SCOTCH THREAD “F.B.” – 16

Filo di Scozia F.B. Size 16 – 100% Mercerized Egyptian Cotton 100g 900m

100% combed, gassed, mercerized Egyptian cotton | 100g – 900m | Crochet hook 0.75–0.80

📋 Key features

• Composition100% combed, gassed, mercerized Egyptian cotton
• Ball weight100 grams
• Yardageapprox. 900 metres
• Size16 (3-ply)
• Recommended crochet hookNo. 0.75–0.80 mm
• WashingWithstands temperatures up to 60°C
• Ideal forLace, doilies, baby clothes, summer garments
• Approximate yield1 ball for a 40cm doily or baby bib

🧵 The yarn

Filo di Scozia F.B. Size 16 is a classic yarn made from 100% Egyptian cotton that undergoes three treatments: combing to remove short fibres, gassing to burn off surface fuzz, and mercerizing to impart lasting sheen and strength. This combination makes the thread perfect for anyone looking for a fine cotton with a silky feel and lustrous appearance, suited to refined work that calls for precision and durability.

Weighing 100 grams and measuring approximately 900 metres, this ball offers exceptional yield for medium-sized projects. Size 16 is a fine but not extremely thin yarn, ideal for a 0.75–0.80 mm crochet hook and perfect for lace, doilies, decorative edging and baby clothes that require breathable, hypoallergenic cotton.

🧬 Technical composition: why it works

Egyptian cotton is the foundation of this yarn: a long, strong, uniform fibre that ensures a smooth thread without knots or thick spots. Combing removes the short fibres that would cause fuzz, while gassing burns away surface microfibres for a perfectly smooth finish. This process is essential for fine crochet, where every imperfection in the thread is immediately visible in the finished work.

Mercerization is the treatment that makes all the difference: the cotton is immersed in caustic soda under tension, changing the fibre's structure and making it shinier, more resistant to tension and more receptive to dyes. The result is a thread that retains its brilliance even after numerous washes, holds its shape and feels silky to the touch. For projects such as baby clothes or summer garments, this stability is essential to ensure the item retains its shape and colour over time.

📦 Ball size and yield

The 100-gram ball, with approximately 900 metres of yarn, offers excellent yield for medium-sized projects. One ball is enough to make a doily 40–50 cm in diameter, a complete baby bib, or 2–3 metres of decorative edging for towels or sheets. For larger projects such as tablecloths or blankets, allow approximately 3–4 balls for a six-seater tablecloth and 8–10 balls for a lightweight double bed blanket.

Size 16, twisted into 3 plies means the thread is made up of 3 finer strands twisted together, adding strength without increasing the thickness too much. This construction keeps the thread stable while you work and prevents breakage, even under high tension. We recommend buying the required quantity all at once: colour batches may vary slightly between production runs, and using balls from the same batch ensures consistent colour throughout your finished work.

🧶 Recommended crafting

The recommended crochet hook size is 0.75–0.80 mm, a fine size that lets you create the close, even stitches typical of lacework. It produces a compact but not stiff fabric, ideal for doilies that need to hold their shape while remaining soft to the touch. For a softer, more drapey finish, you can use a 1.00 mm hook for summer garments such as tops or lightweight sweaters, though some stitch definition will be lost.

Thanks to its mercerized finish, the thread glides smoothly over the crochet hook, making it easy to work with even for beginners trying fine cotton for the first time. This thread is perfect for projects such as bobbin lace, as its consistent tension and sheen bring out the woven patterns. If you knit with needles, use 1.0 mm needles to create a fine, breathable fabric suitable for shawls or summer wraps.

✨ Why choose Filo di Scozia F.B. Size 16

Compared with non-mercerized cottons, this thread offers lasting sheen that does not disappear with washing and superior strength that prevents breakage while you work. Cheaper cottons tend to fray, lose colour and become misshapen after just a few washes. Filo di Scozia, on the other hand, retains its shape and brilliance even after dozens of machine-wash cycles at 60°C, making it ideal for baby clothes that need frequent hot washing.

The yield of 900 metres per 100 grams is exceptional for size 16: it means you can complete medium-sized projects with a single ball, reducing costs and the number of joins in your work. For lacework, an uninterrupted length of thread is essential to avoid visible knots that would spoil the finished piece. In addition, the breathable, hypoallergenic properties of Egyptian cotton make it perfect for garments worn next to the skin, including delicate newborn skin.

🎨 What you can make

Filo di Scozia Size 16 is versatile and suitable for a wide range of projects, from traditional lacework and baby clothes to decorative edging for linens and lightweight summer garments. Its mercerized sheen highlights the openwork stitches typical of lace, while its strength ensures durability even for accessories subject to wear, such as potholders and placemats.

👩‍🎨 Who it's suitable for

This thread suits both beginners working with fine cotton who want to try lacework with a yarn that glides smoothly and doesn't break easily, and experienced lace and bobbin-lace makers looking for quality mercerized cotton at an affordable price. The 0.75–0.80 mm hook size requires some dexterity, but the thread's twisted construction helps compensate for minor tension inconsistencies, producing a more even result than flat threads.

Those making baby clothes or items for sale appreciate its resistance to frequent washing and its compliance with European REACH and OEKO-TEX standards, which ensures it is free from harmful substances. Hobbyists will find the 100g ball a good balance between yield and cost, while professional craftspeople can buy multiple balls from the same batch to ensure consistent colour across larger commissions.

🧼 Care and maintenance

• WashingMachine-wash up to 60°C on a cotton cycle
• BleachingDelicate bleach permitted
• Spin cycleNormal spin speed permitted
• DryingDry flat; avoid tumble drying
• IroningHot iron (200°C); iron while damp
• StorageStore in a dry place, away from direct sunlight

📌 Important note

📊 Technical specifications