Malabrigo Yarn Rios

Can I machine wash Rios?

Yes! When you use a machine to wash items made from 100% superwash wool, use a gentle cycle and cold water for the lowest risk of unwanted shrinkage, to be safe. Superwash wool is better at resisting felting, but not always immune to it, so we recommend laying your superwash wool pieces flat to dry.

What is the difference between Rios and Washted?

The number of plies twisted together to make the final yarn strand. Both are hand-dyed, worsted weight, superwash merino yarns, with 210 yards in each skein. Rios yarn is spun with multiple plies or strands, which creates a smooth, round twist and crisp stitch definition in knit or crochet fabric. Washted yarn is spun with a single ply or strand, a looser twist that leads to a more rustic-looking finished fabric.

Is merino wool itchy?

We don’t think so! This yarn is made from 100% superwash merino wool, which feels very smooth and soft. Superwash wool has been treated to remove many of the microscopic barbs naturally present in each hair of wool fiber. As a result, superwash wool does not felt or shrink as readily as untreated wool, and often feels smoother.

Will the color change from skein to skein?

Hand dyed yarn is often dyed in small batches, and beautifully unique in that no two skeins are exactly alike. With hand dyed skeins, it is best to work with the same lot for your entire project if possible, buying enough yarn at the start to avoid losing yarn chicken!

Because Malabrigo does not list dye lots for their yarns, we advise purchasing enough Rios for your full project at one time to better guarantee your yarn is all from the same batch. If you are unable to find enough yarn from the same batch in one go, alternating between skeins as you switch from one lot to another can help blend the color transition more smoothly.

How much yarn do I need?

Referencing your pattern and your desired size & gauge is the best way to ensure you will have enough yarn! For a general example, knitting an adult M of the Flax worsted sweater by Tin Can Knits calls for 1160yd of a worsted weight yarn, or six skeins of Rios.

We always recommend Ravelry as an all-encompassing pattern database in the shop. Many patterns on Ravelry estimate the yarn amount you will need for the size you are looking to make, but at Apricot Yarn & Supply, we can always offer advice if your pattern is unclear, you are working freehand, or something else!

If you are curious how Apricot Yarn & Supply began, read the full story on Our Story page.