Hi friends! Today I want to share my personal experience with Drops Big Merino yarn. If you’re always searching for the perfect yarn for cozy accessories, this Drops Big Merino yarn review will help you decide if it’s the right choice for your next project.
Drops Big Merino: Fiber Content and Key Features
Drops Big Merino is a 100% merino wool yarn, known for its softness and comfort. It’s gentle on the skin, doesn’t feel itchy, and works beautifully for accessories worn close to the body.
Key characteristics:
- soft and skin-friendly;
- warm and slightly bulky;
- highly elastic;
- perfect for fall and winter knitting projects.
This makes it a great option if you’re looking for a soft wool yarn for knitting hats, mittens, and other cozy pieces.
Yarn Thickness, Needles & Gauge
This is a bulky merino yarn, which means projects knit up quickly — ideal for fast results.
Manufacturer recommendations:
- Needles/hooks: 5 mm (US 8 / H-8)
- Gauge: 17 stitches × 22 rows = 10 × 10 cm (4" х 4") in stockinette stitch
However, one important thing to know: Drops Big Merino is very stretchy.
Because of that: avoid using larger needles, consider going down at least one needle size for better structure and shape retention. Personally, I prefer tighter fabric when working with this yarn.
Swatch & Fabric Appearance
In stockinette stitch, the yarn creates a smooth and even fabric. Ribbing looks defined and holds its shape well. Cables and textured patterns appear soft and voluminous without looking stiff — a perfect balance for modern, cozy knits.
The following stitch patterns look great with this yarn:
- 2×2 ribbing and 3×2 ribbing;
- stockinette stitch;
- garter stitch;
- seed (or pearl) stitch.
Blocking and Washing (Aftercare)
After washing, the yarn blooms slightly and becomes even softer. Stitches even out, giving your finished piece a polished look. Make sure to dry your items flat to prevent stretching, use a gentle wool detergent (or even a mild shampoo).
Pilling and Care
Like any merino wool yarn, Drops Big Merino may pill over time. This is completely normal for natural fibers.
To keep your garment looking its best remove pills as they appear, use gentle washing methods. With proper care, your knits will stay beautiful for a long time.
Yardage and Yarn Consumption
One thing to keep in mind: this yarn has relatively low yardage, so you’ll need more skeins compared to thinner yarns.
Approximate yarn usage:
- beanie (no folded brim): 2–3 skeins;
- mittens or fingerless gloves: 2–3 skeins;
- cowl or balaclava: 3–4 skeins.
I always recommend buying extra yarn — it’s better to have leftovers than run out mid-project.
What to Knit with Drops Big Merino
This yarn is ideal for:
- knitted hats;
- mittens and fingerless gloves;
- balaclavas;
- cowls.
It creates cozy, chunky, modern pieces and is very enjoyable to work with. That said, I wouldn’t recommend it for sweaters, cardigans, or long scarves — they can turn out quite heavy due to the yarn’s thickness and higher consumption.
Drops Big Merino Alternatives
If you’re looking for Drops Big Merino yarn alternatives, consider:
- BBB Full (100% merino wool, 50 g/90 m);
- Lana Gatto Maxi Soft (100% merino wool, 50 g/90 m);
- Alize Merino Royal (100% wool, 50 g/100 m).
These yarns are similar in weight and performance and can be good substitutes.
Is Drops Big Merino Worth It?
So, is Drops Big Merino yarn worth it?
Absolutely — especially if you want to create warm, soft, and stylish accessories quickly. While it does require more yarn and may pill over time, the comfort, texture, and knitting experience make it a great choice.
And one more thing I really love — projects knit up fast, which is perfect if you enjoy seeing results quickly.
Fingerless Gloves Pattern in Drops Big Merino
I used this yarn for my fingerless gloves knitting pattern, and I absolutely love the result. The gloves turned out soft, warm, and well-structured. As mentioned earlier, I used smaller needles (3.5 mm / US 4 instead of the recommended 5 mm / US 8), which helped create a more stable fabric.
If you’re wondering what to knit with Drops Big Merino, this is a perfect project to start with.