The addition of a bifunctional monomer, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), to a grafting system containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and benzoin ethyl ether photoinitiator substantially increased the graft add-on of the unswollen and sodium hydroxide-swollen cotton cellulose. Grafting caused changes in the properties of the substrate such as moisture regain, the water of imbibition, and the dyeability with a direct and a reactive dye in accordance with the graft level. The observations have been explained in relation to structural changes in the grafted cotton.