There are many fiber choices out there when selecting a yarn for one’s project. With Spring and Summer on the horizon we turn our focus to the fibers that love these seasons the most. While there are many other fibers that you can use during the Spring and Summer months, cotton is one of our favorites. While we enjoy merino wool, we typically reserve these fiber for the Fall and Winter months depending on the weather where you live.
One of the reason that cotton is such a great fiber for Spring and Summer is that cotton is a natural fiber. Like many natural fibers cotton breathes. Because it breathes it allows the air to flow. The flowing air is typically a key component to wicking the body and keeping it cool during the Spring and Summer months. It is also a light and flexible fiber that is typically very soft. There are different quality cottons with Pima Cotton being one of the best, and yes Cascade Yarns always has a nice selection of Pima Cottons for us to choose from. Because of the varying qualities of cotton fibers each type of cotton has different benefits.
Pima Cotton is a little stiffer than other yarns, giving the yarn a body and form that most cottons can not offer. But, remember if you are looking for a highly flexible limp type yarn — typically Pima Cotton can not offer this.
Which project will you be working on during the spring and summer months? Who will it be for. Do you have a pattern yet? See ours.
Share your answers with the community by posting them below. Share the wealth of information with your friends or family by sharing this article with 3 people today. As always you are the best part of what we do. Keep sharing.
Knitted Masks: For this one, researchers used a mask with a looser weave.
“Think of the fabric as being something more similar to a sock than similar to a bed sheet, which is more like what you have for the standard cotton,” Warren said.
Larger and open pores in the masks may allow more particles to get in. Washing and drying the mask may further decrease its deficiency.
There are a few things, we discovered, that can make your knitted masks more effective.
Use 100% cotton, preferably a stiffer cotton like Pima Cotton
Use a smaller needle or hook than required to create a fabric with smaller pores
Sew a side loading filter pocket on the back of the mask to decrease pore size and increase cleanliness by replacing used filters.
Some recommend coffee filters. Of course you can use what you prefer.
Types of Masks and Effectiveness Source: USA Today Shidonna Raven Patterns and Publications
Shop our mask patterns, which include side loading filter pockets or Shop our pre-made and ready to go masks with side loading filter pockets. If you would like to make your own, attend one of our knit alongs or classes for help. When you purchase a pattern with Shidonna Raven Pattern and Publications, you also receive free pattern support. We pray that you and yours stay healthy and keep preventing the spread of COVID 19. Share your comments (about your projects or our products) with the community by posting them below. E mail us a photo of your project or our project and we may post it in our articles (here). Share the wealth of health with your friends and family by sharing this article with 3 people today.
We’re all about cotton around here, and for good reason. Breathable, durable, and oh-so cool to the touch, cotton makes for some crisp sheets that we just can’t get enough of.
But what about Pima cotton sheets?
We make our sheets out of Supima cotton (for a lot of really good reasons), but Pima cotton gets a lot of curiosity.
What is Pima Cotton?
Pima cotton is a higher-end type of cotton with a longer fiber than conventional cotton. It has a reputation for producing a smooth fabric that’s soft to the touch, wrinkle-resistant, and ultra-durable.
For those who like numbers, Pima cotton fibers measure between 1.4 to 2 inches in length, while conventional cotton fibers measure up to 1.1 inches long. Pima cotton fabric comes out softer and more durable than if it were made from a shorter staple cotton.
Manufacturers say that Pima cotton has a 50% longer life expectancy than other cotton products. It’s also great for people who have sensitive skin!
Staple (length and quality of Pima)
Where is Pima Cotton Grown?
Pima cotton is primarily grown in three different areas:
The southwestern regions of the United States
Australia
Peru
Pima cotton originated in Peru, but it gained its name after the Pima Indians, who helped raise the cotton in the United States.
Unfortunately, the biggest problem with Pima cotton isn’t its quality, it’s that the market has been saturated with a TON of fakes. Similar to the issues with Egyptian cotton (90% of Egyptian cotton is fake), there are many instances in which manufacturers are saying something is Pima cotton, when in reality it’s maybe a 20% Pima cotton blend.
You pay a premium price, and you get the short end of the stick — Pima cotton sheets that aren’t really Pima cotton sheets.
Why We Love Supima
These issues with quality control in Pima cotton sheets are EXACTLY why we love Supima cotton. Supima cotton has a similar quality to Pima cotton, if not better, but it actually gets verified by a third party.
What’s even better is that all Supima cotton is grown right here in the US and verified by the Supima Association. This insanely luxe cotton produces a fiber that’s just as soft and durable as Pima cotton, but with no fillers allowed. Supima cotton sheets are crisp, cool, and the most luxe on the market.
The result? You get awesome sheets, with none of the finger-crossing, hoping and praying.
Supima Cotton
Pros:
Verified authentic by the Supima® Association
Makes insanely soft and cool sheets
Grown ONLY in America
Consistent quality
The softest and most durable cotton available
Cons:
More expensive than Egyptian cotton
Egyptian Cotton
Pros:
Very soft and durable (if it’s the real thing)
Smoother than cheaper sheets
Good quality (if you’re getting the real thing — but there’s no way to know)
Cons:
90% of Egyptian Cotton is fake
Grown in China or India more than Egypt
Expensive for cotton of questionable origin
You’re paying for the label, not necessarily quality
At Shidonna Raven, we know that the projects you knit and crochet are priceless. So, we explore here options like Pima Cotton that give your projects the longevity that your love ones will treasure for years. Shop our Patterns & Publications and begin a project your family and friends will treasure for years to come. Have you tried Pima Cotton prior? What do you think? Share your answers with the community by posting them below. Share the wealth of information with your friends and family by sharing this article with 3 people today.
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