DROPS Paris vs Lily Sugar'n Cream

Technical verdict: DROPS Paris vs Lily Sugar'n Cream

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

DROPS Paris and Lily Sugar'n Cream 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 Paris gives 150 m per 100 g and Lily Sugar'n Cream gives 154 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 667 g in the first and 651 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, DROPS Paris holds 75 m in 50 g and Lily Sugar'n Cream holds 109 m in 71 g. Five balls of DROPS Paris (375 m) are replaced by 4 balls of Lily Sugar'n Cream, and five balls of Lily Sugar'n Cream (545 m) by 8 balls of DROPS Paris. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

Both yarns share the same fibre family: DROPS Paris is 100 % cotton and Lily Sugar'n Cream 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, DROPS Paris and Lily Sugar'n Cream 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?

Lily Sugar'n Cream is a strong substitute for DROPS Paris, with a Match Score of 96 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

Lily Sugar'n Cream 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 Paris data sheet → Full Lily Sugar'n Cream data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →