Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Arm Knitting Revisited

by

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?

Add Mushrooms to Your Knits with these Fun Knitting Patterns

A few years ago I wrote a post that was full of patterns for knit mushrooms, but I don’t think I ever did a post that was knitting patterns with mushrooms on them, so today’s the day. 

I love the Fungi Beanie from Jacki Bean, which calls for worsted weight yarn and uses duplicate stitch to add the mushrooms and other details. I think the colors she used for the design are tonal/multicolor so it doesn’t use as many colors as it looks like, but you can use whatever red, green, brown and white yarn you have in your stash for those details. 

How about some mushroom socks? The Magic Toadstool sock form Stone Knits includes a ring of mushrooms around the leg, contrasting heel and toe and a little more colorwork at the toe for extra cuteness. As shown it uses four colors and comes in three sizes. 

Or there’s the Fairy Ring Socks from Katie Green, which have mushrooms of two sizes on the legs, plus a bit of wavy grass. They have a contrasting cuff, heel and toe and some colorwork flecks in the body of the sock as well. This one is available in eight sizes to fit everyone from a baby to an XL adult. 

This trippy cowl from Hunt Hand Knits looks like a lot of fun to knit. The Fungus Among Us Cowl is shown using four colors of DK weight yarn, though you can do it with as few as two if you’d rather. 

Stitch some mushroom mittens with this cute pattern from Holly C Watson. This design uses three colors, and it’s shown with a self-striping yarn on the mushroom caps, which makes the colors change without you having to do any work. The pattern is charted but it’s a pretty easy repeat. The mittens are one size. 

If you don’t feel like knitting mushrooms but still want to give your project a touch of the forest, the Toadstools Cardigan from Julie Taylor may be what you’re looking for. It’s stitched as a plain cardigan worked in DK weight yarn and sized for newborns up to 4 years old. The mushrooms are added with embroidery and the pattern includes the design, which you can trace onto water soluble stabilizer to stitch the mushrooms onto your sweater. Or anything else you want. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.