Which Yarn Is Right For Me?
Not sure which yarn is the best choice for your project? You're in the right place.
At IBM Yarns, our cotton yarns come in different fibres, weights and textures, each with its own strengths. Whether you're looking for luxurious softness, beautiful drape, everyday versatility or a chunky yarn that works up quickly, there's a cotton yarn for you.
Start Here: Which Cotton Is Right for You?
I want the softest, most luxurious cotton
Choose: Peruvian Pima Cotton
Our Peruvian Pima Cotton is our premium cotton range. It's exceptionally soft, with a smooth, silky appearance, while still being durable enough for everyday making.
It's a beautiful choice when softness and a luxurious finish are important.
Best for:
Garments · Shawls · Lightweight projects · Amigurumi · Accessories
Available in: 2 ply/Lace · 4 ply/Fingering · 8 ply/DK · DK Air
I want versatile, everyday cotton
Choose: Classic Cotton
Our Classic Cotton is a premium Australian 100% cotton yarn with a soft feel and beautiful stitch definition.
It's a wonderfully versatile choice for garments, blankets and everyday crochet and knitting projects.
Best for:
Garments · Blankets · Crochet · Knitting · Everyday projects
Available in: 4 ply/Fingering · 8 ply/DK · 10 ply/Worsted · Super Bulky
Choosing Your Yarn Weight
Still not sure what the different ply and weights mean? Here's a simple starting point.
2 ply / Lace
Light, delicate and beautifully drapey.
Pima 2 ply/Lace is super lightweight, with well-defined lace stitches and a beautiful drape.
Great for: shawls, lace projects and lightweight summer garments.
4 ply / Fingering
Lightweight with beautiful drape.
A lovely choice when you want a soft, lightweight fabric without the bulk of a heavier yarn.
Great for: lightweight garments, delicate projects and fine crochet or knitting.
8 ply / DK
The versatile all-rounder.
8 ply/DK is one of the most versatile choices in the range. Pima DK has a tighter twist that creates a lovely, slightly more structured fabric, while still being soft and comfortable.
It's also particularly well suited to crochet, accessories and amigurumi.
Great for: garments, crochet, knitting, accessories, blankets and amigurumi.
DK Air
Soft, plump and beautifully squishy.
DK Air is made from 100% Pima Cotton and has a soft twist that gives it a velvety, plump texture.
It creates a lovely soft fabric and is especially beautiful when you want a little extra volume.
Great for: soft garments, accessories and projects where you want a plush texture.
10 ply / Worsted
A little more weight and structure.
Classic Cotton 10 ply/Worsted is a versatile Australian cotton with more substance than 8 ply.
Great for: heavier garments, blankets and projects where you want a little more structure.
Super Bulky
Chunky, soft and FAST!
Want to see your project grow quickly? Super Bulky is the one.
This chunky Classic Cotton has a lace strand of cotton spun around it for extra strength and works up quickly with a 6.5 mm needle or hook.
Great for: chunky blankets, beanies, scarves, jumpers and other cosy projects.
Still Not Sure?
Don't worry, you don't need to be a yarn expert to choose the right yarn.
Want luxury and exceptional softness?
→ Peruvian Pima Cotton
Want a versatile Australian cotton for everyday projects?
→ Classic Cotton
Want something lightweight and drapey?
→ Pima Lace or Fingering
Want the most versatile option?
→ 8 ply / DK
Want something soft, plump and velvety?
→ DK Air
Want something chunky that works up quickly?
→ Super Bulky
Looking for colour rather than a particular yarn?
That's okay too! Sometimes you fall in love with the colour first. Browse all of our hand-dyed cotton yarns and choose the base that suits your project.
Want the technical details?
For yarn weights, meterage, tension and recommended hook/needle sizes, visit our Yarn Bases page.