Why Cotton Yarn?
When I first started trying to learn how to make amigurumi, I struggled with a lot of issues, some chips were stacked against me, others were my own doing. The right tools were the first piece of the puzzle, instruction that made sense to me was the next and yarn was the last.
When I first started out, I bought yarn based on how much it cost and how pretty the color was. I had no idea things like texture, fiber composition and color were important and would shape my learning experience. The first few balls I bought were Red Heart acrylics, and a few satiny acrylics that were, I think, Bernat. It quickly became apparent, as I struggle with the hook slipping out, popping through the strands or getting stuck in wads of split up weirdness, and the fuzzies that quickly obstructed my view of the loops and stitches I was supposed to see, that this yarn was making things more difficult for me than it had to me. I also found very quickly, that the yarn was drying and sort of roughing up my fingertips, like little SOS pads, and eventually it caused little lifts in the skin that would pull and tear on the yarn. All in all it felt pretty gross tightly clenched in my gnarled up fingertips and I quickly became determined to find something better. Several attempts with other synthetic yarns later, I fished out an old skein of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton that had been partly used as doll hair on a long forgotten project and tried it out for a change… and thus blossomed my love for amigurumi in 100% cotton.
Cotton Plant
100% cotton does not stretch or give, meaning you can achieve good rigidity in your pieces and sculptural pattern will hold their shape. If the yarn is not mercerized (a process that smoothes the fiber, makes it less likely to shrink when washed and makes the yarn have a glossier, shinier finish), each loop in a stitch is locked into place from the friction of the other loops. The strands don’t slip or slide or shift, meaning the integrity and shape of the stitches and rows hold out well and finished ends woven in are pretty much locked in. I find a fabric made of craft cotton yarn single crochet just seems “beefier”, which while not desirable for say, a sweater, is ideal for amigurumis. Of the few pieces I did finish in acrylic yarn, I was unhappy with how they turned out.
100% cotton (unmercerized) worsted weight yarn is what is best for me, but this is by no means a blanket rule. Every hook and every yarn type or brand work differently for different folks, different technique, so if syntho or wool or whatever works better for you, more power to you, run with whatever works… besides, that just leaves more cotton for the rest of us! 😛
The three main types of cotton yarn I use are Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, Lily Sugar n’ Cream and Elmore Pisgah Peaches & Creme and Lion Cotton. Though there are many other weights and styles out there, I like that the three brands can be used in the same piece and still maintain a cohesive look, because they are similar enough in texture to blend seamlessly.
My Cotton Yarn Stash and Reviews
Bernat Handicrafter Cotton
Coats Creme de la Creme
Lily Sugar n’ Cream
Lion Cotton
Peaches & Creme
Village Yarn Craft Cotton
I’m hooked on Lion Brand 24/7 100% mercerized cotton for my amigurumi. It’s so beautiful! It has the ability to make the dolls look inviting to play with as well as classy enough to look like they were purchased at an expensive boutique.
I do also love other cottons, but I pretty much stick to this one brand as I’ve fallen in love with it and keep going back.
Unfortunately line has only 24 colors. That does complicate things at times, but it’s not a big deal. It’s also a bit stiff and may not be as inviting as softer yarns, but it holds up well and the children I’ve given amigurumi to seem to love them and don’t notice or care.
The 3 bears I made using acrylic just look old and worn to me, even though they’ve never left my shelf. I’m sticking to cotton!
Thanks so much for clearing up the yar, choice for me. I’ve been crocheting small figures for decades and in the laser few years I have switched to cotton yarn for most of my projects. Too bad tha color selection isn’t that great. Thanks again, KK
I was seeking info about wool vs cotton yarn, and landed here. I’m really glad bcos 1 of the yarns that I’m thinking of buying is Redheart Classic 100% acrylic. The other brands are 80% cotton and 100% Australian wool. I have crocheted amigurumi only once and used cheap acrylic yarn, the result was okay, but perhaps it could have been better if I had used cotton yarn. I’m in the process of getting better acquainted with yarn texture & weight and am interested to learn about their suitability in making different things – ami (body), garments (stretchiness), gadget covers (heat factor), etc. This post has given me some ideas. Thank you for sharing your experience. 😀
I have been searching for the proper yarn/thread for Ami…. sorry can’t spell it…I have looked at DMC thread and have tried to figure out which is the thicker of the thread….I think 3 is thickest and then 5, 10 and so on….is this true? Would the number 3 thread work for Ami? Please let me know…I am on a budget and any yarn/thread purchases need to be made with full knowledge and not just hoping for the best.
Thank you for your time
Anything will work for ami but I would suggest using yarn rather than DMC crochet thread when you are making patterns for yarn.
DMC crochet thread is also yarn. I think the 3 would work perfectly.
I´ve only been crocheting for a little over a year now but I think I have only used acrylic yarn, based on, as you said, price. I think next time I go for yarn I´m going to take a look at cotton and wool though because of blocking purposes (now that I´m learning knitting it´s so important)
I was lucky to be handed a collection of Rowan 4-ply cotton yarns last year and think they’re wonderful, but to buy cost anything around £4.50-£5 which I just cannot afford, but I can’t deny it’s great to crochet with.
I’ve made a recent discovery though, and that’s the American brand KnitPicks. There’s one stockist online in England and I ordered a bunch of wool 4-ply yarns a week ago, and used them for the first time last night. I’m making tiny chicks with a 2 mm hook, and would never have believed that wool could be so easy to work with, especially at this scale – it’s on a par with cotton based on ease of crocheting. I think the 2-ply construction helps in that sense. Loads of colours to choose from, too, but obviously no good if you’re sensitive to wool.
When I learned to crochet, the first thing I ever did was amigurumi. And the first yarn I used was Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. I was just drawn by the bright and bold colours it offers, plus the size of the skeins were good for someone just starting out. I attribute it to having such success making ami right off the bat. It’s the only thing I use now for ami and other small projects, but I will defer to wool for larger items like scarves, cowls and hats, but I still only use Bernat. It’s much softer than and not scratchy like Red Heart.
When I choose yarn for amigurumi that I will be selling or giving away, I alwadys use acrylic or sometimes cotton. The reason why has nothing to do with the yarn’s look or feel or how it holds together, but because of allergies.
I personally am highly allergic to wool, which means that at least half of the stock of any given store that carries yarn is off-limits to me. I can’t knit or crochet with it or I will suffer a reaction, and I break out into hives very badly when I have prolonged exposure to wool, so I can’t possibly in good conscience give something away or sell it to someone when I know they might react in the same way to some natural fibers.
I am told, however, that Alpaca yarn is softer than wool and is much less likely to cause a reaction, so I would suggest that as an alternative if anyone wishes to use such a yarn for amigurumi they aren’t making for themselves (although I’m not brave enough to risk it myself).
Try Merino wool. It makes a much smoother yarn than regular wool and not as expensive as Alpaca. Also, you might try a superwash wool which has been treated to avoid shrinkage and also, as with mercerized cotton, is smoother. But allergies are funny things and what works for one might not work for others. Some people are just sensitive to short wool fibers found in cheaper or more rustic rough textured wool yarns, others have a genuinely allergic reaction. Wool is delightful to work with if possible. Even though some acrylics look like wool, they do not feel the same, and are rough on hands.
I totally agree that using un-mercerized cotton for amigurumi works very well. I tried making a critter with mercerized as I loved the sheen, but it was harder to get consistent tight ami stitches, and my hook kept slipping out of the tight stitches. On the other hand, mercerized makes lovely garments and accessories done in looser stitches and lace patterns.
Hie Nerdigurumi! may i know which brand of yarn u used? I have problem finding worsted weight yarn around my area=(
so sorry!! i din check ur site properly b4 asking-.-” but i hav problem finding those yarn..
THANK YOU!!! I was becoming so frustrated with my hook slipping through the yarn. I thought because I was new I was just crocheting too tight or doing something wrong. It never occurred to me it was the yarn. Funny enough it’s exactly the red heart I’m currently working with. I’m excited to get some cotton and hope that makes my life easier.
Hello! 🙂 I really admire your blog, it’s helped me a lot ever since I was just starting out in making amigurumi. I have never tried using cotton yarn before, but I’ve only heard good things about it so far. 🙂 I’ll be sure to give it a try! Thanks!
I started out using the Lily Sugar and Cream ones and loved them. Then I picked up a bunch of yarns at Goodwill cheap! But like you mentioned, they are much rougher on my hands (I have sensory processing disorder which means my senses are on over load, my socks have to fit the right way, tags in shirts bug me etc anyway I am also allergic to wool and some soaps, lotions etc and often have dry skin. So yep I quickly found out that I like the cotton yarns better. I also like a small hook but like a bigger handle. I have the same hook that you use when making sack boy.
I like cotton yarn as well, but I don’t use it as much as I use to. I was wondering what your experience with cotton was like after washing it? It made my ami fuzzy ;/
Love what you are doing on your blog! Excellent work. Do you sell any patterns? Talk to you later!
-Rae
In all honesty I don’t wash my pieces as they have been more ornamental grown up nerd toys as opposed to clothing or children’s toys. I would imagine mercerized cottons would hold up best to washing since the mercerizing process basically smooths the fiber and prepares it for such thing. I am not sure either how cotton amis would wash as compared to acrylics either but would imagine there would be some fuzzing happening. Perhaps cold water hand washing would be the best way to minimize fiber getting too fuzzy?
and that’s what i have been wondering all the way home. what weight yarn. so far every question i’ve had has been easy to find. i love your blog! you’ve definitely got a new fan in me. 🙂
i use cotton yarns too
it is make the perfect shaps , it is Simple and Salary
i used bad quality of wool when i first started then my friend tell me about cotton yarn
it is expensive in my Country But it does not matter as long as the best .
=)