More cotton questions?

[soolina]

I just bought a bunch of all cotton yarn. I hope I haven't committed a major messup by doing this. I love cotton fabric lots better than the acrylic sweaters (store-bought) I have. Cotton doesn't itch!

However I've read all sorts of cotton knitting horror stories on the web. Is it really horrible to knit with all cotton yarn? Do knitted items really sag? Should I knit tightly as some sites have suggested? Should I just give it all up and cry?

Soolina :rollseyes:

[midnightskyfibers]

nope and nope. it jsut gets stretched out more quickly than wool. I jsut finished a minisweater (boobholder) in Henry's attic organci cotton and its fine. Hendrys attic organci cotton is a very softy spun cotton, so its whay i would really expect to stretch, but no probs thus far. Just remember that cotton acts diff then wool, so cables and ribbing will not how the stretch that a wool garmet will have. that being said, i LOVE cotton!

[soolina]

nope and nope. it jsut gets stretched out more quickly than wool.

Thanks for the information about its stretchiness.

However I'm still wondering how I actually knit with it. I tend to knit loosely, and I like this way of knitting. The stitches glide easily along the needles, and it's very quick to pick up these stitches and knit. However I've read that knitting with cotton yarn should be done tightly. Is that so? if so, how tight? Or should I just knit with my regular knitting tension?

I'm pretty new on this site, so this subject may have been discussed before. If so I apologize for rehashing old stuff. And thanks for any info you or anyone can provide.

Soolina

[KellyK]

Im thinkin you should knit a few rows with your regular tension and see how it does. BE BRAVE! I find every new yard is a bit different and you kinda figure it out as you go along.

I am knitting swatches to figure out what st I want to use to knit a big cotton bathrug...Im doubling up some big fat cotton yarn. I have only heard that cotton yarn "blooms" when you wash it. I think that means it puffs up a bit. SO, if that is true (anyone?) then, maybe knitting a bit loose is a good idea.

[soolina]

Im thinkin you should knit a few rows with your regular tension and see how it does. BE BRAVE! I find every new yard is a bit different and you kinda figure it out as you go along.

Thanks so much KellyK. You've given me more confidence.

All of my knitting experience has been with the ubiquitous acrylic type yarns, which is stretchy as one knits. OTOH, cotton is not. However I've been dying to try cotton knitting, for I like cotton as a fabric so much. I was searching for "rules", which I thought more experienced knitters knew and I didn't.

From your message, there are no rules! Just listen to what the yarn tells me as I knit. I only hope I can understand its language. ;)

I shall try to be brave.

[KellyK]

I shall try to be brave.

EKG!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think she needs your horse!!!!!!!!

[Sara]

I found that my enjoyment of cotton yarn is dependent on the needle I use. Plastic needle? Bad! I felt like it took forever. Metal needle? Pretty smooth. You should try a swatch on different types of needle to see which is comfy for you. Everybody's preferences differ.

[soolina]

:eyebrow: Since I am trying to be brave, I shall add that I am looking forward to attempting the cotton knitting with or without EKG's horse.

I have never tried plastic needles. So far I prefer the Clover Bamboo ones, though there are many other kinds I have not tried. I did read that bamboo needles are good to use when knitting cotton.

If anyone else has any all cotton knitting tips, I'd really appreciate them.

The yarn is not here yet for I ordered it Saturday on the internet. I'll let you know what happens when it gets here. Thanks for the advice.

[yellowness]

One thing about the glory of knitting... if you've been told to knit more tightly, and that just isn't your style, try smaller needles than you would otherwise use, by at least a size or two. This will tighten up your fabric, but still allow you to knit with a more or less regular tension.

Case in point: I tend to knit my socks with one type of yarn, because I love it; Lyon Brand Fishermans Wool. The reccomended needle size is 9. I knit on size *3* needles. This gives me a much denser stitch, better for soxes. The stitches do naturally want to be tighter than I normally knit, but without my changing my knitting style. It happens all on it's own.

So, if you find that tighter/denser is better, try smaller needles instead of tighter sitches.

Oh, and I've used cotton for kitchen things and LOVE IT. I had a pot-holder-less house hold (say that ten times fast...) for the longest time until I was in a grump and cranked out some pot-holdery goodness because I was temporarily fed up with all my projects. Took a second to get used to then BLAMMO! beautiful yellow cotton pot holders.

Couldn't have done it without cotton!

[soolina]

One thing about the glory of knitting... if you've been told to knit more tightly, and that just isn't your style, try smaller needles than you would otherwise use, by at least a size or two. This will tighten up your fabric, but still allow you to knit with a more or less regular tension.

Couldn't have done it without cotton!

Yellowness, your tip makes perfect sense. I'll try it. Thanks.

[Jenifer Peters]

All I have to say DON"T MAKE A JACKET OUT OF IT... I made a wonderful Jacket and it was small when I started and then I look down and it is like 5 feet long soo GOOD LUCK Jenifer

[soolina]

All I have to say DON"T MAKE A JACKET OUT OF IT... I made a wonderful Jacket and it was small when I started and then I look down and it is like 5 feet long soo GOOD LUCK Jenifer

Nope, no jacket!

It seems that people either love or hate cotton knitting. I have yet to form an opinion. I did get the yarn from UPS yesterday and have started knitting a shawl with the yarn. So far everything's knitting okay. Cotton yarn just doesn't have stretch in it, and that's why I asked so many questions. Anyway now the question is how wil this shawl hold up as I knit it and after I'm finished. Will it stretch as Jenifer's jacket? I'm hoping for the best.

thanks for all the advice everyone.

[yellowness]

Well, I think you may have to answer your own question... Knit it up and find out!

Remember though, that even if it does stretch, because it's a shawl and not a form fitting garmet, that it will probably be just fine. Unless, that is, the shawl stretches to be 10'X10'..... then you may need to give it to a very large friend/relative...

[soolina]

...the shawl stretches to be 10'X10'..... then you may need to give it to a very large friend/relative...

Yeah maybe Hagrid from the Harry Potter books. ;)

I seem to remember that Hagrid does knit, at least in the books. Not sure about the movies.

You're right, yellowness. I'm finding out that knitting with cotton is like launching into unknown territory. At least in a yarny kind of way. It's totally different that the "more normal" kinds of yarns. And as I knit it, the emerging material is different too. Thanks for the funny.

[SimplyKaar]

Ok, bumping up this thread because I've got another cotton question :)

I bought a bunch of cheep 100% cotton in two colours the other day because Ithought they go together so nicely and now I'm trying to find an easy project for them which I can do on my flight to, and during my stay in, South Africa and I came across these tea cosys (http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTkureyonkozy.html) (spelling?) which I think are so cute and they seem easy enough to do even for a relative beginner.

And I was wondering: cotton is used for kitchencloth thingies like potholders and they keep the warmth away from your hands when you use them: does that mean that it would make a good material to keep the heat INSIDE the cosy aswell?
Instinctively I would pick something with wool in it for keeping something warm but maybe cotton would do the trick aswell; does anyone know?

/Karen still knitting away on her second slipper... :XX: [/url]

[SimplyKaar]

*bumpy bump*

anyone know; or am I better off saving the cotton for other projects instead?

[eggplant]

Cotton will keep heat in, but not as well as wool. On the other hand, cotton has a slightly higher resistance to burning.

The main difference between cotton and wool, though, is that cotton will not keep heat in if it is wet, but wool will. So, as long as you don't spill your tea...

Hope that helps!

[SimplyKaar]

Hope that helps!


It does! thank you :) I usually don't spill my tea but I'll test the pots for leaking while pouring tea beforehand ;)
And they are small pots so the tea won't have to be kept warm for long periods of time.

I think I'll just go for it!

[eggplant]

That sounds like the perfect project for the airplane. And cotton is so soothing to knit with. Have a nice trip!

[VictoiseC]

Hm, I didn't know cotton had a slightly higher resistance to burning, that's interesting.

I knit up this cafe cover, cafetiere cover Erica Wilson calls it but I did my own pattern coz I didn't like hers.

I think these are divine and they really really keep the coffee hot. So, I know they'd work well for tea. Except, I just remembered I used acrylic! ha ha Cheapo stuff but it really has worked well. I'm going to do some cotton ones as well, including a tea cozy.

I've really enjoy working with cotton. (I'll post my big beautiful white string bag any day now, it's almost finished) It's easy to make the adjustment, you don't have to knit tighter or anything. It feels good for a change, maybe because it's a different season. Oh, the original pattern for the cafe cover called that you line it with felt. I never got around to it. That would make for even HOTTER tea/coffee but my dh said the coffee stays hot a long time, so I'm not lining it.

[SimplyKaar]

Victoise (I thought of shortening it, but I decided I liked the full word :D ), lining it with felt is an EXCELLENT idea! I will keep that in mind in case it turns out they don't keep the tea warm enough afterall.

*runs to write it on the pattern*

I love the coffee cover that you made. I don't own a coffeepot as of yet but if I ever get one, that might be a nice way to keeping that hot aswell.
Which tea cozy would you like to make? One from the pattern I posted or have you found a different one?

beldie: I just got a call from my sister today suggesting that I should call the airline to see if my knittingneedles will be allowed on the flight. She had heard talk that rules for the long distance flights were still pretty strict.
So I did and I am glad for it: they told me they will not allow them in my carry-on luggage so I can't knit my way to South Africa unfortunately :verysad:

I do understand what their reasons are but at the same time I really don't... How many passengers have been stabbed with a knittingneedle, I wonder? And if even those are potential weapons, I don't even want to think about what else might be or I might be forced to travel nearly naked with no shoes on etc.

I even joked about it with the lady on the other end of the line; she said she understood I wanted to have something to keep my occupied for that long a period and she hoped that I could think of something else to do. Well, fortunately I'm not easily bored so ofcourse I could.
I told her I'd bring a book instead, a really thick one since it is to last me the entire flight... and she actually had to laugh when I asked her if thick books (the hardcover of The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon will do nicely here ;))were prohibited aswell due to the risk of me hitting some annoying snorer upside the head with it :twisted:

Oh well; reading it will be then, but I will take my needles and cotton with in my suitcase and hopefully I'll have some time to work on it while sitting in that beautiful warm autumn sunshine they appearently have at the moment :)

[KellyK]

Even wooden and plastic are not allowed, karen? The last I saw, the TSA guidelines stated that only metal needles were banned.....

Although, today the new law about no lighters or matches, even on CHECKED luggage went into effect. Airport giftshops are gonna make a MINT off of recently de-planed smokers!

[SimplyKaar]

Even wooden and plastic are not allowed, karen? The last I saw, the TSA guidelines stated that only metal needles were banned.....


Nope :( I even specifically asked her about that aswell. I don't have those but I could always run to the craftstore and fine some if I could take those :) but no luck.
It seems that, at least Lufthansa, but most likely other airlines too, still have their strict rules in place.
It sometimes seems that European airlines are even held to stricter rules than American airlines from what I've seen and heard on the news sofar. I've read in different topics here that people had no problems taking their knittingstuff on board with them on national flights.

Oh well, this will give me the chance to catch up on my reading. I have been neglecting my "still to be read" pile for a while already :)

[yellowness]

If you're a rebel, you could always get the most non-threatening knitting kit you can think up and bring them anyway. ALong with a self-addressed stamped envelope, that is.

I've noticed for these things that the actual strict rule might be one thing, but the real world application of the rules may be different. The actual air line safety checker might not care at all that you have them, as the airline stewards might not care. And, if something should go wrong, you can mail them home in one piece. (Or, if you focused on only bringing an inexpensive kit, just pitching it if they give you hassel)

I know that as a verterinary nurse, I have to stick REAL close to hospital policies when I'm talking to a client, when in reality there might be some wiggle room on various things... I may *know* that the doctor will help someone with something that technically bends rules, but I can't exactly tell them that... Politics and the threat of leagal action at its worst, perhaps, but reality none the same.

[happenin]

Even wooden and plastic are not allowed, karen? The last I saw, the TSA guidelines stated that only metal needles were banned.....

Although, today the new law about no lighters or matches, even on CHECKED luggage went into effect. Airport giftshops are gonna make a MINT off of recently de-planed smokers!
OOOoooooh how 'bout it Kel?!!!!! So verrrrrry, verrrrrry TRUE....hmmmm maybe this might give one of us an idea if there's an open shop spot in our nearest airport?

2 "must-have's" within the inventory: smoking supplies and knitting/crocheting notions.

SimplyKaar

In answer to your original question, have you thought of hot pads to go along with your tea cozies, as Yellowness mentions? I've noticed a number of patterns for them on the web and they'll work up in a snap.

About your in-flight knitting needs, have you thought of plastic's? I'd say they'd let you take these (http://www.yarn.com/popups/knitting/susanBatesHooks.html) on board. It looks like it would be expensive to buy them from a US web merchant, but if you really want them and can't find them closer to home, you can buy them here (http://www.herrschners.com/search.aspx?q=crystalites&tab=) in individual sizes or grouped in smaller and larger size packs. Don't let the US sizes scare you off, each one is also marked in MM's. Since I have both the small and large packs, let me know if you need information about which US size(s) you're looking for in MM(s).

Victoise

Acrylic or not, love the warmer.....nice style! I'm not a coffee drinker, but that gadget next to the warmer looks very interesting!

[carollovesyarn]

I think a lot of knitted kitchen items are made with cotton because it washes clean so well.

Carol

[higgsri]

Old thread, but I have something to contribute:
I have knitted garments (sweaters, waistcoats) and socks with cotton yarn and have found:

1) Bamboo needles (especially with some "wear" in them, so that the tips are smooth and hardened) are my preference for knitting with cotton). I find that cotton yarn tends to split and slip more easily on metal needles - it doesn't have the inherent friction of animal or for-knit artificial fibers.

2) Not all cotton knitting yarns are created equal, and it's not safe to bet that you get what you pay for: I have found some cheaper 100% cotton yarns that are better to work with than some expensive ones. Look for well-twisted yarn, as loosely spun fibers are more difficult to work. "Brushed", fluffier, rather than mercerised, cotton yarns are also easier to knit.

3) Tension: I have used both English and Continental methods for knitting cotton, and found that the looser tension of Continental is actually easier to knit, and more comfortable to wear. (Don't let anyone fool you that knitting cotton yarn is easier than animal fibers - it simply doesn't stretch while you're working it, so it does take slightly more effort, time and concentration). That said, the recommendation for knitting tighter with cotton probably comes from the fact that the slightest flaw in tension, picked up, or accidentally twisted stitch shows up a lot more easily with cotton yarn, so tighter tension can hide some of those flaws. Consistent tension is very important with cotton yarn. ALWAYS knit a tension square first if deviating from the yarn in the pattern, and adjust needle sizes accordingly to match the pattern gauge (or adjust the pattern if you are brave enough). Some cottons that are sold as DK actually knit up better as 4-ply or sport-weight.

4) Buy in bulk! Many good cotton yarns are discontinued quickly, so if you find one that you like using, buy up a goodly stock for future projects.

5) Cotton will shrink when washed - it's a fact of life. Always wash, block and press work before sewing it up. This does help to shake out some of the inevitable unevenness, too.

6) Don't expect a cotton garment to be as warm or as waterproof as wool or alpaca (or - yuck - acrylic). Knit or design accordingly. A thick cotton aran-type sweater looks and feels beautiful, but is much heavier, and not as warm.

7) Some interesting blends of other fibers with cotton (silk, nylon, dralon, wool...) can make the yarn easier to work and give interesting textures and feels. Bamboo-cotton mixes in my experience just make the difficulties of knitting with cotton that much worse. Acrylic-cotton blends may be easier to knit, but personally I loathe acrylic for many reasons.

8) I've never had a problem getting bamboo knitting needles onto an aeroplane, local or international, even under orange security alert in the US. Don't wave them about as you go through security, though: keep them in your carry-on bag. Plastic needles often have metal wire cores, so may seem less innocuous to security staff.