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 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.
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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
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.
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.
Needle size: US 11
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!
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.
Needle size: US 11
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, super-wash yarn.
Cloudborn Superwash Super Bulky Yarn
Needle size: US 11
Gauge: 9 sts x 14 rows
This is 100% superwash highland wool
The gauge is a little bulkier than LBT&Q.
It's very soft and I love the dark gray!
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 making it a lovely fluffy 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 |