Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima vs DROPS Lima

Technical verdict: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima vs DROPS Lima

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima and DROPS Lima are both Light (CYC 3) yarns, so on paper they are interchangeable in the same patterns. The weight class only tells half the story, though: the ball band data below shows how much they really differ in thickness, yardage and behaviour once they are on the hook.

Their linear density is practically identical: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima gives 200 m per 100 g and DROPS Lima gives 200 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 500 g in the first and 500 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima holds 200 m in 100 g and DROPS Lima holds 100 m in 50 g. Five balls of Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima (1,000 m) are replaced by 10 balls of DROPS Lima, and five balls of DROPS Lima (500 m) by 3 balls of Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima is 100 % cotton (mercerized). Cotton is inelastic and absorbent: stitches look crisp and defined, the fabric holds its shape in amigurumi, bags and dishcloths, but garments can feel heavy and stretch downwards when wet.

DROPS Lima, on the other hand, is 65 % wool, 35 % alpaca. Wool is elastic and warm and keeps its shape well; it blocks easily and forgives uneven tension, but non-superwash wool can felt with heat and agitation.

With such similar density, Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima and DROPS Lima will give fabrics of comparable weight and drape at the same gauge; any difference in hand will come mainly from the fibre.

Their construction differs: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima (Mercerized) versus DROPS Lima (Plied). This changes stitch definition and how easy it is to see your stitches, so expect a different look even at the same gauge.

Hook size and gauge

Both ball bands recommend the same hook, 4 mm, so you can start your swatch with the hook size the pattern already calls for.

At least one manufacturer does not publish a reference gauge, so work a 12 × 12 cm swatch with your usual hook before comparing sizes.

Verdict: can you swap them?

DROPS Lima can replace Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima with some adjustments (Match Score 78 %). Expect small differences in gauge or drape: swatch first and be ready to change the hook by half a size.

Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima gives more meters per ball, so you will usually buy fewer balls.

Whichever you choose, buy all the balls for a project from the same dye lot and keep the ball band for its care instructions.

Full Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima data sheet → Full DROPS Lima data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →