Cotton Lisle for Crochet and Knitting

6 references

No. 5 to No. 25

100% mercerized cotton

Cotton Lisle is the ultimate crochet cotton: 100% Egyptian Makò cotton, mercerized and gassed for a silk-like sheen. Six Tessiland references, from the versatile no. 5 to the ultra-fine no. 25, for every type of project — from summer garments to filet doilies, from tatting to table runners.

Choose Your Cotton Lisle

Amanda No. 5 — Best-seller, versatile and all-round

The flagship of Tessiland's cotton lisle range. Skein 100 g, 260 m, hook 1.5-2 mm. An extensive colour chart, ideal for summer garments, amigurumi and accessories.

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AmandaSfumato Cotton Lisle ombré no. 5 skein 100g

AmandaSfumato No. 5 — Multi-tonal ombré effect

The ombré version of Amanda: same quality in colourways that blend from one shade to the next. Skein 100 g, 260 m. For garments and accessories with a unique colour effect.

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Adele No. 8 — The all-rounder for home décor

Halfway between fashion and home décor. Skein 100 g, 450 m, hook 1.0-1.75 mm. Perfect for doilies, filet, tatting and jewellery making with beads and crystals.

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Anastasia Cotton Lisle no. 12 skein 100g

Anastasia No. 12 — The classic for filet and table runners

The fine cotton that makes your project grow quickly. Skein 100 g, 850 m, hook 1-1.5 mm. Curtains, table runners and filet with refined patterns of treble stitches and chains.

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Araja No. 16 — Refined, for lace and inserts

Fine yet manageable. Skein 100 g, 950 m, hook 1.0-1.25 mm. Table runners, elaborate doilies and Sangallo-style lace inserts for garments with exquisite details.

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Athena Cotton Lisle no. 25 maxi skein 250g

Athena No. 25 — Ultra-fine, maxi 250 g format

The finest in the range, for professional-level work. Maxi skein 250 g, 2,250 m, hook 0.75-1.25 mm. Trousseaux, lace and filet with no joins thanks to the large format.

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What Is Cotton Lisle: Mercerized Makò Cotton

Mercerization: Why Cotton Lisle Shines

Cotton lisle is a mercerized and gassed cotton: it is treated with caustic soda in a process first developed in Scotland — hence the Italian name "Filo di Scozia" — which transforms the dull fibre of raw cotton into a brilliant, smooth and hard-wearing yarn with a silk-like lustre. Gassing removes excess surface fibres, making the yarn even smoother and more uniform. The result is a cotton that does not fray, keeps its colours vivid wash after wash and glides perfectly on the hook.

Egyptian Makò Cotton: Long-Staple Fibres

Quality cotton lisle is produced exclusively from Makò cotton, an Egyptian variety grown along the banks of the Nile. The hallmark of Makò cotton is its long staple: fibres longer than average that yield a yarn more resistant to wear, less prone to pilling and with superior colour rendering. All Tessiland cotton lisle yarns are 100% Egyptian Makò cotton.

How to Choose the Right Number

The rule is simple: the higher the number, the finer the yarn. No. 5 (260 m/100 g) is the thickest and most versatile — garments, amigurumi, bags. No. 8 (450 m) sits between fashion and home décor: doilies, table runners, tatting. No. 12 (850 m) is the classic for filet and curtains. No. 16 (950 m) for refined work and lace inserts. No. 25 (2,250 m) is the finest of all: trousseaux, lace and professional-level pieces.

Complete Your Project

Cotton lisle is just one of the cottons available at Tessiland. If you are looking for a cotton blend or a thicker yarn for crochet, explore the Cotton and Blends section. For yarns designed specifically for bags and structured accessories, visit Yarns for Bags. Discover the full range in the Yarns section.

Not sure which cotton lisle is right for you? Ask our experts!

✨ TESSILAND STUDIO

Frequently Asked Questions about Cotton Lisle

What is cotton lisle?

It is a 100% cotton yarn that undergoes mercerization and gassing: two treatments that give it a silk-like sheen, wear resistance and colour stability. Its Italian name "Filo di Scozia" (literally "thread of Scotland") comes from Scotland, where the mercerization process was first applied to cotton.

What is the difference between cotton lisle and mercerized cotton?

Cotton lisle is a mercerized cotton, but not every mercerized cotton is cotton lisle. To qualify as cotton lisle, the cotton must be long-staple Egyptian Makò and must undergo a double mercerization and gassing process. The result is a yarn that is shinier, smoother and more durable than standard mercerized cotton.

What is Makò cotton?

Makò cotton is a premium Egyptian variety grown in the Nile valley. It stands out for its long-staple fibres, which produce a yarn that is more resistant to wear, less prone to pilling and with superior colour rendering. It is the raw material behind all Tessiland cotton lisle yarns.

Which cotton lisle number should I choose for crochet?

It depends on your project. No. 5 is the thickest and most versatile (garments, amigurumi); no. 8 is ideal for doilies and tatting; no. 12 for filet and curtains; no. 16 for lace-style inserts; no. 25 for trousseaux and the finest work. The higher the number, the finer the yarn and the smaller the recommended hook.

How do you wash cotton lisle?

Cotton lisle items can be machine washed at 30-40 °C on a gentle cycle. Do not use bleach. They can be ironed at medium heat. Thanks to mercerization, cotton lisle retains its sheen and shape even after many washes.

Why does Tessiland cotton lisle cost less?

Tessiland is a direct manufacturer: our skeins arrive from our warehouse to your door with no middlemen. This allows us to offer 100% Makò cotton lisle at a lower price than traditional retailers, with no compromise on quality.