Cumulus

Cotton yarn that drapes — and actually gives a little on the needles.

That second part is rarer than the first. Cotton has very little natural elasticity, and traditionally plied cotton yarns can feel firm and unforgiving as you work with them. Cumulus gets around that with its construction. Instead of conventional plies, Juniper Moon builds it as a chainette: essentially a tiny knitted tube with air running through the center.

The chainette compresses and rebounds as you work, giving Cumulus more give than you'd expect from cotton. It also keeps the yarn light and lofty rather than dense and heavy. The finished fabric is soft against bare skin, drapes beautifully, and has enough structure for texture to show clearly.

That combination gives Cumulus a much longer season than you might expect from cotton. It works for tees and tanks, but also sweaters, cardigans, cowls, baby knits, and blankets. It's an especially useful option for anyone looking for warmth and loft without wool. The 94% cotton/6% nylon blend is machine washable, too.

Juniper Moon changed the source cotton in Cumulus in 2025, moving from Egyptian Mako cotton to organic American cotton. The mill and distinctive chainette construction stayed the same. You may notice a subtle difference between the two versions, but the qualities that define Cumulus remain.

The Cumulus family also includes Cumulus Rainbow for long color changes and Cumulus Matisse or Cumulus Dappled for an all-over mix of color. For a lighter gauge, Cirrus uses a similar airy chainette construction in 100% cotton.

Cotton still isn't elastic. Build the yarn differently, though, and it becomes a whole lot nicer to work with.

Pattern Ideas

• Oksa
• Chevron Baby Blanket (free)
• Fairy Wing Cocoon Cardigan (crochet)
• Glenmont