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

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

  • CO 23 STS

  • 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

yarn swatch with gauge

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.

yarn swatch with gauge

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.

yarn swatch with gauge

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.

yarn swatch with gauge

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!
yarn swatch with gauge

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.

yarn swatch with 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.
yarn swatch with gauge

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!
yarn swatch with gauge

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. :)
yarn swatch with gauge

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
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