Cotton Yarn Commotion: Pros, Cons, and Troubleshooting!

In our last post, we explored cotton blends – and the pros and cons of them. Cotton yarn, as a whole, deserves additional discussion. Ask fiber crafters about cotton yarns, and you’ll hear a range of opinions. Some folks absolutely LOVE cotton and work with it exclusively, while others find cotton to be maddening.

So let’s talk working with cotton yarns – the challenges and the tips and tricks to make you a cotton lover too!

Common Troubles with Cotton

It’s important to note the things about cotton that can cause fiber artists to want to pull their hair out. Why are some crafters avoiding cottons?

Don’t worry – we’ll talk about some strategies for cotton in a minute!

1. Yarn Splits

Cotton yarn is probably most notorious for yarn splits. Splitting is basically when the plies separate while you are working with it, which can cause a knitting needle or crochet hook to catch only part of the yarn or go through the middle. No one wants extra loops that are confusing and make the end product look like it has snags!

2. Slanted Projects!?

Cotton can have a slant to it in a finished product, called a bias. Cotton fibers, generally speaking, are fairly short and therefore require a lot of twist in the yarn to keep everything together. The high twist can show up in your finished product and make it look italicized.

3. Weight!

Cotton gets heavy! Shorter fibers also mean fewer air pockets in the yarn – aka a denser yarn. So any garment you make that has ‘extras’ like cables or bobbles can end up feeling much heavier in cotton than in other types of fibers.

4. Not so Stretchy

Cotton is a smooth fiber. Unlike many wools, which usually have a crimp to the individual fibers, smooth fiber like cotton doesn’t have natural elasticity. While crafters like weavers love not having to account for stretch, knitters and crocheters often make fitted or shaped garments.  

5. How it acts on the needle or hook

Cotton is…. Either slippery or ‘sticky’ depending on who you ask. Opinions are divided—some think cotton yarn is slippery and hard to control, while others experience it as sticky and slow-moving on their tools. I tend to be in the second group and use metal needles or hooks, but you can easily find recommendations for wood or bamboo.

Tips and Tricks: Falling in Love with Cotton

Now that we’ve talked about the tricky bits, let’s jump into the fixes. The good news? Most of these challenges for working with cotton yarn are solved with simple adjustments.

1. Beat the Splits & Slips

·       Change your needle or hook size: Sometimes going down a size will sort you right out!

·       Switch your needle or hook: Metal needles/hooks can glide through sticky cotton more easily, while wood or bamboo can help tame slippery yarns.

·       Play with Tension: Loose stitches are prone to splits and slips—try working a bit tighter.

·       Skin Care! Really: As odd as sounds, put some lotion on. Dampening your yarn will reduce splitting, static, and run-away stitches. Plus, it keeps your skin hydrated and soft, which is a win-win!

·       Yarn bowl or minder: Using something that ‘feeds’ your yarn consistently can make a surprising difference! Not only in even tension, but ensuring the ply of the yarn stays consistent – which helps with splits.

·       Change up Your Style: With the over twist in cotton yarns, switching the hand you hold your tension with can be enough to alter the twist you add or remove naturally while you work. (This can also help with biasing problems too.)

2. Managing the Rest!

·       Choose Patterns Carefully: Cottons are a lovely choice for loose, breathable garments. I like airy tops, for example.

·       Watch out for “Extras”: Avoid designs that have added elements like cables or bobbles – the finished products may weigh more than in other types of yarn.

·       Care in the long run: While cotton isn’t stretchy – anticipate it becoming more relaxed over time and with washes. Cotton has a fabulous drape, but don’t expect a shaped garment to be equally snug on the tenth wear as it was on the first.

·       Block it, Baby!: For the bias you might run into, block your garments! Blocking helps immensely. You can also make sure to work in ways that will help even things out, like working in the round or having a front and back that will help balance the bias for you.

3. Self-Care PSA!

Finally – and this is good advice no matter the yarn you are working with – take breaks! Stretch your wrists, fingers, and arms. Fiber arts can be a wonderful, relaxing past time. Just keep in mind that repetitive motions can cause muscle and joint stress and strain, and it’s not so much fun if it causes you pain.

Catching the Cotton Bug: Key Takeaways

Before I really got to know cotton, I found it pretty intimidating. I’d heard all the complaints—splitting, stretching, slipping. But once I learned how to work with it, not against it, cotton has quickly become a delight for me to work with!

I do think falling in love with cotton will take some experimenting to find out what works best for you – maybe you love bamboo tools, maybe a yarn minder changes your mind, or maybe you just need a different pattern to use!

Try the tips and tricks above, and let me know if it changes your feels about working with cotton yarns! And let me know if you have more tips and tricks! Cotton can be a wonderful fiber to work with, especially once you master managing its quirks!