Felting Yarn Substitutes for DROPS Snow

DROPS Snow is a 100% non-superwash wool with a meterage of approximately 50 m per 50 g. This equates to around 1 metre per gram, which is a useful benchmark when selecting substitutes.

The options below are reliable alternatives based on fibre content, spin, and availability.

1: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky

A 100% non-superwash Peruvian Highland wool with a meterage of 125m to 100g, making it close to the target ratio. It produces an even fabric and felts consistently, making it a dependable substitute. The finished felt is cohesive and firm with minimal surface halo.

2: Ístex Álafosslopi

A 100% non-superwash Icelandic wool with a meterage of approximately 100 m per 100 g, closely matching the target ratio. The yarn is lightly spun and contains both fine and coarse fibres which produces a beautiful dense fabric with a rustic finish and large halo and when the yarn reaches skin temperature it feels like a second skin. Felting takes longer than Drops Snow, it also sheds quite a bit, so if using a machine put your knitting in a sealed fabric bag. It's durable and long lasting.

3: Cascade Yarns 
Eco+ 
(held double)

A minimally processed, non-superwash wool with a lighter meterage when used singly. Holding the yarn double achieves a comparable thickness. It felts firmly and produces a durable, slightly rustic fabric.

4: Patons
 Classic Wool
 Worsted Yarn 
(held double)

A 100% non-superwash wool with a meterage of approximately 200 m per 100 g when used singly. Holding the yarn double achieves a thickness close to the target ratio. The smooth, plied construction results in a more gradual felting process, producing a cohesive fabric with a slightly less rustic finish than roving-style yarns.

5: Brown Sheep
 Lamb's Pride
 Bulky

A wool-rich blend with added mohair (15% mohair and 85% wool ). The yarn felts reliably while retaining a soft halo, resulting in a slightly less rigid surface. Suitable for projects where a softer finish is preferred.

James felted slipper in Ístex Álafosslopi and Drops Snow

Here’s a comparison between a smooth felt (DROPS Snow) and a more rustic felt (Ístex Álafosslopi); the slipper pattern is available here.