Every enquiry we receive starts with a number: 6s, 10s, 14s, 20s. That number is the yarn's count, and it tells you how fine or coarse the yarn is.
The English cotton count (Ne)
Cotton and cotton-blend yarns in India are usually described in the English count system, written Ne. It is an indirect system: it measures how many hanks of 840 yards it takes to weigh one pound. A 20s yarn needs twenty such hanks to make a pound; a 6s yarn needs only six.
Because the system is indirect, a higher number means a finer, thinner yarn. A 20s yarn is roughly three times finer than a 6s.
How count shapes the fabric
- 6s to 10s are coarse counts. They build bulk quickly and are used for heavy fabrics such as durries, towels, mops, canvas-type weaves and thick knitted fleece.
- 14s sits in the middle and is a common choice for medium-weight home textiles.
- 20s is a finer count for lighter knitted and woven fabric with a smoother surface.
Count and price
Finer yarn takes more spinning effort and better fibre, so price per kilogram generally rises with count. You can see this in our own price list: our 6s white cotton yarn is listed at ₹82/kg while 20s is ₹112/kg.
Choosing a count
Start from the fabric weight (GSM) you need and the machine you run it on. Knitting machine gauge and loom reed both limit the counts you can use. If you are unsure, send us your fabric details on WhatsApp and we will suggest a count and ply that suit it.