Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Arm Knitting Revisited

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arm knit cowlsSince I last wrote about arm knitting it seems like it’s become an even bigger craze. Vickie Howell got kind of obsessed and has figured out how to arm knit and arm crochet and was featured on “The Today Show” teaching arm knitting at the Craft and Hobby Association trade show (it’s not a craft fair!).

I have always said that I couldn’t see doing a whole scarf because of my RSI, but she’s now got a really cute little arm knit necklace pattern that would take almost literally no time and is a perfect entry-level project.

Berroco’s also getting in on the trend, recently publishing a video how-to and a pattern that’s shown in a couple of different yarns. They say these only take half an hour to knit, and I could probably manage that.

Lion Brand has its own video tutorial as well as patterns using Wool-Ease, Homespun and  Unique, respectively. I really like the simplicity of the Wool Ease one.

I know Yarnspirations has more of Vickie’s patterns as well, but as of this writing their site was down.

Have you gotten bitten by the arm knitting bug? I’d love to hear about your experiences.

[Photo via Berroco.]

Arm knitting is a knitting technique where you use your arms as the needles to knit a project. Instead of traditional knitting needles, you use super chunky yarn and your arms to create a cozy and unique knit piece. Here are 5 tips for arm knitting:

  1. Use thick yarn: When arm knitting, it’s important to use a thick yarn that can easily slide over your arms. Super chunky yarn works best for arm knitting projects.
  2. Make sure your yarn is smooth: Avoid using yarn that has knots or tangles as it can make arm knitting difficult and frustrating.
  3. Use a slip knot: Start your project with a slip knot to make it easier to get started and to keep your stitches tight.
  4. Keep your stitches loose: Because you are using your arms as needles, it can be easy to knit your stitches too tightly. Make sure to keep them loose so that you can easily slide the yarn over your arms.
  5. Take your time: Arm knitting is a bit different from traditional knitting, so take your time and don’t get discouraged if it takes you a bit longer to complete your project.

Simple Arm Knitting Scarf Pattern:

  • Cast on 6 stitches using a slip knot
  • Knit all stitches for 30 inches or desired length
  • Bind off and weave in ends.

And there you have it, a cozy arm-knitted scarf! Remember to take your time, keep your stitches loose, and enjoy the process.

 

Comments

  1. The examples look beautiful – I haven’t wanted to knit in years, but a recent development (a seemingly always cold neck – Ha!) makes these quick scarves quite appealing.

    I work a lot with metal and clay – arthritis has forced me to choose carefully what I spend my hands on, but being able to use my whole arms sounds intriguing.

    Sorry for your affliction, but what is RSI?

  2. Repetitive stress injury. My hands and arms hurt quite a lot after too much knitting, and I fear the weight of a full scarf on my arms would be too much.

Have you read?

Book Review: Circular Knitting for Beginners and Beyond

When I discovered Kate Atherley’s book Circular Knitting for Beginners and Beyond, I wasn’t sure there was enough to say about circular knitting to fill a book. It’s a pretty short book (144 pages) and includes 10 patterns to practice working in the round on small projects, and it provides a decent introduction to the various ways of working in the round. 

The book covers using double pointed knitting needles, flexible double points and circular knitting needles with cables. It talks about working using the full circumference of a circular needle and various ways to work smaller circumference projects, such as using DPNs, magic loop and knitting with two circular knitting needles. 

In addition there’s a discussion of preventing problems like twists and ladders, swatching in the round without actually swatching in the round, grafting, blocking and weaving in ends. 

More specialized techniques likes knitting from the center out, stranded colorwork, helical knitting and jogless stripes are also explored, as well as working pieces like socks or mitts two at a time. 

There’s also some information about seamless sweaters, including the different sweater designs that can be worked seamlessly (and why you might want seams in your sweaters) and how they are worked from the top down or the bottom up. 

There are 10 patterns in the book, including a basic stockinette stitch cowl and one with a deliberate twist, wrist warmers, mitts and a pair of colorwork mittens, a hat worked in a solid color or in helical stripes, toe up and top down socks and a beret. It would have been nice to have a basic sweater pattern, too, since the book does talk about working larger garments with circular needles, but it’s still a nice collection of basic patterns worked in the round. 

If you’re already comfortable working in the round in different ways, I’m not sure there’s much for you to learn in this book, but it is a good reference for people learning circular knitting or who maybe haven’t tried all the techniques yet or need skill building projects to try. 

About the book: 144 pages, paperback, 10 patterns. Published 2026 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.