Not all cotton is created equal. In fact, the organic cotton source is so scarce, it accounts for less than 3% of available cotton in the world.
For knitting, this difference matters. Your sweater endure daily use and frequent washing. Long-staple cotton offers a more luxurious hand-feel and stands the test of time.
What is cotton staple length?
Cotton comes in short, long and extra-long fibers, or staple lengths. The difference in lengths offers a difference in quality. The longer a cotton fiber, the softer, stronger and more durable the fabric it makes.
For purposes, extra-long fibers aren’t a consideration: they’re almost impossible to grow organically. Focused on the longest staple-length cotton could grow organically, that offers the greatest benefits. Fabrics made of long-staple cotton pill, wrinkle and fade less than fabrics made of shorter staple lengths. Most of the world’s cotton is short staple length.
The difference between short-staple and long-staple organic cotton:
Fun fact: each cotton boll contains nearly 250,000 individual cotton fibers - or staples.
Short measures: 1 ⅛” - majority of cotton available
Long measures: 1 ¼” - these cotton fibers are rare
Longer fibers create a smoother fabric surface with fewer exposed fiber ends.
Short staple cotton is prolific because it’s easier and less expensive to grow. Long-staple cotton, especially organic, is harder to harvest, as it’s a greater labor of craft and expertise. Because it’s rarer, it’s more expensive.
Post time: Oct-10-2024
