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Cotton Yarn in Australia

Cotton yarn suits summer knits, dishcloths and macrame. Australian mills and craft shops stock it.

Updated . Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Bendigo Woollen Mills in Victoria stocks 8 ply cotton all year. Local yarn shops and craft chains also carry cotton and cotton blends.

Professional insight

Knitters choose cotton by ply, twist and metres per gram. Cotton has no stretch, so gauge matters.

  • Mercerised cotton is shiny and firm; matte cotton is softer.
  • Buy every ball from one dye lot.
  • Knit a swatch and wash it before measuring.
  • Heavy garments in cotton grow longer when worn.

Check the label

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Specs to match

Ply names differ by country
Australian plyRough US/UK nameCommon use
4 plyFingeringBaby wear, fine tops
8 plyDK or light worstedTops, dishcloths, amigurumi
10 plyWorsted or aranBags, homewares
12 ply and upChunkyRugs, baskets, macrame

Bendigo cotton 8 ply comes in 200 g balls, about 485 m. It knits at 22 stitches per 10 cm on 4.00 mm needles.

Types

Matte cotton

Soft and absorbent. Good for dishcloths and towels.

Mercerised cotton

Treated for sheen and strength. Shows stitch detail well.

Cotton blends

Mixed with wool, acrylic or bamboo for more give.

Macrame cord

Thick single or braided cotton for knots and wall hangings.

Care

  • Hand wash to help items keep their shape.
  • For machines, use cold water and a garment bag.
  • Dry flat; hanging stretches cotton knits.
  • Expect some shrinkage on the first hot wash.

Ways to save

Cotton yarn cost per 100 m

Calculator

Compare balls of different sizes.

$
m
Cost per 100 m$5.00

Common questions

Is 8 ply the same as DK?
Close enough for most patterns. Always check the tension on the band.
Is cotton good for people with wool allergies?
Yes. Pure cotton has no animal fibre.
Can I use cotton yarn for weaving?
Yes. Cotton 8 ply is popular for weaving and macrame.