Malabrigo Week at Jimmy Beans Wool | Knitting Project Inspiration
If you've ever shopped for Malabrigo yarn, you probably know how hard it is to choose just one color. Between the beautiful hand-dyed shades and the different yarn weights, there's a lot to love.
With Malabrigo Week happening at Jimmy Beans Wool, I thought it would be a good time to share a few projects I've made using their yarns.
I've used everything from Mecha and Rios to Arroyo and Finito, and one of my favorite things about Malabrigo is how differently each yarn works up depending on the project.
If you're looking for ideas for your next knitting project, here are six I've made using Malabrigo yarn.
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A Little About Malabrigo Yarn
Malabrigo is a family-owned yarn company that started in Uruguay in 2005, when two brothers-in-law began experimenting with dyeing wool in a kitchen pot. What started as a small operation has grown into a well-known name in the knitting community.
Today, Malabrigo produces its yarn in Peru, with much of its wool sourced from Uruguay. The company is especially known for its soft merino wool and hand-dyed colors inspired by nature, landscapes, and everyday life.
One thing that makes Malabrigo interesting is the variety of yarns available. While they're all part of the same brand, they aren't interchangeable. Some are smooth and tightly plied, others are soft and loosely spun. There are options for lightweight shawls, warm sweaters, quick hats, and just about everything in between.
And then there are the colors! Malabrigo offers everything from subtle tonal shades to highly variegated colorways. Because the yarn is hand-dyed, even hanks of the same color can look a little different.
It's something to keep in mind when planning a larger project. I recommend buying enough yarn at the beginning and checking your hanks together before casting on.
What Makes Malabrigo Yarns Different?
Beyond the colors, I think it's worth paying attention to how each Malabrigo yarn is constructed.
For example, Malabrigo Rios is a plied, worsted-weight superwash merino that's a practical option for garments and accessories. Malabrigo Mecha, on the other hand, is a bulky, single-ply yarn with a softer, loftier texture.
Seis Cabos has six tightly twisted plies, giving it great stitch definition, while Arroyo is a lighter sport-weight yarn that works beautifully for shawls and accessories.
The yarn you choose can really change the finished project, even when you're using the same pattern.
It's also important to check the care instructions. Not every Malabrigo yarn is superwash, and some require hand washing.
That's part of why I wanted to share these projects. Sometimes it's easier to choose a yarn once you've seen what someone else has actually made with it.
1. Barnstable by Lisa Hannes
Yarn: Malabrigo Seis Cabos
Barnstable is a beautiful way to show off Malabrigo Seis Cabos. Seis Cabos is a light worsted-weight merino wool with six tightly twisted plies, which help give the yarn its stitch definition and structure.
It's a great option to consider when you want the details of your knitting to stand out.
Pattern
Shop Malabrigo Seis Cabos (I used colors Arapey & Natural)
2. Chubby Butterflies by Joji Locatelli
Malabrigo Mecha is a bulky, single-ply superwash merino wool that's soft, lofty, and works up quickly.
Chubby Butterflies is a great example of how you can use a thicker yarn to create something with beautiful texture and detail.
It's also a nice reminder that bulky yarn doesn't have to mean a basic project.
Pattern
Shop Malabrigo Mecha (I used colors Rosalinda and English Rose)
3. Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino
If you've spent any time in the knitting community, you've probably seen an Emotional Support Chicken or two!
This pattern has become a favorite among knitters, and it's easy to see why. They're fun, full of personality, and make great gifts.
I made mine for the kids, but I know plenty of adults who have knitted one for themselves. No judgment here!
I used Malabrigo Mecha for mine, and I love how the yarn worked for this project.
Pattern
Shop Malabrigo Mecha (I used colors English Rose and Olivia)
4. Lehigh Shawl by Melanie Berg
Malabrigo Rios is probably one of the more recognizable yarns in the Malabrigo lineup, and for good reason.
It's a worsted-weight, superwash merino wool that's versatile enough for all kinds of projects. Unlike Malabrigo's single-ply yarns, Rios has a plied construction that makes it a useful choice for pieces that will see regular wear.
I used it for the Lehigh Shawl, and it's a great example of how well Rios works for accessories.
Pattern
Shop Malabrigo Rios (I alternated colors Azules and Indiecita, and used Aquamarine for the shells)
5. Alpine Shawl by Knit Sisu
For something a little lighter, Malabrigo Arroyo is another yarn I've enjoyed working with.
Arroyo is a sport-weight, superwash merino wool. It's a nice option when you want something lighter than worsted weight without going all the way down to fingering.
I used Arroyo for the Alpine Shawl by Knit Sisu.
If you enjoy knitting shawls and accessories, this is another Malabrigo yarn worth exploring.
Pattern
Shop Malabrigo Arroyo (I used colors Rosalinda and White, along with one hank of Blue Sky Fibers Prairie Yarn - 1104 - Yarrow)
6. Soplo Hat by Terri Thomas
Yarn: Malabrigo Finito (Discontinued) / Replaced with Mechita
The Soplo Hat is one of my older Malabrigo projects, and I made it using Malabrigo Finito.
Unfortunately, Finito has since been discontinued, but I still wanted to include this project because it's a great example of a finished knit using Malabrigo.
If you're interested in making this hat, Malabrigo Mechita could be an alternative to consider. It's a fingering-weight, single-ply merino yarn, although you'll want to compare gauge and yardage before making the substitution.
Just because a yarn has been discontinued doesn't mean the pattern has to be retired, too!
A Few Tips for Knitting with Malabrigo Yarn
Check your dye lots. Hand-dyed yarn can vary between hanks, even within the same colorway.
Consider alternating hanks. If you're working on a larger project, alternating between two hanks every couple of rows can help distribute color differences.
Pay attention to yarn construction. Single-ply and multi-ply yarns can behave differently, especially when it comes to stitch definition and wear.
Check washing instructions. Some Malabrigo yarns are machine-washable on a gentle cycle, while others need to be washed by hand.
Make a gauge swatch. This is especially important when substituting yarns or knitting something where the finished size matters.
Malabrigo Week at Jimmy Beans Wool
If you've been wanting to try Malabrigo or already have a favorite yarn you keep coming back to, Malabrigo Week at Jimmy Beans Wool is a good time to take a look at their selection.
Jimmy Beans Wool is where I shop for many of my knitting supplies, and I'm happy to be an affiliate with them.
You can browse their Malabrigo yarns below, including several of the ones I've used in these projects.
SHOP MALABRIGO AT JIMMY BEANS WOOL
Whether you're looking for a new shawl project, a quick hat, or even your own Emotional Support Chicken, I hope these finished knits give you a few ideas.
And if you've already knitted with Malabrigo, I'd love to know which yarn is your favorite!