DMC Natura Medium vs DROPS Paris

Technical verdict: DMC Natura Medium vs DROPS Paris

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

DMC Natura Medium and DROPS Paris are both Medium (CYC 4) 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: DMC Natura Medium gives 150 m per 100 g and DROPS Paris gives 150 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 667 g in the first and 667 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, DMC Natura Medium holds 75 m in 50 g and DROPS Paris holds 75 m in 50 g. Five balls of DMC Natura Medium (375 m) are replaced by 5 balls of DROPS Paris, and five balls of DROPS Paris (375 m) by 5 balls of DMC Natura Medium. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

Both yarns share the same fibre family: DMC Natura Medium is 100 % cotton and DROPS Paris is 100 % cotton, 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, DMC Natura Medium and DROPS Paris 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 (Plied), so stitch definition and the way the yarn behaves on the hook should feel familiar when you switch.

Hook size and gauge

The ball bands recommend 4 mm for DMC Natura Medium and 5 mm for DROPS Paris, with no hook size in common. Substituting one for the other will change the fabric, so swatch with each yarn's own hook and recalculate your stitch counts.

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 Paris is a strong substitute for DMC Natura Medium, with a Match Score of 90 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

DMC Natura Medium and DROPS Paris have the same length per ball, so the number of balls you buy stays the same.

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 DMC Natura Medium data sheet → Full DROPS Paris data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →