Cotton is the word typed into our website search more than any other. It makes sense: in a warm country, a top, a baby cardigan or a market bag made in cotton is simply more comfortable to wear and carry.
Three quite different yarns answer to the name, though: pure cotton, cotton blends, and milk cotton, which is a yarn all of its own. Each has its strengths. Here is how to tell them apart and choose the right one for your crochet (or crotchet, as many of us spell it) or knitting.
Three kinds of yarn
100% cotton
Cool, breathable and matt, with crisp stitches. It has no stretch, so it suits tops, bags, dishcloths and homeware more than fitted jumpers.
Cotton blends
Cotton mixed with acrylic. You keep most of the coolness and gain softness, lightness and easy machine washing. The favourite for amigurumi.
Milk cotton
A Kenyan favourite, and a different yarn altogether: soft, smooth, light and very affordable. Lovely for cardigans, baby sets and blankets.
Pure cotton
Best for summer tops and bags
DMC Natura Just Cotton Medium
KES 800 a ball
A thicker cotton with a soft, brushed matt finish, so it works up quickly and shows every stitch clearly. Choose it for summer tops, bags, cushions and anything for the home that needs to hold its shape.
100% cotton · Aran weight · 50 g, 75 m · 4 mm hook, 4.5 mm needles
See Natura Medium
Best for babies
DMC 100% Baby Cotton
KES 500 a ball
Pure cotton stays cool against delicate skin and stands up to the constant washing that baby clothes get. The matt finish gives neat, even stitches for cardigans, bibs, blankets and soft toys.
100% cotton · DK · 50 g, 106 m · 4 mm hook or needles
See Baby Cotton
Best value in pure cotton
Ganga Acrowools Jeans
KES 900 a ball
A full 200 metres of pure cotton in one ball, spun so that a plain stitch comes out flecked like worn denim. It softens with every wash, which makes it a lovely choice for summer tops, bags and children's clothes.
100% cotton · DK · 100 g, 200 m · 4 mm hook, 4.5 mm needles
See Ganga JeansCotton blends
The amigurumi favourite
Alize Cotton Gold
KES 750 a ball
Just over half cotton, so it breathes and takes a stitch cleanly, with acrylic to keep it light and machine washable. At 330 metres to the ball it goes a very long way: around four balls make a woman's jumper.
55% cotton, 45% acrylic · 100 g, 330 m
See Cotton Gold
For larger toys and bags
YarnArt Jeans Plus
KES 800 a ball
The thicker version of the yarn many amigurumi patterns are written for. It is matt and firm enough to hold a stuffed shape, and it makes bags and children's clothes that stand up to real use.
55% cotton, 45% acrylic · Aran · 100 g, 160 m · 5 mm hook or needles
See Jeans PlusMilk cotton
A Kenyan favourite
In Stitches Milk Cotton
KES 300 a ball
Milk cotton is its own kind of yarn, named for its smooth, soft, creamy feel. It is lighter to wear than pure cotton, it has a little give, and it glides on the hook, which is why so many Kenyan makers reach for it for cardigans, baby sets, scarves and blankets. At KES 300 for a full 100 g ball in 28 shades, it is also one of the best-value yarns in the shop.
DK · 100 g, 112 m · 4.5 mm hook or needles · 28 shades · 100% acrylic
Read the milk cotton guideWhich yarn for which project
| You are making | Choose |
|---|---|
| Summer top | Natura Medium or Ganga Jeans |
| Light cardigan or jumper | Milk Cotton |
| Baby clothes | DMC 100% Baby Cotton or Milk Cotton |
| Amigurumi toys | Alize Cotton Gold or YarnArt Jeans Plus |
| Bags and baskets | Natura Medium, or Natura XL for chunky ones |
| Dishcloths and face cloths | Any 100% cotton |
| A soft, affordable blanket or scarf | Milk Cotton |
Working with pure cotton
Cotton has no stretch, so keep your tension relaxed and your hands will thank you. It is also heavy when wet, so dry cotton garments flat to stop them growing longer.
Feel the difference in person
Come and compare pure cotton, blends and milk cotton side by side at our shop on the 1st floor of Sarit Centre.
Shop all cotton yarnOr call us on +254 798 316860
Prices correct at the time of writing.
