DMC Natura Just Cotton vs Katia Fair Cotton

Technical verdict: DMC Natura Just Cotton vs Katia Fair Cotton

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

DMC Natura Just Cotton and Katia Fair Cotton are both Fine (CYC 2) yarns, so on paper they are interchangeable in the same patterns. The weight class only tells half the story, though: the ball band data below shows how much they really differ in thickness, yardage and behaviour once they are on the hook.

Their linear density is practically identical: DMC Natura Just Cotton gives 310 m per 100 g and Katia Fair Cotton gives 310 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 323 g in the first and 323 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, DMC Natura Just Cotton holds 155 m in 50 g and Katia Fair Cotton holds 155 m in 50 g. Five balls of DMC Natura Just Cotton (775 m) are replaced by 5 balls of Katia Fair Cotton, and five balls of Katia Fair Cotton (775 m) by 5 balls of DMC Natura Just Cotton. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

Both yarns share the same fibre family: DMC Natura Just Cotton is 100 % cotton and Katia Fair Cotton is 100 % cotton, so they wash, block and wear in a similar way. Cotton is inelastic and absorbent: stitches look crisp and defined, the fabric holds its shape in amigurumi, bags and dishcloths, but garments can feel heavy and stretch downwards when wet.

With such similar density, DMC Natura Just Cotton and Katia Fair Cotton will give fabrics of comparable weight and drape at the same gauge; any difference in hand will come mainly from the fibre.

They also share the same construction (Plied), so stitch definition and the way the yarn behaves on the hook should feel familiar when you switch.

Hook size and gauge

The ball bands recommend 2.5–3.5 mm for DMC Natura Just Cotton and 3 mm for Katia Fair Cotton. The ranges overlap at 3 mm, which is the safest hook to start a test swatch for either yarn.

At least one manufacturer does not publish a reference gauge, so work a 12 × 12 cm swatch with your usual hook before comparing sizes.

Verdict: can you swap them?

Katia Fair Cotton is a strong substitute for DMC Natura Just Cotton, with a Match Score of 93 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

DMC Natura Just Cotton and Katia Fair Cotton have the same length per ball, so the number of balls you buy stays the same.

Whichever you choose, buy all the balls for a project from the same dye lot and keep the ball band for its care instructions.

Full DMC Natura Just Cotton data sheet → Full Katia Fair Cotton data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →