stays in your hands when washing and does not slide away. If you rub the soap bag all over your body, you also have an ingenious peeling effect.

But funny pom-poms are also a great pretty accessory. They are not only suitable for clothing and backpacks, but also as decoration for gifts or even as a surprising alternative when it comes to Christmas decorations and Christmas tree decorations.The bobbles are very easy to make (using a fork as an auxiliary tool). Thinner cotton threads are ideal for this. You only need about 30 centimeters to create such a bobble.

What is the best way to care for cotton yarn material?

The great thing about cotton yarn is that it is an uncomplicated fiber. However, it also requires certain care. So that we can enjoy it for a long time, it is necessary to comply with certain rules, so that the crocheted and knitted works of art remain beautiful for a long time.

Cotton pieces are generally boil-proof. However, there are restrictions for colorful textiles. The color sets the tone here: The temperature at which the wash cycle should take place in the machine depends on the respective color.

In general, temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees are recommended: the darker the piece made of cotton yarn, the lower the temperature should be. Pure white pieces are known to be washable at up to 95 degrees. A universal or heavy-duty detergent can be used for creamy white cotton items. For colored laundry, a commercial color detergent is the better choice, as it does not contain any bleaching ingredients and therefore the color lasts longer.

Conclusion

Cotton yarn is not only versatile, but is simply one of the most popular types of textile raw material. It is easy to work with, durable, allergy-friendly and of natural origin - for a clear conscience and a pleasantly healthy skin feeling.

It also has the following properties:

• resilient
• for crafting garments
• renewable resource
• environmentally friendly
• high wearing comfort
• skin-friendly because hypoallergenic
• breathable
• can absorb a lot of water and insulates well

Cotton yarn can also be refined using various processing techniques. This often results in completely new creations and trendy yarns that remain biodegradable as natural fibers despite the finishing process.

In short: cotton yarns offer a wide variety for large and small creative projects. I wish you a lot of fun and good luck!

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