He developed the process known as mercerisation w Mercerized yarn is also sometimes called pearl cotton or pearle cotton, and fine crochet thread used for doilies and other delicate projects is usually mercerized. As the article said, mercerized cotton definitely has a certain shininess to it. Time to stock up - your favorite yarns are on sale now! Some examples are cleaning items, kitchen items, beach or outdoor activity items, and bags. Mercerized cotton is a treated cotton yarn that therefore is not as absorbent, it is less likely to shrink in the event it gets wet and appears shinier to the eye. I find that accessories or dressy outfits made from mercerized cotton look particularly good. Features: Material: 100% Mercerized Cotton; Any yarn can be mercerized, even wool and I have worked with a lot of mercerized linen in the past but it is most often cotton. MERCERIZED COTTON So I'd no idea what mercerized cotton actually was, so I asked Mum, and this is what she sent me back. It is also stronger, takes dye a little more readily, produces less lint, and is more resistant to mildew. Our 10/2 and 5/2 mercerized cotton yarn from Ashford is a high quality weaving yarn that is great for fine hand woven projects like tablerunners, curtains, napkins, scarves or fine crocheting projects. The reduced twist in these fibers also makes them more absorbent. When you think of yarn, you probably think of cotton yarn. Discover the magic of mercerized cotton! 99 To read more about the properties of crochet thread, check out “Lovable, Wearable, Cotton: A Spinner Explains the Magic of Crochet Thread.” For this variety of knitting project, a type of yarn called “mercerized cotton… How is Organic Cotton Yarn Different from Other Yarns? The added desirable water handling properties gained are a secondary bonus. She is the author of three books and over 300 articles about knitting on The Spruce Crafts. Mercerized cotton is sometimes referred to in the crafts as pearl or pearle cotton. They hold up well and they're a nice quick project that's easy to transport. Available in solid, multi-color and metallics. This all came about in the 1840’s when a chap called John Mercer, a chemist taught himself the basics in dyeing cotton. 100% MERCERIZED COTTON yarn SHOP NOW. For knitters, crocheters and other crafters, mercerized cotton yarn comes in a wide variety of sizes and colors. The mercerizing process was developed by John Mercer, a British chemist who patented the process in 1851, but the process was popularized by Horace Lowe in 1890 when he altered the process slightly in order to confer a high luster to the resulting fibers. This 100% Mercerised Cotton yarn comes in an enormous number of colours. It is also stronger, takes dye a little more readily, makes the yarn more resistant to mildew and reduces lint. Mercerized cotton is a special kind of cotton yarn that is more lustrous than conventional cotton. Mercerized cotton is cotton which has been treated with sodium hydroxide to bring out certain properties first discovered by John Mercer in 1851. It is very strong and durable weaving yarn and has a nice sheen. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. Produced when cotton is soaked in sodium hydroxide then neutralised in acid, this type of yarn is also known around the knitting and crocheting block as ‘pearl’ or ‘pearle’ cotton because of its bright finish. The yarn is treated with Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) to swell the fibres and increase the fibre’s lustre as well as its affinity for dye by increasing the surface area of the fibre. I mainly use worsted yarn for sweaters, and luckily plenty of brands put out worsted weight mercerized cotton in tons of colors. Multi Color Yarns in the Factory. It also may not shrink or lose its shape as much as "regular" cotton. Mercerized cotton is cotton which has been treated with sodium hydroxide to bring out certain properties first discovered by John Mercer in 1851. Lace weight cotton yarn can make a gossamer shawl look as though it were made of spider silk. click here Craft some cozy with deals on fleece & flannel fabrics! Mercerisation is a textile finishing treatment for cellulose fabric and yarn, mainly cotton and flax, which improves dye uptake and tear strength, reduces fabric shrinkage, and imparts a silk-like luster. Mercerization is a known form of pre-treatment of cotton. Most of the cotton that people buy for crochet today is unmercerized but you should know about mercerized cotton as well. It also may not shrink or lose its shape as much as “regular” cotton. Eliminating the fuzz or lint from the cotton is part of what makes mercerized cotton so shiny. Since its launch in May 2015 our beautiful Catona yarns have become a 'go-to' yarn for many crafters. Long, fine cotton threads are usually used for mercerization, such as Egyptian and Pima cotton, because they require less twist than other fibers used in the process. Mercerization is a process that makes the yarn smooth, stronger and takes dye better. 24/7 Cotton® is a worsted-weight, mercerized 100% natural fiber yarn. I often use this type of cotton thread in my projects. However, there are some projects I prefer to use just plain cotton for. Many sumptuous colors to choose from. This yarn is strong, durable, takes (but doesn't necessarily hold) color well. The mercerization process gives the yarn incredible color and sheen which will last through multiple wash cycles. The main benefit of using 100% mercerized cotton crochet thread is the luster and vibrance you get. Who needs shiny washcloths? Discover the magic of mercerized cotton! 5/2 Mercerized "Perle" Cotton Yarn is put up on standard one pound cones for weavers and machine knitters. This process not only causes the cotton fibers to swell and straighten, it also makes the fiber surface much smoother, causing the luster for which mercerized cotton yarn is known. It also may not shrink or lose its shape as much as \"regular\" cotton. Lily collection is popular because of the big color variety also it is made from 100% mercerized cotton so it is perfect for crochet. There are certain projects that I wouldn't want to make "shiny," you know? Somewhat contradictory to that, non-mercerized yarn will be more absorbent making it a better choice for items like washcloths. Most knitters are familiar with traditional cotton yarn for knitting. Producing mercerized cotton yarn involves exposing the cotton fibers to a caustic solution such as lye or sulfuric acid. Choosing lightweight yarns for your projects will be better than using heavier yarns. While these yarns have a lovely shine, deep colors, and don't pill much; I still didn't want to work with them. For knitters, mercerized cotton can be used for a variety of projects. When choosing a type of yarn, it is important to consider gauge, weight and drape. Our range of 100% Mercerized Cotton Yarns are ideal for a vast range of knitting and crochet projects.The Knitting Wool Store is proud to be able to offer such a wonderful selection of luxury yarns to our customers. 246 yards (225 meters) 50 grams (1.76 ounces) Gauge: sts Needle size 1.75 - 2mm (US 00) Yarn is made in Turkey. Mercerized cotton is a special kind of cotton yarn that is more lustrous than conventional cotton. The Spruce Crafts uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. By the way, pearl or perle cotton has also gone through mercerization process. It is cotton yarn or fabric which has been put through a series of processes, primarily to increase luster. Mercerized cotton yarn is a type of cotton yarn that has been produced in a certain way that makes it stronger, more lustrous and less likely to shrink. Lace weight cotton yarn can make a gossamer shawl look as though it were made of spider silk. It keeps its shape extremely well which makes it the perfect yarn for the Aldi Quarter Keeper Keychain . Some openwork might also be a good option because it lightens up the overall fabric, though pay attention to your swatch. Luster, by the way, is caused by the way light reflects off the surface of things. Mercerized cotton was used in vintage thread crochet and can still be found today in brands like Paton's Grace. Cotton sock yarn is generally blended with nylon to give it more stretch and durability, two qualities that pure cotton yarn does not have. Spool of a two-ply mercerized cotton thread with a polyester core. Also, I'm allergic to wool, so my other options for nice sweater yarn are kind of limited. Mercerized cotton is a treated cotton yarn that therefore is not as absorbent, it is less likely to shrink in the event it gets wet and appears shinier to the eye. The yarn is treated with Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) to swell the fibres and increase the fibre’s lustre as well as its affinity for dye by increasing the surface area of the fibre. This type of processed cotton yarn also is referred to as pearl yarn or pearle yarn. Colour Pack Scheepjes Catona is also available as a Colour Pack. In general, mercerized cotton yarn is made from cotton that produces longer fibers, such as Egyptian and Pima cotton, because they do not need to be twisted as much as cotton with shorter fiber lengths. Choose from a variety of 24 colors, which will be perfect for making fashion garments, home … It can be a little hard on your hands. It also makes the cotton mildew- and lint-resistant and helps it accept dye more readily, allowing for stronger, more brilliant colors. While these yarns have a lovely shine, deep colors, and don't pill much; I still didn't want to work with them. Yarn gauges and yarn weights from very fine, lace-weight yarn to heavier worsted weight can be found easily in any craft store, making mercerized cotton yarn a convenient choice for any project. The process of making mercerized cotton is rather complex. Using yarn that doesn't shrink too much really helps! Some examples of projects that use mercerized cotton include: Sarah is a freelance writer, editor, and crafter. Crochet thread is a bit different from other yarn because it is typically made of mercerized cotton with an especially tight twist. J&P Coats Knit -Cro-Sheen is a 4-ply size 10, 100% Mercerized Cotton widely used in bedspreads, doilies, runners, clothing between the late 1930s and the 1990s. Certain types of cotton fibers work better to make mercerized cotton yarn than others because of the way the sodium hydroxide is absorbed and the way the cotton fibers respond to it. No one was too impressed by that, but in 1890 Horace Lowe developed a process by which caustic soda was added to the yarn under high tension, which added the luster that mercerized cotton is famous for today. Mercerized Yarn. Please see our full range of Mercerized Cotton Yarns below. Dyed for color fastness, but of course, be sure to test your sample the way you want to finish your fabric. The Benefits of Cotton Yarn. In 1890, Horace Lowe added an additional step to the process, and the British cotton industry began to take an interest in this type of cotton, which is available today in a wide range of incarnations from thread to completed garments. Mercerized cotton yarn is a type of cotton yarn that has been produced in a certain way that makes it stronger, more lustrous and less likely to shrink. What are the Different Types of Yarn for Knitting. This causes the fibers to swell, straighten and become rounder, as well as making them absorb liquids, including dye, more readily. For some reason I always thought it was just a different kind of cotton plant. Nope, I'll take a nice 100% regular cotton aran yarn for these types of projects any day! It keeps its shape extremely well which makes it the perfect yarn for the Aldi Quarter Keeper Keychain . For instance, I really like to make washcloths for my kitchen. €2.15 You know, like Egyptian cotton or something like that? Mercerized yarn stays shiny through washing and gives a nice, somewhat fancier look to finished items. It also may not shrink or lose its shape as much as "regular" cotton. This type of yarn takes dye well, creating a lustrous shine that is beautiful to work with. After all, I'd imagine it would probably be very difficult to make mercerized cotton yarn in a non-factory setting. ... Cotton yarn, 7 cool things you need to know about everyone’s favorite yarn. By using The Spruce Crafts, you accept our, How to Single Crochet an Edge on Any Knitting Project, How to Knit a Soap Pouch to Prolong Your Bar of Soap. It is a great choice for kids clothing, summer tops, and shawls, bearing in mind that mercerized cotton shares some of the problems inherent in knitting with other types of cotton yarn (heaviness and tendency to stretch when worn that can't be fixed with blocking). It is also stronger, takes dye a little more readily, produces less lint, and is more resistant to mildew. Dye takes to mercerized cotton easier and thus produces richer tones. Mercerized cotton yarn is great for sweaters and other garments because it doesn't shrink as much as regular cotton. However, I don't like to use mercerized cotton for this purpose. | What is mercerized cotton? Mercerized yarn is also sometimes called pearl cotton or pearl cotton, and the fine knit thread used for napkins and other delicate projects is usually mercerized. If you are in doubt as to whether mercerized cotton is for you, you can find an overview of the properties on this page. Mercerization, the process by which mercerized yarn is made, is named for the British chemist John Mercer, who developed the process and received a patent for his work in 1851. It also may not shrink or lose its shape as much as "regular" cotton. Mercerized Cotton Knitting & Crochet Yarn. For this variety of knitting project, a type of yarn called “mercerized cotton… In 1890, Horace Lowe added an additional step to the process, and the British cotton industry began to take an interest in this type of cotton, which is available today in a wide range of incarnations from thread to completed garments. Many sumptuous colors to choose from. A great idea is to work a swatch in the stitch pattern of your choice, wash it and hang it up for a few days to see how much the yarn sags. Mercerisation is a textile finishing treatment for cellulose fabric and yarn, mainly cotton and flax, which improves dye uptake and tear strength, reduces fabric shrinkage, and imparts a silk-like luster. I had no idea the process for making mercerized cotton yarn was so involved. It sounds like mercerizing cotton was definitely a product of the industrial revolution! Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. In order to increase the luster of the fibers, the most desirable quality in mercerized cotton yarn, the caustic solution must be applied to the cotton while the cotton fibers are held under tension. 100% Mercerized Cotton Yarn Alize Bahar Yarn Thread Lot of 2 skn 200 gr 570 yds Crochet DK Medium Hand Knitting Craft Art (34-Salmon) 4.6 out of 5 stars 36 $19.99 $ 19 . Produced when cotton is soaked in sodium hydroxide then neutralised in acid, this type of yarn is also known around the knitting and crocheting block as ‘pearl’ or ‘pearle’ cotton because of its bright finish. The process causes a permanent swelling of the fiber which increases the surface area, resulting in higher luster. Our range of 100% Mercerized Cotton Yarns are ideal for a vast range of knitting and crochet projects.The Knitting Wool Store is proud to be able to offer such a wonderful selection of luxury yarns to our customers. Mercerized cotton is cotton that has been heat treated to be colorfast, so no fading, and it's also shinier and smoother than non mercerized cotton and it makes the yarn shrink resistant or shrink proof. Features: Material: 100% Mercerized Cotton; John Mercer, and English textile chemist, developed the technique in 1844 to improve the dye qualities of cotton yarn. Mercerized cotton yarns may have some advantages over non-mercerized, but I used to find knitting with them a fairly joyless experience. Nice and soft mercerized cotton. It is also stronger, takes dye a little more readily, makes the yarn more resistant to mildew and reduces lint. I'm a knitter, and I really like to use mercerized cotton yarn for sweaters. Alize Yarns and threads SHOP NOW. Cotton yarn in general, though, has a rougher texture and a less delicate drape than other yarns, especially fine wool yarn, alpaca yarn and various handspun and novelty types of yarn. It's commonly called kitchen cotton because it is often used for dishcloths, washcloths, and other projects that can take a lot of abuse. Mercerized cotton is a special kind of cotton yarn that is more lustrous than conventional cotton. A treatment of cotton yarns and fabric that increases its luster and affinity for dyes. What are the benefits of 100% Mercerized Cotton Crochet threads for your craft projects? Mercerized cotton is a special kind of cotton yarn that is more lustrous than conventional cotton. Cotton sock yarn is generally blended with nylon to give it more stretch and durability, two qualities that pure cotton yarn does not have. For knitters, mercerized cotton can be used for a variety of projects. It is also stronger, takes dye a little more readily, makes the yarn more resistant to mildew and reduces lint. Mercerized cotton is a special kind of cotton yarn that is more lustrous than conventional cotton. Our answer is always a resounding…it depends! Any yarn can be mercerized, even wool and I have worked with a lot of mercerized linen in the past but it is most often cotton. The two distinctive benefits of cotton yarn are that it is 1) absorbent and 2) holds up well with washing and drying. Development. Mercerized cotton yarn reels. Mercerized cotton yarn 8/4; Mercerized cotton yarn 8/2; It doesn’t matter if you prefer 8/4 or 8/2, you can find it in our range. The 109 colours are available in 10g, 25g and 50g balls. We are often asked if mercerized or unmercerized yarns are better for towels. Craft some cozy ... Singer Size 50 Mercerized Cotton Thread 175 Yds. @strawCake - I'm a knitter also, and I think you're right -- mercerized cotton yarn definitely has it's place in any knitters yarn stash. It also makes the cotton mildew- and lint-resistant and helps it accept dye more readily, allowing for stronger, more brilliant colors. Then make your pattern choices accordingly. Mercerized Cotton Knitting & Crochet Yarn. For example, look at the image below. Tension is held for about 10 minutes while a 21-23 percent sodium hydroxide solution is applied at room temperature. 3/2 Mercerized "Perle" Cotton Yarn is put up on standard one pound cones for weavers and machine knitters. Mercerized Cotton yarn is also sometimes called Perle or Pearl Cotton. You can see how vibrant and silky the rose and eye glass cover look. I also think it's stronger because only long staple fiber cotton can be mercerized. Please see our full range of Mercerized Cotton Yarns below. For a knitter, there's nothing worse than knitting a sweater to your exact measurements, and then accidentally shrinking it in the wash. Dyed for color fastness, but of course, be sure to test your sample the way you want to finish your fabric. Mercer found that adding caustic soda (lye) or sulfuric acid to cotton made the fiber swell and straighten. Mercerized cotton yarns may have some advantages over non-mercerized, but I used to find knitting with them a fairly joyless experience. This makes cotton yarn a great choice for items that will be getting wet or that need to be washed frequently. Mercerized cotton will be shinier and stronger than non-mercerized varieties.