Grown in New Zealand
The superfine merino fibre is sourced from New Zealand, giving every ball a genuine local-fibre provenance.
New Zealand-grown superfine merino · DK / 8 ply
A yarn with New Zealand at the heart of every stitch
Broadway NZ Merino DK is made from 100% superfine superwash merino grown in New Zealand, then manufactured into a smooth, consistent yarn in Italy. Soft, warm and easy to care for, it brings genuine fibre provenance to garments, baby knits, accessories, blankets, colourwork and crochet.
- 100% New Zealand-grown merino for a meaningful local-fibre story.
- Superfine and superwash for softness with practical everyday care.
- 105 metres per 50g ball in a familiar DK / New Zealand 8 ply weight.
- Eighteen considered shades for solids, stripes and colourwork.
NZ fibre · 50g · 105m
100% NZ MerinoSuperfine fibre grown here
DK / 8 PlyVersatile everyday weight
105m / 50gPer ball
4mmRecommended needle start
From New Zealand merino fibre to your finished project
The value of this range is not just in how it feels. It is also in knowing where the fibre comes from and choosing a yarn that connects a handmade project with New Zealand's merino story.
Manufactured in Italy
Italian yarn manufacturing creates the smooth, plied construction and consistent finish knitters expect from Broadway.
Made personal by you
Transform it into garments, gifts and heirloom pieces with the colour, fit and stitchwork that make handcraft special.
Softness, stitch clarity and easy-care warmth
Merino creates a soft, warm and breathable fabric for pieces worn close to the body, subject to each wearer's wool sensitivity.
The even, plied yarn shows off stocking stitch, ribs, cables, texture, colourwork and crochet motifs clearly.
Gentle machine-wash care makes treasured wool garments easier to live with, especially for busy households and baby projects.
Premium without overclaiming: superfine merino is chosen for softness, but no wool can be guaranteed itch-free for every person. Test it against the intended wearer's skin when sensitivity is a concern.
A focused eighteen-shade palette
New Zealand landscapes, everyday neutrals and rich accents
The range moves from White, Ivory, Fawn, Silver and Charcoal through Denim, Ocean, Duck Egg and Navy, with Rose, Orchid, Aubergine, Red, Mustard and Leaf Green adding warmth and personality.
- Select by both shade number and name
- Order the full project quantity together
- Check dye lots across every ball
- Allow for differences between screens and real yarn
680Soft Blue
685Soft Pink
6146Rose
6147Ocean
6200Black
6201White
6205Aubergine
6282Leaf Green
6285Mustard
6400Fawn
6417Navy
6426Ivory
6563Red
6600Silver
6705Charcoal
6725Orchid
6820Denim
6860Duck Egg
Choose it for projects that deserve warmth and wearability
Jumpers and cardigans
Soft, breathable layers with the clear stitch definition needed for polished handmade garments.
Baby garments
Superfine softness and gentle machine-wash care make it a practical option when wool suits the recipient.
Hats and headbands
Warm, satisfying projects that showcase ribs, cables, colourwork and coordinated shade combinations.
Scarves and cowls
Merino warmth and softness create inviting accessories for cool mornings and winter layering.
Mittens and gloves
A smooth yarn for warm handknits where softness, flexibility and stitch clarity matter.
Blankets
The balanced palette supports stripes, motifs, borders and carefully planned colour stories.
Colourwork
Pair light and dark shades with strong value contrast so Fair Isle and graphic motifs stay easy to read.
Crochet
Use it for garments, baby pieces, granny squares and accessories after swatching for drape and density.
Three steps make buying the right quantity easier
Read the pattern metreage
Use the total metre requirement for your exact size and version. Each Broadway NZ Merino DK ball contains approximately 105 metres.
Allow for real-life changes
Add enough for the swatch, extra length, fit adjustments, colour matching and any modifications already planned.
Buy the quantity together
Ordering every ball for the project at one time gives the best chance of receiving a consistent dye lot.
Quick calculation: divide the pattern's required metres by 105 and round up to the next whole ball. Then add any allowance needed for swatching or modifications.
NZ Merino DK, standard Merino DK or Baby Supremo?
| Feature | NZ Merino DK | Standard Merino DK | Baby Supremo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | DK / NZ 8 ply | DK / NZ 8 ply | Fingering / NZ 4 ply |
| Fibre | 100% superfine superwash merino grown in New Zealand | 100% superfine superwash merino | 100% superfine merino |
| Pack size | 50g / approximately 105m | 50g / approximately 105m | 50g / approximately 200m |
| Colour approach | Focused premium palette | Broader solid-colour palette | Fine baby shades and fashion colours |
| Choose it for | New Zealand fibre provenance, garments, baby knits and colourwork | Value, wide colour choice and general DK projects | Fine baby garments, shawls and lightweight accessories |
A small swatch protects a big project
Start at 4mm, then adjust for the fabric you need
Four millimetre knitting needles are the recommended starting point, with approximately 22 stitches per 10cm as a useful reference. Your tension, needle material, stitch pattern and project can all change the result.
For garments and fitted pieces, make a generous swatch and wash it as the finished item will be washed. Measure only after it has dried flat and settled, then change needle size if required.
Substituting this yarn: compare the pattern's required metreage, washed gauge and intended fabric. Matching the DK or 8 ply label alone does not guarantee the same result.
Broadway NZ Merino DK at a glance
| Brand | Broadway Yarns |
|---|---|
| Range | Premium NZ Merino DK |
| Article code | DFNZMD, followed by the shade number |
| Yarn weight | DK / New Zealand 8 ply |
| Fibre content | 100% superfine superwash merino wool |
| Fibre origin | New Zealand |
| Yarn manufacture | Italy |
| Ball weight | 50g |
| Length | Approximately 105m per ball |
| Recommended knitting needles | 4mm starting point; adjust to achieve pattern gauge |
| Reference knitting gauge | Approximately 22 stitches per 10cm / 4in |
| Construction | Smooth, plied, solid-colour yarn |
| Care | Gentle machine wash. Follow the ball band and reshape to dry flat. |
| Suitable for | Knitting and crochet garments, babywear, accessories, blankets and colourwork |
Gentle laundering helps merino look better for longer
Follow the ball-band instructions and use a mild wool-friendly detergent on the recommended machine cycle.
Wash strongly coloured projects separately at first and avoid unnecessary soaking.
Do not wring or hang a heavy wet garment, because water weight can pull it out of shape.
Lay the project to its intended dimensions away from direct heat and store it clean and dry.
Patterns, needles and Broadway alternatives
Find an 8 ply pattern
Start with DK / 8 ply patterns, then confirm the required gauge and total metreage for your selected size.
Browse Knitting PatternsChoose the needles
Begin with 4mm knitting needles and adjust after swatching to achieve the pattern's washed gauge.
Browse Knitting NeedlesCompare the standard Merino DK
Choose the standard Broadway Merino DK when the widest solid-colour choice and keen everyday value matter most.
View Broadway Merino DKBroadway NZ Merino DK FAQs
Is the merino actually grown in New Zealand?
Yes. The official supplier describes the range as 100% superfine merino grown in New Zealand.
Where is the yarn manufactured?
The New Zealand-grown merino fibre is manufactured into yarn in Italy.
Is it DK or 8 ply?
It is DK weight, commonly called 8 ply in New Zealand. The pattern's gauge remains the final guide.
What is it made from?
It is made from 100% superfine superwash merino wool.
How much yarn is in one ball?
Each 50g ball contains approximately 105 metres.
What needle size should I use?
Start with 4mm knitting needles and adjust as needed to achieve the pattern's gauge and the fabric you want.
What is the typical knitting gauge?
Approximately 22 stitches per 10cm is the reference tension. Always make and wash a swatch for fitted projects.
Can I crochet with it?
Yes. Use the hook size suggested by the pattern, then swatch and adjust until the fabric has the intended drape and density.
Is it machine washable?
Yes. It is superwash merino. Use a gentle machine wash according to the ball band and reshape finished pieces to dry flat.
Is it suitable for babies?
Its superfine softness and superwash care make it a practical option for baby garments and blankets when wool suits the recipient.
Is it guaranteed not to itch?
No wool can be guaranteed comfortable for every person. This is superfine merino, but sensitivity varies, so test it against the intended wearer's skin.
Can I use it for colourwork?
Yes. Its smooth solid shades suit stripes, Fair Isle and other colourwork techniques. Choose shades with enough light-dark contrast for the motif.
How many colours are in the range?
The official supplier palette contains 18 shades. The product selector shows the colours currently available from Direct Sewing.
How do I calculate the number of balls?
Divide the pattern's required metres by 105 and round up to a whole ball. Add extra for swatching and planned modifications.
Should I buy all the balls together?
Yes. Ordering the complete project quantity together gives the best chance of receiving matching dye lots.
Why can the colour look different on my screen?
Displays reproduce colour differently and lighting affects yarn photography. Use the shade number and name as well as the image when selecting.
Will merino pill?
Soft merino can fuzz or pill where fabric rubs. Gentle care and choosing suitable projects help preserve the surface.
Is it suitable for socks?
It can suit slipper-style or light-wear designs, but it contains no reinforcing nylon. Choose a dedicated sock yarn for regular high-friction wear.
What is the difference from standard Broadway Merino DK?
Both are superfine superwash merino DK yarns with approximately 105m per 50g. This premium range specifically uses merino fibre grown in New Zealand, while the standard range offers a broader solid-colour palette.
Find your Broadway NZ Merino DK shade
Select a colour above, calculate the full project metreage and order the quantity together for the best chance of matching dye lots.
View the Colour Guide