A soft, strong, and squishy shop favorite that truly does it all. Malabrigo Rios is a premium worsted-weight superwash merino that has earned its place as a "desert island" yarn for knitters worldwide. Known for its incredible softness and high-quality four-ply construction, Rios offers a smooth, balanced finish that resists pilling and makes everything from complex cables to simple stockinette look absolutely professional.
Yarn Details
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Weight: Worsted
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Fiber Content: 100% Superwash Merino Wool
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Yardage: 210 yards / 192 meters
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Skein Weight: 100 grams
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Gauge: 4.5–5.5 sts = 1 inch
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Needle Size: US 6–8 (4.0–5.0 mm)
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Care: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle; lay flat to dry
Why You'll Love It
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Workhorse Durability: The 4-ply twist provides excellent structural integrity, making it ideal for garments that need to hold their shape through daily wear.
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Signature Kettle-Dyeing: Hand-dyed in small batches, Rios features stunning tonal shifts and multi-colored depth that are the hallmark of Malabrigo’s artistry.
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Universal Versatility: Soft enough for baby items and sturdy enough for men’s sweaters, it is a reliable choice for nearly any worsted-weight pattern.
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Wash-and-Wear Convenience: The superwash treatment means your handmade treasures are easy to care for without sacrificing the plush feel of merino.
What to Knit with Malabrigo Rios
Rios is wonderfully versatile for hats, scarves, shawls, sweaters, blankets, and other worsted-weight projects. Its smooth four-ply construction gives stitches beautiful definition, while Malabrigo’s hand-dyed colors can make even simple knitting look special.
Featured Project: Morning Walk Shawl
We knit the Morning Walk Shawl in two skeins of Rios in Pisces. Alternating garter stitch and stockinette create subtle textured stripes that show off the yarn’s hand-dyed color beautifully. It’s an easy, satisfying project when you want the yarn to do much of the visual work.
Other patterns we like for Rios include:
The Details: A Modern Knitting Essential
Malabrigo Rios is the yarn that bridges the gap between "luxury" and "practical." It glides across the needles with a springy, satisfying rhythm, making it a joy for long-form projects like cardigans and blankets. Because the colors are so rich and varied, we recommend alternating skeins every few rows to ensure a cohesive look across larger pieces. Whether you are a beginner looking for a reliable first sweater yarn or a seasoned pro knitting heirloom cables, Rios delivers a polished, high-end result every time.
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