DROPS Karisma vs DROPS Merino Extra Fine

Technical verdict: DROPS Karisma vs DROPS Merino Extra Fine

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

DROPS Karisma and DROPS Merino Extra Fine 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.

DROPS Merino Extra Fine is the longer yarn per gram, with 210 m per 100 g against 200 m per 100 g for DROPS Karisma, a difference of 5 %. For the same 1,000 m of yarn, the project weighs about 500 g in DROPS Karisma and 476 g in DROPS Merino Extra Fine. A lower m/100 g figure means a thicker or denser strand, so the heavier yarn will also make a slightly thicker, warmer fabric.

Per ball, DROPS Karisma holds 100 m in 50 g and DROPS Merino Extra Fine holds 105 m in 50 g. Five balls of DROPS Karisma (500 m) are replaced by 5 balls of DROPS Merino Extra Fine, and five balls of DROPS Merino Extra Fine (525 m) by 6 balls of DROPS Karisma. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

DROPS Karisma is 100 % wool. 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.

DROPS Merino Extra Fine, on the other hand, 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.

With such similar density, DROPS Karisma and DROPS Merino Extra Fine 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, 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 Merino Extra Fine is a strong substitute for DROPS Karisma, with a Match Score of 92 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

DROPS Merino Extra Fine 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 Karisma data sheet → Full DROPS Merino Extra Fine data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →