A superb choice for scarves, cowls, hats and hand-wash-friendly garments, subject to the wearer's individual sensitivity to wool.
Malabrigo's original · hand-dyed single-ply merino
Cloud-soft warmth and colour that glows
Malabrigo Worsted is the yarn that began the story: a plump single ply of fine Uruguayan merino, kettle-dyed in small batches for luminous colour and an irresistibly soft, squishy handle.
- 100% fine merino wool for exceptional next-to-skin softness.
- Single-ply construction gives the fabric a smooth, softly blooming character.
- 192 metres per 100g hank in versatile worsted / approximately NZ 10 ply.
- Non-superwash and feltable for traditional wool character and creative felting.
100g · 192m · 4.5–5.5mm
100% MerinoFine Uruguayan wool
Worsted / 10 PlyWarm medium weight
192m / 100g210 yards per hank
18 stitchesPer 10cm / 4in
A softly rounded single ply with unmistakable Malabrigo character
With no separate plies competing for attention, the strand shows hand-dyed colour in broad, uninterrupted sweeps. The result is lofty, warm fabric with a gentle halo and a relaxed, handmade beauty.
The single ply makes tonal shifts, semi-solids and variegated colourways look deep and painterly—even in very simple stitches.
The plump strand traps warmth while retaining a soft hand, making it inviting for cosy layers and winter accessories.
Choose softness thoughtfully: a buttery-soft single ply is more susceptible to fuzzing and pilling where it meets constant friction. It shines in cowls, hats, scarves, gentle-wear garments and special pieces; choose a more tightly plied base for hard-working socks or high-abrasion areas.
Original Worsted, not Rios
Same useful metreage. A completely different fabric personality.
Malabrigo Worsted and Rios are both 100g worsted-weight hanks with approximately 192 metres, but that is where the similarity ends. Original Worsted is single ply, non-superwash and softly blooming; Rios is four ply, superwash and more structured.
- Choose Worsted for maximum softness, warmth and luminous colour
- Choose Rios for sharper definition, easier washing and more frequent wear
- Choose Worsted when you want to felt the finished project
- Always follow the care instructions for the exact Malabrigo base
Make the kind of knit people instinctively reach out to touch
Cowls & scarves
The showcase project: luxurious against the neck, warmly cushioned and spectacular in tonal or variegated colour.
Hats & headbands
One-hank possibilities with warmth, stretch and expressive colour—especially lovely in ribs and simple texture.
Jumpers & cardigans
Cosy, hand-wash-friendly garments with relaxed definition and a soft halo; best where rubbing is moderate.
Mittens & handwarmers
Warm, soft accessories for lighter use. Choose a plied yarn when long-term abrasion resistance is the priority.
Simple stitches
Stocking stitch and garter stitch let hand-dyed shifts take centre stage without a complicated pattern.
Cables & texture
The plump strand makes dimensional stitches look soft and substantial, with gentler edges than a round plied yarn.
Colourwork
A warm, lightly blooming fabric helps motifs settle together beautifully; swatch contrasting hand-dyed shades first.
Felting projects
Because it is non-superwash wool, Worsted can be intentionally felted for bags, bowls, slippers and creative textiles.
Eleven small-batch shades with depth no flat colour can imitate
Choose by the three-digit colour code and name. Every photograph captures the colourway's general character; your hand-dyed hank will be beautifully individual.
035 Frank OchreWarm mustard and golden ochre
037 LettuceFresh leafy green
062 MarineDeep marine blue
069 Pearl TenSmoky charcoal and violet
073 UvaRich grape purple
074 PolvorientoDusty mauve and soft violet
098 TuaregVivid tonal blue
102 Sealing WaxDeep wax red
130 Damask RoseVintage rose pink
145 ForestWoodland green
152 Tiger LilyFiery orange-red
Hand-dyed colour note: tone and colour placement vary between hanks and dye lots—including hanks from the same bag. Screens also display colour differently. Buy enough for your whole project at once and regard the photographs as a guide, not an exact match.
Three habits for a beautifully blended multi-hank project
Buy enough together
Use the pattern's metreage, add an allowance for swatching or changes, and purchase the full project quantity at one time.
Compare before winding
Lay every hank together in natural light. Decide whether to blend them evenly or arrange them as a deliberate colour progression.
Alternate two hanks
Work a few rows from one hank and then the other. Alternating distributes natural variation instead of creating a visible line.
Worsted comes as a hank: wind it into a ball or cake before knitting or crocheting. Keep the label with your project so the shade, dye-lot and care information are easy to find.
How many 100g hanks might you need?
These are broad starting estimates, not substitutes for a pattern. Check the metreage for your size—fit, length, sleeves, cables, colourwork, crochet density and swatching can all change the quantity.
| Project | Typical starting estimate | Plan extra when… |
|---|---|---|
| Hat, headband or small mitts | Often 1 hank | You are making a folded brim, large size, dense texture or matching set |
| Cowl | 1–2 hanks | The design is tall, doubled, heavily textured or wraps twice |
| Scarf | 2–4 hanks | You want generous width, extra length, fringe or dense crochet |
| Baby garment | 2–4 hanks | The piece has long sleeves, a hood, larger sizing or textured stitches |
| Child jumper or cardigan | 4–7 hanks | The size, length, hood, cables or colourwork increase metreage |
| Adult jumper or cardigan | 7–12+ hanks | The garment is larger, oversized, long, hooded, cabled or crocheted |
| Baby blanket | 6–10+ hanks | The blanket is large, densely worked, heavily textured or has a deep border |
| Throw | 12–24+ hanks | Finished dimensions, crochet, stitch density and colour layout require more |
Original Worsted, Rios or Mechita?
| Feature | Original Worsted | Rios | Mechita |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Worsted / approximately NZ 10 ply | Worsted / approximately NZ 10 ply | Fingering / NZ 4 ply |
| Fibre | 100% non-superwash merino | 100% superwash merino | 100% superwash merino |
| Construction | Plump single ply | Round four-ply strand | Fine single ply |
| Length per 100g | 192m | 192m | 384m |
| Care | Hand wash cold; dry flat | Gentle machine wash cold; dry flat | Gentle machine wash cold; dry flat |
| Best quality | Maximum softness, warmth, bloom and feltability | Washability, structure and clearer stitch definition | Fine-gauge drape and luminous single-ply colour |
| Choose it for | Luxury accessories, gentle-wear garments, soft texture and felting | Everyday garments, children's knits, cables and colourwork | Shawls, fine garments, lace and lightweight accessories |
Quick decision: if you want the softest, most organic fabric and are happy to hand wash, choose Original Worsted. If easy care and a more resilient, defined fabric matter most, choose Malabrigo Rios.
Swatch for the fabric you want
Single-ply yarn rewards a little preparation
Malabrigo's official gauge is 18 stitches per 10cm on 4.5–5.5mm needles. Treat that as a starting point: a looser gauge creates more drape and bloom, while a firmer gauge gives hats, colourwork and outer layers more structure.
Make a generous swatch, hand wash it in cold water and let it dry flat before measuring. This reveals how your chosen shade, stitch pattern and needle size behave after the fibres relax.
Substituting yarn: compare fibre treatment, construction, metreage and washed gauge—not only the words “worsted” or “10 ply”. A single-ply non-superwash merino will behave differently from a plied superwash yarn.
Malabrigo Worsted at a glance
| Brand | Malabrigo |
|---|---|
| Yarn range | Worsted—the original Malabrigo base |
| Yarn weight | Aran / worsted; approximately NZ 10 ply |
| Construction | Single-ply yarn |
| Fibre content | 100% fine Uruguayan merino wool; non-superwash |
| Hank weight | 100g / 3.53oz |
| Length | Approximately 192m / 210yd |
| Knitting gauge | 18 stitches per 10cm / 4in |
| Recommended needles | 4.5–5.5mm / US 7–9, or the size required to achieve pattern gauge |
| Recommended crochet hook | 5.5–6.5mm / US I-9 to K-10/12, or the size required for the desired fabric |
| Presentation | Hand-dyed hank; wind before use |
| Best for | Next-to-skin accessories, hand-wash-friendly garments, warm layers, cables, texture, colourwork and felting |
| Care | Hand wash in cold water; dry flat |
| Colour character | Small-batch hand-dyed semi-solid, tonal and variegated shades; every hank is individual |
Cold water, gentle hands and a flat place to dry
Use cool water and a small amount of wool-friendly wash. Let the item soak without rubbing or agitating it.
Avoid sudden temperature changes, hot water and vigorous movement, which can encourage non-superwash wool to felt.
Lift the project carefully and press out water without wringing. Roll it in a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
Lay the piece to its intended measurements away from direct heat, then allow it to dry completely before storing.
Patterns, needles and Malabrigo alternatives
Find a pattern
Start with worsted / 10 ply patterns, then confirm the required washed gauge and metreage for your size.
Browse Knitting Patterns →Choose your needles
Malabrigo recommends 4.5–5.5mm knitting needles; use the size that gives your pattern's required fabric.
Browse Knitting Needles →Prefer easy care?
Choose Rios for a washable four-ply worsted or Mechita for a washable, fine-gauge single ply.
View Malabrigo Rios →View Malabrigo Mechita →
Malabrigo Worsted FAQs
What is Malabrigo Worsted?
It is Malabrigo's original yarn: a buttery-soft, hand-dyed single ply made from 100% fine Uruguayan merino wool.
Is Malabrigo Worsted the same as Rios?
No. Both are worsted-weight 100g hanks with approximately 192 metres, but Original Worsted is non-superwash and single ply. Rios is superwash and constructed from four plies.
Is it worsted or 10 ply?
Malabrigo classifies it as Aran / worsted. In New Zealand it is commonly approached as approximately 10 ply, but the pattern's gauge is more reliable than the weight name.
What fibre is it made from?
It is 100% fine Uruguayan merino wool.
Is Malabrigo Worsted superwash?
No. It is an untreated, non-superwash wool and should be hand washed cold and dried flat.
Can Malabrigo Worsted be felted?
Yes. The non-superwash wool is suitable for intentional felting. Make a test swatch first because colour, stitch density and agitation affect the result.
How much yarn is in one hank?
Each 100g hank contains approximately 192 metres or 210 yards.
Does the hank need winding?
Yes. Untwist the hank and wind it into a ball or cake before use. Do not knit directly from the opened loop.
What needles should I use?
Malabrigo recommends 4.5–5.5mm / US 7–9 as a starting range. Change needle size to achieve the gauge and fabric your pattern requires.
What crochet hook should I use?
The official starting range is 5.5–6.5mm / US I-9 to K-10/12. Adjust for the stitch pattern, gauge and desired drape.
What is the official knitting gauge?
Malabrigo lists 18 stitches per 10cm / 4 inches. Wash and dry a generous swatch before measuring for a fitted project.
Is it soft enough to wear next to the skin?
Malabrigo recommends it for next-to-skin wear and it is known for exceptional softness. Sensitivity to wool is personal, so test it against the intended wearer's skin.
Does single ply mean thin yarn?
No. “Single ply” describes the strand's construction, not its weight. Malabrigo Worsted is a plump worsted / approximately NZ 10 ply yarn.
Will a single-ply yarn pill?
Soft single-ply merino can fuzz or pill where it experiences friction. Gentle care and choosing lower-abrasion projects help preserve its surface.
Is it suitable for jumpers and cardigans?
Yes, especially for cosy hand-wash-friendly garments. Consider where a garment will rub and choose Rios instead if easy care or higher resilience is more important.
Is it suitable for hats and cowls?
Yes. These are excellent matches for its warmth, softness and hand-dyed colour, and many smaller designs may use only one hank.
Is it suitable for socks?
It is not the best choice for hard-wearing socks because it is single ply and contains no reinforcing nylon. A tightly plied sock yarn such as Malabrigo Ultimate Sock will tolerate heel and toe abrasion better.
Can I use it for baby projects?
It is very soft, but it requires hand washing and may felt with heat or agitation. Check that wool and the care routine suit the recipient before choosing it.
Does it show cables well?
Yes, with a soft, rounded and slightly blooming look. Choose Rios if exceptionally crisp stitch definition is your first priority.
Does it work for colourwork?
Yes. The gentle bloom can help motifs settle into a cohesive fabric. Swatch your shades together to confirm contrast and check how variegated colours interact.
Why can two hanks of the same colour look different?
Malabrigo dyes in small batches by hand. Natural variation can occur between dye lots and even between hanks from the same bag.
Should I alternate hanks?
Yes for most multi-hank projects. Alternate two hanks every few rows so variation is distributed throughout the fabric instead of forming a visible boundary.
How do I choose a colour online?
Use the three-digit colour code and name, view photographs on more than one screen if possible, and expect your hand-dyed hank to be individual rather than identical to the image.
Could strong colours release dye?
Some residual dye can occasionally release during early washes. Use cold water, wash strong colours separately at first and avoid extended soaking.
How should I wash the finished project?
Hand wash gently in cold water with a wool-friendly wash, avoid rubbing and temperature changes, support the wet item and reshape it to dry flat.
Can it go in the washing machine or dryer?
No. Machine agitation, heat and tumbling can shrink or felt this non-superwash wool. Hand wash cold and dry flat unless intentional felting is the project goal.
How much should I buy?
Follow the pattern's metreage for your size and add enough for swatching or modifications. Buy the full quantity together to improve colour continuity.
Can I substitute it in another worsted pattern?
Often, but compare metreage, construction, fibre treatment and washed gauge. The fabric may bloom and drape differently from a plied or superwash yarn.
Choose the shade that makes you want to cast on immediately
For soft winter accessories, richly coloured hand-wash garments and felted projects, Original Worsted turns even simple stitches into something unmistakably special.