If you’ve spent even five minutes in the knitting or crochet community, chances are you’ve heard someone rave — or outright swoon — over Malabrigo Rios. And honestly? The hype is real. This is one of those yarns that sneaks into your stash once, and suddenly you’re planning future projects just so you can use it again.

Ready to browse now? You can see all available Malabrigo Rios colorways here — each one photographed individually so you know exactly what you’re getting:

View Malabrigo Rios Colorways →

What Makes Malabrigo Rios So Special?

Rios checks all the boxes:

• soft enough for next-to-skin comfort
• durable enough for everyday wear
• saturated with the kind of color depth that practically glows

It’s spun from 100% superwash merino wool, giving it that cloud-soft feel without losing strength. The 4-ply construction adds durability and excellent stitch definition — meaning your sweaters, hats, and cables will look like you put way more effort into them than you actually did.

Rios is the yarn that says, “go ahead… make something you’ll actually wear.”

The colors. Oh my goodness, the colors.

Malabrigo’s talented dye artists don’t just create colors — they bring them to life.

You’ll find:

• deep, rich tonals
• moody neutrals
• vibrant multis
• subtle speckles
• lush variegations

Each skein is hand-dyed, which means no two are exactly alike. Think of them like snowflakes, fingerprints, or your kids’ excuses for why the laundry still isn’t done.

When your project is finished, it will be one-of-a-kind without you even trying.

The Details (Because We Know You Want Them)

Fiber: 100% Superwash Merino Wool (no itch, all squish!) 
Weight: Worsted / 4-ply 
Yardage: 210 yards (192 meters) per 100g skein 
Recommended Needles: US 6–8 (4–5 mm) 
Gauge: 18–22 stitches = 4 inches (swatching is happiness insurance)

What Can You Make With Malabrigo Rios?

Honestly? Just about anything.

But here are some maker favorites:

• Cozy, wear-every-day sweaters
• Baby knits (soft for skin, washable for messes)
• Hats, cowls, mittens & wrist warmers
• Cabled and textured stitches that pop
• Throws and blankets made for maximum snuggle factor

If you’re choosing just one luxury yarn to start with, this is a smart (and very rewarding) choice.

A Friendly Chat About Hand-Dyed Yarn

Because Rios is hand-dyed in small batches, each skein has its own personality. Even skeins from the same dye lot are more like cousins than identical twins.

If you're using multiple skeins in one project, I highly suggest:

• alternating skeins every few rows • purchasing enough yarn for your project up front • asking me for comparison photos — I’m happy to help

If you’re new to hand-dyed yarns, don’t worry — they’re easy to work with. I’ll share a simple care guide you can refer to anytime. (Internal link will go here)

How to Care for Your Finished Project

Rios is superwash, which means it can handle water, but it still appreciates gentle treatment.

Best: Hand wash in cool water with gentle wool wash 
Next best: Machine wash on delicate 
Always: Lay flat to dry 
Never: Wring, twist, or aggressively towel-roll

A tiny bit of extra care means years of beautiful wear.

Is Malabrigo Rios Beginner-Friendly?

Yes — enthusiastically yes.

It glides, it doesn’t split, and it forgives minor tension drama. It’s ideal for beginners, returning makers, and expert fiber artists alike.

Ready for the Next Level of Unique?

If you ever feel like trying something even more special than hand-dyed, take a look at my artisan handspun merino yarns. They’re like Rios’ artsy cousin: small-batch, soft as butter, truly one-of-a-kind, and crafted right here.

✨ Explore Artisan Handspun Yarn →

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