I [I]adore[/I] Malabrigo worsted, and if I could, I’d buy a truckload of it. Or at least two or three skeins. 
Unfortunately, my personal economic situation is a little bleak at this time (not really related to the larger one – I’m self employed and work has been very slow lately), so I’m looking for an alternative.
I already have three skeins of Malabrigo, bought several months ago, in two different colors. I’d like to knit myself a simple poncho and I haven’t settled on a pattern yet, but I seriously doubt that 648 yards is going to be enough.
I’ve been looking for another yarn with good yardage that will blend well with the Malabrigo’s merino single. I just came upon Valley Yarn’s Berkshire, and it looks like the perfect solution. It’s a heavy worsted wool/alpaca blend that comes in 141 yard balls. From the photos in the Webs catalog, it looks a lot like Malabrigo – but since I haven’t seen the yarn in person, I can’t really be sure.
Has anyone here used Berkshire, and can you tell me how its texture and drape compare to Malabrigo? It doesn’t have to be a perfect match, but I just don’t want it to stick out like a sore thumb!