Mercerized cotton is cotton yarn or fabric which has been put through a series of processes, primarily to increase luster. The thread is given a caustic soda bath that is then neutralized with an acid bath. This treatment increases luster, strength, affinity to dye, resistance to mildew, and also reduces lint.

Cotton with long staple fiber lengths responds best to mercerization. Mercerized thread is commonly used to produce fine crochet.

Mercerized cotton is sometimes referred to in the crafts as pearl or pearle cotton. It is cotton yarn or fabric which has been put through a series of processes, primarily to increase luster. The added desirable water handling properties gained are a secondary bonus.

Mercerized cotton absorbs more water and dye than unmercerized cotton, and that the twist in yarn will affect the water handling properties of that yarn proportionate to the amount of twist. The added desirable water handling properties gained are a secondary bonus.


se luster. The added desirable water handling properties gained are a secondary bonus.

mercerized cotton absorbs more water and dye than unmercerized cotton, and that the twist in yarn will affect the water handling properties of that yarn proportionate to the amount of twist.