Tahki Cotton Classic yarn has been a favorite of knitters and crocheters for decades. It comes in many beautiful colors, it’s machine washable, and it’s both soft and durable. Cotton Classic yarn is a DK-weight that can be knit at 5 to 5.5 stitches per inch. It’s wonderful for everything from baby clothes to men’s sweaters and from tote bags to blankets.
Cotton Classic yarn has the beautiful luster that it does because it is mercerized. Mercerization is a way of treating cotton fibers that causes them to become round and straight. The technique was developed by British scientist John Mercer and patented by him in 1851. But it wasn’t used much until 1890 when another British scientist, Horace Lowe, discovered that if you mercerized cotton fibers under tension, they would become lustrous. Cotton fibers mercerized this way also accept dye better resulting in more intense colors.
Because Cotton Classic yarn has existed for so many years, there are dozens of patterns for it. Here are just a few favorites.
Sweet Pea Hat by Susan B. Anderson
Susan uses a variety of DK-weight yarns in her children’s books – Itty Bitty Hats, Itty Bitty Nursery, and Itty Bitty Toys. They are all wonderful books with designs you’ll want to make again and again.
Fad Classic by Wendy Bernard
Fad Classic exemplifies Wendy’s great style. For more of her sweaters, and to learn how to design your own, check out her beautiful book, Custom Knits.
Mason Dixon Mitered Square Blanket
from Mason-Dixon Knitting
Kay and Ann aren’t afraid of a big project, as you can see. I think of starting a project like this as if I’m starting to read a novel. You’re going to live with it for a while, really get to know it, and have it with you for the rest of your life. Once you start seeing all of the possible color combinations, it’s really exciting.
Tahki Yarns
You’ll find several free sweater patterns from Tahki and, of course, a wealth of patterns available for sale.
If you’ve never knit or crocheted with Cotton Classic yarn, I hope you’ll give it a try. And whatever you make with it, send us a photo – we’d love to see!
Philadelphia magazine's Best of Philly 2010 - Best Way to Get Crafty!
