Want to try something different, or are you looking for that one super chunky stitch? Arm knitting is all the rage right now, and you can make a beautiful cowl in no time. By using your arms as Knitting Needles, you create a pattern with large loops that gives your scarf that trendy look. You no longer need Knitting Needles, and even beginners can master it. Curious about how it works? We’ll show you step by step!
There are plenty of ways to add variety to arm knitting, too. In addition to using a nice, thick yarn, you can also choose to knit with a double or even triple strand. When you combine this with different colors, you can style your scarf exactly to your taste!
Yarns suitable for arm knitting
For arm knitting, it’s best to use a thick yarn. This gives the best results. For example, choose Yarn and Colors Urban or Katia Love Wool, which we’re using in this tutorial. Katia Love Wool is a 100% natural yarn made of wool (85%) and Alpaca (15%). The thick, roving-style Yarn and Colors Urban contains a small amount of wool (15%) and is otherwise made of Acrylic (85%). Both varieties are available in a variety of colors, ranging from beautiful winter shades to bright, trendy hues.
Tools & Supplies:
- 4 balls of Katia Love Wool in color 118 (or any of the other 22 colors). OR
- 4 balls of Yarn and Colors Urban, color 069 (or any of the other 29 colors).
Set up
1. Make a large loop and place it around your right arm. Make sure the loose end is long enough. Just as with a regular cast-on, hold both ends in your left hand. Make sure the loose end is wrapped around your thumb on the front side and the single crochet end (attached to the ball of yarn) is wrapped around your index finger.
2. Slide your right hand under the loop around your thumb. Do not slide your entire hand through; proceed to step 3.
3. With your right hand, reach under the strand that is looped around your index finger from the right side. Pull this strand upward, and another loop will form.
4. Slide your entire hand through this loop, and the first stitch is cast on. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until you have cast on 14 stitches.
Knit
5. Hold the single crochet wire in your right hand.
6. Take the first loop of your right arm in your left hand and bring it over your right hand.
7. Put your left hand through the loop formed by your right hand.
8. You now have the first knitted stitch on your left arm. Repeat steps 5 through 7 until you have knitted all the loops and your right arm is empty. Then knit all the stitches again so that all the loops are back on your right arm. Do this by repeating steps 5 through 7, but in the opposite direction.
Chamfering
Once the scarf is long enough for your liking, you can start binding off.
9. To do this, knit two stitches.
10. & 11. Pull the back loop over the front loop.
12. There is now one loop left on your arm. Next, knit one more stitch and repeat steps 9 through 12. Keep repeating this until you have only one loop left. Pull the yarn from the ball through the last loop. The final step is to sew the two ends of the scarf together. Et voilà, your cowl is finished!
Knit Even More Scarves
Would you rather use your Knitting Needles to knit a scarf? No problem! Here you’ll find no fewer than 17 patterns for knitting a scarf. That way, you’re sure to stay nice and warm—and stylish—this winter!
Have you ever made a neck warmer, scarf, or blanket using arm knitting? Share your creation with us via Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #Yarnplaza.
