It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPER Bulky yarn!

Strong, sturdy, and fast are terms I’d more likely describe Superman with than a yarn, but here we are.

If bulky yarn isn’t big enough for you, that’s ok.

Super bulky is here to save the day!

After American Threads Dawn Bulky Yarn gained traction during the 1960s the only direction was to go up, up, and away.

If big was good, then bigger was better, and soon craft stores found a new category of yarn on its shelves.

Today this thick yarn is the hero of beginners and Gen Z knitters alike, who love quick crafting and baggy sweaters.

But fear not fellow knitter, this yarn is so easy to use even you will be saying “I can do this all day.”

What exactly is Super Bulky Yarn?

Super bulky yarn is defined by the Craft Yarn Council as a #6 weight yarn.

Any yarn with a stitch gauge between 7-11 stitches per 4 inches (10cm) falls into this category.

It’s typically knit with needles ranging from size US 11 (8mm) to US 17 (12.75mm).

Most super bulky yarns are made from 2 to 4 plies, but some single ply bulky yarns exist. However, single ply yarns are known to have much more variance in their thickness as they are often loosely spun.

Super Bulky vs. Jumbo

For a long time Super Bulky was as big as yarns got.

But the popularity of arm knitting and oversized knits back in the early 2010s made way for a new yarn category. The CYC introduced JUMBO yarn in 2014 as it’s #7 yarn weight, and redefined super bulky in the process.

Jumbo yarns are any yarn with a gauge under 6 stitches per 4 inches. That’s just a starting point though. Yarns in this category can basically be as thick as they want, though very few jumbo yarns are produced for consumers.

Super bulky now inhabits a strange space between bulky and jumbo, where speed is the priority, and wearability less so.

Why knit with super bulky yarn?

All yarn has its place in the world. Even fun fur.

And super bulky has found a niche with big BOLD accessories and sweater. Especially among younger crafters.

This is with good reason, as super bulky weight yarn offers several advantages:

• Quick Results: Due to its thickness, bulky yarn works up quickly, making it perfect for last-minute gifts or projects with tight deadlines.
• Warmth: Its thick fibers provide excellent insulation, ideal for creating cozy winter garments and accessories.
• Easy Handling: For beginners, the larger size is easier to handle and see, which helps in learning basic stitches and techniques.
• Bold Textures: It lends itself well to creating bold textures and chunky stitch patterns, adding visual interest to simple designs.

Drawbacks of super bulky yarn

Despite its advantages, super bulky weight yarn also has some drawbacks:

• Less Detail: The thickness can obscure intricate stitch patterns, making it unsuitable for detailed lacework or fine textures.
• Heaviness: Garments made with bulky yarn can be quite heavy and less drapey, which might not be ideal for certain types of projects.
• Yarn Consumption: It requires more yarn to complete a project, which can make it more expensive compared to finer yarns.
• Limited Use: While it is possible to make garments and accessories, sweaters, hats, and scarves are less practical than when using smaller yarn weights.