Compare 7 Super “Super” Bulky Yarns

Are you looking for a Super “Super” Bulky Yarn substitute? Ya know, that yarn that uses a size US 17 {12mm} knitting needle.

I’ve been using super bulky yarns for a long time. I consider LBT&Q a super bulky yarn, however, I typically knit it using a size US 11 {8mm} or US 13 {9mm} knitting needle. Last week I released a new free pattern, HYGGE HIBERNATION : Cowl Knitting Pattern, which also uses a yarn that’s classified as a super bulky yarn, but I used a size US 17 {12mm} knitting needle. That’s a significant difference going from a US 11 {8mm} or US 13 {9mm} to a US 17 {12mm} needle. I don’t feel that it’s a jumbo sized yarn, that’s for US 25 and larger, but maybe we need a category in between? I know that this category doesn’t really exist, but I feel like it should have a category of its own.

After I finished the cowl, I was looking through my stash trying to decide what I wanted to knit next and noticed all the super “super” bulky yarns that I have and wondered how they compared in thickness to Wool and the Gang’s Crazy Sexy Wool. I thought maybe y’all would like to know too!

7 swatches from 6 manufacturers. Pics of each of swatch:

Cascade, Magnum
Gauge: 8 sts x 11 rows
Measurements: 9 x 8 3/4”

Cascade, Spuntaneous
Gauge: 8 sts x 12 rows
Measurements: 9 1/4 x 9 1/2”

Cloudborn, Highland Roving
Gauge: 8 1/4 sts x 11 rows
Measurements: 9 x 8 1/2

MillaMia, Super Chunky
Gauge: 7 1/2 sts x 11 rows
Measurements: 9 1/2 x 9”

Red Heart, Grande
Gauge: 6 1/2 sts x 10 rows
Measurements: 10 3/4 x 9 3/4”

We Are Knitters, The Wool
Gauge: 7 1/2 sts x 11 rows
Measurements: 9 3/4 x 9 1/2”

Wool and the Gang, Crazy Sexy Wool
Gauge: 7 1/2 sts x 11 rows
Measurements: 9 3/4 x 9 1/2”

Video Comparing Super Bulky Yarns:

Here’s the pattern for my swatches:

Size US 17 {12mm} Knitting Needles
CO 18 STS

Rows 1-3: *K* {garter stitch}
Row 4 {RS} : *K*
Row 5 {WS}: K3, P12, K3
Repeat rows 4-5, 9 more times

Row 24-27: *K* {garter stitch}
Row 28: BO in all knit STS

Knitting Abbreviations:

* – * – repeat between * to end of round
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on {long-tail cast-on method}
K – knit stitches {K1 means to knit 1 stitch}
P – purl stitches {P2 means to purl 2 stitches}
RS – right side
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side