Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK Review: The Perfect Yarn for Crochet Garments and Blankets?

 

cotton mix dk yarn in 3 shades, pink, cream and light green


If you love making crochet garments and blankets, finding a yarn with the right balance of softness, drape, and stitch definition can completely change how your finished projects look and feel.

After trying Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK for my upcoming Prairie Breeze Cardigan crochet pattern, I can honestly say this yarn turned out exactly the way I wanted. It has the softness of acrylic combined with the smoothness of cotton, making it one of the nicest cotton blend yarns I’ve worked with recently.

In this honest Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK review, I’ll share what the yarn feels like to crochet with, what projects it works best for, and whether it’s worth buying for your next crochet project.


This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.


About the Yarn!

Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK is a cotton blend DK yarn available from LoveCrafts.

It combines cotton and acrylic fibres to create a yarn that is breathable, lightweight, and soft while still keeping beautiful stitch definition.

  • Fibre: 50% cotton, 50% acrylic
  • Weight: DK
  • Ball size: 100g
  • Length: Approx. 245 metres
  • Recommended crochet hook: 4mm
  • Care instructions: Machine washable at 30°C, dry flat
  • Colours available: 25 shades

One thing I immediately noticed is how generous the yardage is compared to many cotton yarns. The 100g balls go a long way, making it ideal for larger crochet projects like cardigans, blankets, and garments.


balls of pretty cotton blend yarn by paintbox yarns


Why I Chose This Yarn for My Prairie Breeze Cardigan

When I shop for yarn I sometimes order a few balls of a yarn I've never tried before, just to see how it looks and feels, before committing to a larger project. I already had a project in mind for a summer cardigan and thought this yarn would be a perfect fit.

My Prairie Breeze summer cardigan pattern, crocheted in Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK, will be coming to the blog very soon or you can get the PDF version right now.

For this design, I wanted a yarn with:

  • Beautiful drape
  • Softness against the skin
  • Good stitch definition
  • A lightweight feel for layering

Some cotton yarns can feel stiff or heavy once crocheted into garments, but this is beautifully soft and is really comfortable to wear, with a lovely drape.

The drape is honestly one of my favourite things about this yarn. It creates that relaxed, flowing look that works perfectly for crochet cardigans and lightweight garments.


cardigan crocheted in paintbox yarns cotton mix dk


What Does Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK Feel Like?

This yarn feels noticeably softer than many other cotton blend yarns I’ve tried.

Here’s how I would describe it:

  • Very soft texture
  • Smooth and comfortable to crochet with
  • Lightweight finished fabric
  • Excellent drape
  • Clear stitch definition
  • Less splitty than similar cotton yarns
  • Breathable and wearable

All cotton yarns can be a bit on the splitty side, but this combination of acrylic and cotton, combined with a high twist, means this yarn is less splitty than most similar yarns. It looks and feels like a mix of cotton and bamboo but is much nicer to work with. 


Best Crochet Projects for Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK

After working with this yarn, I think it’s especially suited to projects where softness and drape are important.

  • Crochet cardigans
  • Crochet sweaters
  • Summer crochet tops
  • Baby blankets
  • Lightweight crochet blankets
  • Shawls and wraps
  • Children’s clothing

Personally, I think crochet garments and blankets are where this yarn performs best.

The blend keeps blankets soft without becoming overly heavy, while garments have a lovely wearable drape that feels comfortable instead of stiff.


balls of cotton mix yarn in pretty pastel shades


Is Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK Good for Crochet Garments?

Yes, absolutely.

If you enjoy crocheting clothing, this yarn is a really lovely choice because it creates fabric with movement and softness rather than structure and stiffness.

That’s exactly why I chose it for my Prairie Breeze Cardigan pattern.

The cotton content gives garments breathability, while the acrylic helps keep them soft, lighter in weight, and easier to wear.

For spring and summer crochet garments especially, I think this yarn works beautifully. It's softness also makes it perfect for baby clothes and blankets.


Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK Colour Range

Paintbox Yarns are known for their gorgeous colour palettes, and this range has a lovely mix of wearable shades.

You’ll find:

  • Soft neutrals
  • Muted earthy tones
  • Pretty pastels
  • Bright statement colours

The colours work beautifully together for striped crochet blankets, colourwork, and modern garment designs.

I especially love the softer muted shades because they give finished projects such a calm and cosy look.


Is Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK Worth the Money?

I think this yarn offers excellent value for money.

Each 100g ball contains approximately 245 metres, which means you need fewer balls for larger projects compared to many other cotton yarns.

That makes a big difference when crocheting garments and blankets.

LoveCrafts also regularly includes Paintbox Yarns in sales and multipacks, making it even more affordable for bigger projects.


Final Thoughts: Is Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK Worth Buying?

If you’re looking for:

  • A soft cotton blend yarn for crochet
  • The best yarn for crochet garments
  • A yarn with beautiful drape
  • A less splitty cotton blend yarn
  • A soft yarn for crochet blankets
  • A breathable yarn for spring and summer crochet

then I definitely think Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK is worth trying.

I genuinely loved using it for my Prairie Breeze Cardigan design, and I already have plans to use it again for future crochet garments and blanket projects.

The softness, drape, and ease of crocheting with it really stood out to me, especially compared to other cotton blend yarns I’ve used in the past.

If you enjoy making wearable crochet projects or cosy lightweight blankets, this yarn is absolutely worth adding to your yarn stash.

Have you tried Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK yet? Let me know what you made with it in the comments.


Looking for your next project?


I hope you enjoyed this review and I will be back soon with more patterns and reviews to share with you...




Explore: 

Blair Leather Crochet Hook Clutch Ebony Anti-Roll Hook Trays 

Silver Streamline Metal Hooks 

Block your finished projects faster with the convenience of Crochet.com blocking combs! 

Birch Yarn Swift Yarn Ball Winder








Before you go...

Subscribe: I post new patterns and updates every week, subscribe to my mailing list and never miss a new free pattern again...

Comment: I would love to hear what you think about this pattern, leave a comment below...

Follow me on Pinterest: Make sure you can find this pattern again when you need it, save to your Pinterest board.

Share your photos: I would love to see what you make. Share your photos on Instagram, just tag me @lullabylodge.   

Follow me on Facebook: For daily posts, sneak peeks and staying up to date with new blog posts, patterns & tutorials you can find me here.

Join the Facebook Group: Share your makes, get help with patterns, keep up to date with new releases and take part in fun CAL's right here in our Facebook Group.                

Join the Ravelry Group:  Want to get sneak peeks at patterns before they are released or take part in the testing process?  Then join our Ravelry community group.


Posted by

Comments

Post a Comment