How Big Is That Yarn Bowl?

Our biggest marketing challenge is helping yarn lovers imagine just how big our XXL-Jumbo Yarn Bowls actually are  when just looking at tiny photos and reading dimensions. Here's a few tips to to help you make the right choice as you navigate through the five general sizes offered.

​The first dimension listed is the diameter of the bowl; measured (in inches) across the center from one side to the other out (outside edges; see photo). Depth of the bowl is the second measurement listed from the top rim to the base (where it sits on the table).

The diameter is what we usually use to determine the size/category of a #HeckathornYarnBowl. To keep things simple we use these standard bowl measurements knowing that the circumference is a much more impressive figure.

That's why we also include circumference for our bowls. If you want to convert these measurements to circumference (or even meters) this site has a quick and easy tool: OmniCalculator.com

We may upsize an XXL (diameter), for example, to the XXXL category if the yarn bowl is unusually deep. All dimensions are outside dimensions (od) and approximate as wood has a tendency to warp making the top diameter vary slightly depending on where/when it's measured across.

The depths of our XL - Jumbo Yarn Bowls vary considerably. For that reason, depths aren't listed below on this sizing chart; however, depths are always included on each individual listing:

• MEDIUM: 5 - 6" + diameter x 4- 5" deep. This size is rarely turned; as smaller bowls start with the same size wood speciman and same amount of time/labor to produce. Medium bowls are perfect for any project accommodating a single 5 oz+ skein of worsted yarn (sometimes more). Medium bowls are perfect for sock, mitten and hat projects where smaller quanties of yarn are needed. Nice for dk, fingering and fine cotton spools.

• LARGE: 6 - 7" diameter x 5+" deep. Our classic "workhorse" yarn bowl; perfect for any project accommodating a single 5-7oz skein of worsted yarn, rolled into a ball ready to glide like silk making all yarn projects easier. Nice for "frogging" as well.

​• XL: 7+ - 9+/-" diameter (depth varies considerably depending on style of the bowl).

​• XXL: 10 - 12" diameter (depth varies considerably depending on style of the bowl).

• XXXL: 12 - 13+" diameter (depth varies considerably depending on style of the bowl).

JUMBO CUP/HUB SETS: 14" (plus!?) It's rare that Bob gets to turn a 14" Yarn Bowl. He would if more jumbo wood stock was available here, however, his XXXL yarn bowls are very close in size to Jumbo, and we usually have a few in both shops.

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JUMBO is the MAXIMUM SIZE WE OFFER! 

Bob's bowls max out around 15-16"(finished). These Jumbo Yarn Bowls start with a huge log; approx. 20" diameter x 10" deep. Extremely heavy at around 40-50 lbs.; factoring age, water content, wood properties, etc. Anything bigger (ie. heavier) is difficult and dangerous to turn on the lathe.

​That said, Bob broke this rule in Sept. '21 –read about it at the end of this post.

Make sure you know exactly what you're buying.

Looks are deceiving... In photos, our Large and XL yarn bowls appear to be the same size (or larger) than our XXL – JUMBO bowls. All our images “fill the frame” to show the finest details.

A great trick is to find a glass or ceramic bowl of similar diameter/depth to be sure it will suit your needs. It's important that you know what you're getting before the bowl arrives at your door! ​

In order to show off the distinct features of each yarn bowl it’s necessary to “fill the frame” of each photo. These close-up, tight product shots can be deceiving. When all the sizes are grouped and viewed together on our main product pages, the smaller bowls will fill more of the frame than the larger bowls because they are not as wide; thus they appear to be much taller than the larger yarn bowls.

This is why we always include one or two images of every yarn bowl, filled with yarn and tools as a reference point. We hope this helps you choose the perfect Heckathorn Yarn Bowl for your work style

LARGE Yarn Bowl #617, 20-1/2" circumerence around middle, LOOKS same size as >

XXXL Yarn Bowl #1119, 29-1/2" circumerence. Photos are sized to fill space & show detail, similarly proportioned bowls look same size!?

 HINT:
Make sure you know exactly what you're buying
Find a similar glass or ceramic bowl at home to be sure it's the size you want....  Know what you're getting before the bowl arrives at your door! 

When considering a "Jumbo Yarn Bowl" XXL & UP, the bulky yarn cakes on the left, give you a good idea how much bulky yarn would fill or fit in the bowl all at once.

P.S. We've had requests for bigger yarn bowls, but there is a limit to how big...

UPDATE: Spurred on by a couple requests for bigger (!?) yarn bowls, Bob broke his rule and turned two COLOSSAL pecan bowls last fall. While stunning, they were both a difficult make –so enormous and heavy, they are both too cost prohibitive to ship! 

The colossal spalted oak bowl (above); is a magnificent cup/hub bowl. That said, the spalting/special properties combined with heavy ship weight and massive size meant these bowls would cost around $700!

'Nuf said. For now, I'm really enjoying them both –one for huge blanket projects/backup skeins; the other is a killer fruit bowl... I don't want to let these colossal anyway. 🫢

I still keep getting requests from yarners (who haven't read to the end of this post) requesting "bigger bowls" or "14" or bigger..." this update is here to explain why we stop at 14".