May
Cotton yarn is basically the only thing you wanna use in summer
So cotton yarn is like, completely different from acrylic and once you try it for summer stuff you’re not going back. It breathes way better and doesn’t make you feel like you’re wrapped in plastic. I made this market bag last summer – actually it was June 2024 right when it got stupidly hot – and I used Lily Sugar’n Cream because that’s what was on sale at Joann’s and honestly it worked perfectly fine.
The thing with cotton is it doesn’t have any stretch to it really. Like acrylic has that give when you’re working with it but cotton just sits there. You gotta get used to that because your tension is gonna feel different and your hands might get tired faster. I definitely noticed my right hand cramping up more than usual but whatever, you adjust.
Market bags are the most practical thing
Everyone does market bags for a reason. They’re actually useful and you can mess up the pattern a bit and it still works because it’s supposed to be stretchy and flexible anyway. The basic idea is you work in the round to make the bottom, then go up the sides with a mesh stitch pattern. For mesh you’re basically doing chains and double crochets with spaces between them.
Start with a magic ring or chain 4 and slip stitch to connect. Then do increases in rounds until you get the size bottom you want – like maybe 8-10 inches across. For a circle you’re gonna increase evenly… usually you start with 12 stitches in round 1, then in round 2 you do 2 dc in each stitch (24 total), round 3 you do *2dc in one stitch, 1dc in next stitch* around (36 total). Keep going with that pattern.
Once your circle is big enough stop increasing and just work even for one round. Then switch to the mesh pattern which is like: ch 2, skip 2 stitches, dc in next stitch, repeat around. Next round you do dc in the dc from previous round, ch 2, and keep going. This creates the stretchy net part.
The handles are just long chains that you attach on opposite sides. I usually do like chain 40 or 50 depending on how long I want them. You can make them sturdier by going back and doing single crochet along the chain but honestly I never bother.
Dishcloths are boring but quick
I know dishcloths sound super boring and like something your grandma makes but they’re actually good starter projects for cotton yarn. They work up fast – maybe an hour or two – and you can try different stitch patterns without committing to a huge project.
Peaches & Creme is another cheap cotton brand that works for these. It’s basically the same as Lily Sugar’n Cream, maybe even made by the same company? The colors are kinda limited but whatever it’s a dishcloth.
Simple pattern: chain like 30 or 35, then just do rows of single crochet back and forth until it’s square. That’s it. You can do double crochet if you want more holes for scrubbing. Some people do this waffle stitch thing where you alternate front post and back post double crochets but that seemed like too much thinking when I tried it.
One thing that annoyed me SO much about making dishcloths is how the cotton yarn splits constantly when you’re working with it. Like you’re going along fine and then your hook catches just part of the yarn and splits it and you gotta back up and fix it. This happened less with the Lily Sugar’n Cream than with some random organic cotton I tried once, but it still happens.
Crop tops if you’re into that
I made a crop top in spring 2022 when I was really into watching Great British Bake Off for some reason – just had it on in the background constantly – and it actually turned out decent. Cotton is good for wearables in summer because again, it breathes and doesn’t make you sweaty.
For a basic crop top you need to know your measurements. Measure around your bust and decide how long you want it. Most patterns have you start at the bottom and work up. You can work in rows (back and forth) or in the round depending on if you want a seam or not.
The pattern I used was just double crochet in rows. Chain enough to go around your bust with some negative ease (like make it 2-3 inches smaller than your actual measurement because cotton stretches when you wear it). Then just work back and forth in double crochet. Every few rows you might need to decrease a little if you want it fitted under the bust.
For straps you can do thin straps by just chaining and slip stitching back along the chain, or make wider straps by doing several rows of single crochet. I did the thin ones because I was lazy and also they look cuter honestly.
The annoying part about tops is you really gotta try it on as you go. Like every few inches stop and hold it up to yourself or actually put it on to check the fit. I didn’t do this enough and mine ended up a little too long so it wasn’t really a crop top, more like a regular short top.
Summer shawls or wraps
These are nice for when you’re somewhere with aggressive AC. Light cotton shawl doesn’t make you hot but keeps the freezing air off your shoulders. Triangle shawls are easiest – you start at one point and increase on every row until it’s big enough.
Basic triangle: Chain 4, turn. Row 1: dc in 4th chain from hook (counts as 2 dc). Row 2: ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same stitch, dc in next dc, 2 dc in top of turning chain. You’re increasing 2 stitches every row, one on each end.
Keep going until it’s as wide as you want. Could be like 50-60 rows depending on your yarn weight. Sport weight cotton works nice for this because it’s lighter than worsted.
I used We Are Knitters cotton for one of these and it was really nice quality but expensive. Like $8-9 per ball and I needed 4 balls. Definitely not necessary, the cheap stuff works fine too but the texture was softer.
Tank tops are basically the same as crop tops but longer
If you can make a crop top you can make a tank. Just keep going longer. The tricky part is the armholes. You gotta leave openings for your arms obviously.
When you get to armhole height, work across like normal until you’re at the spot where the armhole should start. Then chain like 15-20 (depending how big you want the armhole), skip that many stitches, and continue working across the rest. Next row you’ll work into those chains to create the gap.
Do the same thing on the other side. Then keep working back and forth until it’s long enough to cover your torso. The neckline is similar – you just stop working in the center stitches and work each side separately for the last few rows.
My dog kept trying to lay on my project while I was making a tank last summer and getting her fur all in it which was super annoying because cotton picks up EVERYTHING. Like any little hair or dust or whatever just sticks right in there.
Baby stuff if you know anyone with a baby
Cotton is good for baby things because it’s soft and washable and not scratchy. Plus no allergy issues usually. Baby blankets are straightforward – just make a rectangle. Could do all single crochet, or granny squares, or whatever pattern you want.
Size-wise baby blankets are usually like 30×40 inches or so? Don’t quote me on that but somewhere in that range. Small enough that it doesn’t take forever but big enough to actually be useful.
I made a baby blanket with this variegated cotton yarn – I think it was Caron Simply Soft? Wait no that’s acrylic. Maybe it was Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in that ombre color. Anyway it had pastels fading into each other and looked really nice without me having to do any color changes.
You can also make little baby hats which are quick. Just make a circle like you would for the bottom of a market bag but smaller, then work even (no increases) for a few inches to create the sides. Add a little tie or pom pom on top if you want.
Coasters because you need something to do with scraps
Cotton yarn scraps are perfect for coasters. Just make little circles or squares, maybe 4 inches across. Single crochet works fine, or you can get fancy with different stitches but why bother really.
For circles: magic ring, 8 sc into ring. Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (16 total). Round 3: *sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch* around (24 total). Round 4: *sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch* around (32 total). That’s probably big enough.
For squares: chain 4, slip stitch to form ring. Round 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, *3 dc in ring, ch 2* three more times, slip stitch to top of starting chain. Round 2: slip stitch to corner space, ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same space, *dc in next 3 dc, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in corner space* around. Keep going for another round or two.
The nice thing about cotton for coasters is it actually absorbs water from your glass instead of just sitting there being useless like acrylic would.
Placemats if you’re feeling ambitious
Same concept as coasters but bigger. Like 12×18 inches maybe. You can work them flat in rows or do them in rounds like a giant coaster. I started making a set of 4 once but only finished 2 because I got bored… they’re still in my closet somewhere.
The tedious part is you really need all 4 (or 6 or however many you want) to match pretty closely. So you gotta pay attention to your stitch count and make sure each one is the same size. Otherwise it looks weird on your table.
Face scrubbies for the eco-conscious people
These are literally just tiny circles like 3 inches across. People use them instead of cotton rounds to take off makeup or whatever. You make a bunch and then wash and reuse them.
Same pattern as coasters but stop after like 2 or 3 rounds so they stay small. Super quick, you could make one in 10 minutes probably. Good gift if you need something fast and cheap.
Use soft cotton for these, not the rough dishcloth kind. Like I Am Cotton or Paintbox Cotton are both nice and soft. The Sugar’n Cream type cotton is too rough for your face.
Beach cover-ups or kimonos
These are easier than you’d think. Basically you make a big rectangle, fold it in half, and sew up the sides partway to create armholes. Or don’t sew them at all and just let it hang open like a cardigan.
The rectangle should be like… hmm, maybe 40 inches wide and 30 inches long? You can adjust based on your size. Work it in rows of whatever stitch you want. V-stitch creates a nice drapey look – that’s [dc, ch 1, dc] all in the same stitch, then skip 2 stitches and repeat.
You could add fringe to the bottom by cutting yarn pieces and attaching them with a lark’s head knot. That gives it a beachy vibe I guess.
Storage baskets for organizing stuff
Cotton makes sturdy baskets because it doesn’t stretch out like acrylic. You can make them stiff by using two strands held together or by working really tight stitches.
Start with a circle or oval base depending on what shape you want. Then work even (no increases) to build up the sides. The height is up to you – could be short and wide or tall and narrow.
For handles you can either make them as you go by chaining at the top edge, or sew them on after. I usually do the chain method because I’m not gonna remember to add handles later.
These baskets are good for holding bathroom stuff or yarn scraps or whatever. I have one on my coffee table with remotes in it which sounds super domestic but it actually does keep things organized.
You can leave them natural cotton color or get colored cotton yarn. Just know that cotton fades faster than acrylic if it’s sitting in sunlight. My dark blue basket turned kinda grayish after a year on my windowsill.
Headbands for keeping hair back
Simple cotton headbands are just long strips that you tie or sew into a circle. Chain like 10-15 stitches, then work in rows of single crochet until it’s long enough to go around your head. Sew the ends together.
You can make them wider or thinner depending on the look you want. Wider ones stay in place better but might be too warm. Thin ones are more like a boho accessory thing.
Add a button or flower or whatever if you want decoration but honestly plain works fine too.
