Mercerized cotton yarn… what’s mercerized?
I bought some cotton yarn recently, my first time working with anything other than medium-cheap acrylic. I’m liking working with it, but I noticed the label says it is mercerized. What’s that? Is it a good or bad thing? Or good for certain types of projects? I’m crocheting if that makes a difference. I’m starting a shawl, and the yarn is Omega Sinfonia.
Ok, thx for the wiki link, but what I am wanting to know is how that affects me, not really what the process is. I mean, is this a type of yarn I should be looking for or looking to be sure I don’t get? Is it more appropriate for certain types of projects, etc.
It’s a good thing! It’s not like some modern treatments where fibers are soaked in chemical and then there are toxic chemical residues on the fibers and yarns. Mercerizing works on a cellular level of the cotton so there’s no need for the chemical to remain on the fiber, it’s all rinsed away. Higher quality cottons are mercerized because it makes the yarn softer, shinier, stronger, brighter colored and washable. Mercerized cotton is cotton that has been heat treated to be colorfast, so no fading, and it’s also shinier and smoother than non mercerized cotton and it makes the yarn shrink resistant or shrink proof. I also think it’s stronger because only long staple fiber cotton can be mercerized. The process is safe, it won’t make you sick if you use mercerized cottons, the sodium hydroxide is gone from the cotton because the cotton is rinsed in solution that neutralizes the acid. It’s rinsed in clean water, dried, dyed and put up in balls, spools and cones. The process changes the cotton on a cellular level, so no chemical residues need to be the fibers. Knitted and crocheted item made from mercerized cotton have a higher quality look, they don’t develop the short fuzzies as easily, and the yarn itself is easier to handle and work with.
Hand Dyed Mercerized Cotton/Rayon #1
|
|
Devon & Jones – Blue Men’s Northport Stripe Jersey Polo (D350) 100% Pima Cotton. 60/2 Yarn Dyed Mercerized jersey; 3-button placket with Dura-pearl buttons; flat knit collar; hemmed sleeves, coordinated solid jersey collar stand and under placket…. |
|
|
Pink Hair Net Crocheted Hair Bun Cover- MINI These adorable bun covers are made from the highest quality Acrylic/Mercerized cotton blend string aka “crystal yarn” due to its slight sheen and have an elastic (No damage/No snag) hair band in the same or coordinating shade worked into the cover. All you do is stretch it over your bun(s) and voila- it hugs your hair for a snug secure fit! Just put it on and go!… |
|
|
White Hair Net Crocheted Hair Bun Cover- MEDIUM These bun covers are made from the highest quality Acrylic/Mercerized cotton blend string aka “crystal yarn” due to its slight sheen and have an elastic (No damage/No snag) hair band in the same or coordinating shade worked into the cover. All you do is stretch it over your bun(s) and voila- it hugs your hair for a snug secure fit! You can either wear one over a bun at the back of the head or … |
|
|
Curry Hair Net Crocheted Hair Bun Cover- MEDIUM These bun covers are made from the highest quality Acrylic/Mercerized cotton blend string aka “crystal yarn” due to its slight sheen and have an elastic (No damage/No snag) hair band in the same or coordinating shade worked into the cover. All you do is stretch it over your bun(s) and voila- it hugs your hair for a snug secure fit! You can either wear one over a bun at the back of the head or … |
|
|
SNOWFLAKE BONNET – A Vintage Hat Crochet Pattern – Kindle Ebook Download (digital book, downloadable, crocheted, crocheting, yarn, crafts, winter, cap, snow, women, girls, gift idea) $1.49 CROCHETED SNOWFLAKE BONNETThis pattern has been digitally edited and converted to downloadable format (by NorthernLightsVintage) for viewing on the Kindle wireless reading device.MATERIALS REQUIRED:- AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY The Famous “PURITAN” STAR SPANGLED MERCERIZED CROCHET COTTON, Article 404 balls Blue Spangle for hat. – or — The Famous “PURITAN” MERCERIZED CROCHET COTTON, Article 402 balls … |
|
|
CROCHETED CARRIAGE COVER – A Vintage Crochet Pattern from the Mid 1900′s Kindle Ebook Download (Baby, Babies, Infant, Stroller, Blanket, Wrap, Shower Gift, … Bedding, Yarn, Crafts, Old-Fashioned) $1.49 CROCHETED CARRIAGE COVERA downloadable vintage crochet pattern for your Kindle! This pattern was originally published by the American Thread Company sometime in the early to Mid-1900′s.Pattern Name: “Crocheted Carriage Cover No. 621″Craft: CrochetOriginal Publishing Year: Mid 1900′sFormat: Kindle eBook downloadMATERIALS REQUIRED… American Thread Company… “Silkateen” “Sansilk” … 23 Balls Whit… |
|
|
National Naphthols Package Dyed on Bleached Mercerized Cotton Yarn. No. 258 … |
