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Supercool Chunky Yarns
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Welcome to the 20th issue of the Yarnmarket Just My Type newsletter for October 2010. Each month we’re featuring a different Yarn Types category from our store and showcasing many of the sensational fibers & fiber blends in stock that are just right for your favorite knitting & crochet projects. With over 800 yarns now available from Yarnmarket.com, you’re sure to find the perfect option for your next creative endeavor no matter what it is. Having trouble reading this issue? Then please enjoy the online version.
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Keep Your Wardrobe Up to Date with Chunky Knits
The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer, and the temperatures are falling in North America and Europe, so what could be a better time to check out chunky knitwear? Of course, there are chunky yarns that are multi-seasonal, but many of our Supercool Chunky Yarns are designed for fall & winter comfort.
With Halloween right around the corner, we're also fast approaching those December holidays and need great gift ideas for everyone on our list. So what better way is there to get those wonderful handmade gifts completed than using fabulous chunky yarns for them? You'll be amazed by how much progress you can make with a chunky project just riding in your carpool to work, taking time on your lunch break and even while you're watching the evening news.
But what exactly makes a yarn chunky or super chunky as some are known as? To get a better handle on what a chunky or bulky yarn is, we can turn to the Craft Yarn Council for general guidelines based on the knitting gauge and recommended needle sizes for each yarn weight:
For a yarn to be known as Chunky or Bulky, the knitting gauge should range from 12 to 15 stitches per 4 inches or 10 centimeters usually on a size 9 to 11 U.S. (5.5-8mm) or even size 13 U.S. (9mm) needle. These yarns are sometimes marked on the label as as number "5" according to the CYC's system.
Then for a yarn to be deemed Super Chunky or Super Bulky, its gauge requires a size 13 U.S. or larger needle and you should get 11 or fewer stitches per 4 inches. These yarns can have a number "6" on the label if the manufacturer is following the Craft Council's guidelines.
There are also a variety of techniques yarn companies use to achieve such bulkiness in your yarn options, and they vary depending on the softness of the fiber and the type and/or texture of the final product. Knowing the range of techniques will help you decide which yarn will work best for your next project.
For example, with plied yarns the manufacturer takes multiple strands of the yarn and twists them together to get multi-plied yarns. This technique works particularly well for durable fibers such as lamb's wool whether untreated or superwashed. Also single-ply yarns can be chunky or even super chunky, especially when the yarn company has left the strand similar to roving with soft fibers like alpaca.
On the other hand, very soft, lightweight fibers and very durable, heavier fibers require a different treatment. With ultra-soft fibers such as cashmere, the multiple plies are braided or woven together to form more durable bulky or super bulky creations. But cotton is often combined with a synthetic fiber such as acrylic or nylon so that the multi-plied strands remain light enough to handle easily and drape beautifully.
Even the "novelty" or "fancy" textures so popular in Europe lend themselves to terrific quick-to-create fiber gems for your knitting and crocheting pleasure. Boucle yarns with large loops easily rate as chunkies as do "slubbed" yarns with interesting "poofs" suspended from the base strand. Eyelash and flag yarns work up sensationally as chunky and even super chunky yarns depending on how densely the eyelashes or flags are repeated throughout the yarn. And even ribbon or tape yarns can be chunky when the width and/or the thickness of the ribbon or tape is increased to give the correct gauge.
So check out our Supercool Chunky Yarns department overviewing these lovely fiber gems currently in stock at Yarnmarket.com. That way you'll have plenty of options from which to choose for all your favorite outfits this fall & winter. Also explore books with terrific information about chunky yarns including Funky Chunky Knitted Accessories and Funky Chunky Crocheted Accessories, both of which have projects with generic information on the yarns so that you can choose your own favorite chunkies to use.
We know you enjoy browsing for yourself, but we also have the following special staff recommendations of yarns and projects that show you just how terrific chunky yarns can be.
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Starting off our chunky yarn recommendations, we begin with the classic chunkies from several well-known yarn manufacturers. First we have the merino and cashmere lovelies from Karabella.
Following in the footsteps of ever-popular Aurora 8, the yarn developers at Karabella have created the chunky-weight Aurora Bulky for all your knitting & crochet projects. With great stitch definition and the exquisite softness of 100% extrafine merino wool, "Aurora Bulky" is the perfect choice for your quick-to-create garments & accessories.
Or when you are looking for a luxurious bulky option for those special folks on your gift list, check out Supercashmere yarn. With a beautifully twisted, ultra soft series of plies, "Supercashmere" lives up to its name and delivers fantastic stitch definition with velvety softness in this bulky-weight stunner. ("Super" refers to the grade of cashmere, and "super" grade is the finest & rarest.)
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Hooded Poncho
Como Scarf
Lacy Hat & Scarf
Tweed Jacket
Skye Wrap
Swaddle Pullover
Sarah Sweater
Sprout Blanket
Misti Cowl
Comfort Cardi
Rasta Cowl
Peruvia Vest
Benevito Bag
Eyelet Twigs Scarf
Alpaca Vest
Montana Wrap
Easy Poof Scarf
Princess Jacket
Crochet Scarf
Sari Drew Cardi
Titania Pullover
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Debbie Bliss is also known for her love of traditional plied yarns, and her chunky collection includes three lovely fiber blends.
Velvety merino/cashmere blend Como is what Debbie herself refers to as the "Big Easy" because it's such a beautiful, single-ply, super bulky yarn. Then her brand-new Glen yarn is a gorgeous blend of merino, alpaca & acrylic for incredible softness and lovely tonal graduations.
And last but certainly not least from Debbie comes Luxury Tweed Chunky with its enhanced tweed blend of wool with angora for that classic tweed look plus a softer feel.
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One other yarn company giant known for its dedication to classic fibers and designs is Rowan, and Rowan's chunky collection is truly outstanding. Starting with ever-popular, super bulky, 100% merino Big Wool to its latest sibling Drift yarn in sensational tweedy choices, the yarn gurus at Rowan demonstrate their superior collection.
In addition to these two super chunky powerhouses, Rowan brings you three delightful wool blends: Cocoon with its gorgeous mix of merino and kid mohair, Felted Tweed Chunky yarn to complete the "Felted Tweed" family and earth-friendly Purelife Renew crafted from recycled wool.
Also world-renowned colorist & knitwear designer Kaffe Fassett joins Rowan's chunky devotion with his own Colourscape Chunky and all its spectacular color combos.
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We even have our very own Yarnmarket-exclusive Caledon Hills classic Chunky Wool yarn too.
This reasonably priced, quick-knit option is perfect for all your winter accessories like hats, mittens, scarves, blankets and more. Plus it felts like a dream, so just think of all the wonderful felted accessories you can whip up in no time. You'll aslo enjoy that many of your favorite colors from the Worsted Wool collection are available in the "Chunky Wool" too.
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Along with these traditional fall/winter yarns, Classic Elite has developed lovely multi-seasonal, classic Sprout yarn for your knitting & crocheting pleasure.
This 100% organic cotton yarn has a wonderful construction -- one terrific single strand with a thin thread tightly twisted around it to add texture & nubbiness. The end result is sensational sweaters, cardis, tops and accessories year round, especially for those with sensitive skin.
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Classic chunky yarns are also beautiful when hand-dyed and hand-painted by superb artisans, and Peruvian yarn company Misti Alpaca brings us a gorgeous hand-dyed duo.
Buttery soft, 100% alpaca is spun to give us Misti Alpaca Chunky and its multi-hued cousin Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Chunky. The end result is two quick-to-create wonders with supple texture and spectacular color options to use separately or color coordinate together. And "Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Chunky" yarn is even more outstanding because by using a special technique of dyeing to the stitch," literally 100s of colors are combined for each colorway.
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Or if you're looking for the latest hand-dyed fiber gem from oh-so popular Malabrigo Yarns, take a peek at their latest super bulky option -- Rasta.
Spun from the same buttery soft merino that you love in Merino Worsted Multi and Merino Worsted Semi-Solid, "Rasta" is dyed in such gorgeous watercolor-inspired blends (called aquarella colorways) that you'll have to experience this fiber gem for yourself. Generously wound in 150-gram hanks, "Rasta" allows for fewer tie-ins and less finishing work no matter what you're knitting or crocheting on large needles & hooks.
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Then when we crave chunkies with excellent pattern support, we can always turn to American yarn powerhouse Berroco Yarns. First off, Berroco excels with its bulky versions of ever-popular worsted-weight yarns including its supersoft Comfort Chunky and two-ply Peruvia Quick crafted of 100% Peruvian wool. Also for a wonderful marled option, be sure to check out Sundae yarn, a 50/50 wool/acrylic blend with tone-on-tone hues all swirled in the same single ply.
Most recently, the yarn mavens at Berroco have created Blackstone Tweed Chunky with its fantastic mix of wool, superkid mohair & angora plus Vintage Chunky yarn that combines acrylic, wool and nylon for a lovely, affordable, classic plied choice.
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For yarns in the forefront of European fashion and knitwear design, we highly recommend Gedifra Yarns and their terrific sextet of chunkies.
From super chunky Highland Alpaca to its cousin, brand-new, fluffy Benevito, classic chunkies are well represented.
Then for traditional tweeds with added zing, take a look at Videra and Riana Big Color.
And when you're looking for one of those high-fashion "fancy" yarns to expand your wardrobe, keep in mind fun, furry, funky Morelia yarn and silky-look Jalia spun as a woven tape blended from cotton & nylon.
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Now the yarn aficionados at Crystal Palace Yarns also enjoy classic and novelty quick-to-create yarns, and they have one of the largest collection of bulkies available in the industry today.
In terms of their traditional chunkies, we suggest you enjoy kitten-soft Chunky Mochi beautifully crafted of 80% supersoft merino & 20% springy nylon, tweedy Kaya yarn with its striated color combos and 100% feltable wool Iceland Solid and its multi-hued cousin Iceland Print.
Or when you crave beautiful "fancy" bulkies to add pizzazz to your wardrobe, Crystal Palace has marvelous yarns to satisfy that craving too. Glam is superbly textured with a "dual finish": one side has a matte finish and the other a metallic sheen. Then ever-popular, feathery-soft Splash is one of the chunky eyelash yarns that started the scarf craze, and wonderfully textured Poof yarn is ideal for anything you to create quickly and that will be worn next to your skin.
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Another American yarn company -- Tahki Yarns -- also has both classic and novelty bulkies for your knitting and crocheting pleasure.
Three classic yarns -- single-ply, super chunky Montana, its multi-hued sibling Montana Print and Peruvian Rio yarn crafted of alpaca, merino & silk -- all work up quickly and beautifully in garments and accessories.
Then for more novel chunky options, Tahki offers three more fiber gems: colorful Tango with its spiral twist of wool-blend roving, auto-striping Presto and 100% slubbed cotton Maya yarn with its terrific texture.
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Well-respected Knit One, Crochet Too also enjoys both classic and novelty chunky yarns.
Traditionally plied Temptation yarn is a 50/50 blend of Peruvian alpaca and merino wool. Its supersoft yet durable construction will give you quick-to-create sweaters, vests, shawls, scarves and accessories.
For more textured options that are just as soft, check out Fleece and Fleece Multi. These two chenille yarns are even softer than polar fleece and are perfect for baby, children's and adult clothing since they're both machine washable.
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For two of the most fun, European "fancy" yarns, you can count on the yarn specialists at Rozetti Yarns. Their latest innovations are single-hued Cocoon yarn and its cousin, variegated Cocoon Multi.
This dynamic pair is crafted of plush, 1.5-inch "cocoons" attached to a nubby thread and the result is a sensational 100% polyester, super bulky yarn option. As much fun to work up as it is to wear, these two novelty yarns are terrific for shawls, scarves & other super-chunky projects.
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As we've already mentioned in this issue, ribbon and tape yarns can also be spun as chunky fiber gems, and the S. Charles Collezione has added one such beauty.
For superb elegance & wonderful drape, woven Sari yarn is spun in Italy from 100% raw silk. "Sari" is a multi-plied fiber gem with a modern twist -- the plies are loosely woven into an unusual tape option. Add that it's a quick-to-create, chunky-weight yarn, and you have a terrific, matte creation that's both rustic & sophisticated.
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We've saved for last a marvelous hand-dyed ribbon yarn from the well-respected Welsh company Colinette Yarns. Colinette's Giotto yarn is a quick-to-create, multi-seasonal beauty with subtle contrasts built around the sheen and matte features of the fibers. Also each fiber absorbs the dye differently as the Welsh artisans hand paint each hank, so you have subtle differences in the shades of each colorway too. "Giotto" is beautifully crafted of 50% cotton, 40% rayon & 10% nylon in generous 156-yard, chunky-weight hanks so that long-sleeved pullovers often start with 4 hanks & tops with just 2!
And just as a little preview of what's to come, our 21st issue of the Just My Type newsletter will be emailed to you on Tuesday, November 23rd, so get ready to enjoy spectacular creations with our lovely Glitz & Glamour Yarns when we feature a wide range of types of yarns for dressing up for the December holidays and beyond.
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Be sure to keep up with the latest Yarnmarket & Yarndex news as it's happening!
Contests, promotions, new yarns and behind-the-scenes fun can be found on:
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| Originally published by Yarnmarket, LLC in 10/2010. Please note that some yarns and links may change over time. |
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