Alternative Super Bulky Yarns to Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick

I usually knit with Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick yarn, which will be referenced as LBT&Q from here on out. It’s an affordable super bulky wool that’s easy to get your hands on.

I’ve been asked a lot “What yarn can I use instead of LBT&Q?” So I decided to do some doing some research & testing of my own. I ordered 19 different yarn that claim to be Super Bulky and I was surprised by how much of a variance there is in the yarns. I expected them all to be about the same thickness but only 5 come close to matching LBT&Q.

For my test I knitted some swatches of each one to get a better idea of how they compare to one another.

What I’ve learned is that not all super bulky yarns are created equally. Is there an industry standard? When I’m knitting a pattern, this is a vital part of the equation and when knit up a gauge and it’s no where close to what the pattern calls out, major disappointment, crying and/or a small tantrum will ensue.

About my gauges:
To obtain my gauge I used size US 11 knitting needles.
My gauge for LBT&Q: 10 sts x 15 rows

Possible Alternatives:
1. Essentials Super, super chunky yarn
My gauge: 10 sts x 15 rows
This is a lightly spun wool/acrylic blend yarn.
In my opinion, this yarn will felt pretty easy.

2. Phil Alaska, phildar
My gauge: 10 sts x 16 rows
100% Laine wool
This is a lovely cream color. It’s a nice stretchy yarn.
This looks to be a tiny bit thinner than LBT&Q, but I would recommend it as an alternative, especially if you’re looking for an all wool alternative.
I used almost 1 whole ball to make this swatch, it didn’t go very far. It’s about 33 yards, so 3 balls of this makes 1 skein of the LBT&Q.

3. Millamia
My gauge: 9.5 sts x 15 rows
100% wool. {it doesn’t specify what kind.}
My first thought when casting-on, was “buttery soft.”
This is a bit thicker than LBT&Q, but I would still recommend it as an alternative if you’re knitting something where the gauge is flexible and especially if you’re looking for a 100% wool alternative.
This is some super squishy yarn :)
I’m loving how it’s working up! Hmmm… I wonder how it compares in price…

4. Kim, Lang Yarns
My gauge: 10.5 sts x 17 rows
68% Wool, 29% Alpaca, 3% Polyester
This is a “fluffy” yarn and the alpaca gives it a woolly look to it. It reminds me of flyaways when my hair is up and a few hairs are being unruly. My stockinette stitches are uneven, but the garter stitches look beautifully plump and are squishy, which is very important. That being said, if my project called for a garter stitch or seed stitch, I would consider using this yarn, otherwise I’d pass. I think the stockinette stitch would look nicer if I went down a needle size, but I wouldn’t be able to obtain the same gauge.

5. Virgina, Lang Yarns
My gauge: 10.5 sts x 15 rows
100% wool, again not sure what breed of wool.
This is a nice 100% wool alternative. The gauge is close to LBT&Q. This is a medium spun, 1 ply, superwash yarn. If you’re looking for a super bulky organic looking yarn, then this is it. With that being said, I think it would felt nicely even though it’s says Superwash.

Have you used an alternate yarn for LBT&Q?
Did you find that it was too thin, thick or just right?
Please let us know in the comments below.