Basta overheating! 4 cotton-wool yarn test results.
Hello, my fellow knitter.
The inspiration for this Esenote began during the Christmas holidays when my husband, Alex, and I visited a charming little pastry shop. You know, the kind with vintage teacups and the sweet scent of apple pastries floating through the air. 🥧
It was the ideal chance to wear my new First Star sweater, knitted with the softest Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino and Soft Mohair.
We ordered a few treats and a cappuccino, but I quickly began to overheat in my wool sweater. Rolling up my sleeves and tugging at the neckline didn’t bring any relief, and taking it off wasn’t an option—of course, I had an old t-shirt underneath.
Alex, sitting comfortably in his cotton H&M hoodie, looked on in confusion as I hurried through my pastry. Lesson learned: wool sweaters and cozy cafés don’t always mix.
I decided to explore some of the most popular cotton-wool yarn blends, knitting swatches to see if any could rival pure wool. Spoiler: I found a true gem! Let me walk you through my findings, one by one.
1. The first yarn I tried was Sandnes Garn Duo, a 55% merino wool and 45% cotton blend, and honestly, it feels like the kind of yarn that works effortlessly for all kinds of projects.
From the first few rows, I knew this was a no-fuss yarn. The cotton adds a slight crispness to the fabric, while the merino lends a gentle fluff, creating a soft but structured result. I’d definitely recommend this to beginners—its smooth texture makes it forgiving, with polished, even stitches.
Each 50g skein provides 115 meters (126 yards) and knits beautifully on 3.5-4 mm needles. It’s already on my list for future designs! I plan to use it in my Essential Knits series for a basic v-neck raglan sweater, coming in September 2025.
For inspiration, here are a few adventurous beginner patterns for this yarn:
- Never Ending Story Sweater by Susanne Müller – A stylish v-neck in half-brioche stitch and i-cord, for confident beginners. If you’re ready to move beyond stockinette, this is your pick!
- Anyday Sweatshirt by Ysolda Teague – A casual drop-shoulder sweater with a chic neck, perfect for everyday wear. Highly recommended for Ysolda’s thoughtful and clear instructions.
- 1911-7 Cardigan by Sandnes Garn – A straightforward raglan cardigan paired with mohair strand for a soft halo. This is a free pattern featuring a simple construction, with no buttons or buttonholes, making it a breeze to knit for beginners.
2. Next, I tried Drops Cotton Merino, a 50/50 cotton-merino blend. One of its best features is that it’s machine washable—a huge plus for garments you’ll wear often. The yarn has almost no wool halo, giving your stitches sharp, clear definition. If you have a project with cables, textured stitches, or even beginner lace, this yarn will truly make them shine.
That said, it’s not the easiest for beginners. Its sleek surface highlights every tiny imperfection, and it can stretch a bit after washing. Plus, it lacks the rustic charm of Sandnes Garn Duo, so if you’re after a more natural, earthy aesthetic, this might feel overly polished.
Each 50g skein gives you 110 meters (120 yards) and knits on 4 mm (US 6) needles, with a gauge of 21 stitches per 10 cm.
- If you’re ready to give it a try, start with My Very First Sweater by Ala Szyntor. It features a relaxed mock neck and long ribbed cuffs that add an elegant, tailored touch to the sleeves.
3. Then there’s Hobbii Garland, a blend of 70% cotton and 30% alpaca, which gives it a soft, fuzzy halo that makes even simple stockinette shine. It’s light and airy yet holds its shape, making it perfect for oversized, cozy sweaters.
Its tubular construction offers a bit of grip on the needles, which is great for beginners—it helps prevent slipping stitches. Plus, it’s super forgiving, so if you’re a relaxed knitter like me, it’ll smooth out any uneven tension. However, its halo might obscure fine details, so it’s better suited for simpler textures.
Each 50g skein provides 105 meters (114 yards) and knits up at a gauge of 19 stitches per 10 cm on 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.
- Take a peek at The Artist's Sweater, coming in Jan-Feb 2025, beautifully knitted by one of my talented test knitters using this yarn.
- Also, check the Soft Focus Hat—a free, beginner-friendly beanie pattern that perfectly showcases Garland’s depth.
4. Lastly, I’ve discovered a yarn that completely stole my heart: Katia Concept Cotton-Merino. This yarn feels truly luxurious. It’s a unique blend of cotton and extrafine merino, but what makes it stand out is the construction. The merino fibers are wrapped in a cotton net, giving it a soft texture that reminds me of silky velvet fabric. I’ve never come across a yarn more pleasant to touch.
I’ve already decided to use it for the second version of the English Club sweater, but honestly, I’m tempted to cast on everything with it right away.
You can start small, like I did, by ordering just one skein to try it out. Be sure to check online for availability in your country and verify the true color on Ravelry by searching through stashes or projects (type the color number in the search bar).
Though it has the characteristics of a blown yarn (check my Esenote about blown yarn for tips on lighter garments), it creates an even, smooth fabric, so I’d recommend it for beginners too. Details: 50g skein, 105 meters (115 yards), and a gauge of 16 stitches per 10 cm on 4.5–5 mm (US 7–8) needles.
After knitting three swatches on 4 mm (US 6), 4.5 mm (US 7), and 5 mm (US 8) needles, I settled on 5 mm for a gauge of 18 stitches per 10 cm. While the fabric isn’t overly dense, I’m hesitant to increase the needle size to achieve the recommended 16 stitches, as it might cause the garment to stretch too much.
- You’ll love this yarn for projects like the Klint cardigan by Mauricette C —its seamless design really highlights the beauty of this yarn. I checked the pattern to ensure it’s not too complicated and was thrilled to see it uses the same style of color numbers I use in my own patterns 😊. The pattern is wonderfully beginner-friendly and includes plenty of helpful videos.
❤️ I hope this newsletter has sparked some new ideas for your next project. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts or questions, I’m always here to cheer you on. Wishing you lots of joy and relaxation in your knitting this week. See you next Tuesday!
Warm regards,
Julia Piro
Knitwear Designer & Esenotes Curator
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