17 Best Super Bulky and Jumbo Yarns
It’s that time of year when working with extra thick yarn, super bulky, and jumbo yarns makes so much sense. Super bulky and jumbo yarn are the big brothers of chunky yarns and are perfect if you’re cold and looking for something warm to do with your hands. Blankets are the obvious choice for jumbo weight yarn, but they’re definitely not your only choice.
Whether you call it wool or yarn, it’s by far the best option to work with when you want your project finished quickly. Quick makes are especially great during the holidays. But these extra thick or extra chunky yarn options will do the trick if you need that cozy feel of plush comfort.
But which super bulky and jumbo are the best? We’ve checked them out for you, and here are seventeen of our best picks.
Note: This post has been updated. Originally written in 2020 and updated in late 2022, some of the yarns were discontinued. Moreover, some great new super chunky wool options have appeared since then. So, even if you saw this post last year, you might want to look again!
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What Are Super Bulky and Jumbo Yarns?
Yarny goodness comes in many weights and fiber types. (See our yarn weight chart, which includes popular yarns for each weight). These super bulky and jumbo choices are sometimes available in cotton, merino, and rayon, but polyester is most often the main fiber of choice. Since they’d be pretty expensive, you don’t generally find many thicker yarns in alpaca or mohair.
When you find thick yarn that’s practically roving, you’re probably looking at a #6 super bulky or even a #7 jumbo weight. You can use this ultra-chunky as arm knitting yarn or for finger crochet, but you’ll need super thick needles for hand knitting and an extra thick sewing needle with a large eye for seaming. They’re definitely for hand knitting – no knitting machine can handle such thick yarn.
A bulky scarf is great for a freezing cold winter’s day. You can also try making a jumbo-weight cowl, hood, or snood you can pull up to keep your ears warm, too. You can make either of these without seaming. One thing you may not want to make? Imagine trying to walk wearing a bulky sock. Talk about uncomfortable. But a Christmas stocking might look great in a bulky version!
As for how you’ll buy these beauties, sometimes, you’ll find the heavier yarn weight or roving in a hank, but most often, they’re sold in balls or cakes for ease of use.
Knitting And Crochet Tools For Super Chunky Yarn
Don’t forget to check the ball bands for the required knitting needle or crochet hook size. You may even need 15mm or larger needles or hook sizes, depending on what you’re making. Use huge crochet hooks or knitting needles to craft it into something amazing, like a snuggly chunky knit blanket.
Of course, especially if you’re making clothing such as a sweater or cardigan, you MUST check your gauge. These heavier weights have very few stitches per inch, so be super careful when measuring the gauge to be sure your garment will fit as it should.
Not sure what to make? Check out 10+ Things to Do With Super Bulky Yarn. Those ideas work for jumbo yarn, too. Alternatively, here are 26 knit and crochet patterns that use these yarns.
And if you haven’t seen my big teddy bear amigurumi, yet, you MUST check him out!
Want to get cozy? Here’s an awesome chunky knit throw blanket pattern and a crochet chunky throw blanket pattern! These are adorable! Or check out this Bernat Chunky Yarn blanket pattern!
But now for the main feature…
Top 11 Super Bulky Yarns
Before we dig into the list of the best super bulky yarn choices, I want to mention that O’Go has Bernat Blanket as an option. You’ll see the regular Bernat Blanket plus its striped version mentioned as a great choice below. In the O’Go format, you get 300 grams, 220 yards, in one donut. So, if you’re looking for affordable, super chunky yarn that offers fun ways to play with color, check it out. So, check out each yarn brand below and take your pick!
1. Red Heart Sweet Home
I used this Red Heart Sweet Bulky for my Crochet Beginner Shells Blanket. The plush thickness of this chunky chenille yarn shows off the shell shape nicely. It works up quickly into a blanket, which is ideal for beginners who want to see their hard work, whether knitting or crochet, pay off fast.
2. Bernat Blanket Stripes
This is chenille-style with a velvet feel, which makes it a perfect choice for making a really comfy blanket. There’s also regular Bernat Blanket (not stripes, sometimes called Bernat chunky Blanket yarn or Bernat jumbo blanket yarn). It’s one of those yarns that give you a lot of bang for your buck.
3. Bernat Softee Chunky
If you want to make a bold statement, choose a bold yarn. That’s one reason I chose Bernat Softee Chunky for my VOTE sweater knitting pattern. (By the way, you can adapt it to read something other than “vote” if you prefer.)
4. Bernat POP! Bulky
Looking for an easy-care self-striping super bulky weight? Check it out – it’s right here!
5. Patons Highland Bulky
A classic wool blend: this option comes in solids as well as tweeds to make projects that pop.
6. Bernat Sheepy
This awesome texture creates a fabric that looks like shearling but is 100% nylon and machine-washable! Use it as an accent on collars for a bomber jacket look or make a baby project. It’s SO super-soft.
7. Patons Forever Fleece
It’s soft and fluffy! This fleece works up quickly to make perfect home decor projects such as blankets.
8. KnitPicks Mighty Stitch Super Bulky
An acrylic and wool blend, this choice is easy to care for and great for projects that should be washed often.
9. KnitPicks Alla Prima
The hand-painted colors play the starring role in this single-ply. Use simple stitches to let the pattern shine.
10. KnitPicks Tuff Puff Yarn
The colors truly stand out in this vibrant wool! It works up quickly, so you can easily make sweaters and accessories that catch the eye.
11. Fable Fur
Use this ultra-soft velvety faux-fur to accent the piece you’re making or for a soft all-over texture.
Top 3 Jumbo Yarns
The super bulky options are great. But do you want to go even bigger? Try these three jumbo yarns on for size,
1. Bernat Mega Bulky
I’ve already mentioned a couple of super bulkys that I used for my book Two Hour Neckwear. I also used this jumbo yarn for the Bow Cowl pattern in that book. Note: This jumbo option will be discontinued, so the link will take you to the clearance page, where you can find what’s left.
2. Bernat Blanket Extra
If you enjoy the Bernat Blanket and Bernat Blanket Stripes super bulky weight (sometimes known as Bernat Big Blanket Yarn), then you’ll probably also like this jumbo version: Bernat Blanket Extra. This is a super chunky chenille yarn you don’t want to miss!
3. Bernat Alize Blanket EZ
This unique jumbo chenille yarn is produced with loops, so using your fingers to stitch projects is easy. It’s different from finger knitting but just as easy. It works especially well for double-sided projects like blankets!
There you have it! The 17 best super bulky and jumbo yarn options to keep you snug as a bug as you craft your way into coziness.
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