Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima vs DROPS Muskat

Technical verdict: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima vs DROPS Muskat

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima and DROPS Muskat 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 Muskat 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 Muskat holds 100 m in 50 g. Five balls of Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima (1,000 m) are replaced by 10 balls of DROPS Muskat, and five balls of DROPS Muskat (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

Both yarns share the same fibre family: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima is 100 % cotton (mercerized) and DROPS Muskat is 100 % cotton (mercerized), so they wash, block and wear in a similar way. 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.

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

They also share the same construction (Mercerized), so stitch definition and the way the yarn behaves on the hook should feel familiar when you switch.

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 Muskat is a strong substitute for Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima, with a Match Score of 100 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

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 Muskat data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →