DROPS Cotton Merino vs Lion Brand Truboo

Technical verdict: DROPS Cotton Merino vs Lion Brand Truboo

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

DROPS Cotton Merino and Lion Brand Truboo 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: DROPS Cotton Merino gives 220 m per 100 g and Lion Brand Truboo gives 220 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 455 g in the first and 455 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, DROPS Cotton Merino holds 110 m in 50 g and Lion Brand Truboo holds 220 m in 100 g. Five balls of DROPS Cotton Merino (550 m) are replaced by 3 balls of Lion Brand Truboo, and five balls of Lion Brand Truboo (1,100 m) by 10 balls of DROPS Cotton Merino. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

DROPS Cotton Merino is 50 % wool, 50 % cotton. 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.

Lion Brand Truboo, on the other hand, is 100 % bamboo. Bamboo-based fibres are cool, smooth and drapey with a subtle sheen, ideal for summer tops and baby items; they have little elasticity, so swatch and block before measuring.

With such similar density, DROPS Cotton Merino and Lion Brand Truboo 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: DROPS Cotton Merino (Plied) versus Lion Brand Truboo (Smooth). 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.

Their reference gauges differ: DROPS Cotton Merino gives 21 stitches and Lion Brand Truboo gives 18 stitches in 10 cm. Over 100 stitches that is about 47.6 cm versus 55.6 cm, so check your gauge and adjust the hook before starting a fitted piece.

Verdict: can you swap them?

Lion Brand Truboo is a strong substitute for DROPS Cotton Merino, with a Match Score of 83 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

Lion Brand Truboo 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 Cotton Merino data sheet → Full Lion Brand Truboo data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →