Jumbo Weight Yarn (Roving, CYC 7): Needle Size, Hook Size and Gauge
Jumbo yarn, CYC 7, knits at 6 or fewer stitches per 4 inches on 12.75 mm and larger needles and crochets at 6 or fewer single crochet on 15 mm and larger hooks. It measures 1 to 4 wraps per inch and yardage per 100 grams varies too much by brand to publish.
Yarn weight means the thickness of the strand, not how heavy the ball is. The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) numbers its categories from 0 for lace to 7 for jumbo, and jumbo yarn is category 7. Labels also call it Jumbo, Roving. Its typical projects are arm-knit blankets, chunky throws, pet beds, statement decor.
| CYC category | 7 (Jumbo) |
|---|---|
| Other names | Jumbo, Roving |
| Wraps per inch | 1 to 4 |
| Knit gauge (stockinette, per 4 in) | 6 or fewer stitches |
| Recommended needles | 12.75 mm (US 17) and larger |
| Crochet gauge (per 4 in) | 6 or fewer single crochet |
| Recommended hooks | 15 mm (Q) and larger |
| Yards per 100 g (retailer charts) | Not published |
From the CYC chart
CYC: 6 stitches and fewer per 4 in; 12.75 mm needles and 15 mm hooks and larger. Yardage per 100 g not confirmed.
What size knitting needles do you use for jumbo yarn?
CYC recommends 12.75 mm (US 17) and larger needles for jumbo yarn. Every size below falls inside that range. Start in the middle and change size until your swatch matches the pattern gauge; each size links to its own page with cast-on estimates.
| Needle | Metric | US | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 12.75 mm | 17 | None | super bulky |
| US 19 | 15 mm | 19 | None | Only this weight |
| US 35 | 19 mm | 35 | None | Only this weight |
| US 50 | 25 mm | 50 | None | Only this weight |
| US 70 | 35 mm | 70 | None | Only this weight |
What size crochet hook do you use for jumbo yarn?
CYC recommends 15 mm (Q) and larger hooks for jumbo yarn, at 6 or fewer single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 2.25 mm off the smallest recommended needle, because crochet fabric is denser than knitting.
| Hook | Metric | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| P/Q | 15 mm | None | super bulky |
| Q | 15.75 mm | None | Only this weight |
| Q | 16 mm | None | Only this weight |
| S | 19 mm | None | Only this weight |
| T/U/X | 25 mm | None | Only this weight |
| T/X | 30 mm | None | Only this weight |
How much jumbo yarn do you need for a project?
Published yardage guides do not list projects in jumbo yarn. For scale, the table shows the nearest published weight, super bulky. Thicker yarn usually needs fewer yards for the same size piece.
| Project | Knit (yd) | Crochet (yd) | 100 g skeins (super bulky) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Hat | 125 to 150 | 150 to 200 | 2 or more |
| Scarf | 250 to 375 | 325 to 500 | 3 or more |
| Adult Socks | 200 to 250 | 250 to 325 | 2 or more |
| Shawl | 350 to 475 | 450 to 625 | 4 or more |
| Adult Sweater | 825 to 1,125 | 1,025 to 1,500 | 9 or more |
| Baby Blanket | 750 to 875 | 950 to 1,175 | 8 or more |
| Throw Blanket | 1,625 to 2,000 | 2,025 to 2,650 | 17 or more |
| Twin Size Blanket | 2,950 to 3,650 | 3,700 to 4,850 | 30 or more |
| Full Size Blanket | 3,600 to 4,450 | 4,500 to 5,900 | 36 or more |
| Queen Size Blanket | 4,500 to 5,550 | 5,650 to 7,400 | 45 or more |
| King Size Blanket | 5,400 to 6,650 | 6,750 to 8,850 | 54 or more |
Tools and yarn for jumbo yarn
Authentic Knitting Board 38 inch Adjustable Blanket Loom
$69.99A 38 inch solid hardwood loom with 170 pegs, 84 of them double, for wide panels such as blankets.
Check price
Bernat Blanket Super Bulky Chenille Yarn, 3 pack
$21.81One step finer than jumbo (super bulky #6). Three 150 g, 108 yard balls of 100 percent polyester super bulky yarn made for blankets.
Check price
KnitIQ Blocking Mats, 9 piece set with T-pins
$54.99Nine 0.75 inch thick mats with 100 T-pins and a storage bag for blocking finished pieces.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How many stitches do you cast on with jumbo yarn?
These counts use the full CYC gauge range for jumbo yarn: 6 or fewer stitches per 4 inches knit and 6 or fewer single crochet crocheted. Knit hat counts are rounded to a multiple of 4 for ribbing, and crochet counts add 1 turning chain. Treat them as estimates and swatch first.
| Piece | Knit stitches | Crochet starting chain |
|---|---|---|
| Hat, 20 in around | up to 32 | up to 31 |
| Scarf, 8 in wide | up to 12 | up to 13 |
| Baby blanket, 42 in wide | up to 63 | up to 64 |
| Throw, 50 in wide | up to 75 | up to 76 |
| Queen blanket, 90 in wide | up to 135 | up to 136 |
How do you identify jumbo yarn by wraps per inch?
Wraps per inch (WPI) tells you the weight of an unlabeled yarn. Wrap it snugly around a ruler with the strands touching but not overlapping, count the wraps in one inch, and compare with the CYC ranges. Jumbo yarn measures 1 to 4 wraps per inch.
| CYC weight | WPI | Knit gauge per 4 in | Yards per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 lace | 30 to 40 or more | 33 to 40 | 600 or more |
| 1 super fine (fingering) | 14 to 30 | 27 to 32 | 380 to 600 |
| 2 fine (sport) | 12 to 18 | 23 to 26 | 300 to 380 |
| 3 light (DK) | 11 to 15 | 21 to 24 | 230 to 300 |
| 4 medium (worsted) | 9 to 12 | 16 to 20 | 170 to 230 |
| 5 bulky (chunky) | 6 to 9 | 12 to 15 | 100 to 170 |
| 6 super bulky | 5 to 6 | 7 to 11 | under 100 |
| 7 jumbo | 1 to 4 | 6 or fewer | Not published |
Can you substitute jumbo yarn for another yarn weight?
You can, as long as you match gauge. The last column shows what happens if you keep a pattern's stitch count for jumbo yarn at 6 stitches per 4 inches but knit the neighboring weight at the middle of its CYC gauge range.
| Weight | Knit gauge per 4 in | Needles | Same stitch count comes out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super bulky | 7 to 11 | 8 to 12.75 mm (US 11 to 17) | about 33 percent narrower |
| Jumbo | 6 or fewer | 12.75 mm (US 17) and larger | This weight |
Estimates, not promises
Planning estimates only. The yardage stated on the pattern always wins. Buy 10 to 15 percent extra, from the same dye lot. The yarn substitution calculator works out how many skeins of a different yarn you need.
Frequently asked questions
What size knitting needles do you use for jumbo yarn?
The Craft Yarn Council lists 12.75 mm (US 17) and larger needles for jumbo yarn, which is CYC category 7. Those are the most commonly used sizes, not a rule. Go down a size if your swatch has fewer stitches per 4 inches than the pattern, and up a size if it has more. Loose knitters often start one size smaller than the label suggests.
What size crochet hook do you use for jumbo yarn?
CYC lists 15 mm (Q) and larger hooks for jumbo yarn, at a typical gauge of 6 or fewer single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 2.25 mm larger than the smallest recommended knitting needle, because crochet fabric is denser. Many yarn labels print both a needle and a hook suggestion, and your gauge swatch has the final say.
What is the knitting gauge for jumbo yarn?
CYC gives 6 or fewer stitches per 4 inches for jumbo yarn, on needles of 12.75 mm and larger, and many jumbo projects are knit on the arms instead. At 6 stitches per 4 inches a 20 inch wide piece is about 30 stitches, so a whole throw can be only 75 stitches across. Knit a small swatch, because jumbo yarns vary widely by brand.
How many wraps per inch is jumbo yarn?
Jumbo yarn measures 1 to 4 wraps per inch (WPI) on the CYC scale. Wrap the yarn snugly around a ruler, strands touching but not overlapping, and count the wraps in one inch. The range does not overlap its neighbors, so WPI alone is a fairly reliable way to identify it. Fuzzy yarns read thicker than they knit.
How much jumbo yarn do I need for a blanket?
Published yardage charts do not give blanket figures for jumbo yarn. Jumbo yarn is sold by weight and yardage per ball varies widely, so check the label yards and use the blanket yarn calculator with your own gauge. For scale, a super bulky throw takes about 1,625 to 2,000 yards knit.
What can I substitute for jumbo yarn?
The nearest weight is super bulky. If you work a pattern written for jumbo at 6 stitches per 4 inches with super bulky yarn at its typical gauge, the piece comes out about 33 percent narrower. Match the pattern gauge with a swatch, not the weight name, and compare yards per 100 grams so you buy enough.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.