Over the past few months I’ve been researching cotton yarns for some market bags that I plan to make and thought I’d share what I’m learning. There are so many choices online these days but not many great choices locally or at least that is how I feel. Maybe I’m still grieving Joann’s! 🥹
Future me: I was wrong there are good options!
So I’ve been looking beyond my normal yarns and stretching outside my comfort zone. This post is part reflection and part review. Why just cotton, you ask?
In my research I found that most people agree that cotton is a better option over acrylic due to the stretchiness and durability factor. In this post by a fellow blogger, Mother Bunch, did a stretchiness test which only showed a small difference in stretchiness using acrylic yarn. But I still opted for cotton or a cotton blend.
Some of the things I want from the bag:
Michaels Loops & Threads Cotton/Bamboo
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
Lion Brand Pima
Lion Brand Coboo
Caron Cotton Cakes
YarnArt Jeans Crazy
Yarn Bee I Love This Cotton
The yarns I decided on are the following: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, YarnArt Jeans Crazy, and Yarn Bee I Love This Cotton. I wanted my review to include easily accessible yarns that are in the low/average price range. I know I said I preferred not to use Lion Brand 24/7 because of the texture but I liked it more than the other options; really a personal preference.
All the bags were made using the crochet pattern Maui Market Bag by Susan Kennedy of Pretty Peaceful. The pattern is easy to follow and flawless. I appreciate how she adds rows to reinforce the handles of the bag.
For the test I placed the bags on my coat rack hooks with 2 pounds of can good in them. I left them hanging for 2 weeks.
Yarn Bee I love This Cotton
100% cotton yarn #4 weight
13 in wide by 13 in tall, strap 7.5 inches
13.5 in wide by 13.5 in tall, strap 7.5 inches
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
Mercerized 100% cotton yarn #4 weight
Before test: 10 wide by 11 tall, straps 7 inches
After test: 10 wide by 13 tall, strap 8 inches
Yarn Art Jeans Crazy
55% cotton, 45 % acrylic yarn #2 weight
Before test: 11 in wide by 11 tall, straps 7 inches
After test: 11 wide by 12 tall, straps 9 inches
Yarn Bee wins this round with only stretching 1/2 inch of stretch over the two weeks. Pretty impressive, imho. Granted it was the thickest of the yarns. It worked up nicely, it is soft, and strong. I dont think the stitch definition is as nice as the other other two though.
I’d have to say that Lion Brand 24/7 and YarnArt Jeans Crazy tied for second place with 3 inches of total stretch each.
Overall, I think all three perform pretty good and I am happy with them all. But as far as stretch goes Yarn Bee does win!
I hope this will help you in your future decision making regarding materials for handmade market bags. I am definitely replacing all my store bought bags with these. They are functional and pretty.
Let me know in the comments which one you will give a try. If you have any questions that I didn’t cover please feel free to comment or email me.
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