Cotton fabric guide
Cotton Sweater Design with AI
Mills make cotton sweaters regularly, usually in cotton knit at 250 to 400 g/m².
Of the 7 cloths this guide lists for this cut, it sits between cashmere knit and polyester knit in weight.
Next to polyester knit, it is more matte and less stretchy.

Cotton Sweater at a glance
- Cloth to ask your mill for
- Cotton knit
- Typical weight
- 250 to 400 g/m²
- Drape
- Medium
- Stretch
- None
- Breathability
- High
- Warmth
- Neutral
- Care
- Machine wash at 30 to 40 °C
- How common
- Common
- Typical cloth price
- $5-15/yard
Typical trade ranges, not one mill's figures: confirm them with your mill.
The sweater, in numbers
- Typical length
- 62 to 70 cm, from the high point of the shoulder
- Defining details
- Crew, V or turtle neck, rib trims, cable or rib stitches, set-in or raglan sleeves
- Cloth needed
- about 1.4 to 1.8 m of 150 cm cloth, roughly $8 to $30 of cloth at typical prices
Typical figures for an adult size M. The pattern tier is set from the real piece count when you order.
How cotton behaves on a sweater
On a sweater it keeps a clean, even line from shoulder to hem, the hand most tops are graded on.
At this length a medium-weight cloth hangs straight and moves a little at the hem.
It is neither warm nor cool, so it works across most of the year.
Care is simple: a machine wash at 30 to 40 °C.
It creases moderately and can shrink by a few percent unless the cloth was pre-shrunk, so ask the mill whether it was.
About cotton
Cotton is a plant fibre spun into everything from fine poplin to heavy canvas. It breathes, absorbs moisture and softens with each wash, which is why it is the default cloth for everyday clothing.
Long-staple cottons such as Egyptian or Pima give a smoother, stronger cloth; organic and recycled cottons are widely available at a premium.
It rarely needs a lining, though a light cotton is lined or faced when a pale color would show what is underneath.
Cutting, sewing and color
Sew it with a universal 80/12 needle; flat-felled or overlocked seams both hold, and it presses well with steam.
It takes reactive dyes readily, so solid colors and prints both stay true after washing.
Its surface is matte, so it photographs evenly under flat light.
A description to start from
A sweater in cotton knit, 250 to 400 g/m², with a medium drape and a matte surface, for most of the year.
If cotton is not quite right
- Lighter: Cashmere, in cashmere knit
- Heavier: Wool, in wool knit
Also: how the studio works, prices and questions and answers.
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