What is boucle yarn?

Bouclé, often just written as boucle, can refer to either a special kind of looped yarn or a fabric made from this yarn. The word comes from the French word bouclé, which means ‘buckled’ or ‘curled.’

When boucle yarn is spun, at least two strands are used. When hand-spinning, normally three strands are used. One strand is held tighter than the other, so that the looser yarn creates loops around the tighter yarn. These loops can vary in size, meaning that boucle yarn itself can come in a range of textures, from large fluffy loops to tighter bumps. These loops give the yarn, and the fabric made from it, a unique texture. The lofty quality of the yarn also means that it traps heat easily for an extra warm fabric.

The popularity of boucle has risen dramatically over the last five years and has become a popular fabric for upholstery. Meanwhile boucle yarn has also risen in popularity. Most boucle yarn is made using alpaca, such as Isager Bouclé, but there are also acrylic, merino, and mohair varieties available.

Boucle yarn FAQs

What to knit with boucle yarn?

Because boucle yarn has such a notable texture, it is not well suited for intricate stitch patterns, such as lace or cables or complex colourwork patterns. These kinds of fabrics would be better suited to a smooth yarn with minimal texture.

With this in mind, boucle yarn is best for simple knits that will allow the texture of the yarn itself to shine. Because it is so soft and warm, boucle is a popular choice for knitting hats, scarves, and mittens. It can also create lovely textured jumpers.

Another thing to be aware of is that because boucle yarn is so textured, it can be difficult to rip out mistakes or to ‘read’ your knitting. Because of this, we would not recommend a boucle style yarn to people who are just learning how to knit.

Is boucle yarn itchy?

Boucle refers to a style of spinning rather than a type of fibre, so it can be made from many different materials, from acrylic to merino to mohair. If you find a certain material itchy, check the fibre contents to ensure that the boucle yarn doesn’t contain it. Learn more about the different types of yarn with our guide.

What weight is boucle yarn?

Boucle style yarn can be any weight! Check the specifications of the yarn you’re planning to use to check the weight. If you want to knit a pattern with boucle yarn that wasn’t written for that type of yarn, use our yarn substitution guide to make sure you make the best choice.