As some of you may know I knit and crochet. I am by no means an advanced knitter, I like to keep it simple so I am just trying to perfect my knit stitch and purl stitch, which if you don’t know are the two most basic knitting stitches. For the past year I have started so many projects and have only completed a couple due to it just taking too long and I give up! I work full time and yes knitting is a relaxing way to end the night, but let’s face it! Sometimes we are just too tired to focus on a project…am I right?
Well! If you have learned to knit and just get frustrated with how long it takes or if you just want to learn how to make a simple scarf then keep reading.
I LOVE chunky, comfy, soft, scarves. As do many women:) But they can be pricey and I never find reasonably priced scarves that I LOVE. So why not just make one!
Here’s how. Learn to ARM KNIT! That’s right, don’t buy huge needles, just use your arms as the needles. You can find a couple of videos on YouTube on how to do this. If you don’t like the videos you find just let me know and I will make one if I get enough requests:)
Here is what I made and what I used to make it:
I bought 2 skeins of Lion Brand Yarn. Wool Ease Thick and Chunky in the color Linen. I used both skeins at one time by combining the ends and knitting with two strands. I think I only used about half of each skein so I have left overs for another project which means that this scarf only cost me $7.00!! And about a half hour of my time.
I made it into a circle scarf by sewing the ends together to make one long, continuous round scarf and then I just wrap it around my neck twice.
It’s so warm and cozy and I’m so excited about this way of knitting. If I get good enough at it I will be making and selling my items for you to buy if you’re not into DIY projects!
Let me know if you would be interested in purchasing a scarf like this!
To view the Arm Knitting UPDATED video CLICK HERE!
If you would like to purchase an arm knit scarf head to The Velvet Cove and click on “Shop Now” to make a purchase. (You must be on a computer to see the shop now button)
I would love a link or for instructions
I will make a video soon!:) Check back or head to facebook.com/simplymaggieblog and “like” my page to be updated.
would you be willing to make me one and sell it to me?
I sure would! I would just have to come up with a price and figure out what exactly you would like.:)
FABULOUS! i LOVE THE ONE IN THE PICTURE!! FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME WITH PRICE OR ON HERE.. (i SAVED YOU TO MY FAVORITES)
Hello. I sent you an email:)
How much would you charge to make one for me?! I love it and need a grey scarf!
Hello! If you are interested in purchasing one I sell them at http://www.facebook.com/velvetcove. You’ll have to be on a computer to order. Click on the Shop Now button once you get to the page and go from there:) Thanks!
I’ve never knitted before but I would love to try and make this scarf. I was hoping that you could send me some instructions for casting off? Or maybe make another video? Thanks!
Sure thing! I’ll be making a video tonight and I’ll have it up on my blog withing the next 24 hours!:)
I love it…I want to make one!! I love the color too! You are a beautiful model!
Thank you
I can teach you.
Ok…sounds good, I’m in!!LOL
Beautiful, would love to learn how to do it.
I will definitely be making a video soon:) Check back!
LOVE THIS! I would love to learn how to do this!
It is quite simple once you get the hang of it!! Good luck!
How cool! You are so creative…i love it!
Thank you!
[...] my arm knitting video here to learn how to arm [...]
A tutorial would be great!!
If you watch the video above it will walk you through it:)
I just finished one! First try, it was so easy and quick. THANK YOU!!! Your tutorial was easy to follow, and this is a great idea!! (I have to say though, the only parts I watched were the ones with the camera behind you–I just can’t do things while watching from the opposite direction!) I think next time I’ll use more a more heavyweight yarn, I bought Lion Brand Wool-ease in Wheat, but I still love my new scarf! I used one skein (strings from both ends), and used the whole thing. It made two loose loops as an infinity scarf.
Awesome post!!
Awesome! I’m glad it was helpful! And thank you for sharing your tips. I figured the angle from my view would be best so I will be sure to stick to that next time I do a tutorial. I would love to see what you made! Feel free to post a picture on my facebook page http://www.facebok.com/simplymaggieblog!
Thanks again.
What a great video-Thanks! As a non-knitter though, can you give steps on binding off? Thanks
Thank you! And sure! I will try to film a video today or tomorrow on binding off.
Hi How many stitches do you cast on for the scarf? How long do you make the scarf?
Thanks!!!
Hello! I believe I casted on 12 stitches for this one. I casted on 16 stitches for this one http://www.simplymaggie.com/more-arm-knitting-creations. As far as the length I’m not exactly sure, I measured it by wrapping it around my neck until it seemed like I had the desired length. Hope this helps!
love the scarves. I just created my first one tonight. Amazed at how much fun it was! For a double wrap infinity mine was about 60 inches long. I did like the other person. Used both ends of the same skein… used it ALL!
I absolutely LOVE this! I start so so so many projects, both knit and crochet, and never finish anything! Maybe if its attached to my arm it will force me to finish for once lol. Can you send me the link to your video tutorial? I tried finding it above but had no luck, I really would like to try this!
I have the same problem with never finishing a project! This one you have to finish with it being on your arms:) And the video should be right at the top of this post. If you don’t see it here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AmYkv7w56k .
I’m interested in purchasing!!
Awesome! You can head on over to http://www.facebook.com/velvetcove, click on “shop now” or message me on there to let me know which scarf you would like.
I tried so many times i just couldn’t get it i haven’t knited yet but i know how to finger knit. I think i keep getting confused on the looping part( the first part). Can you help me?
Hmm. Did you watch it from the second angle? The one from behind? That starts a few minutes it. I will be filming a second video tonight and uploading it tonight or tomorrow so hopefully that helps:) Good luck!
I did watch it from the second angle,but i will look for the second viedo i may just have to buy one!
Alright. Well if you decide to purchase one just head on over to http://www.facebook.com/velvetcove and click “shop now”. The video will be up by morning:)
I’m so happy I stumbled upon this scarf idea! Super cute! My only question is how to “sew” the ends together when finished. I am a first timer when it comes to crochet and knitting
Thanks for your help!
Well when you have your scarf the length you like you then bind off like you would with regular needles. (I’ll be uploading a video on how to do that by tomorrow night) Then what I did was I took a crochet hook and the tail of yarn from the start of the scarf and “sewed” the ends together. Hope this helps!!
Hi Maggie,
I love your tutorial and am so eager to try this out. I was wondering, how many grams were each of your skeins? I would typically just try to find the same brand, but we dont stock that brand in Australia.
Also, where the skeins a specific length?
Thank you so much for this great idea =)
Hello there. It says 100 grams or 3.5 oz. Also 120 yards. The weight of the yarn is bulky and it’s 80% acrylic 20% wool. Hope that answers your question!
hi! i’m a big fan of these scarves, but i don’t know how to tie it off. can you possibly send instructions or a followup video about how to tie it off and then attach the ends to make it an infinity scarf? thank you!
Sure thing! Ill have a video up by morning:)
is the new video up yet for casting off?
It will be up today:) you can head over to my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/simplymaggieblog and like it that way you can be updated as soon as it is posted.
have you made the video on how to end the scarf? Always wanted to learn to knit and this is a great starter project but don’t know how to end it. Thanks:)
Not yet. It will be up by Thursday morning:)
I’m a crocheter, not a knitter, but when I saw this…I just had to try it! SO EASY! Thank you so much!
I love this!!!
I love your scarves! I am interested in purchasing. How much is shipping and are there any other colors available besides soft gray and taupe? I would love a red one like the one in the tutorial. Thanks!
Hello there! I could make a scarf in the red color in the video. Also the shipping would be between 3.00 and 5.00. You can head over to http://www.facebook.com/velvetcove and purchase a scarf and I will just use the red yarn. If you have any other questions feel free to message me on The Velvet Cove Facebook page. Thanks!
How fun! I gave up knitting because I’m too impatient but I might give this a go. Thanks!
[...] To watch my original video go here. [...]
[...] Favorite Craft: Arm Knitting. Are you serious? I’m about to hop on over to JoAnn Fabrics RIGHT NOW to get the supplies for this. 15% off for educators! Score! [...]
I saw your tutorial yesterday and went out and bought yarn at lunchtime today, came home at 1:30, started the cowl at 2 and was completely finished and “stitched up” by 3:05 in time to pick up the kids from school! Wearing my new scarf!! So impressed with this!!
One tip I would share, for stitching the ends together I laid the scarf out on my sofa laid a small cushion in the middle and folded the end into the middle of the pillow to see properly what I was doing! Now of to start making a smaller one for my daughter as she was so impressed with it! And Thank you for the great video! It really helped!
Hi! Love this idea and the scarf you made! I have watched the video and it was sometimes hard for me to tell what you were doing because the yarn and your shirt are the same color (I am brand-new to knitting so don’t have the skills without the video). Do you have other videos posted somewhere? I really look forward to learning how to do this!
Hello! Here is the link for the new video http://www.simplymaggie.com/arm-knitting-how-to-updated . Hope that helps!
Hi Maggie.
This looks so chic and easy! I have never done any thing like this and was wondering if you could explain this step- “I used both skeins at one time by combining the ends and knitting with two strands.”
Thanks so much!
Hello! Basically that means I knitted with two strands of yarn at the same time. Using two balls of yarn. Also there is an updated video if you click on “Knit and Crochet” above. Hope this helps!
You made this sooooo EASY to understand! I will have to try this very soon! Thanks!
I love love love this idea!! Thank you so much!
I love this – I immediately ran down to my yarn stash to see what I had – I only had thinner yarn so I ended up knitting it long enough to go around 4 times. I also did 2 different colors for the two strands. It’s a different look, but I love it just the same! Thank you!
I’m a pretty advanced knitter so I had no trouble following what you were doing, but a beginner would have an awful time. Since your yarn is red and you’re wearing a red shirt its really hard to see what you’re doing. And especially when you’re casting on you need to zoom in so its easy to see. I really recommend that you redo this video.
I redid the video last week. Here is the updated video http://www.simplymaggie.com/arm-knitting-how-to-updated
Also the old video zooms in after a couple of minutes.
This is fab! I hope you don’t mind, I have linked to these instructions in my 365 Reasons To Craft blog widget (28 January entry) here: http://365reasonstocraft.blogspot.co.uk/
Anybody can add this free craft calendar to their own blogs, so I hope it generates some welcome traffic for you x
Love the look of this scarf!! Cannot wait to try this. I am going to go thru my yarn stash tomorrow and try to make one. Thanks for posting this!!
This is sooo cute.. i really want to try it! Thanks so much for this tutorial:)
[...] Simply Maggie has a great video on her site that shows you exactly how you can arm knit your own chunky cowl scarf. [...]
Which piece are you wrapping around the thumb when you are casting on?
I believe it’s the tail.
I made this last night and its so easy. Wonderful tutorial.
Hey Shannon how long did it take you to make the scarf and was it your first time making a scarf this way????
just a question. how much yarn did you use? the whole skein? and is there any way to make it longer/thicker than the one in the pictures you posted? thanks so much! i will definitely be doing this project this weekend!
Hello I used two skeins at one time and used about 3/4 of each one. Also for a longer scarf just keep knitting until it’s the desired length and for thicker just use more strands.
I really do think I am doing it correctly. But its loose! Ir is it just because I used too thin of yarn? Help please!
this is what it looks like:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/paramoremusic4life/blueyarn_zps7e1af115.jpg
I definitely looks like you need a bulkier, chunkier yarn:) it looks like the stitch is correct though. Maybe tighten it up just a bit on your arm as well.
thank you!!:)
Hey i watched your video and i think i get how to arm knit but i was wondering if you could send me instructions to my email so i know how to finish the scarf and all of the other intricate detail work!!!! It would be great if you could i already bought yarn and everything!!!!!
Hello here is my updated video! http://www.simplymaggie.com/arm-knitting-how-to-updated hope this helps!
the video helps alot but when i start how long is the yarn supposed to be and how do i get the two pieces of yarn do i cut anything or what
?
Love it! I have the exact same problem with knitting and crocheting – I get tired, then bored with the project. I currently 5 scarves, 2 bags and 1 dishcloth on needles. I keep having to buy more needles to knit with. Now, I will just go buy some chunky yarn & use my arm! That way I have to finish it before I give up. Genius!
Awesome tutorial, looks really easy. Wondering how many stitches you cast on to make a scarf like the one in the picture?
Thank you. And I casted on 12 stitches.
Thanks ever so much for your great tut! Unlike most of the projects I pin on my ‘today’ board I actually did this one!!! TWICE!! The lion brand yarn is so perfect. Doubled up as you said. 12 stitches and when i was done about 45 minutes later I loved it but thought I’d like it better a wee bit tighter and only 10 stitches. So I undid my ‘end’ and let the old one unravel as I made my second one. And yes. I like it better. This is totally therapeutic!!!! Thank you so much!!!
Great!! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
the video helps alot but when i start how long is the yarn supposed to be and how do i get the two pieces of yarn do i cut anything or what?
I would say start with a 3 foot tail. That should be plenty. To work with 2 strands of yarn at once you just need 2 balls of yarn and simply pull and end from each ball.
Saw your tutorial on Pinterest. This was fun! Thanks for sharing! I took a pic of the finished product with Instagram:
http://instagram.com/p/VSL628ummJ/
Awesome scarf! Looks great. If you don’t mind I will be featuring finished scarves on my FB page http://www.facebook.com/simplymaggieblog. Would it be alright to have yours as my first one featured?
I found this link on Pinterest. I pinned it and ran to michaels for yarn!! I sat and watched tv and finished it in about half an hour! I am a non knitter and non crocheter and found your instructions super easy to follow
. I didn’t read all the way down so I casted on 7 and used the whole skein so it is quite long. Will be trying again we tomorrow with 12 and having it a bit shorter….either way, so easy! Thank you! Also made 2 this morning with thinner wool for my kiddos and they were so excited!!!
[...] Updated Video [...]
Hello there!! This is an awesome project that I wanted to do with my daughter. I watched the video a couple days ago and when I came back to it tonight, I saw your new video. Although its nice to se you, I thought the last video was easier to follow. Can you send me the link for the old video?
Hello, both videos are under the “knitting and crochet” section of my blog. Both my old and new video.
[...] foto?raflar ise buradan.. [...]
I just wanted to say thank you so much for posting this! I made my scarf with much ease, and really loved the result. All my friends loved it too! Thanks again
Hi, Maggie. What a beautiful scarf! I would like just one clarification. Did you use the Wool-Ease Thick and Quick yarn or the Wool-Ease Chunky yarn? Not sure if it would make a difference, but I really like how yours turned out and do not want to pick a yarn on accident that would not look as “chunky.” Thanks in advance.
It shouldn’t make a difference, but I believe it’s thick and quick.
This scarf is beautiful! Do you sell them? Can you please make a video?
Hello. The video is at the top of this post as well as on my other post “Arm Knitting-How To UPDATED”. Also I do sell these:) Head to http://www.TheVelvetCove.com to make a purchase or you can also purchase one at http://www.facebook.com/velvetcove.
Found this on Pinterest, and tried it tonight. I love it!! Super easy.. And quick. Thanks for te awesome how too!
Hello, I would really like to try this, I have a few suggestions, can you do a birds eye view? Have a light solid background and use a high contrast color yarn. In this video your shirt was the same color as your shirt and it blended together. If you have a tripod set it on the highest and point straight down place a sheet or solid lite color cloth on floor place your arms between floor and camera, you may have to lean back a bit so your head does not block view. Have a friend stand on a chair and tweak your angle. Thank you so much
Mya
Hello. I filmed a new video a few weeks ago that you can view here http://www.simplymaggie.com/arm-knitting-how-to-updated. It’s a better view. Also I try not to get to crazy about the videos because after all I am making them for everyone to view for free:)
Thanks
i love infinity scarfs, and i really want to try this but all that i can find it the lion brand wool ease thick and quick yarn not the chunky one, will it make a difference? and i’ve never knitted before so will it be harder to do?
thank you,
ashley
Hello. Anything that says Chunky, Bulky, Super chunky or super bulky on the back of the packaging works best:)
alrighty thanks! so the one i found wouldn’t work then?
[...] warm. I love it and I plan on making one in white because the one I have right now is dark grey. This is the link to the fantastic page. I actually used 10 stitches instead of 12 like her and I think it’s plenty thick enough [...]
Is this just like normal knitting? I can do that no problem…
It is the same concept. Just using your hands as needles:)
[...] Sipping on our Indian black tea, we joked that all we were missing were big hats and a game of bridge.Then dove into teaching ourselves how to arm knit courtesy of a video. [...]
Hi Maggie,
I found your tutorial for this scarf on pinterest and knew I had to try it! I just finished and it actually turned out really great.. Except I went to far and ran out of yarn, so now I’m not sure how to “knot” it .. It’s sitting here off my arms now… Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!! I love how it looks and it’s going to be a gift if I can get it to stay! Thanks so much for the tutorial and any advice you may have!!
Carrie
Hello! If you can undo the last two rows and still find the stitches to put your arms through (which shouldn’t be too hard since the stitches are so large), then bind off and have enough yarn to end it then I would say that would be the best thing to do. If that’s not something you’re comfortable doing then I’d say if you have extra yarn laying around, even if it’s not the same color, you can simply tie that onto your scarf yarn and finish it that way. You’re going to weave in the ends anyway so if it’s a different color it shouldn’t be too noticeable.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for your advice- It’s going to be beautiful if I just stop and finish it the right way this time
and it was really quick for anyone who’s thinking about trying it (I’ve never done any type of knitting before)
I did it!!! Thank you for showing me!
I love this!! I tried it randomly because I love all sorts of scarves but I hate paying almost 30 bucks for one and it was so easy. I was wondering if you had any other knittimg designs usimg your arms, that are simple as well. thanks for sharing!!
Hello! I just posted a new pattern this morning. You can find it under recent posts or Knit and Crochet.
how do you end up the scarf? i wanna make one(:
You can watch the updated video and I show at the end how to bind off. Click on Knit and Crochet above and you’ll find the blog post there.
[...] simplymaggie.com via Martine on [...]
I love this so much! I’ve made 2 scarves for myself and one for my friend. I even made a blanket for my husband. I was wondering if there is a way to do different stitches while knitting this way? I would love to add some variety!
Awesome! And I am hoping to figure that out soon:)
I can find Lion Brand Thick and Quick and Lion Brand Chunky but not Thick and Chunky. Would either of these work?
Thick and quick:)
Thanks!
Thank you for this post! I LOVE infinity scarves, but I can’t afford to keep purchasing them. I have been looking for a new project and came across this post. I plan on trying it tonight. Do you think Loops & Threads Impeccable Worsted yarn would work if I doubled it? I have a lot of that kind of yarn in my stash (I started another project but it was a little too advanced for me so I gave up) and would prefer to use what I already have first.
Hello! That yarn doesn’t look quite thick enough. I believe it’s a medium 4 yarn? Try to find something that is a bulky 5 or super bulky 6.
“Arm Knitting Tutorial – How-To | simplymaggie.com” was
a quite excellent post, . Keep writing and I’m going to continue to keep reading! Thank you -Candra
[...] (source) [...]
[...] kaynak [...]
I would love it if u can teach me how! Thanks
You can watch the video above to learn. Thanks!
Just saw the video! Cant wait to try!! Thank you very much!
I have heard about arm knitting and a friend in South Africa said she would email me a link asap when we were there for Xmas …. and she did, your scarf is gorgeous please teach us simpletons how you do this particularly casting on and off ???
Thank you Maggie you are obviously very talented !!!
Hello If you watch the Updated video it will show you how:)
[...] while back I pinned this gorgeous chunky knit infinity scarf from Simply Maggie. I wasn’t too sure about this because I am not on any level a knitter or crocheter. I don’t know [...]
Great idea and tutorial!! Thanks =)
[...] Arm Knitting Tutorial [...]
Great tutorial. I have done three so far and my friends love it. Everyone is asking me to make one for them. How do you fix your cast on if it`s too loose once your done? I was able to bind off the finished end and it looks fine. I used a crochet needle to do a border on the end after binding off and it looks nice but since the stitches at the beginning are loose I don’t have a tight enough stitch to fix it. Any idea how to fix it?
The only thing you can do is make sure you bind off looser next time so it’s even on both ends. For the ones you already made I would just say bunch up one end of the scarf to match up the width of the other end and sew it up. Noone will ever notice:)
OMG!!! I just made one using a dark grey color. I LOVE it.
Thanks.
Love this scarf! I usually crochet because it goes so much faster, but I’m definitely going to try this. Thanks for the idea!!
Thank you for the great idea, I made one and love it! I haven’t knitted since I was a child and for this first project, using my arms as needles didn’t trigger my memory on how I should do it. So I got a cardboard tube from inside a roll of giftwrap, cut it in half and used that as my needles and that did the trick.
If I bought 2 skeins of lion brand yarn could I make two scarfs?
You might be able to with lion brand. I tried with homespun and there wasn’t anywhere near enough:/
Hello fellow Maggie!
Brilliant tutorial, thank you so much for posting this! Tried it with one and it turned out okay, but even when I tried it a second time mine seem to be just TOO loose/large holes between stitches, even though I feel they are pretty tight.
Any suggestions?
Hello there! The only thing I can suggest is using thicker yarn and keeping it tighter when moving it from arm to arm. I’m not sure what yarn you are using but a super bulky yarn doubled up works best:)
I used two different greens together tonight, had enough to make three… So all the gals at work are getting them tomorrow! So easy!
i like this but that video is not helpful i need more pics or video #2
The link to the new video is above.
Thanks Maggie for the video but I was wondering if you could send me more instructions and what type of yarn you use for the scarf you did while wrapping it on your arms.
Thank you
Lety
Hello. I used Wool Ease Thick and Quick.
[...] and my inability to understand the fundamentals THEN I stumbled upon this little gem on Pinterest: Arm Knitting Tutorial – How-To | simplymaggie.com. and I was hooked. Not only is this a fun, easy, and quick way to knit it’s also an awesome [...]
[...] than producing large quantities of the currently popular ruffle scarves and trying my hand at arm knitting (as well as learning to knit with needles last weekend!), there are two big projects I have been [...]
[...] here for how to make [...]
Wow what a great knitting method!! I’m halfway through my first scarf and I’m so excited about the possibilities! Thanks for posting this how-to
[...] Read/watch the online tutorial over at Simply Maggie here. [...]
i will love to learn to do that
[...] man is the 20 month old I am a nanny for) I thought I would try arm knitting a scarf. I found it here through [...]
Hello i am a big knitter and craft person and i was really looking forward to trying this scarf out!I thought the video was great and was explained very well. I did however have some troubles. I was trying to knit and it looked like a big tangled mess! I watched your video over and over but i still haven’t figured it out. by any chance did this happen to you? if so how did you get thorugh it?
Hello there. I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out for you yet! It was pretty easy for me to figure out but everyone is different. Just try to watch the working yarn closely. I hope you cancfigure it out. Once you do it’s extremely simple.
Ok thanks, and i will try, it looks really pretty so i hope to get the hang of it soon! if not ill be looking to purchase one, but ill let you know later. Thanks
Thanks for this great tutorial! I tried to do this with two strands of DK and it was a bit of a mess, but I’m definitely going to try it with chunky when winter comes and I’m sure I’ll have no trouble
I blogged about this tutorial and my experience here: http://creativelyinclinedways.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/arm-knitting.html
Thanks again!
Amy
[...] in learning to make your own arm-knit cowl? Check out the tutorial that I followed. Interested in having one and not making it yourself (ain’t nobody got time for that), [...]