The Ultimate Guide to Chunky vs. Super Bulky Yarn: Needle Sizes, Projects, and Faux Fur Pom Poms
When the Chicago winds start to howl and the temperatures drop, fiber artists everywhere experience the same instinct: it is time to cast on something big, squishy, and incredibly warm. Thick yarn is the ultimate comfort crafting material. It works up with satisfying speed, creates dramatic, textured stitches, and results in garments that feel like a wearable hug.
However, navigating the world of thick yarn can be confusing. Walk into any local yarn shop or browse an online catalog, and you will encounter terms like "chunky," "bulky," and "super bulky" used interchangeably by some, yet specifically separated by others. Choosing the wrong weight can lead to a hat that stands up on its own or a blanket that takes twice as long to finish. At AriYARN Shop & Studio, we field questions about yarn weight every single day.
This ultimate guide is designed to decode the heavyweights of the fiber world. We will explore the technical differences between chunky, bulky, and super bulky yarns, dive into the best needle sizes, showcase some of our favorite premium fibers, and top it all off—literally—with a guide to adding the perfect faux fur pom pom to your finished projects.
What is the difference between chunky and super bulky yarn?
The main difference between chunky and super bulky yarn is their thickness and gauge. Chunky (or bulky) yarn is a Category 5 weight, typically knitting at 3 to 3.75 stitches per inch. Super bulky yarn is a Category 6 weight, knitting much faster at 1.5 to 3 stitches per inch.
The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) created a standardized numbering system to help crafters understand yarn thickness. While the system is incredibly helpful, the traditional names assigned to these numbers can still cause a bit of a tangle.
Category 5 is officially named "Bulky," but in the UK, Australia, and among many independent dyers, this exact same weight is referred to as "Chunky" or "Craft" weight. Therefore, bulky and chunky are generally considered the exact same thing.
Category 6 is "Super Bulky." This yarn is significantly thicker than Category 5. If you try to substitute a super bulky yarn into a pattern written for chunky yarn without adjusting your needle size and stitch count, your project will end up massively oversized and stiff.
Shop by weight first, then match the pattern’s gauge. If you want help choosing fibers or swapping yarns, bring your pattern into the shop or contact us.
What size is bulky yarn? (And what about chunky?)
Bulky yarn, also known as chunky yarn, is a thick, Category 5 weight yarn. It generally requires US 9 to 11 (5.5mm to 8mm) knitting needles or K-10.5 to M-13 (6.5mm to 9mm) crochet hooks. It creates warm, structured garments with excellent stitch definition.
Bulky yarn hits the sweet spot for many crafters. It is thick enough to provide instant gratification—you can easily knit a hat in a weekend—but it is thin enough to comfortably create wearable sweaters, cardigans, and intricate cables without the garment becoming too heavy or rigid.
If you’re ready to shop, start with our bulky yarn collection, then jump to the AriYARN Store for everything else you need (tools, gifts, and seasonal favorites).
Top Bulky Yarns We Love
When shopping for bulky yarn, the fiber content plays a massive role in the final drape and feel of your project. Here are a few standout favorites that fly off our shelves in Park Ridge:
- Plymouth Pure Baby Llama: If you are looking for pure, unadulterated luxury, this is it. Baby llama is incredibly soft, hypoallergenic, and provides incredible warmth without the scratchiness sometimes associated with rougher wools. It has a beautiful, natural drape that makes it perfect for cozy cowls.
- Gnome Depot Fiber: For those who love vibrant colors and a bit of visual texture, Gnome Depot Fiber offers gorgeous, multi-tonal hanks that bring simple stitches to life.
- Berroco Emberstone: This yarn provides fantastic structure and durability. The multicolor variations create a stunning marled effect that looks incredibly complex, even if you are just knitting the basic stockinette stitch.
Next step: Pair your yarn with finishing touches from our notions collection (stitch markers, tapestry needles, pom poms, and more).
What is super bulky yarn?
Super bulky yarn is a Category 6 weight yarn that is extremely thick and fast to work up. It requires large needles, usually US sizes 11 to 17 (8mm to 12.75mm), making it ideal for quick winter projects like heavy blankets, cozy cowls, and pom pom beanies.
If bulky yarn provides a weekend project, super bulky yarn provides an evening project. This category is characterized by its dramatic thickness. Projects made with super bulky yarn have an unmistakable modern, rustic, and highly textured aesthetic.
Because the yarn is so thick, every single stitch is highly visible. This makes super bulky yarn excellent for absolute beginners who are just learning to "read" their knitting or crochet, as mistakes are easy to spot and fix.
Our Favorite Super Bulky Splurges
Working with super bulky yarn means you are handling a lot of fiber at once. Choosing high-quality, ethically sourced yarns ensures your hands won't tire out and your finished piece will last a lifetime.
- Cascade Yarns Lana Grande: A 100% Peruvian Highland Wool that offers incredible structure and warmth. It is a workhorse yarn that is perfect for heavy winter afghans and structured cardigans.
- Manos del Uruguay Franca: This is a true showstopper. Franca is a single-ply superwash merino that takes dye brilliantly. The vibrant, watercolor-like gradients make even the simplest beanie look like a boutique designer piece. Plus, Manos del Uruguay is a fair trade cooperative, meaning every purchase supports female artisans.
- Juniper Moon Farm Big Merino: Squishy, cloud-like, and wonderfully soft. This is the yarn you want closest to your skin on a freezing January morning in Chicago.
The Crowning Glory: Pom Poms for Beanies
You’ve selected your super bulky yarn, cast on with your US 15 needles, and knit up a gorgeous, squishy winter hat in record time. But a thick winter beanie often feels incomplete without a little bit of flair on top. This is where faux fur pom poms come into play.
A high-quality faux fur pom pom instantly elevates a hand-knit or crocheted hat from "homemade" to "handmade luxury." If you want that boutique finish, start in our notions section and pick a pom that complements your yarn color.
How to attach a faux fur pom pom
Attaching a pom pom is simple, but doing it securely ensures your hat survives the winter weather. Most high-quality faux fur poms (like the ones we stock in our notions section) come with two long strings or a small elastic loop attached to the center.
Method 1: The String Tie
Take a tapestry needle and thread one of the pom pom strings through the very top center of your hat, pulling it inside. Thread the second string through a stitch slightly adjacent to the first one (about a quarter inch away). Turn the hat inside out, pull both strings tightly so the pom pom sits flush against the fabric, and tie them into a secure, double bow. Tying a bow instead of a hard knot allows you to easily remove the pom pom before washing the hat.
Method 2: The Button Anchor
If your pom pom has an elastic loop, sew a flat, sturdy button to the inside crown of your hat. Use a crochet hook to pull the elastic loop through the top of the hat to the inside, and simply stretch the loop over the button. This creates a highly secure hold that pops off effortlessly for laundry day.
Learn to Knit with Thick Yarn in Chicago & Park Ridge
Reading about yarn is one thing, but squishing it in person is entirely another. If you are in the Chicagoland area and want to feel the difference between bulky and super bulky yarns for yourself, we would love to welcome you to our Park Ridge studio.
Thick yarn is the perfect medium for beginners. Because the stitches are so large, it is much easier to see the anatomy of your work, understand how tension affects your fabric, and correct dropped stitches before they become a problem.
We regularly host classes and community events where you can build confidence with hands-on practice. Join us for our weekly Stitch 'n Craft Night (Thursdays, 5 PM - 7 PM)—a relaxed, social meetup where you can share progress, swap ideas, and get friendly peer feedback. If you want step-by-step instruction, our workshops are the best place to learn new skills with a teacher guiding you.
Whether you are looking to knit your very first bulky scarf, need help decoding a super bulky sweater pattern, or just want to browse our basket of colorful faux fur pom poms, AriYARN Shop and Studio is your local haven for all things thick, warm, and woolen. Start with the AriYARN Store, then use our contact page if you want recommendations based on your pattern and skill level.
Visit AriYARN Shop & Studio in Park Ridge
Bulky & Super Bulky Yarn FAQ
Is chunky yarn the same as bulky yarn?
In most cases, yes. “Chunky” is commonly used to describe Category 5 yarn (bulky). If your pattern says “chunky,” check the label’s recommended needle size and the pattern’s gauge for a perfect match. For shopping, start at bulky yarn.
Can I substitute bulky yarn for super bulky yarn?
Not directly. Super bulky (Category 6) is much thicker. Substituting without recalculating gauge will change size, drape, and structure. If you need help swapping yarn weights, contact us via AriYARN or bring your pattern into the shop.
What projects are best for bulky yarn?
Bulky yarn is ideal for hats, cowls, textured scarves, warm sweaters, and structured accessories. Browse options on our bulky yarn page, then head to the store for tools and finishing.
What projects are best for super bulky yarn?
Super bulky yarn shines for quick winter wins: beanies, chunky blankets, plush cowls, and statement accessories. Start here: super bulky yarn.
Where can I find pom poms and finishing supplies?
We keep faux fur pom poms and essentials in our notions collection. If you’re unsure what matches your yarn, stop in or reach out through contact.
Do you offer help for beginners?
Yes. For instruction, our workshops are the best place to learn skills step-by-step. For community vibes, Stitch ’n Craft Night is a relaxed meetup for sharing progress and ideas.
Ready to cast on something cozy?
Explore premium bulky and super bulky yarns, grab the finishing touches, or sign up for a workshop to learn hands-on.
Prefer in-person help? Visit us at 153 N Northwest Hwy, Park Ridge, IL 60068 — see map + directions.
