Merino DK

Merino DK is the smooth, everyday base from Cowgirl Blues: 100% superwash wool, 186 yards (170 meters) to a 100-gram skein. It comes in the same painterly colorways the brand is known for, so you get layered, shifting tones on a yarn practical enough for things that get worn and washed often.

The strand is smooth and soft, which keeps stitches clean and lets the color carry the piece. A generous 100-gram skein means fewer joins in a hat or a pair of mitts, and a few skeins go a long way in a shawl or a child's sweater.

It suits knitters and crocheters who want hand-painted-looking color without fussing over care. Because it's superwash, it's a sensible choice for gifts, especially for people who will never hand wash anything.

Best for

• Hats, cowls and mitts in a single bold colorway
• Baby and children's sweaters that need to go in the machine
• Simple shawls where the color carries the design
• Crochet blankets in squares or stripes

Working with it

The listing doesn't give a needle size, so start where most DK patterns do and swatch until you match your pattern's gauge; our DK yarn guide covers the usual range. Superwash merino can relax and grow a little once wet, so wash and dry your swatch before measuring. With multi-tone colorways, work a few rounds before committing: if the colors pool in a way you don't like, alternating two skeins every couple of rows usually breaks it up. The yarn estimator will tell you how many skeins to buy.

Care

Because it's superwash wool, it can go in the washing machine. A cool, gentle wool cycle in a mesh bag is kindest to the color and the fabric. Lay flat to dry and pat into shape; skip the tumble dryer if you want to avoid stretching.