# Cotton Yarn for Hoodies & Sweatshirts **Topline:** Fiber Guide · B2B Sourcing · Data-Driven ## Cotton Yarn for Hoodies & Sweatshirts. Cotton fleece and french terry remain the default choice for mass-market hoodies not because of inertia, but because the fibre's staple length (20–32mm for standard cotton, 35–38mm for combed), moisture absorption capacity (8.5% moisture regain), and dye receptivity create a garment that is warm, printable, embroiderable, and affordable at scale. The critical spec decision — fleece vs french terry, ring-spun vs open-end, 280 GSM vs 380 GSM — determines everything downstream from needle gauge to wash shrinkage to final hand feel. One data point worth anchoring: a properly spec'd 320 GSM combed ring-spun cotton fleece will retain 85–88% of its loft after 50 washes; an open-end spun equivalent at the same GSM loses loft measurably faster, showing visible pilling by wash 20–25. --- ## At a Glance **The comparison, summarised.** | Dimension | Rating | Why | |---|---|---| | Softness / Hand Feel | 8/10 | Combed ring-spun cotton fleece delivers a soft, broken-in hand from wash 1. Loopback construction retains loft better than French terry in heavyweight builds. Open-end spun drops to 6/10 — coarser surface, suitable only for budget basics. | | Durability / Abrasion Resistance | 7/10 | Cotton fleece abrades at seam points and cuffs over time; combed cotton at Ne 20s–24s holds better than Ne 30s in high-wear zones. Expect a Martindale rating of 15,000–18,000 cycles on well-constructed fleece vs 25,000+ for a cotton-poly blend. | | Colour Retention / Colorfastness | 7/10 | Reactive dyed cotton fleece scores 4/5 on ISO 105-C06 wash colorfastness, dropping to 3–3.5/5 on light fastness in prolonged UV exposure. Pigment prints on fleece hold well for the first 30 washes but fade 10–15% by wash 50 without proper fixing agents. | | Breathability / Moisture Management | 7/10 | Cotton's 8.5% moisture regain means fleece breathes at rest but saturates during high-intensity activity. French terry manages sweat better than loopback fleece due to the exposed loop structure. Not suitable for athletic fleece — polyester blends outperform here. | | Stretch & Recovery | 5/10 | Standard cotton fleece with no elastane has 10–15% mechanical stretch from knit construction but poor recovery — expect 3–5% bagging at elbows and hem after 20 washes. Adding 3–5% spandex to the yarn blend largely solves this. | | Cost Efficiency | 8/10 | 100% cotton fleece fabric at 300 GSM runs ₹320–420/metre (FOB Tirupur) or $2.80–3.60/metre (FOB Bangladesh). Cost-per-wear over 150 uses for a ₹799 FOB hoodie comes to ₹5.30/wear — competitive with any blend at this price point. | | Sustainability / Eco Credentials | 6/10 | Conventional cotton fleece carries a water footprint of ~10,000L/kg fibre. GOTS-certified and BCI cotton available at 8–12% premium. Not inherently recycled; end-of-life is biodegradable in landfill conditions (3–5 years) unlike poly fleece. | | Ease of Care / Wash Durability | 7/10 | Cotton fleece shrinks 5–8% in length and 3–5% in width on first wash at 40°C without pre-shrinkage treatment. Pre-shrunk or compacted fabric reduces this to 1–2%. Pilling at collar and cuff areas becomes visible by wash 30 on open-end spun constructions. | --- ## Why Cotton for Hoodies & Sweatshirts **What makes cotton the right choice for this application.** **01. Fleece Construction Compatibility** Cotton's staple structure is what makes true fleece possible. In loopback fleece construction, the ground yarn (typically Ne 20s–30s combed cotton) forms the face, while the pile yarn — a softer, lower-twist Ne 16s–20s cotton — forms the internal loop. This loop structure is what creates insulation through trapped air. Polyester fleece achieves similar insulation through a different mechanism (continuous filament brushed), but cotton fleece has a denser, heavier feel that consumers associate with quality streetwear. The critical spec decision: loopback fleece (pile loops remain intact, warmer, pricier) vs brushed fleece (pile loops broken open, softer feel, less insulation, cheaper). A 340 GSM loopback fleece retails at a 15–20% premium over an equivalent brushed fleece because the construction cost is higher — factor this into your FOB cost negotiations. **02. Print and Embroidery Receptivity** No fibre in the hoodie category accepts both screenprint and embroidery as cleanly as cotton. The flat, non-pilling face of combed ring-spun cotton fleece provides a stable substrate for plastisol or water-based screenprinting — print adhesion is stronger than on poly blends because cotton fibres swell slightly when heated, locking the ink. For embroidery (common on chest logos, sleeve hits), cotton fleece requires a tear-away or cut-away stabiliser backing to prevent needle distortion, but the final result is cleaner than on tri-blend fleece, which tends to show needle marks. One practical note: heavier cotton fleece (350 GSM+) at lower tension embroidery settings gives the cleanest result — too much tension pulls the loop pile and creates visible distortion around the design perimeter. **03. French Terry for Midweight Applications** French terry (typically 220–270 GSM) solves a problem standard fleece doesn't: year-round wearability. The construction — flat face, exposed loops on the reverse — provides moderate insulation without the bulk of loopback fleece. For brands targeting spring/fall collections, french terry at 240–260 GSM in Ne 30s combed ring-spun cotton sits in a sweet spot: soft enough for skin contact at the collar and cuffs, light enough to layer, and dense enough to hold its structure through 50+ wash cycles. Shrinkage in french terry is more predictable than in loopback fleece — expect 4–6% length, 2–3% width pre-wash vs 5–8% in fleece — because the construction is more dimensionally stable. MOQs for french terry in dedicated cotton runs typically start at 500kg per colour, versus 300kg for commodity fleece. **04. Heavyweight Category Dominance** At 380 GSM and above, cotton is the only fibre that produces the heavy, structured silhouette that premium streetwear brands require. Polyester at this weight becomes stiff and plasticky; cotton at 380–450 GSM has a natural drape and body that improves with washing. The trade-off is weight — a 380 GSM cotton hoodie in XL weighs approximately 650–700g, which affects both shipping costs and consumer perception (some consumers equate weight with quality; this can be a brand asset). Heavyweight cotton fleece in this range is typically spec'd with Ne 16s–20s combed cotton in the ground yarn and requires 7-gauge to 10-gauge knitting machines. Not all mills running standard 12-gauge setups can produce this weight — qualify your mill's equipment before sampling. --- ## Technical Specifications **Manufacturing specs for Cotton Hoodies & Sweatshirts.** **GSM Range** - French terry / midweight: 220–270 GSM (spring/summer collections, lightweight layer) - Standard fleece: 280–320 GSM (year-round, mass market) - Heavyweight fleece: 340–400 GSM (premium streetwear, structured silhouette) - Ultra-heavyweight: 400–480 GSM (limited runs, specialty streetwear; higher cost, longer lead times) **Yarn Count** - Ne 24s–30s combed ring-spun: standard for 280–320 GSM fleece (best balance of softness and durability) - Ne 20s–24s combed ring-spun: heavyweight fleece 340–400 GSM - Ne 16s–20s open-end (OE) spun: budget fleece, noticeable quality reduction in hand feel and loft retention - Ground/pile split in loopback: Ne 30s ground + Ne 16s pile is most common commercial spec **Knit Construction** - Loopback fleece: 2-end or 3-end fleece knit; warmest, heaviest, most expensive; 12–14 gauge - Brushed fleece: loopback with pile sheared/brushed open; softer hand, less insulation - French terry: warp-knit face with exposed loops reverse-side; 180–240 GSM typical range - 3-thread fleece: most common commercial construction; ground thread + pile thread + binding thread; stable structure for printing **Shrinkage (ISO 6330 — 40°C wash, tumble dry)** - Untreated loopback fleece: 6–8% length, 4–5% width (first wash) - Pre-shrunk / compacted fleece: 1.5–2.5% length, 1–2% width - French terry: 4–6% length, 2–3% width untreated; 1.5–2% after compacting - Always specify pre-shrinkage treatment in tech pack; add 5–7% ease to pattern if fabric is not pre-treated **Pilling Resistance** - Combed ring-spun fleece: Martindale grade 3–4 (15,000–20,000 cycles before Grade 3 rating) - Open-end spun fleece: Martindale grade 2–3 (8,000–12,000 cycles) - Pill resistance drops significantly at cuff and collar seam interaction points regardless of yarn type **Colorfastness (ISO 105 Standards)** - Wash fastness (ISO 105-C06): 4–4.5/5 reactive dyed; 3.5/5 pigment dyed - Light fastness (ISO 105-B02): 3–4/5 (significant for dark colours in sun-facing streetwear applications) - Rubbing fastness dry/wet (ISO 105-X12): 4/5 dry, 3–3.5/5 wet **Tensile Strength** - Wale direction: 180–220 N (ISO 13934-1) - Course direction: 140–180 N - Seam strength at shoulder: target >150 N to pass standard quality audits **MOQ Guidance** - Greige fleece fabric (undyed): 300–500 kg per construction per mill - Dyed fleece in standard colours: 500 kg per colour minimum (most Tirupur/Bangladesh mills) - Custom GSM specifications outside 280–320 GSM range: 800 kg–1,000 kg MOQ typical - Garment MOQ: 200–300 pieces per colour/size run (CMT); 500 pieces per colour for full-package --- ## Manufacturing & Sourcing Considerations **What to know before you source.** **Machine Requirements** Fleece knitting requires 3-end fleece circular knitting machines — not standard jersey machines. The key parameter is gauge: 10-gauge machines produce 280–340 GSM loopback fleece; 7-gauge or 8-gauge machines are needed for ultra-heavyweight 380–450 GSM. Verify your mill's machine spec before approving a heavyweight sample — some mills will produce it at 10-gauge by adjusting tension, but the resulting fabric has uneven pile density. French terry requires a separate machine setup with warp-knit face capability; most large Tirupur fabric mills carry both, but smaller CMT garment units typically buy fabric rather than knit in-house. **Dyeing Compatibility** Cotton fleece is reactive dyed — the standard process for all natural cellulosic fibres. Exhaust dyeing (jet or overflow machines) is preferred for fleece because the reduced mechanical agitation preserves the pile structure compared to high-temperature processes. Critical: specify dyeing temperature maximum of 60°C for loopback fleece; temperatures above 60°C collapse the pile loops and reduce insulation and loft. For deep shades (navy, black, burgundy), request a fixation bath to achieve wash fastness above 4/5. Pigment dyeing of fleece is gaining traction in the vintage-wash streetwear segment — it gives a lived-in appearance but reduces wash fastness to 3–3.5/5 and is not suitable for garments with heavy embellishment. **Finishing Processes** Three finishing steps matter for cotton fleece quality: 1. **Bio-polishing**: enzymatic treatment that removes surface fibres reducing pilling tendency — adds ₹8–12/metre to fabric cost but measurably improves Martindale rating 2. **Compacting/Sanforizing**: mechanical pre-shrinkage — non-negotiable for any brand concerned about consumer returns due to post-wash size change; adds ₹5–8/metre 3. **Anti-pilling finish**: silicon-based or cellulose-based finish applied in final bath — extends cuff and collar life; adds ₹6–10/metre **Quality Control Checkpoints** - Fabric GSM tolerance: ±5% of specified weight (ISO 3801) — reject fabric outside this range as it will affect garment weight and hand feel - Pile height consistency: visual inspection plus GSM comparison after shearing; uneven pile indicates machine tension issues - Spirality check: cotton fleece can twist 3–8% on the body — request spirality test on cut panels; above 5% is a fit problem - Pre-shrinkage verification: request wash test certificate (3 washes at 40°C) with dimensional change report before bulk cut **Common Production Pitfalls** - **Shade variation lot-to-lot**: reactive dyes on cotton are sensitive to water hardness and temperature; require bulk dye lot approval before cutting - **Pile crushing at seams**: over-pressing or wrong iron temperature flattens the pile at seam intersections — specify maximum pressing temperature of 150°C in tech pack - **Bagging at hem and cuffs**: 100% cotton with no elastane requires careful ease allowance in pattern — add 3–4cm ease at hem circumference **Lead Times** - Fabric development (custom GSM/construction): 3–4 weeks for strike-off, 4–6 weeks for bulk fabric - Garment sampling: 2–3 weeks from fabric approval - Bulk production: 30–45 days (standard 5,000–20,000 unit runs); 60–90 days for 500kg+ custom fabric runs - Key sourcing regions: Tirupur (India) for mid-heavyweight cotton fleece; Dhaka/Gazipur (Bangladesh) for high-volume commodity fleece; Guangzhou (China) for ultra-heavyweight or complex construction fleece --- ## Trade-Offs — Honest Assessment **Every fibre has limits. Here's the full picture.** **Strengths** - **Superior print substrate**: Cotton fleece accepts both plastisol and water-based screenprints with sharper edges and better adhesion than polyester or tri-blend alternatives. For brands with heavy graphics programs, this is a material production advantage. - **Wash-improvement hand feel**: Unlike synthetic fleece which degrades with repeated washing, combed cotton fleece often improves — fibres soften further after the first 5–8 wash cycles, which is a genuine consumer satisfaction driver. - **Design flexibility across weights**: No other staple fibre offers the range from 220 GSM french terry to 450 GSM heavyweight fleece within the same fibre category, enabling a brand to maintain material consistency across a full hoodies collection. - **Embroidery compatibility**: The stable face structure of cotton fleece holds embroidery stitching without the needle tracking and pile distortion common in tri-blend or poly fleece — important for logo-heavy corporate and collegiate programs. - **Price predictability**: Cotton yarn prices (combed Ne 24s–30s, Tirupur market) trade in a relatively stable band compared to recycled polyester or specialty fibres — easier to build 12-month forward pricing models. **Limitations** - **Moisture management ceiling**: Cotton fleece saturates and stays saturated during high-intensity physical activity — moisture regain of 8.5% means the garment holds sweat against the body. For any active or athleisure application, a 20–30% polyester inclusion in the blend (or a moisture-wicking liner) is necessary. Cotton-only fleece is genuinely unsuitable for anything beyond low-intensity wear. - **Shrinkage without treatment**: Untreated cotton fleece shrinks 6–8% in length on first wash — a size M becomes functionally a size S for taller wearers. Pre-shrinkage treatment is essential but adds cost and is inconsistently applied in lower-tier mills; always verify with a wash test. - **Weight vs. warmth efficiency**: At 320 GSM, cotton fleece weighs 30–40% more than a polyester fleece of equivalent warmth. The shipping cost per unit is measurably higher, which matters at scale. A brand running 50,000 units annually will see a material freight cost difference versus polyester alternatives. - **UV and light fastness limitation**: Dark cotton fleece (navy, black) fades faster than equivalent polyester under sustained UV exposure. For outdoor-facing products, reactive dye selection and UV-fixing agents are important — not all mills offer this without specification. --- ## Cost Analysis **The economics of Cotton for Hoodies & Sweatshirts.** **Yarn and Fabric Pricing** - Combed ring-spun cotton yarn (Ne 24s–30s): ₹220–280/kg (India, Q1 2025); $2.60–$3.20/kg (Bangladesh import) - Open-end (OE) cotton yarn (Ne 16s–24s): ₹150–190/kg — 25–30% cheaper, visible quality difference - Cotton fleece fabric (280–320 GSM, dyed): ₹320–420/metre FOB Tirupur; $2.80–3.60/metre FOB Dhaka - Heavyweight fleece (360–400 GSM, dyed): ₹420–550/metre FOB Tirupur **Cost-Per-Garment Impact** A standard pullover hoodie at 320 GSM uses approximately 1.4–1.6 metres of fabric. Fabric cost at ₹370/metre = ₹518–592 in fabric alone. Add CMT (₹180–240), trims (₹40–60), finishing and packing (₹30–50): total FOB cost lands at approximately ₹768–942 for a well-spec'd mid-range hoodie. At a retail price of ₹1,999–2,499, this gives a brand 2.1–2.6x markup at FOB — tight but workable for direct-to-consumer models. **Cost-Per-Wear Calculation** A 320 GSM combed ring-spun cotton hoodie, properly made, is realistically worn 120–150 times over 3–4 years before significant degradation. At ₹900 FOB + retail markup to ₹1,999: - 120 wears: ₹16.65/wear - 150 wears: ₹13.33/wear Compare to a cotton-poly blend hoodie at ₹700 FOB / ₹1,599 retail, 100 wears: ₹15.99/wear — the pure cotton garment is cost-competitive on a per-wear basis despite higher unit cost. **Alternative Fiber Comparison** | Fiber | Fabric Cost (320 GSM equiv.) | Key Trade-off | |---|---|---| | Cotton (100%) | ₹370/m | Baseline | | Cotton-Poly Blend (80/20) | ₹290–330/m | 15% cheaper, faster drying, less print-friendly | | Polyester Fleece | ₹200–260/m | 35% cheaper, poor print quality, lower perceived value | | Tri-blend (50/25/25) | ₹380–440/m | Similar cost, better drape, harder to source consistently | **ROI Considerations** For brand owners, the cotton premium pays back in two ways: reduced returns from garment defects (cotton shrinkage is predictable and manageable; synthetic pill-related returns are harder to address) and stronger consumer loyalty in a market segment where tactile quality drives repeat purchase. Brands in the ₹1,500–3,000 hoodie price band who upgrade from OE cotton to combed ring-spun typically see a 15–20% reduction in 1-star reviews related to fabric quality within the first season. --- ## Sustainability Profile **Environmental and ethical considerations.** **Water and Carbon Footprint** Conventional cotton fleece carries a high water cost: growing 1kg of cotton fibre requires approximately 10,000–15,000 litres of water, making it one of the more water-intensive natural fibres. The dyeing and finishing process adds another 50–100 litres per kg of fabric in reactive dyeing. Carbon footprint for a cotton hoodie (farm to garment, Tirupur supply chain) is approximately 8–12 kg CO₂e — compared to 5–7 kg CO₂e for a polyester fleece hoodie (though polyester has no biodegradability advantage at end of life). **Available Certifications** - **GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)**: Full organic certification from fibre to finished garment; commands 8–12% price premium on fabric; requires certified mill chain - **BCI (Better Cotton Initiative)**: Conventional cotton with improved farming practices; more accessible for mass brands; lower premium (3–5%); does not verify processing - **OEKO-TEX Standard 100**: Tests for harmful substances in finished fabric; widely available from major Tirupur mills; minimal premium; recommended minimum certification for any brand - **Fairtrade Cotton**: Ensures farmer income standards; more common in European market supply chains **Biodegradability** 100% cotton fleece is biodegradable under appropriate conditions — laboratory testing shows breakdown in 3–5 months in industrial composting, 1–5 years in landfill conditions. This is a genuine end-of-life advantage over polyester fleece, which persists for 200+ years and sheds microplastics through its service life. **Consumer Perception** In the ₹1,500–4,000 streetwear segment (India) and the $40–120 range (US/EU), "100% cotton" on the label continues to carry premium perception. Survey data from cotton industry bodies indicates that 68% of consumers in the 18–35 streetwear demographic prefer cotton-based hoodies when price difference is within 15%. This perception gap is a marketable asset for brands choosing pure cotton over blends. --- ## FAQ **Cotton for Hoodies & Sweatshirts — answered.** **1. What makes cotton fleece better or worse than cotton-poly blend for hoodies?** Cotton fleece prints sharper, feels warmer at equivalent GSM, and is preferred by consumers in the premium segment. The trade-off is real: cotton-poly blend (typically 80/20 or 60/40) dries 30–40% faster, resists shrinkage without pre-treatment, and typically costs 10–20% less per metre of fabric. For brands focused on graphic-heavy programs or premium basics positioning, 100% cotton is the right call. For activewear-adjacent or high-wash-frequency applications, a blend is the more practical specification. The decision is not binary — most streetwear brands carry both, using 100% cotton for hero pieces and blend for core basics. **2. What's the minimum order quantity for cotton fleece hoodies?** For fabric-only orders from Tirupur mills, MOQ is typically 300–500 kg per construction per colour. A standard 320 GSM pullover hoodie uses ~1.5m fabric; 300 kg of fabric yields approximately 200 metres, or ~133 hoodies — below typical garment CMT MOQs. In practice, garment MOQ from Indian or Bangladeshi CMT factories starts at 200–300 pieces per colour/size run. Full-package (fabric + cut + make + trim) MOQs start at 500 pieces per colour. For brands under 500 units per design, sourcing through a fabric-holding mill or buying off-the-shelf greige fabric and dyeing separately reduces the cash lock-in. **3. How does cotton fleece perform after 30+ wash cycles?** Combed ring-spun cotton fleece (Ne 24s–30s) at 300+ GSM maintains 85–88% of its original loft after 50 washes when washed at 30–40°C. Primary degradation shows at cuffs (friction pilling, Grade 2–3 by wash 30) and hem (minor bagging, ~2–3% dimensional change beyond first wash). Open-end spun fleece degrades faster — visible surface pilling by wash 20–25 and measurable loft loss by wash 30. The first-wash shrinkage (6–8% untreated) stabilises after wash 2–3; subsequent washes cause less than 0.5% additional dimensional change. For brand specifications, request wash durability testing per ISO 6330 at 5, 10, and 30 cycles. **4. What GSM should I specify for cotton hoodies?** Application-specific guidance: 220–260 GSM french terry for spring/summer or lightweight layer hoodies; 280–320 GSM loopback fleece for standard year-round commercial hoodies; 340–380 GSM for premium streetwear positioned at ₹2,500+ / $45+ retail; 380–450 GSM for ultra-premium or limited-edition heavyweight programs. The 300–320 GSM range is where most mass-market Indian brands (priced ₹999–1,999) operate. Moving above 340 GSM adds ~₹1.5–2.5 per additional 10 GSM in fabric cost, plus increased CMT time due to heavier sewing requirements. Do not specify below 280 GSM for outerwear hoodies — the garment will feel insubstantial and have poor structure at the hood and cuffs. **5. Is 100% cotton fleece suitable for printed hoodies at scale?** Yes — cotton fleece is the best substrate for both screenprint and DTG in the hoodie category. Plastisol and water-based inks bond to cotton fibres with lower cure temperatures (160°C vs 170°C+ for poly blends) and with sharper edge definition. For high-detail multi-colour graphics, combed ring-spun fleece with a flat, dense face (loopback, unbrushed) gives the cleanest print. Brushed fleece introduces surface texture that can cause ink bleeding on fine details under 2mm. For embroidery, cotton fleece requires a stabiliser but holds stitching cleaner than tri-blend. One important note: pigment printing on fleece (for vintage/distressed aesthetics) requires specific pre-treatment and does not achieve the same wash durability as reactive or plastisol printing. **6. What certifications should I look for when sourcing cotton fleece for hoodies?** Minimum baseline: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (Class II or I for direct skin contact) — ensures no harmful substances in the finished fabric; widely available from major Tirupur and Bangladesh mills with minimal cost impact. For brands with sustainability claims: GOTS certification covers both organic fibre and processing; BCI is suitable for "better cotton" claims without the full organic price premium. For export to EU markets (particularly post-CSRD requirements): supply chain traceability documentation is increasingly required — request fibre origin certificates and dye lot records from your mill. Fairtrade Cotton is relevant for premium/ethical positioning but has limited mill availability in India. **7. How does cotton fleece handle heavyweight construction and structural details?** Cotton's natural body and weight make it the best choice for structured hoodie details: rib cuffs and waistbands retain their shape better in cotton rib (1x1 or 2x2) than in poly rib because cotton's crimp structure resists deformation under body heat. Hood structure at 300+ GSM holds its shape without interfacing, which polyester fleece at equivalent weight does not. However, pocket bags in heavyweight cotton (particularly the kangaroo pocket on pullovers) can stretch and bag over time without a cotton/poly woven pocket bag lining — specify a 60/40 cotton-poly pocket bag fabric in your tech pack to avoid this. **8. What's the typical lead time for cotton fleece hoodie orders?** For standard specifications (280–320 GSM loopback fleece, stock dyebase colours, sizes S–XXL): fabric availability 2–3 weeks (if mill carries greige stock), dyeing and finishing 10–14 days, garment production 25–35 days for 2,000–10,000 units — total 7–9 weeks from order to FOB. For custom GSM specifications outside the mill's standard range: add 4–6 weeks for fabric development and sampling approval. For orders above 20,000 units or with complex garment construction (zip-through, bonded seams, technical details): allow 12–14 weeks total. Key risk: reactive dyeing of fleece in deep shades (black, navy) has a higher re-dye rejection rate (8–12%) than light shades — build 2-week contingency into your calendar for dark-colour orders. --- ## Related Links **Related Applications** - [Cotton for T-Shirt Manufacturing](/yarn/cotton/t-shirt-manufacturing) - [Cotton for Casualwear](/yarn/cotton/casualwear) - [Cotton for Loungewear](/yarn/cotton/loungewear) - [Cotton for Workwear](/yarn/cotton/workwear) - [Cotton for Polo Shirts](/yarn/cotton/polo-shirts) - [Cotton for Underwear & Basics](/yarn/cotton/underwear-basics) **Alternative Fibers for Hoodies & Sweatshirts** - [Polyester Yarn for Hoodies & Sweatshirts](/yarn/polyester/hoodies-sweatshirts) - [Tri-Blend Yarn for Hoodies & Sweatshirts](/yarn/tri-blend/hoodies-sweatshirts) - [Cotton-Poly Blend for Hoodies & Sweatshirts](/yarn/cotton-poly-blend/hoodies-sweatshirts) **Glossary** - [Ring-Spun Cotton — What It Means for Fabric Quality](/glossary/ring-spun) - [Combed Cotton — Process, Benefits, Cost Impact](/glossary/combed-cotton) - [GSM — How to Specify Fabric Weight](/glossary/gsm) - [Fabric Weight — Choosing the Right GSM for Your Application](/glossary/fabric-weight) **Compare** - [Cotton vs Other Fibers — Full Comparison](/compare/cotton)