Which cotton yarn is best? Choosing Between Cotton 8 Ply and Spring Cotton 8 Ply

Have you seen our newest Bendigo Woollen Mills knitting and crochet yarn, Spring Cotton 8 Ply? This Limited Edition cotton range features a dash of Lycra to add some spring and texture. It's a different take on our Cotton 8 ply, which is 100% Cotton in a soft, smoothly plied construction. 

If you're wondering which yarn is best for your next knit or crochet creative project, read on! We’ll explore the key differences between Spring Cotton 8 Ply and our standard Cotton 8 Ply, so you can choose the perfect yarn for your next great creation. 

Which cotton yarn is best? Choosing Between Cotton 8 Ply and Spring Cotton 8 Ply 

Yarn Composition and Stretch 

Our Bendigo Woollen Mills Spring Cotton 8 Ply includes 0.4% Lycra alongside 99.6% cotton. This small addition has a big impact in terms of the texture, performance, and appearance of your finished project. 

Compared to 100% Cotton 8 Ply, Spring Cotton offers more overall stretch and bounce, making it more forgiving when worn. Additionally, it easily retains its intended shape even after numerous washes, ensuring your hard work in your knitted or crocheted creations last longer. 

The Miles Tee in Spring Cotton 8 ply (Electric Blue).

Yarn Texture 

The Lycra in Spring Cotton draws in the cotton fibers, resulting in a fuller, lightly textured finish. It looks slightly waved in the strand. This makes Spring Cotton ideal for casual garments. If you sometimes struggle with achieving neat, even stitches, Spring Cotton may be the perfect solution as it’s more forgiving than cotton. 

With a different finish, our Cotton 8 ply features a smooth, soft construction that shows off intricate stitch patterns beautifully, with each stitch clearly defined and visible.

In contrast, Spring Cotton 8 Ply’s fuller, textured finish will make any uneven stitches less prominent for a more consistent fabric. However, this can make detailed lace or cable patterns less pronounced and visible.

So if you love showcasing intricate designs, you might want to stick with our Cotton 8 Ply. Or if you don’t enjoy the showthrough of the ‘holes’ in lacework, Spring Cotton is a better choice as it closes these in somewhat.

Left: Cotton 8 ply (Smokey Blue). Right: Spring Cotton 8 ply (Fern Green).

This swatch shows Spring Cotton 8 ply (top) and Cotton 8 ply (bottom).

Yarn Colour Palette 

Both yarn ranges offer stunning shades, but Spring Cotton 8 Ply features a curated palette of 12 vibrant colors. From fresh greens and cool blues to playful pinks, purples, and rosy hues, these shades are perfect for adding a lively, springtime feel to your knit or crochet projects. If you’re looking to refresh your color collection with something a bit different, Spring Cotton's bright options are sure to inspire!

If you are looking for a wider colour palette, with some more varied tones, then the 29 colours in our regular Cotton will be ideal.

Drape and Fabric Properties in finished pieces 

Cotton is known for its beautiful drape, allowing garments to fall gracefully when worn. However, over time, cotton can stretch slightly after washing. The addition of Lycra in Spring Cotton 8 Ply helps garments retain shape better after repeated wear and washing, but the thicker, fuller texture means it may not drape as fluidly as pure cotton.

Increasing the needle size of your project will help you get a better drape with Spring Cotton 8 ply if that’s what you choose to use, but be sure to swatch first to get your desired measurements on your knit or crochet pattern 

If you’re aiming for a gentle, flowing silhouette in your designs, our standard Cotton 8 Ply may be the better choice. On the other hand, Spring Cotton excels in patterns that require a tighter fabric and more rigid structure, making it perfect for projects like structured tops or casual vests. 

 Left: the Nancy Lace Tee in Spring Cotton 8 ply (Rich Rose). Right: the Caroline Tee in Cotton 8 ply (Peacock).

Both Cotton 8 Ply and Spring Cotton 8 Ply are fantastic yarns suitable for different types of projects.

Whether you prefer the crisp definition and silky smoothness of pure cotton or the stretchy, textured comfort of Spring Cotton, they are both fabulous options. Consider your knit or crochet project’s unique attributes, choose the best yarn and colour you love...and happy crafting!