Some questions have come my way since my recent post on bulky yarns, and I realized one thing I didn’t cover: what will happen if a weaver decides to weave a square using bulky yarn in all four layers?
Answer: it will be doable but difficult.
Here we have some pretty Patons Classic Wool Roving yarn–suitable for dyeing, less suitable for 4-layer pin loom weaving.
In case you’re unsure what I mean when I say this is a “Bulky (#5) weight yarn,” here’s a photo to help you out:
When weaving with four layers of bulky yarn–starting at the halfway point and continuing to the end of the square, it will be difficult to keep the fell line horizontal. The needle won’t go straight through to the other side. You can pack the yarn down, but it won’t be easy. The stress on the loom pins may loosen them–particularly if you’re using a wooden loom. This is why I recommend mixing bulky and lighter weight yarn (mix so that bulky yarn only makes up half of the 31, i.e. use bulky in L1&2 or 3&4, otherwise you’ll still be cramming 31 bulky strands together), or warping with 23 strands instead of 31.
The finished square is thick, and doesn’t drape. Roving yarn packs down pretty well. Other bulky yarns can be made to fit on the loom, but the thrill of the weaving experience likely will be reduced.