Cotton Yarn Experiment
I’m no expert, so I figured I’ll do some experimenting of my own to see what’s so great about cotton yarn and what’s not. I started my adventure off with some simple kitchen and bath accessories.
First off, the dishcloth!
Using Lily Sugar n’ Cream cotton yarn (which I’ve witnessed people raving about) I crocheted the simplest dishcloth I could think of (I even wrote a crochet pattern for it). It turns out that I love my dishcloth, other than the part where I haven’t worked up the nerve to use it yet. So much for an experiment huh? I’ll let you know how well it works when I use it!
Second, the super fluffy bath puff!
I always use nylon bath buffs that you can buy at the store for about $1, so I thought I’ll make my very own just for fun. Of course I made a crochet pattern for that too! This time I couldn’t wait to use it. I was so excited, I hopped into the tub, soaked it up and started cleaning. To my dismay, cotton bath puffs don’t lather like nylon!!! I’ll have to use a different type of yarn next time, maybe nylon yarn? Also cotton is super absorbent making the puff so heavy I thought it was going to break, lol. Better luck next time!
Whelp, there isn’t a definite conclusion to draw just yet. I still have more exploring to do. I can tell you that cotton yarn is really soft and fun to use. It might not be the best material to use for cleaning accessories (even though lots of people use cotton to make them), atleast for bath puffs, but I bet I will find something great to make with it. For now, the adventure is to be continued!
Do you use cotton yarn? What do you like to make with it? Do you have any tips?
Oh my word, I LOVE using bath puffs, and they’re too rough sometimes and wear out too fast. I’m just learning to crochet after years of knitting, and love it. I’m very excited about making this. Thanks so much for the pattern!!!
I just recently started using cotton yarn too. You saw that scarf I made with the ircles interconnecting. That seems to be working out well with Cotton yarn. Also I made a few washcloths with cotton yarn but never used them myself. I gave them as gifts to my Mom and Sis. I think my Mom has not used hers yet either. LOL Funny, huh?
Right now, I am making this little drawstring bag with cotton yarn.
(I am modifying the pattern a bit) but I do like that the cotton yarn is holding the shape very well.
I lost my label off my yarn but I think it may be similar to your yellow and white yarn, just mine is with pastel colors. I got it at Wal-Mart, one of those huge spools of Cotton Yarn for cheap. lol
Have a good weekend!
Michelle
OOoOOo I didn’t know your scarf was made with cotton, that’s cool, no wonder why I like it so much. I have to go find some huge spools of yarn, mines are all tiny.
Hi Rachel. A friend gave me over a hundred balls of the sugar and cream yarn that she had sitting in her closet. Since them I have made and yes, USED a bunch. Everyone wants one. The only problem I have with them is that they will “fade” and when they are wet they get bigger, but these only add to their charm. I can’t wait to make a puff. That is a really cool idea. Oh by the way, some of the yarn balls I got still had the price sticker on them and they were marked 49 cents! They are still good and look like new. Love this site!
I LOVE crochet dishcloths and make them all the time – the big lesson is that you have to NOT do them in a solid stitch – they’re way too stiff and heavy. The best ones have chain stitches between the single (or double) crochets to loosen up the entire cloth. Otherwise you’re making a mini-blanket. Although it takes longer, I sometimes use the finer cotton fibers (like what you’d use for lace) – then the cloths are really flexible. Using the appropriate yarn/color, these are also great to give as home-made face cloths – something everyone should have to tuck into their travel bags. The other fun thing is to make small pads, using the Sugar n/ Creme yarn wrapped with nylon mesh – makes a great pot scrubber.
I love working with cotton yarn. I have made dishcloths, wash cloths, baby bibs and even summer baby hats. I also have crocheted pot holders, hot pads and am looking into place mats.
Cotton yarn works up beautifully in all patterns and washes very well. Opens up a whole new world!
My Wal-Mart carries a large 14 oz. spool of 4 ply for about $7 – it goes a long way. I have given all my items for charity and gifts.
I have crocheted bath cloths out of cotton and now I’m knitting kitchen things – dish cloths, hot pads, and dish towels. I love them! They are so absorbent. I use lily peaches ‘n cream or sugar ‘n cream. I prefer using metal crochet hooks or knitting needles as opposed to bamboo. Bamboo is usually my favorite but works better with acrylic yarns. Cotton yarn slides better on metal. I can’t wait to try a bath puff. What a great Mother’s day present!
I just started using the cotton yarn and I love the feel of it while I crochet. I have made shopping bags, a little granny square bag that I thought my daughter could use as a small diaper bag, and am now starting an afghan for my granddaughter because I think it will be so soft agaisnst her skin.
The best thing I like about cotton yarn is it’s super absorbency! Will absorb almost as much as a sponge. Makes great baby bibs for the grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. When they spill it doesn’t run all over the place like synthetic or plastic ones.
I use the cotton yarn for facecloths – basically just dishcloths but I use them for my face instead of my dishes. They’re so much better than terrycloth because they give a little bit of exfolliating too. I also make them for gifts for family and friends and give a special bar of soap along with them. Makes a nice gift. By the way, Rachel, I love your site – keep up the good work!!
Your work is beautiful! Love your bath puff! can’t wait to make it…
if you mixed a little nylon in with the cotton would that make the puff any better? I am still going to make one.
[...] is the pattern if you would to like to make one, even a beginner can do it. Also, check out the cotton yarn experiment post, since this bath puff is a part of [...]
RACHEL – YOU ARE SO CLEVER AND I GIVE YOU CREDIT FOR SHARING WITH EVERYONE.
I ALSO MAKE A BATH SCRUBBIE BUT I USE A ROSE PATTERN (I EVEN THINK THAT WAS YOURS) AND CROCHET A HANGER FROM CHAIN STITCHES ON IT. I LIKE COTTON YARN – I MAKE SWEATERS AND ALSO HANDBAGS WITH IT.
KEEP US THE BEAUTIFUL WORK.
I have really liked the Sugar n’ Cream for… small circles. I generally use these as cosmetic round replacements, basically reusable cotton balls! When I make the circle a bit bigger they work well to put under my bars of soap so they do not just melt in the dish or in the shower. My soap is so much drier now!
I gave away a couple to a mom and young daughter who were going to use them with the daughter’s tea set- they’re mini doilies!
My current experiment is crocheting a half-circle. I think these will be easier to use to apply toner and such as they are running about three fingers wide.
I have not tried anything as big as a bag yet, but I think my daughter will be learning to make fork flowers with some soon.
I found a book at the library of “one skein” patterns where one of the few crochet patterns was a bath mat using one of these cones, but I have not gotten up the nerve to actually buy one and use it yet.
Cotton is my favorite yarn. I crochet dish and wash cloths, towels, potholders, huge shopping bags, afghans,sweaters, etc out of the worsted weight, and I absolutely love Paton’s Grace mercerized cotton yarn. It is a tad smaller than sport-weight, but it is really easy to adjust the hook size to make it work with a sport-weight pattern. I’ve started making my face cloths out of it, instead of worsted weight…it is much more flexible..and it works up so beautifully. I am wearing the purple top I made from Grace right at this very moment. I looks amazing! I like it so much that I’m almost finished with a second one! If you haven’t tried this wonderful yarn, I highly recommend it! You can find a limited supply at Michaels and Hobby Lobby, but I usually go online to the Paton’s homepage. When you click on Buy, it sends you to a place called something like Yarn by the basket? Anyway, right now, Paton is discontinuing a bunch of neat colors, and they are all half price! I bought enough yarn to make sweaters in 5 different colors! Yeah!
I learned how to crochet on Sugar n’Cream and I love it. Unfortunately, I think it’s a bit more on the expensive side unless you can get it for sale (when Michael’s had them for $1 a roll, I went nuts), but it’s awesome. I’ve gotten other brands but none are as easy to work with for me.
I’ve also heard someone talk about Peaches and Cream which has me curious, so next time I’m at Walmart, I plan to get a roll to try it.
I have used cotton yarn for years. I make dish cloths, potholders, hot pads, and scrubbies with netting for extra “scrub”. I get mine yarn from the yarn catalogs. I buy several large cones, and can get different colors, as opposed to buying at Walmart where they only have 1-3 different colors in the large cone. I also watch for reduced or free shipping over a certain amount purchased. I have also bought off of ebay, but have to watch the shipping. I try to buy several things from one seller and they will combine shipping or discount. You have to ask, especially if your buying alot from them. I crocheted an afghan for my husban with all my cotton scraps. It was a ropple and I just would use one little ball, then start another right where the last one left off, even in the middle of the row. It is very colorful and it’s warm and heavy. I have cotton bath mats. I made the rectangle granny pattern for it. It’s really soft to stand on after the shower/bath. I can make the color I want, cause you can’t always get the right color that you want!
Kepp up the good work, I love this site!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have also used cotton yarn for several years now. I’ve made TONS of washcloths and mini-washcloths (that’s how I distinguish the bath from the kitchen clothes – the mini’s are for my face and body). I have also made a mesh market bag which turned out AWESOME and holds a ton of stuff and I have made several little girls hats (skull caps) out of cotton yarn which are perfect for summer since your head can still “breathe”. Please don’t be afraid to use the cloths you make! They only take about an hour to make – I make mine large (about 10 inches) because they do shrink up, but they stretch again in water. And yes, they will fade over time. But think about it this way – it’s like the lady who had a ton of gorgeous china, but kept it in a cabinet and never used it before passing away. Why even have it if you aren’t going to use it? It does us no good to make beautiful things and let them sit in a drawer – they are made to be used and loved. So, if you aren’t using your cloths because it takes too long to make one, then find a pattern that works up fast such as a granny square or something loose – less food gets stuck in the looser cloths anyway. Thanks for your site – very cute.
I made the puff. Not exactly sure of what I’m doing yet, I’ve only been crocheting for 1.5 months. It did not exactly turn out like yours though. Its close but missing something. It has a big hole in the center and does not stand as together and fluffy as yours does. Its kind of limp and I was not sure on how to attach the strap nice and neat. My sister-in- law and I are learning togther and I told her about your site. We will me checking in time and again.
Sorry to hear that someone was nasty, I’m still going to try the puff again! I guess after reading your post about it I’ll look for a lighter cotton yarn. I realy love cotton yarns though and the Lily , sugar and cream are my favorite, Lily “stripes” are great for wash clothes!
Thanks Rachel
Hi Anna, make sure that you do 6 double crochets in each double crochet around for rounds 2 – 3. That is what makes it so fluffy. To attach the strap you can tie it to the center of the bath puff with a knot.
Rachel I have made the dishclothes and they are great but they stretch and become large.
I make them single or double crochet. What am I doing wrong?
Odette, stretching is natural. So you didn’t do anything wrong. It stretches even more when you hang them to dry, rather than laying them flat.
Bath Puffs and discloths are fun and easy to make (thanks for the patterns, btw), but I am also a baker so I love using cotton yarn to make holders and oven mittens! I found that acrylic tends to felt (”?!” Did I discover an easier way to felt? haha), sometimes it sticks to the pan, and the heat goes through really easily, so you still get burned a bit. Cotton helps protect you and doesnt felt or stick. The other things I use it for are slippers, they are soooo soft!