Short answer: chunky and bulky are the same thing: weight 5 in the Craft Yarn Council standard (bulky is the US name, chunky the UK name). Super bulky, also called super chunky, is weight 6: thicker, at 7–11 stitches per 4 in versus 12–15 for bulky, and knitted on US 11 (8 mm) needles or larger.
Comparison chart
| Bulky / chunky (5) | Super bulky / super chunky (6) | Jumbo (7) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also called | 12 ply | 14 ply | XXL roving, giant yarn |
| Stitches per 4 in | 12–15 | 7–11 | 6 or fewer |
| Needles | US 9–11 (5.5–8 mm) | US 11–17 (8–12.75 mm), up to US 50 (25 mm) for blankets | US 17 (12.75 mm) and up, or arm knitting |
| Yardage per 3.5 oz (approx.) | 110–165 yd | under 90 yd | very little, varies widely |
| Our example | BeMe: 3.5 oz / 131 yd, US 10½–11 needles | FACES: 7 oz / 109 yd, US 15–50 needles | — |
Ranges follow the Craft Yarn Council. See all 8 weights in our yarn weight chart.
How to tell a yarn's weight
- Check the label: many brands print the number (5 or 6) inside a small skein symbol, or the word chunky, bulky or super bulky.
- Compare yards per ounce: BeMe gives about 37 yd per ounce; FACES about 16 yd per ounce. The fewer yards per ounce, the thicker the yarn.
- Look at the recommended needle: if it starts at US 11–15, it's super bulky.
Which weight for which project
| Project | Best weight | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday sweater or cardigan | Bulky (BeMe) | Thinner, more flexible fabric that drapes well and fits under a coat |
| Oversized big-stitch sweater | Super bulky (FACES) | Knits up in a weekend, with big, bold stitches |
| Hat, cowl or scarf | Either | Bulky for a fitted beanie; super bulky for a one-evening hat |
| Throw blanket | Super bulky | On US 36–50 needles it stays lofty and light |
| First project | Super bulky | Every stitch is easy to see, so mistakes are easy to fix |
Can I substitute bulky for super bulky?
Not directly: your gauge won't match and the garment will come out much bigger. If a pattern calls for super bulky and you only have bulky, try holding two strands together; the result gets close to weight 6, but always knit a 4 × 4 in swatch first. It doesn't work the other way round: you can't make a super bulky yarn thinner.
Try both weights
For a first super bulky project, the RIB STUDIO HAT pattern takes one skein of FACES. For a bulky sweater, MOSS THEORY is designed for BeMe and comes with a full video. Which needles to use with each weight is in our guide needles for chunky and super bulky yarn. Free US shipping on orders over $99, duties and taxes included.
FAQ
Is chunky thicker than bulky?
No. They are two names for the same weight 5; the difference is US vs UK English.
Are super chunky and super bulky the same?
Yes, both are weight 6.
Which is faster to knit?
Super bulky: with FACES, a hat takes an evening and a sweater a weekend.
How much super bulky yarn do I need?
See the yardage table in our super bulky yarn guide.