Super Bulky Yarn: What It Is, Which Needles, How Much You Need
Short answer: super bulky yarn (also called super chunky, weight 6) is one of the thickest yarns you can buy: it knits at 7–11 stitches per 10 cm (4 in) on 8 mm (US 11) needles or larger. It's the yarn behind one-evening hats, weekend sweaters and chunky blankets.
Super bulky vs bulky vs chunky
| Weight | Also called | Stitches per 10 cm (4 in) | Typical needles | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 · Bulky | chunky, 12 ply | 12–15 | 5.5–8 mm (US 9–11) | BeMe, 100 g / 120 m |
| 6 · Super bulky | super chunky, 14 ply | 7–11 | 8–12.75 mm (US 11–17), up to 25 mm for blankets | FACES, 200 g / 100 m |
| 7 · Jumbo | giant roving, XXL yarn | 6 or fewer | 12.75 mm (US 17) and up, or arm knitting | — |
See all 8 weights in our yarn weight chart.
How much super bulky yarn do you need?
Amounts for FACES (200 g / 100 m per skein), from our own yarn requirement charts. Always check your pattern.
| Project | Skeins of FACES | Approx. length |
|---|---|---|
| Hat | 1 | 100 m |
| Single-loop cowl | 1 | 100 m |
| Double-loop cowl | 2 | 200 m |
| Scarf | 2 | 200 m |
| Long scarf | 3 | 300 m |
| Sweater, sizes XS–M | 4–6 | 400–600 m |
| Sweater, sizes L–XXL | 5–7 | 500–700 m |
| Cardigan, sizes XS–M | 5–6 | 500–600 m |
| Cardigan, sizes L–XXL | 6–7 | 600–700 m |
| Blanket | 8–10 | 800–1,000 m |
Which needles to use
For garments and hats, use 12–15 mm needles: the fabric is dense but stretchy. For blankets, go up to 20–25 mm for a lighter fabric with better drape. Wooden needles grip the yarn a little and weigh less, so they're comfortable for beginners. Full details in our guide needles for chunky and super bulky yarn; our beech wood circular needles come in 6 to 15 mm.
Great for beginners
With super bulky yarn you see progress fast and every stitch is easy to read, so mistakes are easy to fix. Start with a hat, cowl or scarf: free patterns, videos and a kit on our Learn to knit page, and more ideas in free knitting patterns.
FAQ
Is super bulky yarn heavy?
It weighs more per meter than a fine yarn, but good Highland wool is lofty. For blankets, use big needles (20–25 mm): the fabric stays open and lighter.
Can I crochet with it?
Yes, with a 10 mm hook or larger. Crochet fabric comes out denser than knitting.
How do I wash it?
By hand at 30 °C max with a gentle wool wash, without rubbing or wringing, then dry flat.