Crochet Yarn Weight Guide: Thick yarn

What Do We Mean by Thick Yarn?

Yarn weights are numbered from 0 to 7, starting with delicate lace yarn and gradually becoming thicker.
For this guide, we are concentrating on:
5 – Bulky / Chunky
6 – Super Bulky
7 – Jumbo
The thicker the yarn, the larger the individual stitches tend to be and the quicker your crochet project can grow.
Of course, thicker doesn’t automatically mean better.
It simply creates a different kind of crochet fabric.
And sometimes that is exactly what we want.

5 – Bulky / Chunky Yarn

Depending on where you live and which yarn manufacturer you are looking at, you may see weight 5 yarn described as bulky or chunky.
This is a noticeable step up from DK, worsted and Aran yarn.
Your stitches become larger, your fabric becomes thicker and suddenly that blanket starts growing much faster!
Chunky yarn is one of my favourites for cosy projects because it gives you that lovely substantial feel without becoming enormous.

What can I crochet with chunky yarn?

Chunky yarn is fantastic for:
Scarves
Cowls
Hats
Blankets
Cushions
Baskets
Sweaters
Home décor
It is also a lovely way to show off textured crochet stitches.
Those bumps, ridges and raised stitches that look quite delicate in a fine yarn can become a real feature when you make them in chunky yarn.

What hook should I use?

You will often find crochet hooks around 6,50–9,00 mm used with bulky or chunky yarn.
As always, consider the project as well as the yarn label.

6 – Super Bulky Yarn

Now we’re getting serious!
Super bulky yarn creates big, bold stitches and wonderfully thick crochet fabric.
It is also brilliant when you want a satisfying project that works up quickly.
If you have ever started a blanket and wondered whether you might still be crocheting it several birthdays from now, super bulky yarn could be a refreshing change!

What can I crochet with super bulky yarn?

It is great for:
Cosy blankets
Chunky scarves
Cowls
Hats
Baskets
Cushions
Winter accessories
Home décor
You can create a lot of impact using relatively simple crochet stitches because the yarn itself becomes part of the design.

What hook should I use?

Hooks around 9,00–15,00 mm are commonly paired with super bulky yarn.
If you normally crochet with a 4,00 or 5,00 mm hook, that first giant hook can feel rather strange in your hand!
Give yourself a little time to adjust.

7 – Jumbo Yarn

And finally we have the giant of the yarn family.

Jumbo!

This is the thickest standard yarn category and produces enormous stitches.
It is the sort of yarn you might see used for oversized blankets, dramatic cushions, rugs and statement pieces.
Some jumbo yarn is so thick that you can even work with it using your hands rather than a traditional crochet hook.

What can I crochet with jumbo yarn?

Think BIG:
Oversized blankets
Rugs
Baskets
Cushions
Statement home décor

What hook should I use?

For jumbo yarn, you are generally looking at hooks of 15,00 mm and above.
Always check the yarn label and your pattern, as jumbo yarns can vary considerably in thickness.

Why Does Thick Yarn Work Up So Quickly?

Quite simply, every stitch is bigger.
If ten stitches in a thin yarn only cover a small distance, ten giant stitches in a super bulky yarn can take you much further across your project.
This is why thick yarn can be so satisfying for quick projects.
Need a handmade gift and you’ve left it a little later than planned?
We’ve all been there.
A chunky cowl or cushion can suddenly look very appealing!

Thick Yarn Is Fantastic for Texture

One of the things I love about thicker yarn is how clearly you can see your stitches.
Texture really stands out.
Front post and back post stitches, bobbles, ribs and other raised stitch patterns can become wonderfully dramatic.
Even a simple single crochet or half double crochet can look completely different when worked with a big hook and thick yarn.
So if you have a yarn that already has plenty of character, you may not need a complicated stitch pattern at all.
Sometimes simple really is best.

But Think About Drape

There is one thing to watch when using thicker yarn.
Weight and stiffness.
A beautiful super bulky yarn may look perfect for a sweater, but depending on the fibre and stitch pattern, the finished garment could become very heavy.
Likewise, using a small hook with thick yarn creates a dense, stiff fabric.
That might be exactly what you want for a basket.
Probably not what you want for a soft, flowing scarf!
If you want more drape, experiment with a larger hook and a more open stitch pattern.

Bigger Hook Doesn’t Always Mean Easier

It is tempting to think that thick yarn and giant hooks must automatically be easier because the stitches are so easy to see.
Sometimes they are.
But large hooks use your hands and wrists differently, particularly when you are working with a heavy project such as a blanket.
Try to keep your grip relaxed and take regular breaks during long crochet sessions.
Your project isn’t going anywhere.
Probably.
Unless someone in your house has also discovered how lovely your yarn is…

How Much Yarn Will I Need?

Here’s something that can surprise you when you first start crocheting with very thick yarn.
Those big stitches can eat yarn!
A ball of jumbo yarn may look enormous, but there may be considerably less length in that ball than you are used to getting from DK or fingering yarn.
So don’t estimate how much yarn you need simply by looking at the size of the ball.
Check the metres or yards per ball and compare that with the amount required by your pattern.
If you are substituting yarn, this becomes particularly important.

Choosing the Right Thick Yarn

Before falling in love with that enormous squishy ball – too late? – think about what your finished project needs to do.
For a basket, you may want something sturdy that holds its shape.
For a scarf or cowl, softness against your skin becomes much more important.
For a blanket, think about warmth, weight and how you will wash it.
And for a rug, durability may matter more than softness.
The yarn weight tells you how thick your yarn is.
The fibre and construction tell you a lot more about how it will actually behave.

From Tiny Lace to Giant Jumbo

And that brings us to the end of our journey through the standard yarn weights!
This is Part 3 of my Yarn Weight Guide.
If giant hooks aren’t quite your thing, you can go back to Part 2: Medium Weight Yarn for Crochet – DK, Worsted & Aran Explained.
Or go right back to the beginning with Part 1: Thin Yarn for Crochet – Lace, Fingering & Sport Weight Explained.
Once you understand the basic yarn-weight categories, those yarn labels start to make much more sense.
But don’t be afraid to experiment.
Change your hook size. Make a swatch. Try a stitch you wouldn’t normally use.
Sometimes the best way to understand a yarn is simply to put it on your hook and see what happens.

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