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Searching for an alternative super bulky yarn?
You’ve come to the right place!
I’ve been looking for alternatives super bulky yarns to knit with.
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’ve tested several different yarns 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.
When I’m knitting a pattern, gauge is a vital part of the equation and when I 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.
PS. There’s a chart all the way down at the bottom of the page.
Here’s the pattern for my gauges:
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- CO 23 STS
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- Rows 1-5: *K* {garter stitch}
- Row 6 {RS} : K5, P13, K5
- Row 7: *K*
Repeat rows 6-7 10 more times
- Row 28-31: *K* {garter stitch}
- Row 32: BO in all knit STS
My Top 9 Super Bulky Yarn Alternatives
Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Yarn
- Needle size: US 11
- Gauge: 10 sts x 15 rows
- This is my go-to yarn.
- It makes for a quick & affordable project.
Rico Essentials Super, super chunky yarn
- Needle size: US 11
- Gauge: 10 sts x 15 rows
- This is a lightly spun wool/acrylic blend yarn.
- In my opinion, this yarn will felt pretty easy.
Phil Alaska, Phildar
- Needle size: US 11
- 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.
Millamia
- Needle size: US 11
- Gauge: 9.5 sts x 15 rows
- 100% wool. {They don’t specify what kind of wool.}
- My first thought when casting-on: “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. Especially if you’re looking for a 100% wool alternative.
- This is some super squishy yarn. :)
- I’m loving how it’s working up!
Lang Yarns, Kim
- Needle size: US 11
- 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.
Lang Yarns, Virgina
- Needle size: US 11
- Gauge: 10.5 sts x 15 rows
- 100% wool {Again, I’m 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, super-wash yarn.
Cloudborn Superwash Super Bulky Yarn
- Needle size: US 11
- Gauge: 9 sts x 14 rows
- This is 100% superwash Peruvian Highland wool.
- The gauge is a little bulkier than LBT&Q.
- It’s very soft and I love the dark gray!
Cascade Lana Grande Yarn
- Needle size: US 11
- Gauge: 10 sts x 15 rows
- This is 100% Peruvian Highland wool.
- My gauge is almost identical to LBT&Q.
- It’s not as dense as LBT&Q. This makes it a lovely fluffy yarn. :)
Rowan Big Wool Yarn
- Needle size: US 11
- Gauge: 10.25 sts x 15 rows
- The label says: Made with Merino wool. 100% wool. It doesn’t specifically say it’s made with 100% Merino wool, so I don’t know if it’s a blend or not.
- My gauge is almost identical to LBT&Q.
- This is a tiny bit thinner.
- It’s not as dense as LBT&Q.
- It has beautiful stitch definition.
Other Super Bulky Yarns
VS
Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
| Yarn Brand | Comparison | My Gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Adriafil Llama | Way too thin | NA |
| Cascade Boliviana Bulky | A little too thin | NA |
| Cascade Lana Grande Yarn | Very close | 10 x 15 |
| Cascade Spuntaneous | A little too bulky | NA |
| Cloudborn Superwash Super Bulky Yarn | A little too bulky | NA |
| GGH Husky | Too thin | NA |
| Lang Yarns Kim | A little too thin | 10.5 x 17 |
| Lang Yarns Virginia | Very close | 10.5 x 15 |
| Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Yarn | Same | 10 x 15 |
| Lion Brand Wow | WAY too bulky | NA |
| Madelinetosh A.S.A.P | Too thin | NA |
| Malabrigo Rasta | A little too bulky | NA |
| MillaMia Naturally Soft Super Chunky | Very close | 9.5 x 15 |
| Phil Alaska, Phildar | Very close | 10 x 16 |
| Red Heart Grande | A little too bulky | NA |
| Red Heart Irresistible | WAY too bulky | NA |
| Rico Essentials Super Super Chunky | Very close | 10 x 15 |
| Rowan Big Wool Yarn | Very close | 10.25 x 15 |
| Schulana Grandino | Too thin | NA |
| Spud & Chloe Outer | Too thin | NA |
| Stylecraft Weekender Super Chunky | Way too thin | NA |
| Tahki Yarns Big Montana | Too bulky | NA |
| Crazy Sexy Wool by Wool and the Gang | A little too bulky | NA |
| Wendy Serenity | Too thin | NA |