Super bulky yarn is great for quick projects. It’s also easy to work with and forgiving of mistakes. This guide tells you everything you need to know.
Frustrated Teacher Quits In Disgust, Sells The Farm, Moves The Family Halfway Across The World And… Starts Knitting
This post is part of my series of articles explaining everything about the topic of yarn weights and the yarn thickness chart.
I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on June 25, 2023.
Table Of Contents
What Is Super Bulky Weight Yarn?
Super bulky yarn is a thick yarn. It’s often used for winter wear because it’s so cozy and warm.
- AKA – Roving Yarn, Super Chunky Yarns
- Weight Category – Super Bulky
- Number 6
- Wraps Per Inch (WPI) – 5 – 6(2)
- Knitting Gauge Range Equaling – 7 – 11 stitches over 4 inches
- It’s much thicker than lace, fingering, sport, DK & worsted weight yarns. Slightly thicker than bulky weight yarns
- It’s thinner than jumbo yarn
Super Bulky Weight Key Facts
What Weight Number Is Super Bulky?
This cozy yarn is weight number 6.(1)
Yarns In This Category
- Super-Bulky – Many yarns in this category collection are man made fibers such as Acrylic and Polyester
- Roving Yarn – This is a ball of unspun yarn and can be difficult to work with. It’s best used for projects like felting or arm knitting
What’s Super Bulky Yarn Made From? Merino Wool Vs Acrylic
It’s often made from wool yarn or a wool blend, 100% Polyester, acrylic, or blends of the three. Others that aren’t as common include cotton and alpaca. Many lovely options are hand dyed, but he aware the price is more expensive for this dyed yarn.
Why Use Super Bulky Weight?
Super bulky yarn is perfect for quick, soft projects. It’s also great for beginners because it’s so easy to work with. Talk about instant gratification. Here is a video tutorial by Jennifer from bromefields on tips for knitting with super bulky yarn.
This excellent breakdown of this subject is sure to help you!
What If Bulky Weight Yarn Is Held Double?
If you’re looking for an even quicker project, try holding two strands of super bulky yarn together. This gives you a super chunky fabric with a great result.
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Uses For This Yarn
Here are recommended items to create. Lots of potential project ideas like blankets, hats, scarves(3), cowls(4), accessories, ponchos, baskets, afghans, rugs, and pillows.
More Super Bulky Yarn Patterns To Try
Here are great free patterns for knitters using super bulky yarn. They’re divided by skill level to make it easier for you. Hope you find a wonderful project to do next!
Beginner
Intermediate
- Cloud Slippers
- Fall Cuddler Throw Blanket
- Winterland Three Stitch Blanket
- Non-Felted Slippers
- Super Bulky Hats
Advanced
- Mohair Sweater Dusty
- Gourdgeous Knit Pumpkins
- Lempi Sweater
- Colour Block Patchwork Cardigan
- Falmouth Super Bulky Hat
- Winter Cuddler Throw Blanket
- Viima Beanie
- Grain Headband
- Star Ornament
Looking for something else to make with super bulky weight yarns? Try this video tutorial by Ashley Lillis on how to knit a simple raglan sweater!
I love how the garment looks! It has a lovely classic design with the simple stitch pattern. It’s the perfect choice for a gift for a loved one or friends. (Not a last minute gift, though!)
What Knitting Needles To Use
- US Needle Size – 11 – 17
- For those of you in Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand – 8 – 12.75mm
Note: The above are guidelines only. Always swatch before starting a project.
Substitutions
If you’ve run out of this yarn or can’t find it, use two strands of bulky yarn held together instead.
My previous article is chunky weight yarn, and next up in this series is what is jumbo weight yarn.
FAQs About Super Bulky Weight Yarn
How Do You Spot Super Bulky Yarn At Craft Stores?
By its size! This yarn is thick and often sold in 100g (3.5 oz) skeins or balls. It’ll also have the weight on the yarn label. The yardage (yards) won’t be super generous, as there’s more bulk over length in the weight.
The yarn label with have a symbol with a little 6. (The ball band also includes care info – whether to machine wash it.)
Here are recommended super bulky yarns to try: Lion Brand Wool Ease, Bernat Blanket Yarn, Bernat Softee Chunky, Lion Brand Mandala, Bernat Blanket Stripes, Malabrigo Rasta, and Paintbox yarns.
Lion Brand also sells knitting and crochet supplies, gifts for fiber lovers, tools and more. They also offer free shipping if your purchases tally over a certain amount. Check their site for details.
Lion Brand Yarn has shipping options to the United Kingdom and the United States. Are you from somewhere else? Their excellent customer service will help you.
Tahki Yarns, Premier Yarns, Lana Grossa, and KnitPicks also have special offers on good super soft yarns. They’re favorites of many knitters. Hand-dyed yarns and their stunning colors and textures are great too. Be aware the price is more expensive.
How Popular Is Super Bulky Weight Yarn?
Not particularly among most knitters who prefer thinner weights of yarn for garment creation. This weight of yarn is a very popular choice for quick knit blankets. If you love extreme knits, it’s one of the best yarn weights to work with.
How Much Super Bulky Weight Yarn For A Blanket?
This varies depending on the size of the blanket. A baby blanket might only use two skeins of soft yarn while an adult-sized one could take six or more.
How Much Super Bulky Weight Yarn For A Sweater?
Again, it depends on the size of the sweater. For an adult-sized sweater, at least four skeins of yarn.
How Much Super Bulky Yarn For A Scarf?
One skein is usually enough, but it depends on the pattern.
What Is Considered Super Bulky Yarn?
Super bulky yarn is a thick yarn with a weight category of 6.
Is Super Chunky Yarn The Same As Super Bulky?
Yes, it is.
What Is Super Bulky Yarn In UK?
It’s called super bulky or super chunky yarn.
Why Is Chunky Yarn So Expensive?
Chunky yarn is more expensive than other yarns because it’s thicker and takes longer to produce. It’s usually made with merino wool, which isn’t cheap in large quantities as it’s time intensive to process.
Conclusion
Have fun making quick, easy projects with super bulky weight yarn! It might take getting used to, but it’s worth it. There are many different ways of using it. Happy knitting. Have questions? Tell me below! (Your email address is never published.)
References
- Standard Yarn Weight System | Welcome to the Craft Yarn Council. “Standard Yarn Weight System | Welcome to the Craft Yarn Council.” Accessed October 1, 2022. https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/yarn-weight-system.
- How to Measure Wraps Per Inch (WPI) | Welcome to the Craft Yarn Council. “How to Measure Wraps Per Inch (WPI) | Welcome to the Craft Yarn Council.” Accessed October 1, 2022. https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/how-measure-wraps-inch-wpi.
- 2638 Learn to Knit a Chunky Scarf | Duke University Continuing Studies and Summer Session. “2638 Learn to Knit a Chunky Scarf | Duke University Continuing Studies and Summer Session.” Accessed October 1, 2022. https://learnmore.duke.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=7984251.
- 2905 Learn to Knit a Soft Chunky Cowl | Duke University Continuing Studies and Summer Session. “2905 Learn to Knit a Soft Chunky Cowl | Duke University Continuing Studies and Summer Session.” Accessed October 1, 2022. https://learnmore.duke.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=9518729.
