Pima cotton is a premium cotton, also known as Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton. Its longer fibres (1-3/8 inch) give a soft hand, durability, and resistance to pilling. Conventional cottons, which make up the bulk of cottons on the market, have fibre lengths of 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch. The name “Pima” honours the Pima Indians of Arizona who helped cultivate new varieties of “American-Egyptian” ELS cotton for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the early 1900s.
Pima cotton is grown in Peru, Australia, and the United States. Peruvian Pima is hand harvested, an environmentally-friendly practice. An ultra-soft cotton devoid of scratchiness results, since there are no fibre tears from industrial harvesting. This is desirable for those with sensitive skin.
In 1844, John Mercer devised a chemical technique to improve strength and uptake of dye into cotton yarns. Mercerized or pearl cottons have more saturated hues, a lustrous sheen, and smoothness. Unmercerized cottons are spun and just left alone. These minimally processed yarns have a matte finish.
Hats by Tracy J 
very nice photos, Tracy J
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