Super Bulky Weight Yarn (Roving, CYC 6): Needle Size, Hook Size and Gauge
Super bulky yarn, CYC 6, knits at 7 to 11 stitches per 4 inches on 8 to 12.75 mm needles and crochets at 7 to 9 single crochet on 9 to 15 mm hooks. It measures 5 to 6 wraps per inch and runs under 100 yards per 100 grams.
Yarn weight means the thickness of the strand, not how heavy the ball is. The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) numbers its categories from 0 for lace to 7 for jumbo, and super bulky yarn is category 6. Labels also call it Super Bulky, Roving. Its typical projects are chunky blankets, cowls, quick hats, rugs.
| CYC category | 6 (Super Bulky) |
|---|---|
| Other names | Super Bulky, Roving |
| Wraps per inch | 5 to 6 |
| Knit gauge (stockinette, per 4 in) | 7 to 11 stitches |
| Recommended needles | 8 to 12.75 mm (US 11 to 17) |
| Crochet gauge (per 4 in) | 7 to 9 single crochet |
| Recommended hooks | 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q) |
| Yards per 100 g (retailer charts) | under 100 |
From the CYC chart
Yardage is usually under 100 yd per 100 g.
What size knitting needles do you use for super bulky yarn?
CYC recommends 8 to 12.75 mm (US 11 to 17) needles for super bulky yarn. Every size below falls inside that range. Start in the middle and change size until your swatch matches the pattern gauge; each size links to its own page with cast-on estimates.
| Needle | Metric | US | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 11 | 8 mm | 11 | 0 | bulky (chunky) |
| US 13 | 9 mm | 13 | 00 | Only this weight |
| US 15 | 10 mm | 15 | 000 | Only this weight |
| US 17 | 12.5 mm | 17 | None | Only this weight |
| US 17 | 12.75 mm | 17 | None | jumbo |
What size crochet hook do you use for super bulky yarn?
CYC recommends 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q) hooks for super bulky yarn, at 7 to 9 single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 1 mm off the smallest recommended needle, because crochet fabric is denser than knitting.
| Hook | Metric | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| M/N-13 | 9 mm | 00 | bulky (chunky) |
| N/P-15 | 10 mm | 000 | Only this weight |
| P-16 | 11.5 mm | None | Only this weight |
| 12 mm | 12 mm | None | Only this weight |
| P/Q | 15 mm | None | jumbo |
How much super bulky yarn do you need for a project?
These are planning ranges from published yardage guides for super bulky yarn. Crochet figures run 25 to 33 percent above knitting. Skeins assume 100 gram skeins at under 100 yards each.
| Project | Knit (yd) | Crochet (yd) | 100 g skeins, knit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Hat | 125 to 150 | 150 to 200 | 2 or more |
| Scarf | 250 to 375 | 325 to 500 | 3 or more |
| Adult Socks | 200 to 250 | 250 to 325 | 2 or more |
| Shawl | 350 to 475 | 450 to 625 | 4 or more |
| Adult Sweater | 825 to 1,125 | 1,025 to 1,500 | 9 or more |
| Baby Blanket | 750 to 875 | 950 to 1,175 | 8 or more |
| Throw Blanket | 1,625 to 2,000 | 2,025 to 2,650 | 17 or more |
| Twin Size Blanket | 2,950 to 3,650 | 3,700 to 4,850 | 30 or more |
| Full Size Blanket | 3,600 to 4,450 | 4,500 to 5,900 | 36 or more |
| Queen Size Blanket | 4,500 to 5,550 | 5,650 to 7,400 | 45 or more |
| King Size Blanket | 5,400 to 6,650 | 6,750 to 8,850 | 54 or more |
Tools and yarn for super bulky yarn
Bernat Blanket Super Bulky Chenille Yarn, 3 pack
$21.81Three 150 g, 108 yard balls of 100 percent polyester super bulky yarn made for blankets.
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Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn, 3 pack
$28.15Three 106 yard skeins of wool blend that knits at 9 stitches on US 13 (9 mm) needles.
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Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn, Super Bulky #6, 2 Pack of 300 g, Lovely Blue
$21.69Two 220 yard balls of super bulky polyester with a crochet gauge on a 6.5 mm K hook.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How many stitches do you cast on with super bulky yarn?
These counts use the full CYC gauge range for super bulky yarn: 7 to 11 stitches per 4 inches knit and 7 to 9 single crochet crocheted. Knit hat counts are rounded to a multiple of 4 for ribbing, and crochet counts add 1 turning chain. Treat them as estimates and swatch first.
| Piece | Knit stitches | Crochet starting chain |
|---|---|---|
| Hat, 20 in around | 36 to 56 | 36 to 46 |
| Scarf, 8 in wide | 14 to 22 | 15 to 19 |
| Baby blanket, 42 in wide | 74 to 116 | 75 to 96 |
| Throw, 50 in wide | 88 to 138 | 89 to 114 |
| Queen blanket, 90 in wide | 158 to 248 | 159 to 204 |
How do you identify super bulky yarn by wraps per inch?
Wraps per inch (WPI) tells you the weight of an unlabeled yarn. Wrap it snugly around a ruler with the strands touching but not overlapping, count the wraps in one inch, and compare with the CYC ranges. Super Bulky yarn measures 5 to 6 wraps per inch.
| CYC weight | WPI | Knit gauge per 4 in | Yards per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 lace | 30 to 40 or more | 33 to 40 | 600 or more |
| 1 super fine (fingering) | 14 to 30 | 27 to 32 | 380 to 600 |
| 2 fine (sport) | 12 to 18 | 23 to 26 | 300 to 380 |
| 3 light (DK) | 11 to 15 | 21 to 24 | 230 to 300 |
| 4 medium (worsted) | 9 to 12 | 16 to 20 | 170 to 230 |
| 5 bulky (chunky) | 6 to 9 | 12 to 15 | 100 to 170 |
| 6 super bulky | 5 to 6 | 7 to 11 | under 100 |
| 7 jumbo | 1 to 4 | 6 or fewer | Not published |
Can you substitute super bulky yarn for another yarn weight?
You can, as long as you match gauge. The last column shows what happens if you keep a pattern's stitch count for super bulky yarn at 9 stitches per 4 inches but knit the neighboring weight at the middle of its CYC gauge range.
| Weight | Knit gauge per 4 in | Needles | Same stitch count comes out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulky (chunky) | 12 to 15 | 5.5 to 8 mm (US 9 to 11) | about 33 percent narrower |
| Super bulky | 7 to 11 | 8 to 12.75 mm (US 11 to 17) | This weight |
| Jumbo | 6 or fewer | 12.75 mm (US 17) and larger | about 50 percent wider |
Estimates, not promises
Planning estimates only. The yardage stated on the pattern always wins. Buy 10 to 15 percent extra, from the same dye lot. The yarn substitution calculator works out how many skeins of a different yarn you need.
Frequently asked questions
What size knitting needles do you use for super bulky yarn?
The Craft Yarn Council lists 8 to 12.75 mm (US 11 to 17) needles for super bulky yarn, which is CYC category 6. Those are the most commonly used sizes, not a rule. Go down a size if your swatch has fewer stitches per 4 inches than the pattern, and up a size if it has more. Loose knitters often start one size smaller than the label suggests.
What size crochet hook do you use for super bulky yarn?
CYC lists 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q) hooks for super bulky yarn, at a typical gauge of 7 to 9 single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 1 mm larger than the smallest recommended knitting needle, because crochet fabric is denser. Many yarn labels print both a needle and a hook suggestion, and your gauge swatch has the final say.
What is the knitting gauge for super bulky yarn?
CYC gives 7 to 11 stitches per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette on 8 to 12.75 mm (US 11 to 17) needles. At 9 stitches per 4 inches, a 20 inch wide piece needs about 45 stitches and a 20 inch hat about 44. Your hands, the fiber and the stitch pattern all shift gauge, so knit a 6 inch swatch, wash it and measure the center.
How many wraps per inch is super bulky yarn?
Super bulky yarn measures 5 to 6 wraps per inch (WPI) on the CYC scale. Wrap the yarn snugly around a ruler, strands touching but not overlapping, and count the wraps in one inch. The range overlaps bulky (chunky), so an unlabeled yarn near the edge needs a gauge swatch to confirm. Fuzzy yarns read thicker than they knit.
How much super bulky yarn do I need for a blanket?
Published planning ranges put a throw blanket at about 1,625 to 2,000 yards to knit and 2,025 to 2,650 yards to crochet in super bulky yarn. That is 17 or more skeins of 100 grams for knitting. A queen size blanket takes about 4,500 to 5,550 yards knit. Pattern yardage always wins, and buy 10 to 15 percent extra from one dye lot.
What can I substitute for super bulky yarn?
The nearest weights are bulky (chunky) and jumbo. If you work a pattern written for super bulky at 9 stitches per 4 inches with jumbo yarn at its typical gauge, the piece comes out about 50 percent wider. Match the pattern gauge with a swatch, not the weight name, and compare yards per 100 grams so you buy enough.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.