Merino cotton sport yarn for knitting and crochet
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You know that feeling when you cast on a baby cardigan, knit six inches, and then realize the yarn is scratching your own wrist through the work? Yeah. That's the moment merino-cotton blends were made for. The Merino Cotton hits 55% Merino Wool paired with 45% Organic Cotton, so it carries the natural give and next-to-skin softness of merino but doesn't feel stuffy or dense the way a pure wool sport weight can in spring and summer projects.
At 230 metres per 50g ball, a single pack of six balls hands you 1,380 metres to work with. That's comfortably enough for a baby sweater set with yarn left over, or a lightweight adult shawl worked at a relaxed gauge. If you're drawn to natural fibre baby knits but want cotton's cooling properties alongside wool's structure, this is the blend worth swatching first — the organic cotton content keeps it breathable without sacrificing the elasticity that makes seaming forgiving for beginners.
Worried about pilling? Merino fibres are longer and finer than standard wool, which means the yarn resists the fuzzing that cheaper blends develop after a few washes. The organic cotton component also gives the fabric a slight sheen and a smooth surface that holds stitch definition well — so cables and simple textured patterns read clearly without you having to fight the yarn. If you love the idea of merino but want a lighter warm-weather option, our Merino Gold is worth a look for cooler-season knitting, and Baby Merino is another sport-weight merino blend that's been a go-to in this shop for tiny garments.
Thirty colourways are available right now — from Ecru and Cream through Dark Jeans Blue and Jungle Green all the way to Orchid and Greyish Lilac — so you're not stuck choosing between two neutrals and a red. For anyone building a spring or summer stash, Cottonac Fine pairs naturally with this yarn if you're planning a striped project and want a cotton-forward option alongside a wool-cotton blend. Six balls per pack, natural fibres, 30 colourways — this one earns its place in the basket.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Fiber Composition | 55% Merino Wool, 45% Organic Cotton Merino adds softness and stretch; organic cotton adds breathability and a smooth finish — a great pairing for baby items and warm-weather projects. |
| Yarn Weight / Type | 2 Fine: Sport, Baby Sport weight is finer than DK — expect lighter, more delicate fabric that works well for baby garments, lightweight shawls, and fitted tops. |
| Yardage per Ball | 230m / 251.53yds Generous for a sport-weight 50g ball — a full pack of 6 gives you 1,380m, enough for a baby set or a lightweight adult sweater. |
| Weight per Ball | 50g / 1.76oz Standard 50g ball size — easy to plan quantities against most patterns that list yardage. |
| Package Content | 6 balls per pack Sold as a set of 6, giving you 300g and 1,380m total — enough for multiple small projects or one larger garment. |
| Brand | Ice Yarns In-house Ice Yarns label — consistent quality across the range. |
| Recommended Needle Size | Not specified Always knit a gauge swatch — sport weight typically works well on 3.0–3.75mm needles, but check your pattern. |
| Recommended Hook Size | Not specified For crochet, a 3.0–3.5mm hook is a common starting point for sport weight — swatch to confirm. |
| Gauge | Not specified Your gauge swatch is your best friend here — always swatch before cutting into a garment project. |
| Care Instructions | Not specified Merino-cotton blends generally benefit from a cool hand wash or delicate machine cycle — check the ball band on your pack for confirmation. |
| Dye Lot / Colorway Notes | Not specified Buy enough balls from the same order to cover your project — dye lots can vary between batches. |
| Country of Origin | Not specified Not listed on the product page. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Merino Cotton yarn do I need for a baby sweater or a lightweight adult shawl?
For a newborn-to-6-month baby sweater worked in sport weight, you're generally looking at 300–400 metres, which puts you comfortably inside one pack (1,380m total across 6 balls). A 12-month size creeps closer to 500–600m, still well within a single pack. For a lightweight adult shawl — something triangular with a simple lace border — budget around 700–900m depending on the finished dimensions and your row count. The safe rule with any natural fibre project: buy one extra ball from the same order. Merino cotton will block out beautifully with a gentle wet block, and blocked fabric often grows a little, so factor that into your length estimate before you cast on.
Is Merino Cotton yarn safe for babies and people with sensitive skin?
Merino is categorically different from regular wool when it comes to next-to-skin wear. The fibres are finer — measured in microns — which means they bend rather than prickle, so the itch response that puts a lot of people off wool simply doesn't happen with good merino. Add 45% organic cotton and you've got a fabric that's soft, breathable, and free from synthetic fibres, which is exactly what you want against a newborn's skin. We'd still recommend washing a finished baby item before first use, and hand washing or using a delicate cycle in cool water will keep the fabric in shape longer. Check your ball band for the specific care symbols included in your pack.
