I've just used a new 100% cotton yarn for the first time, and I must admit to being very disappointed with the experience. Although the yarn is exceptionally soft, and comes in a gorgeous array of colours, I found that the very loose nature of the ply gave rise to a yarn with a few problems.

Specifically, it was subject to 'snagging' at the first little pull, resulting in one or more strands within the ply separating from the rest. As cotton yarns are smooth, and tend to show up each little variation in texture, this was a hellish problem. The resulting garment was to have been for a youngish child, so you can imagine how it might end up looking after being worn for just a few times.

I also found that the loose nature of the yarn ply made sewing up the garment horrendous; the length of yarn had started to ravel after about 4 stitches, and started to look horrific at the site of the grafting.

So anyway. Does anyone have any experience working with cotton yarns? Are they all like this, or have I just been unlucky? I'm thinking of re-knitting the garment using a cotton mix yarn, specifically Rowan All Seasons Cotton (http://www.knitrowan.com/html/yarns_results_new.asp?groupcode=41&weight=null&spec=null&guage=null&offset=6). Does anyone have any experience with this yarn?

I dont unfortunately but do know someone who only knits with cotton or synthetic so could ask them if you like. How dissapointing:(

LisaH xxxx