Summertime Shop Spotlight: Berroco Cottons

Last few weeks were a banner week for arrivals of boxes of yarns and books all at once. Took a bit to process all the stuff but finally made progress! Shop displays now shuffled to more warm-weather friendly yarns and patterns. Warning...lots of links ahead!

Let's take a stroll through the shop....

Pima 100 Row

Happy, cheerful colors up front and center of course. Berroco's Pima 100 is a gorgeous 100% pure pima cotton. This unmercerized cotton lends a matte finish to the color palette and the hues are just lovely. Like bright, cheery flowers waving in the summer sunshine. 

Booklet #385 Patterns: Alisa, Marquita, Lourdes, Cosette, Trista and Larue

(Available individually $8 each or ebook $10 all 6 patterns)

Shoreham, Blumen Bouquet (free), Hampton and Birch Island

All single pattern are $6  (except for Blumen which snuck into the collage when I wasn't looking)

A caveat: We find the suggested gauge (light worsted) a bit on the thin side, so DK patterns also work nicely with this yarn. Make sure to do variety of gauge swatches first.

Free patterns: Emilia, Meridan, Cunningham, Tisbury, Damariscove

100% cotton perfect for home decor, washcloths, hand towels, all kinds of baby items. This isn't a lesser quality, rough cotton...oh siree no! This pima cotton is lovely and soft, making it a joy to use. Check out Berroco's patterns for inspiration (search for the yarn name to see all patterns available).

Purchase Pima 100 and patterns in our online shop

Moving down the road to the next neighborhood....

Modern Cottons Quay

As mentioned Berroco's Modern Cotton lines (worsted and dk) use a blend of pure pima & modal rayon to create a supple, smooth, fluid fabric that imparts a lovely cool touch upon your skin. Perfect when the mercury zooms and we need cool garments to stay comfortable all summer long.We're not joking about how it feels cool to the touch either. It's lovely next to your skin when it's miserably hot out.

Both yarns have been staples in the shop for years and tons of patterns available to inspire. Search the database here. Too many to list here so just a few peeks of favorites from Berroco Portfolio Vol 3 - all patterns dedicated to both weights of Modern Cotton. This week we're expecting our summer reorder of new colors at any moment are reorder just arrived!

Leisal, Vinalhaven, Baltica, Colorfield, Mainstay, Narrows, Anniu, Delphin, Island Wrap

 

Triteia, Malaga, Rodinia, Landscape, Sweet Grass, Marca Ruana

Another plus: Modern Cotton and Pima 100 patterns are interchangeable. (You may even be able to get gauge substitutions with the Modern Cotton DK too if you swatch first!)

 

We're working on adding single patterns and books to our website. Single patterns range $8-6 each, Booklets range $9.99-12.99 ea and the Portfolio Series are 17.99 ea. Patterns shown below are all free on Berroco's website.  Berroco Patterns Database Search

 

 Cotton Trivia Time!

What pray tell do unmercerized, pima, mercerized cotton mean? Here's a nice blurb summing up key elements. Here's an in depth, detailed report on all aspects of cotton and cotton production. 

Simply put: Mercerized is treated cotton to add a sheen, strength and smoothness. Unmercerized is the opposite - untreated with a bit more textural, softly fuzzy look and feel, but highly absorbent.

Pima cotton is type of higher end/grade 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. Berroco's Pima 100 and Modern Cotton lines are prime examples using pima cotton. The former is 100% cotton 4ply while the latter uses pima cotton with added rayon to create incredible sheen, drape and a lovely cool touch.

Perfect for warm weather projects and all are fully stocked up!

 

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