DROPS Big Merino vs DROPS Nepal

Technical verdict: DROPS Big Merino vs DROPS Nepal

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

DROPS Big Merino and DROPS Nepal 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: DROPS Big Merino gives 150 m per 100 g and DROPS Nepal 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, DROPS Big Merino holds 75 m in 50 g and DROPS Nepal holds 75 m in 50 g. Five balls of DROPS Big Merino (375 m) are replaced by 5 balls of DROPS Nepal, and five balls of DROPS Nepal (375 m) by 5 balls of DROPS Big Merino. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

DROPS Big Merino is 100 % wool. Merino is soft, warm and elastic: it blocks beautifully and recovers after stretching, which makes it a classic for garments and baby items; non-superwash merino must be washed by hand to avoid felting.

DROPS Nepal, 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, DROPS Big Merino and DROPS Nepal 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, 5 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 Nepal is a strong substitute for DROPS Big Merino, 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.

DROPS Big Merino and DROPS Nepal 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 DROPS Big Merino data sheet → Full DROPS Nepal data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →