As much as we love real wool yarns, we've also got a bit of a soft spot for cotton yarns too! From lightweight lace to big and chunky projects, there's a whole host of different types of cotton yarn available. When it comes to summer crochet projects, cotton yarns are the perfect choice as they're cool and breathable, but they're also perfect for projects that you need to have a bit of strength. We're also seeing a positive trend of cotton yarns being made from recycled cotton fibres or organic cotton. So to help you find the perfect yarn for your next project, we've picked some of our favourite cotton yarns in a range of weights for you to try!
If you know what weight of cotton yarn you need, use these handy links to jump to the section you want!
If you're looking for more advice for your yarn choices, check out our guide to choosing the best yarn for crochet, or take out look at our picks of the best crochet thread and crochet lace yarns, best hand-dyed yarns and best yarn packs and yarn bundles.
Best Chunky cotton yarns
DMC Natura XL Chunky cotton yarn
The DMC Natura Just Cotton range comes in a couple of different weights of 100% cotton, but their Natura XL range is great for super-size stitches! This brilliant super-chunky weight yarn has a woven-rope style structure and a lovely matte finish, while still remaining nice and soft. It's also Oeko-Tex certified, meaning you know there's been no nasty chemicals involved in the production!
Buy DMC Natura XL Chunky yarn from Amazon
Hoooked Spesso chunky cotton yarn
If you're after a super-strong and chunky cotton yarn, then you'll love the Hoooked Spesso Chunky Cotton. It's a really fun yarn to crochet with and is perfect for making sturdy rugs or plant pots, as well as being a fabulous cord for using for Macramé too! And perhaps the best part, it's made from 100% recycled cotton without any water waste - making it a great eco-friendly yarn!
Buy Hoooked Spesso Chunky Cotton yarn from Amazon
Unique yarns chunky cotton yarn
We're big fans of Unique Yarns Co, as they not only create amazing yarns but always impress with their intriguing dyes and fibres. This 100% cotton yarn is a fabulously chunky ribbon-style yarn and is dyed using... cacao powder - that's right, it even smells of chocolate!!! The yarn is very colourfast so you'll retain the fab colours, and if chocolate's not your thing they've got plenty of other hand-painted cotton yarns in a range of styles and colours (there's even a coffee one too!)
Buy Unique Yarns Chunky cotton yarn on Etsy
Rico Design Creative So Cool + So Soft Cotton chunky yarn
This interesting 100% cotton yarn from Rico Design is perfect for chunky makes, plus it'll help to give them an interesting texture too! It's made up of a thick and thin ply structure, where you have a loose plump roving-style main strand which is contained by a thin strand wrapped around it. The result is a yarn that has a slightly wavy look to it, and the use of the loose twist and roving style means it'll be both soft and cool (hence the name), but also that extra bit lighter than a conventional chunky cotton yarn.
Buy Rico Design Creative So Cool + So Soft Cotton chunky yarn from Lovecrafts
Best Aran cotton yarns
Scheepjes Cahlista Aran Natural cotton yarn
When it comes to cotton yarns in a huge range of colours, you can't go wrong with Scheepjes! Available in a huge 109 colours, the Scheepjes Cahlista is a versatile un-mercerised cotton yarn with a great twist. It's also double-gassed, which is a process where the yarn is passed over a naked flame twice to singe away any random or excess fibres giving you a lovely smooth feeling yarn!
Buy Scheepjes Cahlista Aran Natural cotton yarn from WoolWarehouse
Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton
The Shiny Happy Cotton from Wool and the Gang is a beautifully soft Aran weight cotton yarn that is perfect for your summer crochet projects. It's got a lovely sleek feel and create fabrics with a brilliant drape, plus is available in a range of solid and spotty shades.
Buy Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton from Wool and the Gang
Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran yarn
When you're working on a big project such as a garment or blanket and need multiple balls of yarn, it's easy for the price to quickly rack up. So if you're after a quality 100% cotton Aran yarn that has a remarkably affordable price tag, then look no further than Paintbox Yarns and their Cotton Aran yarn. The 50g balls are available in 65 solid shades, so whether you're going for a rainbow of bright bold colours or want to use a range of pretty pastel shades, there's plenty for you to choose from!
Buy Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran yarn from Lovecrafts
Flora Fibres recycled cotton aran yarn
If you're after an Aran cotton yarn that is not only made from recycled fibres, but is also made using only natural dyes, then you should definitely check out this amazing yarn from Flora Fibres. Dyed using natural and botanical Indigo and Weld, it's got fantastic colour variegation and is super eco-friendly. There's 20 different shades of this recycled cotton range that are all dyed using botanical dyes!
Buy Flora Fibres recycled cotton aran yarn on Etsy
Drops Paris Aran yarn
For those of you who are looking for a 100% cotton yarn but need to stick to a tight budget, then the Drop Paris yarn is a great Aran yarn that you can treat yourself to without breaking the bank. These fabulous 50g balls generally cost less than £1 (prices vary from different retailers) and come with 75 metres on them, so you can take your pick of the 51 different colours available and still have some change left over. Plus it's another Oeko-tek certified yarn, which is always good to know but also means it's suitable for babies and those with sensitive skin,
Buy Drops Paris Aran yarn from Wool Warehouse
Best DK cotton yarns
Ricorumi DK cotton yarn
When it comes to DK cotton yarn, there's a few options available, but for those who love amigurumi then the Ricorumi yarn from Rico Designs is made especially for you! These dinky 25g/57m balls of yarn come in at a very affordable price (RRP 99p), and are available in 60 shades so you have plenty of options for your colourful amigurumi characters. With a nice reliable twist and smooth finish, it'll have your amigurumi looking tip-top!
Buy Ricorumi DK cotton yarn from Lovecrafts
Sirdar Happy cotton DK yarn
Here's another yarn that comes in cute little balls and a bargain price! These little 20g balls are perfect for your everyday DK crochet projects, giving you a smooth and soft finish. There's over 50 shades available, from pretty pastels to bright tones - perfect for hooking up colourful granny squares with!
Buy Sirdar Happy cotton DK yarn from Lovecrafts
King Cole Cottonsoft DK yarn
For some people 100% cotton yarns can feel a little bit rough to the touch, but that's not a problem with the King Cole Cottonsoft DK yarn. Specifically designed to give you a soft finish, it's perfect for baby or summer projects that are going to be close to skin and is available in a range of pastel, natural and primary colours.
Buy King Cole Cottonsoft DK yarn from TheKnittingNetwork
Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton DK yarn
This 100% organic cotton yarn from the Stylecraft Naturals range is a brilliant DK yarn that is soft and creates fabrics with a lovely relaxed drape. Available in 36 shades ranging from subtle pastels to deep bright shades in 50g balls. There's also a fab bamboo and cotton blend yarn in the Naturals range too!
Buy Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton DK yarn from TheKnittingNetwork
Sirdar Snuggly 100% cotton DK yarn
You may have already come across some of the Sirdar Snuggly range, which is available in a huge range of fibres and yarns - from Cashmere Merino to Acrylic blends. They also have a fabulous 100% cotton yarn in the Snuggly range, which is soft and smooth and features a nicely defined twist as well as being available in 24 colours.
Buy Sirdar Snuggly 100% cotton DK yarn from Lovecrafts
We Are Knitters The Cotton DK yarn
If you're after a yarn that's full of colourful character, then you'll love The Cotton from We Are Knitters. Made from 100% Pima cotton from Peru, this hand painted cotton comes in 3 variations each with their own individual charming colour splashes. You can also buy The Cotton in solid shades too - why not try mixing them up together!
Buy We Are Knitters The Cotton DK yarn on Etsy
Debbie Bliss Cotton DK yarn
Debbie Bliss is known for producing top quality yarns in beautiful colour palettes, and her Cotton DK range is no exception. This DK yarn is slightly thicker than your average dk weight (but not to the level of Aran yarns) so your stitches will feel nice and full, and with 15 shades in her signature style to choose from, it's the perfect choice for your special knitting or crochet projects.
Buy Debbie Bliss Cotton DK yarn from Lovecrafts
Best 4ply cotton yarn
King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply
The Giza 4ply yarn from King Cole is a great go-to yarn for any 4ply projects. This fabulous mercerised Egyptian cotton yarn is lightweight, smooth and consistent, and really shows off your stitches! Available in 39 deep and rich shades, these 50g/158m balls will be a welcome addition to any yarn stash!
Buy King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply from Lovecrafts
Scheepjes Catona 4ply cotton
Here's another yarn from Scheepjes that again gives colour-lovers a whole load of options! With over 100 shades available, the Scheepjes Catona is a fantastic 4ply mercerised cotton that is available in 10g, 25g and 50g balls, and even as a colour pack featuring the full set of all 109 colours in their 'Cutie Pie' 10g balls!
Buy Scheepjes Catona 4ply cotton from TheKnittingNetwork
Rowan Summerlite 4ply Cotton yarn
If you're looking for a 4ply cotton that is perfect for summer shawls and lacy stitches, then the Rowan Summerlite 4ply cotton is a brilliant choice. This lightweight Matte yarn is available in 24 colours and give you lovely stitch definition, so you can really show off those intricate stitches!
Buy Rowan Summerlite 4ply Cotton yarn from Lovecrafts
Weavers Cottage hand dyed Pima cotton yarn
We had to include one more 4ply cotton for all of you who love that extra splash of colour! This hand-dyed Pima cotton from the Weavers Cottage is full of colourful speckles and splashes, and the skein comes with 400 metres on it so you'll get plenty of colourful yarn to work with!
Buy Weavers Cottage hand dyed Pima cotton yarn on Etsy
Yarn and Colors Must-Have 4ply Cotton yarn
Yarn and Colors Must-Have cotton is another brilliant choice for all you colour-lovers! With a huge 125 shades of solid colours to choose from you're spoilt for choice, perfect for making your own colourful gradient stripes! The yarn is a top quality mercerised 4ply cotton that feel smooth and silky to work with. You can also get super-cute 10g mini balls of this yarn called Must-Have Mini's, which not only look sweet but are great for colour testing or if you just need a tiny amount of one colour.
Buy Yarn and Colors Must-Have 4ply Cotton yarn from Lovecrafts
Best Lace cotton yarn
Scheepjes Maxi Sweet treat lace yarn
When it comes to working intricate lace projects, cotton is a great choice as it'll make sure those fancy stitches are nice and strong! It'll come as no surprise by now that Scheepjes make a fabulous crochet lace yarn - the Maxi Sweet Treat yarn! It's a 25g/140m gorgeous mercerised cotton yarn that comes in 87 different shades, and can also be bought as a Maxi Sugar Rush 50g/280m ball or a Maxi 100g/560m ball.
Buy Scheepjes Maxi Sweet treat lace yarn from WoolWarehouse
DMC Petra crochet thread/lace yarn
The world of laceweight yarn and crochet thread can get a bit confusing, as yarns that describe themselves as 'crochet thread' can come in some ever-so-slightly different thicknesses. Fortunately DMC have you covered - their Petra crochet thread comes in 3 sizes (3, 5 and 8 - the lower the number the thicker the thread). It's a fabulously strong and supple thread and is available in 60 shades in 100g balls.
Buy DMC Petra crochet thread/lace yarn from DMC
Rico Essentials Crochet thread
Another of our favourite crochet threads is the Rico Essentials Crochet thread. Equivalent to crochet cotton size number 10, it's a super-fine thread that is strong, has a lovely mercerised sheen and comes in some fabulous deep colours. Available in 19 shades in 50g/280m balls.
Buy Rico Essentials Crochet thread from Wool Warehouse
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best cotton yarns, don’t forget if you need any help with your crochet stitches you can always check out our crochet for beginners guide. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, check out our list of the best crochet hooks and the best crochet kits for beginners.
