Short answer: chunky and bulky are the same thing: weight 5 in the Craft Yarn Council standard (bulky is the US name, chunky the UK name). Super bulky, also called super chunky, is weight 6: thicker, at 7–11 stitches per 10 cm (4 in) versus 12–15 for bulky, and knitted on 8 mm (US 11) needles or larger.
Comparison chart
| Bulky / chunky (5) | Super bulky / super chunky (6) | Jumbo (7) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also called | 12 ply | 14 ply | XXL roving, giant yarn |
| Stitches per 10 cm (4 in) | 12–15 | 7–11 | 6 or fewer |
| Needles | 5.5–8 mm (US 9–11) | 8–12.75 mm (US 11–17), up to 25 mm for blankets | 12.75 mm (US 17) and up, or arm knitting |
| Length per 100 g (approx.) | 100–150 m | under 80 m | very little, varies widely |
| Our example | BeMe: 100 g / 120 m, 6.5–8 mm needles | FACES: 200 g / 100 m, 10–25 mm needles | — |
Ranges follow the Craft Yarn Council. See all 8 weights in our yarn weight chart.
How to tell a yarn's weight
- Check the label: many brands print the number (5 or 6) inside a small skein symbol, or the word chunky, bulky or super bulky.
- Divide length by weight: BeMe gives 1.2 m per gram; FACES gives 0.5 m per gram. The fewer meters per gram, the thicker the yarn.
- Look at the recommended needle: if it starts at 8–10 mm, it's super bulky.
Which weight for which project
| Project | Best weight | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday sweater or cardigan | Bulky (BeMe) | Thinner, more flexible fabric that drapes well and fits under a coat |
| Oversized big-stitch sweater | Super bulky (FACES) | Knits up in a weekend, with big, bold stitches |
| Hat, cowl or scarf | Either | Bulky for a fitted beanie; super bulky for a one-evening hat |
| Throw blanket | Super bulky | On 20–25 mm needles it stays lofty and light |
| First project | Super bulky | Every stitch is easy to see, so mistakes are easy to fix |
Can I substitute bulky for super bulky?
Not directly: your gauge won't match and the garment will come out much bigger. If a pattern calls for super bulky and you only have bulky, try holding two strands together; the result gets close to weight 6, but always knit a 10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 in) swatch first. It doesn't work the other way round: you can't make a super bulky yarn thinner.
Try both weights
For a first super bulky project, the RIB STUDIO HAT pattern takes one skein of FACES. For a bulky sweater, MOSS THEORY is designed for BeMe and comes with a full video. Which needles to use with each weight is in our guide needles for chunky and super bulky yarn.
FAQ
Is chunky thicker than bulky?
No. They are two names for the same weight 5; the difference is US vs UK English.
Are super chunky and super bulky the same?
Yes, both are weight 6.
Which is faster to knit?
Super bulky: with FACES, a hat takes an evening and a sweater a weekend.
How much super bulky yarn do I need?
See the yardage table in our super bulky yarn guide.