πͺπΌ Is BULKY yarn the best for beginner knitters?
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β Disclaimer: This newsletter may contain sponsored ads and affiliate links. β KnitspirationπͺπΌ Is BULKY yarn the best for beginner knitters?Bulky is a bit of a strange word to associate with knitting. For me it brings back memories of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan or Hulk Hogan tearing apart his shirt before jumping in the wrestling ring. I can imagine Mr. T knitting up a golden necklace while proclaiming, But "bulky" as a term isn't as closely associated with pumping iron these days. And in the context of knitting, it mostly means... ...BIG So today we're going to take a look at bulky yarn and why I think it's the best yarn for beginners. What is Bulky Yarn?Bulky yarn is defined by the Craft Yarn Council as a #5 weight yarn. Any yarn with a stitch gauge between 12-15 stitches per 4 inches (10cm) falls into this category. It's typically knit with needles ranging from size US 9 (5.5mm) to US 11 (8mm). Most bulky yarns are made from 2 to 4 plies, but some single ply bulky yarns exist. However, single ply yarns are known to have much more variance in their thickness as they are often loosely spun. So where did bulky yarn come from? A quick history of bulky yarnThe history of bulky weight yarn is intertwined with the evolution of knitting itself. Originally, yarns were handspun, and their thickness varied based on the spinner's skill and the intended use. With the advent of machine spinning and the industrial revolution, yarn production became more standardized. Bulky yarn gained popularity in the mid-20th century, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, as a response to the demand for quicker, more efficient knitting projects. This was a time when DIY culture flourished, and people sought ways to create warm, durable items with less time investment. The bulky yarn provided an ideal solution with its thick strands and easy workability. But just because a yarn is BIG doesn't mean it's bulky. Bulky vs. Super Bulky vs. JumboBulky yarn is certainly thick, but there are much, MUCH thicker yarns. It is often confused with SUPER bulky yarn (CYC #6) which has a gauge range of 7-11 stitches per 4 inches (10cm). But the popularity of arm knitting and oversized knits back in the early 2010s made way for a new yarn category. The CYC introduced JUMBO yarn in 2014 as it's 7 yarn weight, and redefined super bulky in the process. Jumbo yarns are any yarn with a gauge under 6 stitches per 4 inches. Bulky yarn provides a nice balance of thickness and usability, not sacrificing function for extra volume. Benefits of bulky yarnBulky weight yarn offers several advantages:
Drawbacks of bulky yarnDespite its advantages, bulky weight yarn also has some drawbacks:
Our Favorite Bulky Weight YarnsWe LOVE bulky yarn because it's so beginner friendly, but it's also a lot of fun to knit with. It's so satisfying to watch your project come to life quickly, and stitch patterns can really POP with the large stitches. Plus it's great for last minute gift knitting, so we like to have at least a few skeins on hand at all times. Here are a few of our favs: β βWonderfluff by Knit PicksCYC #5 (Bulky) β’ 70% Baby Alpaca, 7% Merino Wool, 23% Nylon (142yds/50g) Softer than a kitten, fluffier than a cloud, Wonderfluff is a technological marvel! Silky baby alpaca and fleecy merino fibers are blown into and caught in a lightweight tube of nylon mesh. The result is a yarn that's beautifully bulky yet lightweight and warm, with surprising resiliency. β βMarvelous Chunky by Mary MaximCYC #5 (Bulky) β’ 100% Acrylic (270yds/198g) This generous ball of yarn is big in more ways than one. With beautiful color pallettes that unfold into lovely stripes, this super soft yarn will become a fast favorite. β βBrava Bulky by Knit PicksCYC #5 (Bulky) β’ 100% Acrylic (136yds/100g) Versatility meets affordability; Brava is a 100% acrylic yarn that will keep up with all of life's adventures! Gentle enough for sensitive skin, Brava is a hard-wearing yarn that works wonders for projects where durability and easy care is a must. Hypoallergenic and machine washable, there is no fiber more accessible and dependable than acrylic, perfect for children, new knitters, and charity projects. β βChunky by Malabrigo YarnCYC #5 (Bulky) β’ 100% Merino Wool (104yds/100g) Malabrigo Chunky is a bulky-weight, 100% Merino wool yarn that contains just over 100 yards per skein. Hand-dyed to perfection, this yarn knits up quickly to make your wintertime projects that much easier to make! Available in an array of gorgeous solid shades and eye-catching multis, the possibilities are endless! β βββββββScarfie by Lion Brand YarnsCYC #5 (Bulky) β’ 78% Acrylic, 22% Wool (312yds/150g) Scarfie is a soft and lofty wool blend yarn with enough yardage to knit or crochet a full length scarf. While working with Scarfie, youβll see a unique self-striping ombrΓ© effect emerge, with gradual shading from one color to the next. The ombrΓ© pattern is a sophisticated and tonal blend of solid and heathered hues. Scarfie is great for stylish garments, accessories and afghans. β βββββββββββββVintage Chunky by BerrocoCYC #5 (Bulky) β’ 50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon (130yds/100g) Berroco Vintage Chunky is a sumptuous blend of acrylic, wool, and nylon, making an ultra-strong yarn that can withstand the test of time with ease! Delightfully soft and easy to work with, in both your knit and crochet projects, choosing this yarn is a no-brainer! This bulky-weight yarn comes with 130 yards per hank, making it a staple in any quick makes. β ββββββββββββHue + Me by Lion Brand Yarns and Two of WandsCYC #5 (Bulky) β’ 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool (137yds/125g) Hue + Me is a bulky weight blend of 80% acrylic and 20% wool can be stitched into everything from accessories to garments to blankets and home dΓ©cor. It's more than a yarn, itβs a craftstyle and vision of Two of Wands creator Alexi Tavel. There is no wrong way to pair this carefully curated palette β each color pairs well with the others, so worries of βwill this match?β can be set aside as you focus on stitching your next creation. With its excellent stitch definition and easy-care properties, Hue + Me is ideal for both beginner and experienced crafters alike. β ConclusionSo what do you think? Are you a fan of bulky yarn? Do you have a favorite we didn't mention? Hit reply and let us know your thoughts! β Announcementsπ€© WE'RE ALMOST THERE!I decided to extend our fundraiser for one more day. And we're just a few hundred dollars away from reaching our goal! If you'd like to show your support for our work, we've got some great gifts to say thank you. Rewards are going quick so grab them while you still can. Today is the LAST DAY! PLUS, I'm going to give away a LIFETIME Yarnist+ membership to one lucky person. Of course this is entirely optional, but if you are able to contribute it's greatly appreciated!
β Daily StitchFarrow Rib StitchThis week were exploring ribbing as part of our season long focus on different stitch patterns. The farrow rib is interesting because it's the same pattern on each row, but the second row is shifted by two stitches. It results in a very textural rib, with a center column of stitches that looks more pronounced than usual
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β Members Onlyβ Pattern PickSuper Nova Blanket by Claire SladeInspired by the gorgeous shades of Wonderfluff Ombre (a bulky yarn by Knit Picks), this super quick and easy-to-knit lap or baby blanket would make a great gift for anyone. Super Nova is made up of four squares, all knit on the bias. Each square uses one ball of Wonderfluff Ombre; it is a good idea to start all of the squares from the same end of the ball. Best of all it's 100% Free!
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