Malabrigo Rios Superwash Merino Worsted / 10 Ply Yarn

Rios is a soft, washable, four-ply worsted yarn made from 100% superwash merino wool and offered in Malabrigo's hand-dyed colourways.

Malabrigo classifies it as worsted weight. In New Zealand terms it is commonly used as approximately 10 ply, but the pattern gauge remains more important than the label.

No. Four ply describes the four strands twisted into its construction. Its yarn weight is worsted / approximately NZ 10 ply, not fingering / NZ 4 ply.

It is 100% superwash merino wool.

Each 100g hank contains approximately 192 metres or 210 yards.

The official range is 4–5mm / US 6–8. Change needle size as needed to achieve the pattern's gauge and desired fabric.

Malabrigo recommends 5.5–6.5mm / US I-9 to K-10/12 as a starting range. The project and desired fabric may call for another size.

Malabrigo gives 18–22 stitches per 10cm / 4 inches. Always wash and dry a garment swatch before relying on the measurement.

Malabrigo recommends it for next-to-skin projects and describes it as very soft. Individual wool sensitivity varies, so test a hank against the intended wearer's skin.

Yes. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water, do not tumble dry and dry the project flat.

No. Malabrigo says not to tumble dry. Support the wet project, reshape it and dry it flat.

Superwash treatment improves washability, but the project still deserves cool water and a gentle cycle. Heat, harsh agitation and unsuitable drying can affect the fabric.

Superwash merino fabric can relax when wet, depending on stitch pattern and gauge. Make a generous swatch, wash it as planned and measure after it dries flat.

The four-ply construction helps resist pilling, but no soft merino yarn is pill-proof. Friction, gauge, garment fit and care affect surface wear.

Yes. Its round, smooth four-ply strand gives cables, ribs, bobbles and textured stitches strong definition.

Yes. The range offers strong colour possibilities and the plied strand gives clear stitches. Swatch colour combinations because variegated shades can interact with motifs in unexpected ways.

Malabrigo recommends it for baby and child items because it is soft and machine washable. Confirm wool suits the recipient and follow safe garment construction and care.

Yes. It works well for baby blankets, throws and cushions where merino softness and rich colour are desired. Calculate the substantial metreage carefully.

Its weight suits thick slipper-style socks, but pure merino has no nylon reinforcement. For frequently worn socks exposed to heel and toe abrasion, Malabrigo Ultimate Sock is a more suitable starting point.

Many adult hat patterns fit within one 192m hank, but folded brims, cables, large sizes, pom-poms and matching accessories may require more. Check the pattern.

Many small or fitted cowls can, while tall, doubled or wrap-style cowls often need two or more. Use the chosen pattern's metreage.

A broad planning range is around 7–12 or more hanks. Size, fit, sleeves, length, cables, colourwork and pattern gauge can move the quantity substantially.

It is supplied as a hank. Wind it into a ball or cake before knitting or crocheting so it feeds cleanly without tangling.

Rios is hand dyed. The same colour recipe can produce different tonal balance and colour placement between batches and individual hanks. Screens also display colour differently.

A dye lot identifies yarn coloured in the same production batch. With hand-dyed yarn, hanks can still vary within a dye lot, but another lot may differ even more.

Yes. Malabrigo specifically recommends buying enough to complete the project because each bag and dye lot may vary.

Alternating a few rows from two hanks distributes natural shade variation through the fabric instead of letting one hank form a visible block.

Usually not for a one-hank project. For larger pieces, compare the hanks first; alternating is especially useful when tonal balance differs noticeably.

Possibly, if the washed gauge, fibre behaviour, construction and metreage suit the pattern. Make a full swatch before deciding.

Yes. It works for garments, accessories, toys, blankets, cushions and textured crochet. Crochet can use more yarn than knitting, so follow the pattern metreage.

Rios is a four-ply worsted yarn with 192m per 100g. Mechita is a much finer single-ply fingering yarn with 384m per 100g and a more fluid fabric.

Rios is a pure-merino worsted yarn. Ultimate Sock is a fine merino/nylon blend designed for greater abrasion resistance in socks and high-friction projects.