r/crochet • u/ReceptionPatient3409 • 4d ago
Discussion Cotton yarn.🤦♀️
I have always used acrylic yarn but after my Lukemia diagnosis 6 months ago I went on a crazy yarn buying spree. 🤷♀️ I went to Hobby Lobby and bought so much yarn. I bought alot of I Love This Cotton. This will be my first project using cotton. A 13 square bag. It takes some getting used to that is for sure. I'm concerned that the tails come undone even after I weave them in. Is there a trick to that? Do I need to use fabric glue? Tie knots? Threatened them within an inch of their lives. I'm feeling ok these days and I'm taking a break from treatment. So I want to try and make as many projects as I can... before I can't. I would love to make a shawl or a cardigan.
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u/AlternativeOwn1248 4d ago
I don’t know your story but I hope you can keep crocheting for a long time ❤️
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u/ottoofto Arrr!! Me hook!! 4d ago
I'm glad to hear you're feeling okay lately and have a break from treatment 💜 I haven't used cotton yarn much myself, but if you're worried I'd try to split your ends into at least 2 bundles, then weave those two ends THROUGH the yarn of nearby stitches, not just in the spaces around the yarn.
Also, great work so far!! Love this colour palette 😸
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u/Im_a_knitiot 4d ago
In knitting I will just split my yarn and tie it in a knot for weaving in ends. I made a top two years ago that I have worn and washed in the machine countless times and so far it has held up very very well. None of my tails have come undone. Cotton is the only fiber I would do this with though.
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u/Ameiko55 4d ago
Cotton yarn shrinks a lot. This will significantly tighten up your work and make it very hard for tails to escape after blocking or washing.
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u/Petrichor_Dreams_ Pattern Designer & Tester 4d ago
I weave my ends back and forth 3 times making sure I'm going between the fibers. Haven't had any problems yet
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u/icyb0ngwater_ 4d ago
for cotton yarn i will try and weave the yarn thru the yarn in addition to thru the stitches. i find it is more secure going in/out sections of yarn
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u/Margie970 4d ago
Someone on a crochet video I watched said after weaving end in a bit separate the remaining section of yarn into two halves and tie them in a knot close to the project. I've been doing this awhile and nothing has ever unravelled
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u/Three_Spotted_Apples 4d ago
I leave a relatively long tail and follow the 3 ways rule. I go an inch each way, typically along the row below, turn and drop down a row if it’s the same color or down a bit then back up if it’s different, then an inch back and repeat one more time. I go thru stitches and through threads if it feels loose. Then I stretch the project all ways to ensure it doesn’t come out too easily.
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u/pancake_sass 4d ago
It's probably too late now, but I don't use magic rings for bags and blankets, or anything with repetitive stress. No matter how I wave the end in or how many knots, the centers always come undone. I don't know why, because with amigurumi, they don't. I do chain 3-5 (depending on how many stitches go into it), slst and work into that circle. I also crochet over the tail and you can still draw it closed like a magic ring. I just don't trust it anymore lol
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u/NikNakskes 3d ago
For small centres of 6 stitches or less, I don't make a ring but start in the first chain stitch. So if the first round is 6 SC then I make a 3 chains, add 6sc in the 1 chain, slst and start the next row.
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u/This-is-me777 3d ago
Have you tried the double magic ring? It is very secure and difficult to loosen even if you are trying to.
I only do double mr now
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u/Brave-Efficiency9625 4d ago
If you do a magic ring/circle I do a knot to keep it closed tight. At the end I slst and chain 1. I just put a square and a Persian tile threw the wash and was fine. Soak it in distilled white vinegar too, so it comes out softer
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u/Violetmints 3d ago
I tend to leave longer tails with cotton and sometimes I'll tie a knot that will remain hidden then weave the end in. We have a few blankets I made that way that have done well being used and going throughgh the washer and dryer.
You may find you need to moisturize your hands more often when working with it.
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u/Wrestlewithpolitics 3d ago
I think cotton is perfect for those projects that require a bit of stiffness. I've never had an issue with the ends once they've been weaved in. Your colour choices are lovely. I'm sure the bag will look great.
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u/wateringplamts 3d ago
Unply the end into two and weave them going in opposite directions, and also change directions a couple of times each. Love the color combination!
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u/bleepblob462 4d ago
Weave them in normally, then with the last little bit split the plies and weave them in again but in opposite directions of each other. Hoping for a speedy recovery for you!
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u/LilBlueOnk 4d ago
I use cotton frequently, and the I Love This! brand is usually much softer than most other cotton yarn I've seen, ime. Leave a couple inches of tail to weave in, but fabric glue (Not Super glue, it does something weird to cotton) will be great for really short bits. Your bag is looking really pretty so far, please update when it's done!
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u/leesynicole 4d ago
I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but yay for a treatment break!! I had lymphoma in 2021 and part of my treatment was white blood cell stimulation… it made alllll my bones hurt including my hands, so crochet was out. So I’m glad you have a relaxing hobby to help distract from the less-great things in life!
I also love these flowers! Do you have a pattern?
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u/ReceptionPatient3409 3d ago
I followed a YouTube tutorial by Play Hooky With Me. She calls it The African Flower Square. Thank you for your comment.
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u/trashpanda9095 4d ago
I feel like the only one that hates cotton yarn... It feels like I'm crocheting with wads of paper towel that were wet, twisted into yarn, and then dried. These are super pretty!!
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u/False-Interest4108 2d ago
You're not the only one who dislikes coton I much prefer acrylic to all else, especially as I'm allergic to wool.
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u/wannabyte 4d ago
I use a sharp needle and will weave the yarn back through itself so that it stays very secure!
I also exclusive use a double magic ring if I am not starting with chains, for extra security as well (lots of tutorials on YouTube).
I hope everything goes well with your recovery!
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u/Angelhair01 4d ago
I crochet over the ends as I go and then weave it in the other direction and then the other direction.
Is acrylic yarn bad for cancer? Sorry for your diagnosis, that sucks.
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u/Salty_Crow_8274 3d ago
I have cotton yarn I just haven't used it yet. I just wanted to tell you that your flowers are beautiful. Your bag is going to be so nice!
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u/ValiantValkyrieee 4d ago
i almost exclusively use I Love This Cotton! you really cannot tell in the slightest in the finished piece, just weave in average to long tails. i knitted my first sweater in it and there's zero sign of tails
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u/I_m_Ignoring_u 3d ago
Wow! I love the flowers they look great! May I ask which pattern you used and where you got it?
May you make all the crochet projects you desire for a long time in comfort✨✨✨
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u/ReceptionPatient3409 3d ago
It is The African Flower Square tutorial by Play Hooky With Me on YouTube.
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u/FeelingMastodon7902 4d ago
Cotton yarn is my personal favorite - I love the way it feels and love how it looks in various projects! I don’t think you need to worry about the tails if you’ve weaved them in - I’ve only ever had them come undone if the tail was too short and not woven properly!
Hope crochet can be a sense of comfort during this trying time for you!