DROPS Alpaca vs DROPS Nord

Technical verdict: DROPS Alpaca vs DROPS Nord

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

DROPS Alpaca and DROPS Nord are both Super Fine (CYC 1) 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: DROPS Alpaca gives 334 m per 100 g and DROPS Nord gives 340 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 299 g in the first and 294 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, DROPS Alpaca holds 167 m in 50 g and DROPS Nord holds 170 m in 50 g. Five balls of DROPS Alpaca (835 m) are replaced by 5 balls of DROPS Nord, and five balls of DROPS Nord (850 m) by 6 balls of DROPS Alpaca. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

DROPS Alpaca is 100 % alpaca. Alpaca is warmer than wool and has a beautiful drape and halo; it has little memory, so fitted pieces can grow with wear and are best blocked flat.

DROPS Nord, on the other hand, is 45 % alpaca, 30 % nylon, 25 % wool. The nylon content adds strength and abrasion resistance, so the yarn holds up to washing and wear in socks, toys and hard-wearing pieces.

With such similar density, DROPS Alpaca and DROPS Nord 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

Both ball bands recommend the same hook, 3 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 Nord is a strong substitute for DROPS Alpaca, with a Match Score of 87 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

DROPS Nord 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 DROPS Alpaca data sheet → Full DROPS Nord data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →