How to choose yarn

How to choose yarn

All yarn/fibers have different natural properties, which are the same you look for when buying finished knitted garments. So before you choose the yarn for a specific project, it is important you know that different yarns have different structures, form stability, durability and thermal properties - so you can make sure you pick the right one for you!

What would you like to make?

Socks for everyday use; they must be durable (preferably yarn with some synthetic fibers in it) and machine washable (superwash treated). We recommend DROPS Fabel or DROPS Delight

Garments for babies and people with sensitive skin; choose the softest yarns that don’t itch and can be machine washed. We recommend our merino yarns: DROPS Baby Merino, DROPS Big Merino, DROPS Cotton Merino or DROPS Merino Extra Fine

Sport sweaters, caps and gloves for active kids and adults; the fibers must tolerate to be warm and be machine washable. That's why it's important you choose a durable yarn, tight spun and superwash treated like DROPS Karisma, or DROPS Fabel

Elegant blouses for party/office wear; the nicer the fibers, the looser they are spun together and the lighter and softer the garment feels. Which means a blouse you must take good care of, also when you wash it. Why not try one of our lovely alpaca yarns?

Soft, mohair-like ponchos, shawls and scarves; choose a soft, long haired quality with loose fibers, mixed with alpaca and silk for the softest result. Why not try DROPS Air, DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk, DROPS Kid-Silk, DROPS Melody or DROPS Sky.

Summer tops, jackets or blouses; feel free to use a durable, long fiber cotton (or part cotton) yarn, choosing mercerized for shine, viscose for gloss or linen for the rustic feel. See our lovely cotton yarns here.

Slippers, bags, gloves and other things that need to be felted; for the best result choose a soft yarn, preferably in pure wool, loosely spun and NOT superwash treated.
We recommend specially DROPS Eskimo, DROPS Polaris, DROPS Big Delight, DROPS Alaska or DROPS Nepal.


It’s important that you know that you can use more DROPS yarns than the ones given as examples in each of the cases above. Inside every yarn's shade card we describe its fiber composition, properties and recommended use - as well as the care/wash information, origin of the yarn and Oeko-Tex certification.

You will find more information about the different fibers here in our FAQ!

See here how to calculate the amount of yarn needed when working with an alternative yarn!

Comments (31)

Anita Colebrook wrote:

Har dere et tips til alternativt garn for drops Paris?

06.12.2020 - 22:03:

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Anita. Du kan byta ut DROPS Paris mot DLY 8 eller ett annat garn i garngrupp C. Du kan även använda dubbel tråd av ett garn i garngrupp A som t.ex. DROPS Safran. Mvh DROPS Design

08.12.2020 - 10:45:

Susana Chaparro wrote:

Preciosos trabajos y materiales, lo mas bonito q he encontrado

06.11.2020 - 14:57:

Tonje wrote:

Hei, Hvilket garn anbefaler dere til et babyteppe som skal brukes om sommeren? Må være et som puster godt og ikke blir for varmt.

14.06.2020 - 16:01:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Tonje. Det kommer jo litt an på hvilken tykkelse på garnet du ønsker å strikke med og hva du selv liker. Personlig ville jeg ha valgt et garn fra garngruppe A. Der har vi forskjellige ull og ull/alpakka kvaliteter og en bomullskvalitet om du ønsker det (DROPS Safran). DROPS Baby Merino er veldig deilig mot babyhud. Strikker man et teppe med hullmønster vil det være lufting, men samtidig varme. God Fornøyelse!

15.06.2020 - 07:56:

Ida wrote:

Hej! Vilket garn rekommenderar ni om man vill virka en höstpläd i mormorsrutor? Ska helst värma lite men inte sticka, och hålla utseendet någorlunda (inte tova/ludda sig för mycket) trots användning. Existerar sådant garn? Mvh Ida

23.03.2020 - 12:16:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Ida. Vi har mange kvaliteter du kan bruke til å hekle et høstteppe i bestemorruter, både tynt og tykt. Om du ønsker et multifargete garn, ta en titt på DROPS Delight og DROPS Big Delight. Se også på alle våre kvaliteter under fanen: GARN. Sjekk fargekartene til kvalitetene, der kan du også lese mer om kvaliteten. Om et garn stikker eller ikke er ganske personlig, man må neste kjenne på garnet. God Fornøyelse!

30.03.2020 - 07:20:

Jill wrote:

Do you have a yarn that can be use in a crochet swimwear? Thanks!

08.03.2020 - 23:43:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Jill, you might try DROPS CottonLight but remember to always make a swatch/try first. Happy crocheting!

12.03.2020 - 09:30:

Eliin Drange wrote:

Hvilken tråd passer best til toving

01.04.2019 - 10:44:

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Eliin, her ser du de garner som kan toves: DROPS garn - kan toves

03.05.2019 - 13:40:

Cassandra Bannister wrote:

I would like the pattern for the sleeveless vest that is shown on this page, kindly give me the name or reference number for the pattern. Thank so much for the beautiful patterns that you have published.

10.02.2018 - 05:16:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Bannister, you'll find the pattern for the pink vest here. Happy knitting!

12.02.2018 - 10:08:

Kathryn Cobb wrote:

It looks like your skeins can be knitted directly without tangling, implying that they do not need to be wound into a ball or cake first. Is that true?

29.05.2017 - 14:49:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Cobb, our yarns are already in balls, so that you can use them as they are and do not have to make new balls from the skeins. Happy knitting!

30.05.2017 - 12:00:

Pattianne wrote:

I am 78+ and have recently returned to crochet since am laid up with a broken back. I do not understand How Drops yarn groups relate to our usual yarn descriptions like lace, fingering, baby, DK, Worsted and bulky. Need to know this in order to use U.S. and vintage designs with drops yarns. Pattianne

27.04.2017 - 13:16:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Pattiane, you will find here an overview of all our groups of yarn with the mention lace, fingering, dk, worsted, etc... Remember your DROPS store will also help you, even per mail or telephone if needed. Happy knitting!

28.04.2017 - 09:22:

Liz Davies wrote:

Hi, I don't understand how to tell what ply wool to use with your patterns. When it says 16 stitches of 24 stitches, I don't understand what that means. I'm used to using a ply of wool, eg 8ply. Please help!

03.03.2016 - 07:06:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Liz, you will find all our yarn listed by group with category of ply so that you can have an overview. Remember your DROPS store will also provide you further individual assistance. Happy knitting!

03.03.2016 - 13:58:

Mônica Martins wrote:

Por que não há entregas para o Brasil? Já pensaram nesta possibilidade?

12.10.2015 - 07:03:

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