Cotton Yarn: Why We Love It (And You Will Too!)

Cotton yarn is a natural experience with a quiet and deeply satisfying beauty. Our amazing cotton yarns come from partner mills around the globe… They’re exactly what we love to knit with, and we know you’ll love them, too. Learn here all about cotton fiber and cotton yarn, then explore and shop our collection of supple cotton yarns and find your new favorite!

Properties Of Cotton Yarn 

Before cotton becomes yarn, it is a soft, fluffy fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant in a protective boll. Thousands of years ago people from all over the world independently had the idea to domesticate cotton, and today it’s cultivated in warm climates worldwide, from India to Brazil, from Australia to Texas. While there are many types of cotton (more on that soon!), most cotton fibers and yarns share a few essential properties knitters love. 

Sweetgrass, a fingering-weight yarn made with organically-grown cotton and undyed superfine alpaca

Soft Yet Strong + Substantial 

Cotton fibers are generally shorter and finer than wool, with a beautifully smooth surface that gives cotton yarn its signature softness. Knitters will especially notice that cotton doesn’t stretch and bounce back like wool does. That, along with its natural cellulose structure, makes cotton yarn especially strong (yes, you’ll need scissors!). And because cotton is heavier by volume than animal fibers, you’ll usually find cotton yarn in finer gauges, with some exceptions. Even for fine-gauge cotton yarn, the fiber’s heavier weight lends a very nice drape to cotton garments, scarves, and blankets.  

Our Simple Tee knitting pattern in cotton-linen June Worsted

Fresh, Cool + Breathable 

Cotton and other plant-based fibers, like linen and bamboo, are summer staples for good reason. Cellulose fibers don’t hold as much heat as animal-based fibers, making cotton feel cool to the touch. And zooming in with a microscope, their hollow structure and spiral shape promote airflow, too. All of this makes cotton perfect for summer garments and for anyone who tends to run a little warm. Naturally non-allergenic, cotton is also gentle on sensitive skin. 

Absorbent By Nature 

Cotton is naturally hydrophilic, which means it draws moisture away from the skin to help keep you dry and comfy. That absorbency also makes it a favorite for handknit dishtowels, washcloths, and other hardworking housewares. Those same absorbent fibers hold dye beautifully, too, giving cotton yarns their famously rich and vibrant color. 

Our free Linden Tree Washcloth + Hand Towel knitting pattern in Cotton Pure

Easy To Wash + Easy To Wear 

Cotton yarns are wonderfully low-maintenance and most are machine washable, which makes them a natural pick for everyday knits. During washing, cotton fibers absorb lots of water and can shrink and tighten as they dry in high heat and agitation (though it won’t felt!), so it’s key to wash your swatch the same way you’ll wash your finished project. 

Types Of Cotton Fiber: Pick The Perfect One For Your Project! 

Not all cotton is created equal! Different varieties of the cotton plant produce fibers with distinct qualities, from extra softness to added strength and absorbency. We love them all for different reasons… Here are a few of our favorites! 

Our free Good Morning Blanket pattern made with Cotton Chirp DK Minis

Pima Cotton  

Pima cotton is an Extra Long Staple (ELS) variety, prized for its incredible softness, strength, and silky feel. Its long, fine fibers create smooth, durable yarns that feel lovely against the skin. The cultivation of Pima cotton dates back thousands of years in Peru, where the Peruvian Pima cotton for our Cotton Chirp DK yarn is still grown today. 100% Peruvian Pima cotton yarn is a dream for garments, baby knits, and soft, snuggly blankets! 

Our free Pannier Wrap knitting pattern in Cotton Pure

Tanguis Cotton  

Another Peruvian-grown cotton variety, Tanguis cotton was developed in the early 20th century to be both water-efficient and disease-resistant. It’s a Long Staple variety known for its strength and soft texture, and it’s even more absorbent than Pima cotton! That makes it perfect for hardworking handknits like washcloths and towels, as well as breezy summertime tops and wraps. We use organically grown Tanguis cotton for our classic Cotton Pure yarn, a longtime customer favorite! 

Our free Meadow Breeze Scarf knitting pattern in cotton-linen Oleander

Turkish + Egyptian Cotton 

Famously regarded cottons from Turkey and Egypt are super soft, absorbent, durable, and quick-drying. Both cottons have exceptionally long, fine fibers that get softer with every wash, making them a pleasure to knit, use, and wear. You’ll find Turkish cotton in our Oleander yarn, mixed with Belgian linen for a strong yarn with a pleasantly dry feel and a smooth, soft touch.  

Organically Grown + Unmercerized… Cotton the Way You Love To Knit It! 

Cotton Pure and Sunshower Cotton, both made with organically grown unmercerized cotton

Our yarns made with organically grown, unmercerized cotton, including our Cotton Pure (above left) and Sunshower Cotton yarn (above right), feel as good in your hands as they do in your heart! We say “organically grown” instead of just “organic” because the cotton is cultivated with organic farming practices (fewer chemicals, healthier soil, and more care for the land), but most dyes aren’t certified organic and we believe in being transparent about that.  

All our cotton yarns are unmercerized. This means they skipped a common chemical treatment that makes cotton shinier and stronger but also reduces softness and absorbency. We love unmercerized cotton for its natural feel, breathable texture, and softer environmental footprint. Its gently matte surface gives colors a grounded depth with a velvety glow. The texture, the way it knits up, and how color lives in the fiber… It’s all part of the experience! 

Witch Hazel, a 100% Pima cotton bulky-weight yarn

Cotton Yarn Structure + Spin

Cotton is a wonderful playground for spin and structure, finding ways to add elasticity and loft. Our Witch Hazel yarn (above), for example, is a feathery burst of 100% Pima cotton, while Serif (below) is made with a cotton roving wrapped in thread, all 100% Peruvian Pima cotton. Other yarns, like Cotton Chirp DK and Cotton Pure, have a multi-ply structure that adds body and bounce! 

Serif, a 100% Peruvian Pima cotton yarn made with a strand of cotton roving wrapped in cotton thread

Knitting With Cotton Yarn

Swatches of Cotton Chirp DK in Heirloom White and June Worsted in Greenfinch Yellow

Our cotton yarns might surprise you… They’re soft, supple, and easy to work with, even if you’ve never been wowed by a cotton yarn before. A smooth, round, lustrous strand of cotton yarn will give your knitting stunning stitch definition that shows off every detail, and keep in mind as you’re knitting that cotton yarns tend to even out beautifully with washing or blocking, so any unevenness in your tension will get rectified! Our usual public service announcement to always swatch for gauge is especially true here, as cotton yarn may require a different needle size than wool yarn of the same weight to get your desired gauge.

Explore All Our Gorgeous Cotton Yarns 

Cotton Chirp DK
100% Peruvian Pima Cotton

Witch Hazel
100% Pima Cotton

Sunshower Cotton
100% Organically Grown Cotton

Cotton Pure On A Cone
100% Organically Grown Cotton

Serif
100% Peruvian Pima Cotton

Morning
75% Organically Grown Cotton, 25% Yak

Sweetgrass
65% Organic Cotton, 35% Superfine Alpaca

Oleander
50% Turkish Cotton, 50% Linen

Cotton Pure
100% Organically Grown Cotton

Shop all of our cotton yarns, including the ones above, and all of our other inspiring yarn… You’ll find a wide variety of fiber blends and spins and hundreds of spectacular colors!

100% Organically Grown Cotton Yarns 

• Cotton Pure is our flagship cotton yarn made with 100% organically grown, unmercerized cotton, a sport-weight yarn that feels lovely in the hand and is wonderfully soft and supple to knit. (Want a lot of Cotton Pure? Pick up a 1000-gram Cotton Pure On A Cone!) 
• Made in Italy with 100% organically grown, unmercerized cotton, Sunshower Cotton is a super soft worsted-weight yarn dappled with color!  
• More organically grown cotton below! 

Pima Cotton Yarns 

• 100% Peruvian Pima cotton, Cotton Chirp DK comes in brilliantly colored 4-color bundles of minis. This exceptional cotton is beloved for its plush multi-ply structure and bright, playful colors. 
• Serif is a soft single ply of Peruvian Pima cotton wrapped with a thin cotton thread to make an undulating DK- to worsted-weight yarn. It has a charming wave, a glowing luster, and the silky softness of roving. 
• Supremely cuddlesome Witch Hazel is a burst of delicate, feathery strands anchored by a strong braided core… All Pima cotton! This bulky-weight yarn knits up into a surprisingly lightweight and airy fabric. 

Plant-Based Yarn Blends 

• Organically grown cotton forms the strong, soft heart of Santolina, mixed with lustrous bamboo and hearty hemp fibers. This plant-based fingering-weight yarn has a velvety finish and a surprisingly airy spin. 
• June Worsted is a lovable mix of Tanguis cotton and Belgian linen with a laid back, relaxed character. This soft worsted-weight yarn has the amazing quality of feeling akin to wool, although it’s all cool plant fibers. 
• Made with a 50/50 mix of Turkish cotton and Belgian Linen, Oleander is a fingering-weight yarn as light as a breeze. Cotton and linen absorb moisture and keep you cool, and the yarn will continue to soften with washing and use. 

Cotton + Animal Yarn Blends 

• Fresh as a new day, Morning is a DK-weight yarn made with 75% organically grown cotton, with just enough yak fiber in the mix to add elasticity and a cozy yet breathable feel. An absolute pleasure to knit! 
• 65% organic, undyed cotton and 35% traceable alpaca, Sweetgrass is a very special yarn in a range of natural colors that come straight from the animals’ fleeces. The surprising blend of fibers combines simplicity with elegance and breeziness with warmth. 
• Plein Air is 67% merino wool and 33% organically grown cotton, bringing together the best of the animal and plant worlds. The wool lends body to the yarn so that it’s airy and lofty, while the cotton adds a pleasant weight and a bit of coolness.

Cast On With Cotton Yarn!

From breezy summer garments to the softest baby knits, cotton yarn brings a cool, comfortable touch to every project. Craft a blanket for the porch swing, whip up a set of dish towels, or knit a fun bag… Our cotton yarns will make your creations feel and look amazing. Browse our huge collection of super inspiring knitting patterns, then dive in and find the perfect cotton yarn to bring your next project to life! 

Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!