The Best Cotton Yarn in Every Yarn Weight
Cotton yarn is one of the best yarn options for summer crafting. It’s lightweight and much cooler to work with than wool. It’s a breathable fiber that also feels comfortable to wear in the summer. Cotton is a great choice for making washcloths and dishcloths. It’s a good choice, one that most of us have somewhere in our stashes, yet sometimes we overlook how great it can be. So today, we wanted to give you some options for the best cotton yarn in each weight category.
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Have You Seen Our Yarn Weight Chart?
We have a yarn weight chart outlining all the different yarn weights, what crochet hooks and knitting needle sizes you’d typically use with each, and some of the best yarn options for each weight. The post with that chart gives you options for yarn weights for different fibers. Today, we’ll look at the cotton options for each weight we like most.
#0 Lace Weight Cotton Thread/Yarn
Lace weight yarn is really also crochet thread. Of course, there are many different thread weights as well. Some are much finer than the #0 lace weight yarn. But, generally speaking, if you’re buying a common cotton thread off the shelf at your local yarn store, it will fall into this category. #10 Weight is the most common.
For example, one of the most popular choices would be Aunt Lydia’s #10 Classic Crochet Thread. That’s a great choice. However, we’d like to recommend that you check out Curio #10. This is 100% mercerized cotton in #0 lace weight. It takes dye really well, so you get truly beautiful, vibrant colors. Use this 2-ply thread to knit or crochet lace details, ornate tablecloths, simple coasters, super lightweight accessories, and more.
#1 Super Fine Cotton Yarn
While most cotton thread would fall into the #0 lace weight category, the thickest cotton thread is actually a #1 super fine weight.
Crochet Thread Weights vs. Knit and Crochet Yarn Weights
Fun fact: the higher the number on the crochet thread, the thinner the thread. In contrast, the higher the number of yarn, the thicker the yarn.
So, a #3 thread is thicker than a #10 thread. However, a #1 yarn is thicker than a #0 yarn.
A #3 cotton crochet thread like Aunt Lydia’s Fashion 3 thread is a #1 super fine weight yarn.
Cotton Yarns for #1 Super Fine Weight
Although #3 cotton thread falls into this category, so does sock yarn and fingering weight yarn. Instead of a 100% cotton yarn in this weight, we think the best options are cotton blends. For example, Red Heart It’s a Wrap is a really popular acrylic-cotton blend in this yarn weight. Our favorite, instead, is a cotton-linen blend called Lindy Chain. It offers the perfect drape for this lightweight yarn class.
However, if you prefer a cotton-acrylic blend to a cotton-linen blend, check out Comfy Fingering Yarn.
#2 Fine Weight Cotton Yarn
This is also called baby weight yarn or sport weight yarn. Some variations on the classic It’s a Wrap yarn are in this weight category. For example, It’s a Wrap Rainbow is the #2 weight yarn. And again, that’s a great choice for a cotton-acrylic blend.
However, we have a really special blend to recommend to you in this weight category. We think the best cotton yarn for sport weight is Shine Sport. It’s 60% Pima Cotton yarn, which is always a great cotton choice. And the other 40% is something you might not ever have heard of: “Modal natural beech wood fiber.” What does that feel like? A lot like silk! Silk cotton blends in this weight are luxurious and beautiful, so check it out!
#3 DK or Lightweight Cotton Yarn
Many beautiful cotton accessories are knit or crocheted with #3 DK weight yarn. It’s not as slow going as a thread or sport weight yarn. And yet, it’s a little thinner than the classic worsted weight, so you get lightness, breeziness, and great drape.
If you were part of BiCrafty Bootcamp, you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that our favorite cotton yarn in this weight is a cotton-linen blend called CotLin. We used it to make Marly’s Colorful Crochet Market Bag.
If you’re looking for a 100% mercerized cotton yarn in DK weight, we recommend Patons Grace. And if you want a cotton-acrylic blend, look at Bernat Softee Cotton.
Cotton Yarn for #4 Worsted Weight
Worsted weight is by far the most popular yarn weight, regardless of what fiber we’re talking about. So, of course, you do have a lot of options here. For example, one of the most popular cotton yarns ever is Lily Sugar ‘n Cream. It’s a 100% cotton yarn made with US-grown cotton. There are lots of knit and crochet patterns designed using this yarn. Plus, it has many variations like ombre colors or the changing textures in Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Scrub Off. All good solid choices.
But we want to give you more unique choices for the best cotton yarn in the worsted weight category. If you head to KnitPicks, you’ll see that Dishie, Comfy, and Shine are good #4 cotton or cotton blend options. We love Dishie, which is 100% cotton. At BiCrafty Bootcamp, we used it for our Beginner Crochet Facecloth Pattern. We also enjoy Comfy Color Mist’s unique colorways, a cotton-acrylic blend.
But for something really unique, try Snuggle Puff. This is cotton that’s been blown into mesh tubing. You get some stretch and tons of soft lightness. It’s really an original yarn. Note that it’s considered “heavy worsted,” so it’s a #4, but with the thickness and yet lightness, it may feel different to you than another worsted weight cotton.
#5 Bulky Weight Cotton Yarn
Did you join the Classic Cable Collection CAL I did in collaboration with HanJan Crochet, MJ’s Off The Hook, and Briana K Designs? If so, you’ve already worked with our favorite bulky weight cotton yarn: Billow. I used it in the design of my Bonny Billow Crochet Pillow pattern as well. It’s a great cotton yarn with a terrific stitch definition that works up quickly for home decor projects like this.
Bernat Maker Home Dec Yarn is a cotton-acrylic blend that also falls into the bulky weight category, although note that it’s a tubular yarn, so it looks different in terms of stitch definition.
#6 Super Bulky #7 Jumbo Weight Cotton Yarn
The two thickest yarn weights aren’t very conducive to the cotton yarn design, so you won’t find many options for super bulky and jumbo yarns in these fibers. Mostly these are going to be wool and some acrylics. However, we found what looks to be a good source: Hoooked Yarn. They offer recycled and plant-based yarn and even have recycled cotton yarn. Their Spesso Chunky is 100% recycled cotton in super bulky weight. Their Ribbon XL and Zpagetti are also bulky weight cotton yarns.
Note that if you’re looking for super bulky and jumbo weight cotton, you might want to search instead for Macrame Cord. You can find this in cotton, and it has the thickness you would be looking for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is cotton yarn good for beginners?
It can be! 100% cotton doesn’t have the stretch and forgiveness of wool, so your tension needs to be pretty consistent. That said, cotton is wonderful for dishcloths, washcloths, and home goods where beginners often start. It’s also machine washable, affordable, and widely available at any craft store. If you’re just starting out, a smooth cotton in worsted weight is very manageable. Just know that dropped stitches and tension variations will show more than they would in wool.
What are the best uses for cotton yarn?
Cotton is THE choice for anything that needs to be washable and breathable. Dishcloths and washcloths are the classic cotton project. Kitchen towels, pot holders, and market bags all love cotton. Summer tops, tanks, and lightweight shawls are gorgeous in cotton or cotton blends. Baby items are popular in cotton because it’s gentle on skin and stands up to washing. And placemats, coasters, and other home goods look crisp and tidy in cotton. Basically… if it’s going near food or water, cotton is usually your answer.
What’s the difference between 100% cotton and a cotton blend?
100% cotton is durable and holds its shape well, but it has zero stretch… what you make is what you get. Cotton blends (cotton with acrylic, bamboo, linen, or nylon) add stretch, softness, or drape depending on what it’s blended with. Cotton-acrylic blends are the most common… they’re easier to work with, more forgiving, and still machine washable. Cotton-bamboo blends are incredibly soft with a lovely sheen. Try a few different blends and see what you like working with.
Does cotton yarn stretch out over time?
A little, especially in heavier projects. 100% cotton bags can stretch and sag under weight because cotton doesn’t have any memory to spring back. For bags, choose a tight gauge to give the fabric more structure. For wearables, a cotton blend with some elastane or nylon helps maintain shape. Blocking cotton projects wet can actually help set the size… it relaxes and slightly evens out the fibers. Just know that cotton behaves differently than wool and plan accordingly.
How do I choose the right cotton yarn weight for my project?
Match the weight to the project’s needs. Lace or fingering weight cotton works beautifully for delicate summer tops and washcloths. DK weight is great for baby items and light garments. Worsted weight cotton is ideal for market bags, dishcloths, and placemats where you want a sturdy fabric. Bulky cotton (less common) makes great chunky storage baskets. Always check the pattern’s yarn weight recommendation and look for a cotton or cotton blend that matches. Then swatch… cotton gauge can vary more than you’d expect.
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