Choose Alpachino Merino Twist when...
You want the yarn to be the feature. The two-colour strand adds depth to straightforward shapes, simple stitch patterns and quick accessories without separate colourwork.
Wool and the Gang | Alpachino Merino Twist
Two colours. One soft, statement-making chunky yarn.
Alpachino Merino Twist combines two colours in one gently twisted strand, creating a rich marled effect without complicated colourwork. The much-loved merino and baby alpaca blend stays soft, squishy and easy to use while every stitch gains extra depth and personality.
- Two colours twisted together for an effortless marled finish.
- 60% merino and 40% baby alpaca for warmth, softness and drape.
- Chunky and beginner-friendly for quick, satisfying progress.
- Same published gauge as Alpachino Merino for easy project planning.
2 colours
Twisted into every strand
60 / 40
Merino and baby alpaca blend
100g
100 metres per ball
Chunky
Fast, visible progress
Colourwork without the fuss
Why Choose Twist?
Let the yarn create the visual interest
Because both colours run together through the strand, even simple garter stitch or stocking stitch develops a lively, dimensional surface. There is no colour-changing sequence to follow and no extra ends created simply to achieve the two-tone look.
Merino contributes warmth, bounce and comfortable structure, while baby alpaca brings its distinctive soft, silky touch. The result is a premium natural-fibre yarn that looks impressive while remaining smooth and approachable for newer makers.
- Built-in two-colour effect
- Soft and comfortable to wear
- Ideal for simple stitches
- Quick chunky projects
- Suitable for knitting or crochet
- Great for statement accessories
Choose the finish that suits your project
Choose standard Alpachino Merino when...
You prefer a clean solid colour or want the stitch pattern and garment construction to take visual priority. Both versions share the same composition, ball size and published tension.
Shop solid Alpachino Merino →Four pairings, four different moods
Blue Crush
Heritage Mix
Midnight Powder
Rocksalt Rose
Select your preferred available colour using the options above the product description. Screen settings can affect how colours appear.
Compatible Alpachino Merino Patterns
Use the Twist shade to make it your own
Alpachino Merino Twist has the same published composition, ball size and tension as standard Alpachino Merino. These patterns are strong starting points when you want the same shape with a marled finish.
Beginner | Sweater
Audrey Sweater
A relaxed chunky roll neck with roomy sleeves—an excellent canvas for the Twist colour effect.
- Yarn: 8-11 balls by size
- Needles: 8mm
- Sizes: 1-6 (NZ 6-28)
- Skill level: Beginner
Intermediate | Hat
Hero Hat
A quick rib-and-moss-stitch accessory that lets the marled yarn create plenty of texture and movement.
- Yarn: 2 balls
- Needles: 5mm circular and 8mm straight
- Size: One size
- Skill level: Intermediate
Beginner | Sweater
Sunrise Sweater
Four simple garter-stitch rectangles make this first-sweater project especially suited to a statement yarn.
- Yarn: 8-10 balls by size
- Needles: 8mm
- Sizes: 1-4 (NZ 6-20)
- Skill level: Beginner
Important: the pattern photographs show solid
Alpachino Merino. Substituting Alpachino Merino Twist will create the
same style with a two-colour marled appearance. Always make a tension
swatch before beginning and follow the quantity for your selected size.
Everything you need before casting on
| Brand | Wool and the Gang |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Alpachino Merino Twist |
| Colour effect | Two colours twisted together for a marled finish |
| Weight | Chunky |
| Composition | 60% merino wool, 40% baby alpaca |
| Ball size | 100g |
| Length | 100m / approximately 109yd |
| Suggested knitting needles | 6.5mm (US 10.5) and 8mm (US 11) |
| Suggested crochet hook | 8mm |
| Tension | 13 stitches x 18 rows over 10 x 10cm |
| Works well with | Moss stitch, stocking stitch, garter stitch and double crochet |
Helpful answers for choosing your yarn
What is the difference between Alpachino Merino and Twist?
Standard Alpachino Merino is a solid colour. Twist combines two colours in the same strand for a marled finish. Both have the same 60% merino and 40% baby alpaca composition, 100g ball size, 100m length and published tension.
Can I use Twist in an Alpachino Merino pattern?
Yes, it is a suitable starting substitution because the two yarns share the same published weight and tension. Make a swatch and match the pattern gauge before committing to the project.
Is Alpachino Merino Twist suitable for beginners?
Yes. Wool and the Gang describes it as smooth, easy to knit with and ideal for beginners. The chunky weight also makes progress easy to see.
Can I crochet with Alpachino Merino Twist?
Yes. The suggested crochet hook is 8mm, and double crochet is one of the stitches recommended for this yarn. Always follow the tension requirements of your chosen pattern.
How many balls will I need?
Quantity depends on your pattern and size. As examples, the Hero Hat uses 2 balls, the Sunrise Sweater uses 8-10 balls, and the Audrey Sweater uses 8-11 balls.
Can I machine wash it?
No. Alpachino Merino Twist is hand wash only. Use cold water no warmer than 25°C, handle gently and dry the finished piece flat.
Make Simple Stitches Stand Out
Choose your Twist colour and start creating
Explore the matching patterns or discover more Wool and the Gang yarn and knitting supplies available from Direct Sewing in New Zealand.