How much bulky yarn do I need?
Bulky / chunky (5) yarn needs: yards and skeins for blankets, hats, scarves, sweaters and cowls, knit or crochet, plus gauge, needle and hook sizes for bulky yarn.
Make a swatch of at least 6 × 6 in in your stitch, wash and block it, then measure and weigh it.
Pattern yarn — from the materials list.
Your new yarn — from its label.
You need about
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About bulky yarn (CYC 5)
Bulky (CYC 5, often labeled chunky) is about 100–150 yards per 100 g. It knits up roughly twice as fast as worsted and is popular for hats, cowls, quick blankets and outerwear sweaters.
| Also called | Chunky, craft, rug, 12-ply |
|---|---|
| Knit gauge | 12–15 stitches per 4 in (10 cm), stockinette |
| Needles | 5.5–8 mm (US 9–11) |
| Crochet hook | 6.5–9 mm (K-10½ to M-13) |
| Typical ball | 130 yd / 119 m per 100 g (≈ 130 yd / 100 g) |
| Yarn rate | ≈ 0.49 yd per sq in in stockinette at average tension |
How much chunky yarn do I need?
| Project | Knit stockinette | Knit garter | Crochet single | Crochet double |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby blanket 30 × 36 in | 610550 m · 5 sk | 730660 m · 6 sk | 970890 m · 8 sk | 770700 m · 6 sk |
| Throw 50 × 60 in | 1,6801,540 m · 13 sk | 2,0001,850 m · 16 sk | 2,7002,450 m · 21 sk | 2,1501,950 m · 17 sk |
| Queen blanket 90 × 100 in | 5,0504,600 m · 39 sk | 6,0505,550 m · 47 sk | 8,1007,400 m · 63 sk | 6,4005,850 m · 50 sk |
| Adult scarf 8 × 64 in | 280250 m · 3 sk | 330310 m · 3 sk | 450410 m · 4 sk | 350320 m · 3 sk |
| Adult beanie | 10595 m · 1 sk | 130115 m · 1 sk | 170155 m · 2 sk | 135125 m · 2 sk |
| Adult sweater, M | 900830 m · 7 sk | 1,080990 m · 9 sk | 1,4501,320 m · 12 sk | 1,1501,050 m · 9 sk |
| Women's socks (pair) | 180165 m · 2 sk | 220200 m · 2 sk | 290270 m · 3 sk | 230210 m · 2 sk |
| Triangle shawl 64 × 30 in | 520480 m · 5 sk | 630570 m · 5 sk | 840760 m · 7 sk | 660610 m · 6 sk |
| Amigurumi, 8 in | 9590 m · 1 sk | 115105 m · 1 sk | 155140 m · 2 sk | 125115 m · 1 sk |
Values are yards with 10% extra; small figures are meters and skeins of a typical ball: bulky 130 yd / 100 g. Use the calculator with your own label for exact skein counts.
About these numbers: estimates assume typical gauge for each yarn weight. Your tension, hook or needle size and stitch pattern can move them by ±15% or more — weigh a swatch in the swatch calculator for a figure based on your own work.
Compare other weights: lace, super fine, fine, light, medium, super bulky, jumbo. See the full yarn weight chart or read yarn weights explained.
FAQ
How much chunky yarn for a throw blanket?
About 2,150 yards (1,950 m) for a 50 × 60 in throw in double crochet with 10% extra — 17 balls of 130 yd / 100 g.
What needle and hook size for bulky yarn?
The Craft Yarn Council suggests needles 5.5–8 mm (US 9–11) and hooks 6.5–9 mm (K-10½ to M-13), for a knit gauge of 12–15 stitches per 4 inches.
What does the number on a yarn label mean?
It is the Craft Yarn Council weight category, from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo). 3 is DK, 4 is worsted or aran, 5 is bulky or chunky and 6 is super bulky.
How accurate is a yarn calculator?
Estimates from typical gauge are usually within ±15%, because tension, hook or needle size and stitch pattern vary. The swatch mode — weighing or measuring a real swatch — is accurate to a few percent.