CATANIA GRANDE Cotton - Schachenmayr

Schachenmayr CATANIA GRANDE Cotton – Thick Double-Weight Cotton Yarn

100% combed, mercerized, and gassed cotton | 50g – 63m | Needles and crochet hook 4-5mm

📋 Key features

• Composition100% combed, mercerized, and gassed cotton
• Ball weight50 grams
• Yardageapprox. 63 meters
• Recommended needles4.0 – 4.5 – 5.0 mm
• Recommended crochet hook4.0 – 4.5 – 5.0 mm
• WashingMachine wash 40°C (first wash 60°C)
• CertificationOeko-Tex Standard 100
• 10x10cm gauge22 rows / 16 stitches
• Ideal forQuick summer knitwear, amigurumi, home accessories

🧵 The yarn

Schachenmayr CATANIA GRANDE Cotton is the maxi version of the famous Catania: same quality cotton, double the thickness. Made of 100% combed, mercerized, and gassed cotton, this yarn combines the natural freshness of cotton with an intense brilliance resulting from the dual process. It is designed for those who want to finish projects in half the time without sacrificing the professional quality of the final result.

Each 50-gram ball provides approximately 63 meters of yarn, perfect for working with 4 to 5mm needles or crochet hooks. Its fuller structure compared to the classic Catania makes the work faster and the stitches more defined, ideal for both beginners and those looking for a chunky cotton for quick summer projects.

🧬 Technical composition: why it works

Combed cotton is the foundation of this yarn: the fibers are selected and aligned to obtain a smooth, strong thread free of imperfections. This process eliminates short fibers and ensures uniformity throughout the entire length of the ball, which is fundamental for achieving an even, professional knit even on large surfaces.

Mercerization and gassing are the treatments that transform raw cotton into a brilliant, silky yarn. Mercerization sets the color deeply and adds permanent luster, while gassing burns off surface fibers, making the thread perfectly smooth. The result is a cotton that doesn't fade, doesn't pill, and maintains its brilliance even after dozens of washes. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, it is safe even for sensitive skin and garments intended for children.

📦 Ball format and yield

With 50 grams and 63 meters per ball, the yield is optimized for medium-sized projects. One ball is sufficient to make a small, voluminous amigurumi, a kitchen potholder, or a generous swatch to test the stitch. For larger projects, the quantity varies: approximately 6 balls for a sleeveless summer top, 16 balls for a women's long-sleeved sweater (size 40).

The double thickness compared to the classic Catania means you finish projects in half the time, while maintaining the same stitch quality. We recommend purchasing all necessary balls at once to ensure dye lot uniformity, as slight shade variations between lots can be visible on large surfaces.

🧶 Recommended crafting

4 to 5mm needles are ideal for this yarn because they guarantee a stitch that is neither too tight nor too loose. With 4mm needles, you get a compact knit perfect for structured items like bags or baskets, while with 5mm needles, the fabric is airier and softer, ideal for summer tops and light shawls. The standard 10x10cm gauge is achieved with 22 rows and 16 stitches, a useful reference for calculating your project measurements.

For crocheting, the same size range (4-5mm) works perfectly. The yarn's full structure makes every stitch well-defined, which is especially appreciated for large amigurumis where stitch definition is crucial. Even beginners find this yarn easy to handle: the greater thickness makes mistakes more visible and easier to correct, accelerating the learning curve.

✨ Why choose CATANIA GRANDE Cotton

Compared to traditional thin cottons, CATANIA GRANDE solves the problem of slowness: projects that would take weeks with classic Catania can be completed in just a few days here. Compared to cheaper non-mercerized chunky cottons, this yarn offers significantly superior brilliance and wash resistance: colors remain vivid and the fabric does not deform even after dozens of machine wash cycles.

In daily life, this translates into summer garments that look as good as new even at the end of the season, bags that don't lose their shape even after intense use, and amigurumis that withstand children's play without fraying. The Oeko-Tex certification guarantees the absence of harmful substances, a detail that makes a difference when you are making items for sensitive skin or for prolonged contact with the skin.

🎨 What you can make

CATANIA GRANDE is perfect for quick summer knitwear like tops, tank tops, and light cardigans, but also for home accessories like potholders, placemats, and storage baskets. Its full structure makes it ideal for large amigurumis with excellent stitch definition, sturdy bags and pouches for daily use, and fashion accessories like summer hats, headbands, and braided yarn necklaces.

👩‍🎨 Who it is suitable for

This yarn is ideal for beginners because the greater thickness makes each stitch clearly visible and mistakes easy to spot and fix. The fast pace of work keeps motivation high, allowing you to complete your first project quickly and see results immediately. At the same time, experienced crafters appreciate it for the professional quality of the mercerized cotton and the speed of execution on large projects.

Those who buy it are typically looking for a thick cotton for quick summer knitwear, artisans who sell amigurumi and want to optimize production time, moms and grandmothers making children's clothing with the peace of mind of Oeko-Tex certification, and home accessory enthusiasts seeking a yarn that is durable and easy to keep clean in the machine.

🧼 Maintenance and care

• First wash60°C to set the color and prevent fading
• Subsequent washesMachine wash 40°C, delicate cycle
• BleachingDo not bleach
• SpinningAllowed at medium speed
• DryingLay flat away from heat sources
• IroningWarm iron if needed, preferably inside out
• StorageIn a dry place, away from direct light

📌 Important note

📊 Technical data summary