How to choose yarn

All yarns and fibers have distinct properties such as appearance, texture, shape stability and durability. When choosing yarn for a project, it's important to consider how the finished garment will be used, so that the fiber matches the requirements of wear and care.

Additionally, it's important to know that you are not limited to the examples shown here. Each yarn’s shade card provides detailed information: fiber composition, key properties, recommended uses, care and washing instructions, origin of the yarn as well as its Oeko-Tex certification.

So the next step is simple:

What would you like to make?

Socks for everyday use: These should be durable and machine washable. Yarns containing synthetic fibers (more durability) and superwash treated wool are ideal. Examples include DROPS Fabel and DROPS Fiesta. DROPS Nord is also a good option, though it is not superwash treated.

Garments for babies and people with sensitive skin: Machine washable merino yarns are extra soft and therefore recommended, such as DROPS Baby Merino, DROPS Big Merino, DROPS Cotton Merino or DROPS Merino Extra Fine.

Sport sweaters, hats and mittens for active kids and adults Clothing that must endure friction, warmth from exercise or play, and regular washing, requires durable fibers. Tightly spun and superwash treated yarns, such as DROPS Karisma, DROPS Fiesta or DROPS Fabel, are excellent choices.

Other yarns for everyday wear include DROPS Alaska, DROPS Alpaca, DROPS Nord, DROPS Flora, DROPS Lima, DROPS Nepal, DROPS Alpaca Boucle or DROPS Soft Tweed. These are durable but will require handwashing.

Cosy sweaters and cardigans: For garments that feel light yet warm, choose yarns that combine softness with airy volume. Fibers such as alpaca create a gentle halo effect, making sweaters and cardigans especially comfortable to wear. Recommended yarns include DROPS Air and DROPS Melody which are both soft, fluffy and warm without being heavy. You can also get this halo effect and extra softness by working one or two strands of DROPS Kid-Silk together with your favourite yarn! Find popular combinations with DROPS Kid-Silk here.

Elegant tops and blouses for party or office wear: Finer fibers are loosely spun, producing garments that feel light and soft. These require extra care to maintain their quality: avoid friction and wash gently, following the care instructions provided on the shade card. Suitable yarns include DROPS Daisy, DROPS Kid-Silk, DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk, DROPS Puna and selected yarn combinations.

Soft, mohair-like cardigans, sweaters, ponchos, shawls and scarves: For warm, lightweight garments, choose soft, long-haired yarns with loose fibers. Blends with alpaca and silk provide the softest result. Recommended yarns include DROPS Air, DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk, DROPS Kid-Silk, DROPS Melody, DROPS Alpaca Boucle or DROPS Sky.

Summer tops, cardigans or blouses: Durable, long-fiber cotton or cotton blends are ideal. Mercerized yarns like DROPS Muskat provide a shiny finish, while linen blends such as DROPS Belle and DROPS Bomull-Lin give a rustic look. Other cotton yarns, like DROPS Paris, DROPS Cotton Light and DROPS Safran, are great everyday choices, as cotton is soft, absorbent and durable, making it suitable for summer clothing.

Washcloths and potholders: Durable cotton yarns are best, including DROPS Loves You #7, DROPS Loves You #9, DROPS Safran and DROPS Paris. These are machine washable, practical and hard-wearing.

Slippers, bags, mittens and felted items: Projects that need durability and softness are best made with pure wool yarns that are loosely spun and not superwash treated. Recommended yarns include DROPS Snow, DROPS Polaris, DROPS Alaska, DROPS Lima or DROPS Nepal.

Already have a project and yarn in mind?

You’ll find our complete yarn assortment here.

Find more information about the different fibers used in the DROPS yarns in our FAQ.

Use our yarn calculator to know how much yarn you will need for a project when choosing to work with an alternative yarn.