Arm Knitting Tutorial from Flax and Twine

The arm knitting tutorials just keep coming! (See previous roundups here and here.)

This one is a photo tutorial series from Flax & Twine, which starts with casting on, then moves on to knitting, binding off and finishing projects. As usual, these instructions show how to work a knit cowl.

I like this tutorial for all the pictures, and it also offers lots of different yarn suggestions to fit a range of budgets.

Have you gotten into arm knitting? I still haven’t tried it! I’d love to hear how it went for you if you have!

[Photo via Flax & Twine.]

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:

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.
Make sure your yarn is smooth: Avoid using yarn that has knots or tangles as it can make arm knitting difficult and frustrating.
Use a slip knot: Start your project with a slip knot to make it easier to get started and to keep your stitches tight.
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.
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.

Next Pattern:

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

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