Ask a room of Kenyan crocheters what yarn they are using and one name comes up again and again: milk cotton. It is the yarn behind a great many of the cardigans, baby sets and blankets you see being made here, and for good reason.
Milk cotton is smooth, soft against the skin, easy on the hands and kind to the wallet. It is also widely misunderstood, because the name sounds like something it is not. Here is exactly what it is, why people love it, and what it does best.
So what is milk cotton?
Milk cotton is its own kind of yarn, with its own feel. The name describes that feel: a smooth, soft, almost creamy strand with a gentle finish, quite unlike a fluffy wool-style acrylic. It is not the same as cotton, and it is not a cotton blend. Our milk cotton is spun from 100% acrylic, and that is where its best qualities come from.
Soft and smooth
It feels gentle against the skin, which is why so many people choose it for baby wear and scarves.
Light to wear
A milk cotton cardigan weighs far less than the same one in pure cotton, and it does not drag or stretch out of shape.
Easy to wash
It washes at home without fuss, and it dries quickly.
Easy to work
The smooth strand glides on the hook or needles and shows your stitches clearly, so it is a pleasure to learn on.
A Kenyan favourite
In Stitches Milk Cotton
KES 300 a ball
A full 100 g ball of soft, smooth milk cotton in 28 shades, from baby pastels to strong, wearable colours. At this price you can make a whole cardigan or a baby blanket without wincing at the till, and makers who sell their work can keep a healthy margin.
DK weight · 100 g, 112 m · 4.5 mm hook or needles · 28 shades · 100% acrylic
Choose your coloursMilk cotton, cotton and cotton blends
These three are different yarns for different jobs, and it helps to know which is which before you buy.
| Milk cotton | Cotton blend | 100% cotton | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Soft, smooth, light | Soft and matt | Crisp, cool, matt |
| Weight when worn | Light | Medium | Heavier |
| Stretch and bounce | Some give | A little | None |
| Best for | Cardigans, baby sets, scarves, blankets | Amigurumi, tops | Summer tops, bags, dishcloths |
| Price | KES 300 | From KES 750 | From KES 500 |
Want the full picture on the other two? Read our guide to cotton yarn in Kenya.
What to make with milk cotton
Cardigans and jumpers. Light, soft and warm enough for a cool Nairobi morning.
Baby sets. Matching cardigans, hats and booties in soft pastel shades.
Scarves and shawls. Smooth against the neck, with good drape.
Blankets and throws. At KES 300 a ball, a full blanket is within reach.
Your first project. Clear stitches and a smooth strand make it a forgiving yarn to learn on.
How much do I need?
Each ball has 112 metres. These are rough guides for simple stitches, so check your pattern and buy one extra ball to be safe.
| Project | Balls, roughly |
|---|---|
| Hat | 1 |
| Scarf | 2 to 3 |
| Baby cardigan | 2 to 3 |
| Baby blanket | 6 to 8 |
| Adult cardigan | 8 to 12 |
Hook and needle size
Use a 4.5 mm hook or needles for most things. Go down to 4 mm for a firmer fabric, or up to 5 mm for a soft, drapey shawl. Whether you crochet or, as many of us spell it, crotchet, a smooth aluminium hook suits this yarn well.
Caring for milk cotton
Wash in cool or lukewarm water with a mild soap.
Dry in the shade, flat if the piece is large.
Keep a hot iron away from it. Heat can flatten and damage the fibres.
See all 28 shades
Come and feel milk cotton for yourself at our shop on the 1st floor of Sarit Centre, or order online and we will deliver.
Shop Milk CottonOr call us on +254 798 316860
Prices correct at the time of writing.
