Best Cotton Knitting Yarn of 2026

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2026

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Cotton knitting yarn is a popular choice for many knitters due to its softness, breathability, and durability. Made from natural cotton fibers, this type of yarn is great for creating lightweight and comfortable garments such as summer tops, dresses, and baby clothes. It also comes in a wide range of colors and textures, making it easy to find the perfect yarn for any project. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced knitter, cotton knitting yarn is a versatile and reliable choice that is sure to produce beautiful results.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Caron All Day Cotton Yarn Cover #TOP 1
Caron All Day Cotton Yarn
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Caron All Day Cotton Yarn 3 Pack Cover #TOP 2
Caron All Day Cotton Yarn 3 Pack
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Lion Brand Lightweight 24/7 Cotton Yarn Jade Cover #TOP 3
Lion Brand Lightweight 24/7 Cotton Yarn Jade
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Cotton Knitting Yarn

#TOP 1

Caron All Day Cotton Yarn

29110000011P03
Moss
Caron All Day Cotton Yarn Cover
Caron All Day Cotton - 3 Pack of 173 Yards/3.52 oz Moss 100% Mercerized Cotton Yarn

Caron Cotton Yarn is a versatile choice for all your knitting and crocheting needs. Made from 100% mercerized cotton, it’s easy to care for—simply toss your creations in the washing machine and tumble dry on low. Each 100g ball provides ample material with 173 yards, making it perfect for various projects. With a worsted weight gauge, you can easily achieve stunning results, whether you’re knitting or crocheting. Plus, the beautiful sheen and smooth finish of this yarn ensure that every project looks polished and professional.

What We Like
Easy to care for
Versatile for various projects
Soft and smooth finish
Ample yardage per ball
#TOP 2

Caron All Day Cotton Yarn 3 Pack

29110000015P03
Jungle Aqua
Caron All Day Cotton Yarn 3 Pack Cover
Caron All Day Cotton - 3 Pack of 173 Yards/3.52 oz Jungle Aqua 100% Mercerized Cotton Yarn

The Caron All Day Cotton is a versatile 100% mercerized cotton yarn perfect for knitting, crocheting, amigurumi, and other craft projects. It’s easy to care for, allowing you to machine wash and tumble dry your finished items on low heat, saving you time and effort. Each ball contains 173 yards of medium-weight yarn, ideal for creating durable and comfortable pieces. The yarn’s gauge is designed for common knitting and crochet needle sizes, making it simple to achieve consistent results. With a wide range of colors inspired by various sources, this yarn helps you bring your creative ideas to life with a smooth finish and lovely sheen.

What We Like
100% mercerized cotton
Machine washable and dryable
Medium weight (#4) yarn
Wide color selection
#TOP 3

Lion Brand Lightweight 24/7 Cotton Yarn Jade

761-178
Jade
1 Pack
Lion Brand Lightweight 24/7 Cotton Yarn Jade Cover
Lion Brand Yarn Lightweight 24/7 Cotton Yarn for Knitting, Crocheting, and Crafts, Jade, 1 Pack

The Lion Brand Cotton Yarn Jade is a soft, 100% cotton yarn ideal for knitting and crocheting projects that need fine detail without bulk, like baby blankets and shawls. This worsted-weight yarn comes in a beautiful jade color and offers 186 yards per ball, giving you plenty of material for your creative ideas. Made from mercerized cotton, it’s naturally strong and smooth, making your stitches look neat and professional. Plus, it’s easy to care for—just wash in warm water, tumble dry on low, and if you like, iron on medium heat. This yarn makes crafting simple and enjoyable.

What We Like
100% soft cotton
Worsted-weight, detailed projects
Variety of rich colors
Easy care and maintenance
#TOP 4

MAQIHAN Ombre Rainbow Cotton Yarn 10-Pack

RAINBOW COLOR
MAQIHAN Ombre Rainbow Cotton Yarn 10-Pack Cover
Ombre Yarn - 10 Pack x 15g Rainbow Yarn Cotton Multi Colored with Vibrant Colors Soft Color Changing Ideal for Knitting and Crocheting Crafts, Suitable for Beginners

The MAQIHAN Rainbow Yarn Pack offers 10 vibrant cotton yarn colors, perfect for knitting or crocheting projects. These soft, fade-resistant yarns add a cheerful touch to your handmade creations while being easy to maintain. This yarn is designed to be soft and elastic, making it less likely to break or pill, which helps beginners enjoy crafting without frustration. You can use this yarn to create a variety of items such as scarves, hats, dolls, and blankets, ensuring your projects are both beautiful and durable. Additionally, it’s great for family activities, providing a fun way to bond and create heartfelt gifts together.

What We Like
Vibrant multi-color selection
Soft and durable cotton yarn
Beginner-friendly and easy to use
Suitable for various crafts
Encourages family bonding
#TOP 5

Caron All Day Cotton Mercerized Yarn 3-Pack

29110000012P03
Grass Green
Caron All Day Cotton Mercerized Yarn 3-Pack Cover
Caron All Day Cotton - 3 Pack of 173 Yards/3.52 oz Grass Green 100% Mercerized Cotton Yarn

The Caron All Day Cotton Yarn is a versatile choice for your knitting and crochet projects. Made from 100% mercerized cotton, this yarn provides a smooth finish and lovely sheen, making your creations look polished and professional. It is easy to care for—just machine wash and tumble dry on low heat—so your handmade items stay fresh with minimal effort. Each ball contains 173 yards of medium-weight yarn, perfect for a variety of patterns including amigurumi, garments, and accessories. With clear knitting and crochet gauge details, you can easily plan your projects and achieve consistent results. This yarn’s vibrant grass green color adds a refreshing touch to your craft work.

What We Like
100% mercerized cotton
Easy machine wash care
Medium-weight versatile yarn
Clear knitting and crochet gauges
Attractive vibrant color
#TOP 6

Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK Prints Yarn

769-505S
Seaglass
1 Pack
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK Prints Yarn Cover
Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton DK Prints, Yarn for Knitting, Crocheting, and Crafts, Seaglass, 1 Pack

The Lion Brand Cotton DK Yarn is a lightweight and soft yarn perfect for your knitting and crocheting projects. Each skein offers a generous length, making it easy to create clothes, blankets, and other crafts without frequent stops. Made from 100% cotton, this yarn is cozy and has a nice sheen, giving your finished projects a beautiful drape and feel. Plus, it’s simple to care for—just machine wash and tumble dry on low heat, so your handmade items stay looking fresh and neat with minimal effort.

What We Like
Lightweight and soft
100% cotton fiber
Long skein length
Easy machine care
#TOP 7

Lily Sugar 'N Cream Original Cotton Yarn

Lily
10200100026
Light Blue
2.5 oz
Lily Sugar 'N Cream Original Cotton Yarn Cover
Lily Sugar 'N Cream The Original Solid Yarn, 2.5oz, Medium 4 Gauge, 100% Cotton - Light Blue - Machine Wash & Dry

The Lily Cotton Yarn Medium 4 is a versatile, 100% USA-grown cotton yarn that’s perfect for various knitting and crochet projects. With a medium worsted weight (gauge 4), it provides a balanced thickness that works well for making durable and comfortable items. For crochet enthusiasts, it achieves about 13 single crochet stitches and 14 rows with a 5 mm hook, helping you keep consistent stitch sizes. If you prefer knitting, you’ll get around 20 stitches and 26 rows using a 4.5 mm needle, allowing for even, neat patterns. Plus, this yarn comes in a convenient 2.5 oz skein with 120 yards, ideal for small to medium projects.

What We Like
100% USA-grown cotton
Medium worsted weight
Clear crochet and knitting gauges
120 yards per skein

Katech 20 Skeins Cotton Yarn

yarn
Color A
20pack
Katech 20 Skeins Cotton Yarn Cover
Katech 20 Skeins Cotton Yarn for Crocheting-55% Cotton 45% Acrylic-4 Medium (Worsted)-Super Soft Milk Cotton Yarn-Great Crochet and Knitting Starter Kit for Colorful Craft

The Katech Cotton Yarn is a premium choice for your knitting and crocheting projects. Made from a blend of soft cotton and acrylic, it offers warmth and elasticity, ensuring comfort for wearables and home decor. Beginners will appreciate the included basic instructions, which guide you through simple crochet techniques, making it easy to start your first project. With its versatility, this yarn is perfect for a variety of crafts, from dishcloths to toys. Plus, with 20 stunning colors to choose from, you can easily find the perfect shade to suit your creative vision.

What We Like
Soft and comfortable
Beginner-friendly instructions
Versatile for various projects
Wide color selection
#TOP 9

Lion Brand Lightweight 24/7 Cotton Yarn

761-101
Pink
1 Pack
Lion Brand Lightweight 24/7 Cotton Yarn Cover
Lion Brand Yarn Lightweight 24/7 Cotton Yarn for Knitting, Crocheting, and Crafts, Pink, 1 Pack

The Lion Brand Cotton Yarn is a soft, lightweight yarn made from 100% mercerized cotton, making it ideal for projects that need delicate details without extra bulk, such as baby blankets, shawls, or sweaters. This yarn comes in a wide range of beautiful colors, from soft pastels to deep earth tones, helping your stitches stand out with vibrant style. With a medium/worsted weight that runs a bit thinner, it’s perfect for intricate designs and detailed crafts. Plus, items made with this yarn are easy to care for—you can wash them in warm water and tumble dry on low, with the option to iron at medium heat for a polished finish.

What We Like
100% mercerized cotton
Wide color selection
Medium/worsted weight, thinner yarn
Easy care and maintenance
#TOP 10

Katech 100% Cotton Yarn 4-Pack

KATECHNA100240
Beige A
#4 Medium
Katech 100% Cotton Yarn 4-Pack Cover
Katech 1OO% Cotton Yarn for Crocheting & Knitting-4 Pack of 100g/3.52 oz-4 Medium (Worsted) Cotton Crochet Yarn-Soft & Breathable-Ideal for Dishcloths, Baby Clothes, Potholders & Summer Projects(A)

The Katech Cotton Yarn is a great choice for knitters and crocheters who want soft, breathable yarn made from 100% pure cotton. This yarn feels gentle on your skin, making it perfect for baby clothes, dishcloths, and summer projects. You get four skeins in this pack, which is ideal if you enjoy crafting or need extra yarn for larger projects. The yarn is also strong and easy to care for, so your handmade items will keep their shape and color even after washing. Overall, this yarn offers a smooth stitching experience and reliable durability for a variety of creative uses.

What We Like
100% pure cotton
Soft and breathable
Bulk value pack
Durable and washable
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is cotton yarn good for knitting?

Cotton yarn is great for knitting baby items like hats, clothing, blankets, or boots. It is absorbent, durable, and can be machine-washed. Many people also prefer using cotton yarn for knitting stuffed toys instead of acrylic or woollen yarn.

2. Is it hard to knit with cotton yarn?

Knitting with cotton yarn can be challenging and time-consuming, but the end result is worth it. Cotton yarns are perfect for creating soft knits, although they may require some extra effort compared to other types of yarn.

3. Does cotton yarn work in the knitting machine?

Yes, cotton yarn can be used in a knitting machine. In fact, a wide variety of fibers can be used, including wool, cotton, and acrylic. Yarns with wool and acrylic blends are popular for knitting machines due to their durability and ease of care. Natural fibers like cotton or linen are also preferred for their comfort and breathability.

4. Will cotton yarn shrink in the dryer?

Cotton yarn can generally be washed and dried without any issues. It is a sturdy yarn that holds up well. While it may shrink slightly in the dryer, it tends to stretch back out with use. However, for sentimental or intricate projects, it is recommended to hand wash in cold water with mild detergent and lay flat to dry.

5. What is the best yarn to use in a central knitting machine?

For a central knitting machine, size 4 worsted weight yarns work best. They create tight stitches that give a classic knit look. Smaller weights can result in loose stitches, while larger-weight yarns can be too bulky and may cause issues or jams in the machine.

6. Can you knit with 100% cotton?

Knitting with 100% cotton yarn is possible, but knitters should be aware that cotton is a heavier fiber with less elasticity. This means that anything knit in 100% cotton may sag and lose its shape over time. Rib patterns, in particular, may not hold their shape when worked with cotton yarn.

Editor's Notes

During our cotton knitting yarn research, we found 24 cotton knitting yarn products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 202,607 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cotton knitting yarn list. We found that most customers choose cotton knitting yarn with an average price of $20.73.

The cotton knitting yarn are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cotton knitting yarn, including Caron, Lion Brand Yarn, MAQIHAN, Lily, Katech. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.