What is mercerised cotton?

Cotton yarn is not just one specific thing. There are many different types of yarn, all of which are made from the same fibre but have very different looks. One of them is mercerised cotton.

This type of yarn has a more glossy surface, is spun more firmly and is much stronger than regular cotton yarn. The glossy surface is due to the yarn being surface-treated with sodium hydroxide, which leaves a thin coating around the strands that also causes the fibres to shrink less in the wash. This makes the finished project hold its shape better than projects made with regular cotton yarn.

Mercerised cotton has a nice, glossy surface, but because it has been treated, some people believe that it loses some of the cotton's amazing properties and makes it feel more like a synthetic product. That is, however, like so many other things, a matter of personal preference.

DMC Petra no. 3

100% Cotton