Top 100% Cotton Yarns for Knitting and Crochet

We have endless yarn and fiber choices to choose from in our knit and crochet projects. Wool, wool blends, and other animal fibers are mostly suited to fall and winter projects partly because they’re very warm. But just because spring and summer roll around, most of us are not ready to put down our hooks and needles. We like to show off our handmade items all year round! Enter 100% cotton yarns.

On the other end of the fiber spectrum from animal fibers are plant fibers, the most common of these being cotton. Cotton is affordable, readily available, machine washable, wicks moisture away from the body, and is soft. Most cotton used for yarn has short staples, meaning the individual fibers aren’t very long—similar to merino wool—which is why both fibers are so soft! Giza and Pima cottons are the exceptions and have longer staples. This makes them stronger and less prone to pilling but also less soft. Like most other plant-based yarns, cotton isn’t stretchy and doesn’t bounce back the way wool does. That doesn’t make it bad—just different!

On top of the variety of cotton types used in making yarn, there are different constructions and different weights—making these yarns suitable for different sorts of projects. Let’s take a look at some of the top 100% cotton yarns out there in the world and what they’re best used for!

100% Cotton Yarns We Love

Click the right and left arrows to scroll through the photos.

Slideshow images are courtesy of the yarn companies featured.

Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima

Content: 100% Pima cotton
Color shown: Variety
Put-up: 220 yds (200 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)
Weight: DK

Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima is a go-to for garments. It has a slight sheen and a long staple, making it a great choice for long-wearing garments. But it’s versatile! Try this yarn for bags, baby items, and summer hats, too. This is a staple yarn for Cascade, and it’s available in a ton of colors! If you’re looking for a thinner yarn, check out Ultra Pima Fine, which works up to 6-7 stitches per inch.

Blue Sky Fibers Organic Cotton Worsted

Content: 100% cotton
Color shown: Caribbean
Put-up: 150 yds (137 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)
Weight: Worsted

Certified organic and with a range of 38 solids and 8 printed semi-solids, Blue Sky Organic Cotton is a wonderful choice for babies and kids, as it is super-duper soft! This 2-ply 100% cotton is worsted weight, making summer projects come to life quickly. Don’t limit yourself to making child items with this yarn. It’s perfectly suitable for adult garments, as well.

Lily Sugar’n Cream Super Size

Content: 100% cotton
Color shown: Cornflower
Put-up: Solids: 200 yds (184 m) / 4 oz (113g) and Ombres: 150 yards (138 m) / 3 oz (85 g)
Weight: Worsted

The go-to for dishcloths, Lily Sugar’n Cream yarn has been around for many years. The put-up ranges from small balls (perfect for multi-color projects) to large cones (think rugs!), and is available in solids and various multi-color options. Super Size is readily available in virtually every craft store, and is made with USA grown cotton! Think of this yarn for other home décor items such as pillows, baskets, and more!

Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread Size 10

Content: 100% cotton
Color shown: Aqua
Put-up: Varied
Weight: Lace

Typically available in 2 through 60 weights, with 60 being the thinnest, 10-weight crochet thread is the most popular size of mercerized cotton that is most typically used by crocheters. Aunt Lydia’s is a 100% cotton that has gone through the mercerizing process, making it stronger and more vibrant in color. This laceweight yarn is versatile due to both its fineness and durability. And though it’s better known in the world of crochet, it can also be a great choice for knitters! Use it for doilies, lacy summer tops, and openwork shawls.

Related: A Spinner Explains the Magic of Crochet Thread

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Cotton yarn is ideal for warm weather but is useful for home décor and other crafts year-round! We hope this roundup gave you a new yarn to try and ideas to accompany it.

Do you like to knit or crochet with 100% cotton yarn? What’s your favorite type of cotton project and your favorite yarn? Let us know below in the comments!

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Originally from Iowa, Amy Gunderson lives in sunny Reno, NV. She’s been the creative director for Universal Yarn, yarn director for Jimmy Beans Wool, and all-around yarn enthusiast for over a decade. Her knit and crochet designs have appeared in most major magazines, including Interweave Knits. When she’s not dreaming up a crazy sweater idea, you can find her violining, knitting at the dog park, or smashing balls on the tennis court. Follower her on Instagram as @amyyounggunderson or on Ravelry as @amygunderson.