Drops alpaca yarns… should I avoid?
I love the look (and price!) of Drops yarns, especially the alpaca blends but I've seen people speak poorly of the quality. Has anyone knit or crocheted a sweater with Drops Alaska/Lima/Nepal and has it stood the test of time? Any pilling or other problems? ThanksEdited by pitussa at 2025-3-8 10:34
I have tried many, almost everything older in their range: most flora, alpaca and Nepal. I used to love the slik baby alpaca (now discontinued).I have made clothing + accessories (10 years using Drops).
They are cheap, the colors are nice, they pill a bit more than normal, when superwash they stink, if not superwash they are OK.
The sock yarns (with nylon) are very scratchy, but nice enough for socks.
The fluffy yarns are a nightmare as they shed, but are cheap and good for tests and experiments, or small decorations.
They are OK for the price. They are so cheap because they change mills often, so consistency in batches or colors is not very good.
One color might bleed or have lots of knots one year, but be OK next year.
Also, superwash stretches after washing, like A LOT. (but not just Drops, this happened to me with Malabrigo!).
Just get it back to shape with 5 min in the clothes drier, or a hair drier ;)
I say buy a couple of skeins you are interested in and make a hat and a cowl and wear them for a while, see how you like it!
I prefer hand-dyed but it is not affordable (so only once a year LOL).
BIG DROPS ADVANTAGE: I don't know why, but moths don't get even close, they stay away ROTFL
Also they have sales, huge sales, every 3 months. That's when you buy what you liked or what you want to test ;)
Following this thread as I also have the same question
I’ve used both Nepal and Nord (combo alpaca,wool, and polyamide sock yarn) before and they both had only minor pilling at high contact areas. I don’t really wash my handknits much though and always air dry.
Totally agreed on the superwash smell. I used the Drops cotton / superwash merino mix and blockedthe sweater recently, and the smell was so funky. It disappeared completely after drying though. I love it for the price. But the superwash stinks when wet or warm. It smells like the perm liquid back in the 80s LOL
It wears and washes very well, it pills a lot, but you can remove pills very easily, all wool pills.
My problem is the smell, the moment it gets hot or if you dare to sweat... you stink of perm (hair curling liquid).
My advice: Try it and see if you like it, you might love it, many do. I do! Ah, Drops Alpaca yarns—now there’s a topic that gets a lot of mixed opinions, doesn’t it? I totally get why you’d wonder if you should avoid it. Here’s the thing: Drops Alpaca is soft, warm, and comes in a ton of beautiful colors, but it does have some quirks that might make you hesitate.Pros:
[*]Super soft: It’s 100% alpaca, so it’s buttery soft against the skin. Perfect for lightweight shawls, scarves, or delicate sweaters you want to cozy up in.
[*]Great color range: Seriously, they have a lovely palette. From earthy tones to brights, you can find a color that fits almost any project.
[*]Affordable for alpaca: If you’ve priced out alpaca yarns before, you’ll know they can get pricey, but Drops Alpaca is generally quite reasonable, especially for the softness it delivers.
Cons:
[*]Splitting: This is the big one. Some folks find that the yarn tends to split easily, especially when you’re working with smaller needles. That can make it frustrating to knit or crochet with, especially if you’re a perfectionist (or like me, get cranky when you have to go back and fix a split stitch).
[*]Pilling: Like most alpaca yarns, Drops Alpaca is more prone to pilling over time, so your beautiful piece might not stay as pristine as you’d like after some wear. If you’re okay with that slightly worn-in look, no big deal, but it’s something to consider.
[*]Tension issues: It can be a bit tricky to get a consistent gauge with this yarn, especially if you're transitioning from a wool or acrylic base. It’s soft and drapey, but also can be a bit slippery, so you may have to pay extra attention to your stitch tension.
Should you avoid it?If you’re looking for a soft, lightweight yarn for something like a shawl or a scarf, and you're okay with a bit of extra care, I think it’s totally worth trying. But if you're planning a high-wear item like a sweater or socks, the pilling and splitting could be a dealbreaker.I’ve used Drops Alpaca in the past for lighter, more delicate pieces like shawls or wraps, and I loved it for that. It has a nice drape and warmth without the weight of heavier yarns. But for things that will see a lot of use, I probably wouldn’t reach for it again.Do you have a specific project in mind? That might help narrow down whether it’s the right choice or not!
Oh, darling, the DMC brand is as classic as a well-worn cardigan—reliable, familiar, and often just what you need. However, like that cardigan, sometimes it shows a little wear and tear. Some stitchers have noticed that certain colors, especially the newer shades like DMC 23, can be a bit more prone to fraying. This doesn't mean the whole line is faulty; it might just be a few rebellious skeins. A gentle wash and a bit of TLC can often smooth things out.If you're finding the fraying a bit much, consider switching to a different needle. Some stitchers have found that certain needles, like DMC's own, can have burrs that catch on the floss. Opting for a smoother needle might just do the trick.In the end, DMC remains a beloved choice for many, and with a little care, you can continue to enjoy its vibrant hues in your projects.
I love it!
I knit several sweaters out of flora, nepal, alaska and lima, and am totally happy with it. Yes, it does pill, but I guess that's what wool does ;)
The oldest sweater is from 2022, quite tight, and has somewhat felted under the arms.
Flora is my absolute favourite, it's thin enough, has no plastic in it, is cheap and comes in a ton of colours :) pitussa replied at 2025-3-5 19:17
I love it for the price. But the superwash stinks when wet or warm. It smells like the perm liquid b ...
that's so interesting, I'd never have thought about the smell before your comment! I think I'll trial a yarn with a vest/slipover as a test. Thank you for such a helpful comment :)
saysa replied at 2025-3-5 20:46
I love it!
I knit several sweaters out of flora, nepal, alaska and lima, and am totally happy with i ...
That's a good point about pilling, I should probably care more about the structural integrity! Thank you I'll have a look at Flora yarn :)
pitussa replied at 2025-3-8 17:28
I have tried many, almost everything older in their range: most flora, alpaca and Nepal. I used to l ...
thank you so much for this response, so helpful! and what do the moths know that we don't??!!?!!
Thank you so much!
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