[Becca]

What size blanket do you wish to make? As others have mentioned, bulky becomes heavy and washing something other than a baby blanket is impossible. Too heavy for the washer. Most blankets that are large should go to a commercial washer and dryer. As for splitting yarns, if you have the Prym ergonomic, the yarn shouldn't split. A lace tip needle, sharp point, is more apt to split a yarn. Instead of a bulky yarn, look for an aran weight or heavy weight worsted and use a size US 10 to 11 needle. I am making my daughter a blanket using a heavy weight worsted with US 10 needles and the blanket so far is 48 by 45 and it's heavy. She wants a 48 by 60. By the way, I've been working on this off and on for 10 years. Have you selected a pattern? This will also help you with yarn and needle choices. Go to your local craft store and see what yarns are available.