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Arm Knitting – How To UPDATED!
Posted on January 25, 2013 by Maggie in Knit and Crochet
Well, here you go! Everyone had questions and requests and I think I answered them all. This video shows how to bind off at the end and somewhat explains how I sewed the ends together.
I hope this helps!
Enjoy!
To purchase chunky yarn like what I used go HERE or HERE .
To watch my original video go here.
-Simply Maggie
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So you use 2 things of yarn and about how much of it? I went to the store today but only bought 1. I missed or forgot the part where you said that you double it. So I’m trying to see if I could split this roll up or if I should just go buy another one.
I used two at once but didn’t use the all of either one. You may be able to get away with just one:) It may just be a tiny bit shorter which shouldn’t be a huge deal.
I love this! I can’t wait to try it. In the video it looked like you were only using one string that was looped to start. I was confused about how and where you used two.
Hello, I used 2 strands throughout the entire video. Hope this helps!
Thanks
I think if you pick one end in the center and end which is out side of yarn ball you don’t have to buy two yarn balls.
Yes this is true with some yarn. I did however try it with one skein of yarn recently and it wasn’t anywhere near enough. So just make sure you buy the correct yardage.
I’m in love, and i’m going to give it a shot. but i have one question, how many stitches do you usually put on your arm to make a scarf? 6? or do you use more?
I used 12 stitches in the scarf in the picture.:)
Hi, can I just check – are the 12 stitches 6 double-strand cast ons, or do you mean you did 12 double-strand cast ons? Thank you!
12 double strand stitches:)
Maggie, are you on Ravelry? I just made the cowl and am adding it to Ravelry but this is not on there yet. Here is the link to the pattern page I created fully crediting this page. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arm-knitted-infinity-cowl
I used my photos but will gladly take it down if it’s already on Ravelry.
I’m not on there, but I should probably sign up! haha. Thank you for posting that and feel free to leave it up there. You’re scarf looks great!!
Thank you for sharing your video! I went out and got Lion Brand size 6 in Oatmeal. It looks great! Thanks!!
this is beautiful! could you make a blanket this way?
I’ll be trying that soon!
Are you on Ravelry?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arm-knitted-infinity-cowl
I am not but will be signing up soon:)
This is so cute! I’m totally making one! What did you use? Is it just yarn or what?
Yes yarn:) Any bulky or super bulky yarn works best.
I saw this last night went out today and got my yarn and I just finished my first one and it is so cute! Thank you so much for the helpful videos!
I am totally in awe! I had never heard of arm knitting before and I so love it! Your video is really clear and easy to follow. How many rows did you do for the double row scarf?
Thanks for sharing this!
You’re very welcome. I didn’t count rows, I just measured by wrapping the scarf around my neck and when it was comfortable I the binded off.
Hope this helps!
This absolutely incredible!!!!
I have done finger knitting , but this is my first time hearing of arm knitting !
I love the style too! I like how the scarf looks!
Thanks so much for such an easy to pick up on tutorial! After seeing this earlier today, I went out and bought yarn and tried it out. I am in no sense a knitter, but this turned out excellent! Going to make my grandma proud
About how much yarn did you use? And how long should the tail be to start with? I’ve tried but the tail is always too short.
I used about 3/4 of each skein and for the tail, start out with 3 ft. If that’s still too short start over and make it longer:)
Wow, thanks so much!! I just made one from using Country Loom yarn by Loops and Threads, just 1 strand, and its sooo warm and lovely! Im in love! So fun to make too
Here is a link to my picture of it if anyone is interested to see how it came out–just a phone camera pic. 
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=417207918356591&set=a.129713383772714.31614.120703294673723&type=1&theater
Thanks for the DIY!!
Great tutorial! My scarf turned out great, and it really did take less than an hour. Awesome! Thanks
What kind of yarn did u use ? Size?
I used super bulky yarn. I don’t have the wrapper anymore, I believe its acrylic and wool.
Thanks
Awesome tutorial! What kind of yarn did you use Lion Brand wool-ease Thick & Quick?
I believe that is the one I used! I don’t have the wrapper in front of me at the moment.
How did you double the yarn? I cant seem to understand how you did that but i hope i can learn how! Please help!
Simply use two skeins of yarn at one time.
Is it safe to use the download link that you have listed? is it listed any where with a link to a pdf file? I am leary about running files because they may corrupt my computer or contain a virus. I have had this happen to me in the past.
Thanks for any help on where else I can print out this lovely cowl.
Hello,
I don’t have any PDF links on this blog post. Are you talking about the video link on how to arm knit?
Thanks
Charlene – The Download button you are looking at is part of an ad that has nothing to do with Maggie’s scarf, unfortunately. Many websites use that ad on sites where people will get confused and think they are downloading the site content. Maggie didn’t put it there, it’s just part of the random ads that appear because of her site host.
Maggie,
This scarf is fantastic! I was hoping to ask for more details about how much yarn you used for your cowl, but I see from the other comments that you no longer have the yarn label. Could you provide a measurement for the width/length of the cowl? With this information I could “swatch” and calculate how much yarn I would need. (I have some lovely handspun bulky yarn but am not sure I have enough for the project.) Many thanks!
From looking at another label from a similar yarn it says 120 yards. I used 2 skeins (but I only used a little over half from each skein). So anything around that length should work:) Hope this helps!!
I really like the look of this scarf. What yarn did you use ?
I will have to check today when I’m at the craft store since I no longer have the wrapper:)
I just realized I have some super bulky left over from a hat & scarf i made. It’s a whole skein and it’s huge. bernat baby something in baby pink. Cool, I can save this site and watch the video later and have fun when I won’t have to stop for anything, since I can’t really imagine what I’d use for a st holder!
Thanks!
So cool! Thanks so much for sharing. I just bought some yarn specifically to try this. Can’t wait!
[...] Updated Video [...]
Thank you for this! I made my first one last night and love it!!! Struggled to get the hang of it at the beginning but once you get it, its easy!
I am a total novice at this….do you have a step by step written instructions on what yarn to buy to and how many inches to fold etc. thanks so much. Cannot wait to try it.
I apologize. I don’t have written instructions as that would take a while to type up. I recommend watching both videos a few times and just try it.
As far as the yarn, if you go to the craft store to purchase some just look at the back of the yarn package and it will say what weight the yarn is (fine, medium, bulky, super bulky) Try to stick to bulk or super bulky. And I’m not quite sure what you mean by folding?
Hope this helps!
Thank you, Maggie. I love this new-to-me technique!
I love this scarf, you make it look so easy. i am going to attempt making one, I just have one question. how long of yarn do you use, or do you leave it on the roll and just knit until you have the right length and then cut it off?
I never saw the end of the yarn so I was unclear about that.
probably a silly question if your a knitter, but i have never knitted so I was unsure.
Thank you,
Jill
Yes, you just leave the yarn attached and when your scarf is long enough you bind off the scarf and then cut the yarn like I explain at the end of the video:)
can you use only one strand instead of doubling it up?
Well you can but it looks better and fuller with two. Good luck!
Has anyone tried this with a size 4 medium yarn? I would like to use the yarn I have at home but wonder if this only works with really think yarn (because I am struggling with it). I am also curious as to how it would look with a smaller gauge yarn.
Hello. It definitely looks best with bulky or super bulky yarn. But you can practice with the yarn you have at home and once you have it down just undo it and purchase yarn that would look better:)
hi i love this and i cant wait to try it! i just don’t understand how you have two lines…is it from one yarn doubled?
I use two balls of yarn at one time and pull one strand of yarn from each ball.:)
Hi hun. Just wanted to let you know that I featured this on my blog today. I would love it if you could go and check it out
http://mammymade.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/mint-stuff-ive-seen-30.html
- Adele @ Mammy Made
Hi there! Thank you and great blog!
It’s amazing!!..:)
Thank you for this video. I have had “learning to knit” on my bucket list for a very long time, this video is the visual I needed to give it a try. Much appreciated!
Oh the fights the yarn and I have when I try this … I always lose … but I will persist! I really really want to make a blanket with arm crochet and I’m glad I’ve found your page to show me where I’m going wrong!
How many oz./g. of either ball do you need for an average size scarf?
Muchas gracias por el video, bien explicado.
Saludod
Muchas gracias por el video. Hermosa bufanda.
Saludos
Great video and idea. I agree knitting a scarf the conventional way takes to long. I have also have started many and have lost interest. I am definitely going to do this. Can’t wait for the Afghan video. How did you come up with this idea? Wish I would of thought of this. Ingenious!
I don’t understand how to cast on this way. I learned to just twist the working yarn. Which works I think… But my biggest issue is going from arm to arm. When I pull it tight I end up with a long random string that is attached to the first loop but it isn’t the tail. The tail is still hanging so I then have 3 pieces. Also, the last loop won’t pull tight when I move it over. I don’t know how I am messing this up but I really want to make a scarf for my mom for her birthday!
Never mind! It does matter how you cast on. I finally figured out your way and my scarf looks great! Thanks so much for the video tutorial!
I made 3 scarves and I love the way they turned out but I am wanting to try something a little smaller than my arms but not small needles. Do you have any suggestions?
I bet you could use a length of PVC pipe at whatever size you want.
I’m sure that would work as well. I have seen that before where they put duck tape on the ends of the pipe. But if you don’t want to purchase that then your arms work great!
I was curious as to what kind of yarn you used? I love the one you used in the video!!
can’t wait to try this myself! Thanks!!
Thank you! I believe it’s Wool Ease Thick and Quick.
Love the scarf!! I’m gonna try making one. I bought yarn and then came home to watch the video again. And just wondering do I need two seperate balls of yarn? If so ill be headed back to the craft store before I start
thanks!
Hello, you can try using one. It may be enough. Just use both ends at one time:)
[...] love finger knitting but have you heard of arm knitting?! [...]
WOW! That is gorgeous!!! I definitely want to try this out! Thanks for the beautiful idea!
[...] Arm Knitting How To UPDATED! | SimplyMaggie [...]
[...] Arm Knitting How To UPDATED! | SimplyMaggie [...]
That was a great tutorial!! I just made one in under an hour! I took apart an unfinished scarf buried in a drawer so I didn’t have the right yarn but it came out great. Thanks for the video.
Love this! I mastered the first part, but I am having trouble on the second part where you switch it to the other hand. I am able to switch it, but when I pull on the working yarn there is a cluster of yarn in the middle that I’m not sure what to do with.
It will look like a little bit of a mess each time you switch to the other arm but just try leaving it loose and going on to knitting the next stitch until you have it figured out. Once you have it figured out you can start it over and begin tightening by pulling on the working yarn. Hope this helps! It’s tough to explain when you can’t see if something is being done wrong.
Thank you so much for your very easy to follow video! I enjoy different crafts but have never knitted (or anything like that) before. Just finished a scarf and I love how it turned out! I want to try the blanket too.
This is so cool, thank you! I also got an idea about shredding old torn clothes and tying them together to use them for making a scarf with this technique, or maybe an old pair of torn but soft and comfortable jeans.
Couldn’t you also arm crochet? I would LOVE to learn that! What do you think?
Please please please…
[...] Arm Knitting How To UPDATED! [SimplyMaggie] [...]
[...] Instructions HERE Share this:FacebookPinterestTwitterPrintTumblrEmailLike this:Like3 bloggers like this. 7 Comments [...]
how do I double up the working yarn?
You can double the yarn by using to skeins of yarn at one time and pulling a strand from each one.
[...] if you are feeling extra creative, this Valentine’s day, why not try and arm knit a scarf for someone as a gift. Check out mine. It only took me 20 minutes to [...]
[...] Arm knitting. (via Lifehacker) [...]
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a very nice idea..
like a finger knitting but this is more WOW
So, I absolutely LOVE this! I decided to try it with some yarn that I had laying around (it wasn’t super chunky or anything, just regular yarn) to practice and it sucked. I don’t quite understand how you have two lines.. Help please?
Either use two balls of yarn at once and pull a strand from each one or use one ball and pull a strand from each end.
[...] To learn how to Cast On, Arm Knit and Bind Off GO HERE. [...]
[...] like knitting, but with your arms instead of needles. I found a link to this video while browsing the Ravelry forums today. My first thought was, very bizarre. My second, I must try [...]
Loved this! Made two scarves in an hour. So cool and easy!
Thank you so much for sharing!!
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I found this link on pinterest and even though I’m not the craftiest person, I decided to try because it’s such a great looking scarf. After one false start, I made myself an awesome scarf in less than an hour for less than $10 in yarn.
I just made my scarf tonite. It was an awesome video and tutorial and the outcome was amazing. I do not even have enough good things to say about this scarf! Thanks for taking the time to teach us! Once I do my hair (ie take a shower and brush it) I will take a pic for your FB page.
Great tutorial! I made my first one quickly and I’ve never knitted anything. Thanks for posting!
So I know you have probably answered this a few times now but what yarn did you use? Name and type? I was asked to make a scarf like this and I was curious what type of yarn I need to buy. Could you tell me a good brand I should look for? Thanks so much!
Hello! I used Wool Ease Thick and Quick in the color Linen I believe. Any super bulky yarn or bulky yarn works best. That one and Bernat Roving yarn are my favorites for this project.
Thank you very much. This helps SO much
I am really excited to try out your tutorials
Great video! I don’t know how to knit with needles (I’m a crocheter), but now I can knit with my arms! I didn’t have any bulky yarn in my stash, so I used three strands, two strands of Lion Brand Homespun yarn and one strand of worsted weight yarn. It turned out so awesome, I’m going to have to make another tomorrow!
Ok I feel a little confused I dunno how to even get started I bought two balls of yarn same color size everything. But when u say you are taking strands from both balls??? I see in the video you have them folded over to make a half circle?? Do u use one ball for the tail and the other for the scarf itself? I understand everything in the tutorial except the first few steps on getting started like as soon as u open the balls of yarn. Could u please help me thanks
Simply pull a strand of yarn from each ball and knit with them as if they’re one strand. Make your slip knot about 3 feet in and begin casting on.
not gonna lie, this took me a while to figure out. I had to redo it a few times before I felt I was ready to end it. This was also my very first attempt at any sort of knitting, and I must say, I am very pleased with the end result. It was supposed to be a cowl, but I put a couple extra lines in and it was a bit too big. Now it is a nice sweater-like shawl.
Thanks for the video update, it really helped!!
Wow, I’ve never heard of arm knitting before, it’s brilliant! Thank you for the video
I really enjoyed making this scarf, and it came out beautiful! My only problem was that for the life of me I couldn’t comprehend the “casting on” part of the project! I am an accomplished knitter, this was a total mental block!! After 2 hours of trying, I knew I would have to figure out an easier way……I knitted my 12 stiches on to a Pringle can, then transfered them to my arm!!! It worked like a charm! Knitting and casting off were very easy!!! Thanks Maggie for sharing your creative project!!!
Please can you continue the filming to show how to finish them off by join both side into one.
Mine look awful when i made them together.
I love this show thanks so much
I can try to make a video tomorrow while I am set up to film other videos:)
Thank u so much for your kind.
Hi Maggie!
Would it work out okay if I used just regular, fuzzy yarn: Lion’s Brand but the one that is bulky and fuzzy? Also, how long did you let your scarf get (to let it wrap around twice) and you used 12 loops on your arms instead of 6?
Hello! As long as it’s a bulky weight yarn it should work fine:) Also I don’t have exact measurements I just wrapped it around my neck to measure and when it was comfortable I binded off. And yes 12 stitches.
Outstanding!!!!! Not only do you make a REALLY cool scarf…….It’s also a Great Performance Art! I am looking forward to making one for someone…whilst we sit and casually chat!
This is so much fun…I have made two scarfs,,However I have a problem. Sometimes I don’t start a project because my kids are around. I am afraid the will need me and my arms are tied up in yarn. What is a good way to stop and keep your place so it is easy to pick it back up and start again. I was thinking of knitting onto a paper towel roll,,,but not sure if that would work…Any advice
Haha, Well the best thing you can do is just make sure you have the half hour to at least get it knitted and then you can sew the ends some other time. But if you really have to take a break there isn’t really a quick way to take it off of your arms. What I did was find a piece of electrical wire which I transferred all of my stitches onto and closed into a loop so that I wouldn’t lose any stitches. Hope that helps!
Dear Maggie!
We saw this video and we had to try it. It is so hilarious!! We had great fun, thanks a lot!
Greetings from the Netherlands
- The Dutchies -
I am very much into crocheting and absolutely love this! In fact, I love it so much that I shared it on my blog
This is great! I just started working on my first scarf and it’s coming out great so far
How long is the scarf in the picture? I know you don’t count rows but I’m guessing you measure the length somehow…
Hello I don’t have an exact measurement. I just wrapped it around my neck twice and when it was comfortable I binded off.:)
I have never knit before but I saw your video and decided to give this a try. Fantastic directions. It took me a few tires to get it but I finally did! Thanks so much for posting this!
As a crocheter I am too impatient for knitting, but this is a great project! I just made my first scarf and was amazed that it took so little yarn and so little time. And it was soooo easy!! I will be making more. Thank you for the tutorial; you did a great job with it.
[...] can also arm knit, using your arms as knitting needles. Here’s a video that shows you how. That doesn’t seem quite as easy. I know I’d probably literally tie myself up in [...]
This looks very interesting! I am making scarves for a project and it would speed things up considerably.
I hope at some point there will be about 20 still pictures showing the tricky details like casting on and swapping the yarn from one arm to another. That way it’s possible to look at just what you need for as long as you need to.
Second video much better. Thanks.
Do you have any idea why my tail end gets shorter when I am switching from one arm to the next?
Thanks!
Hmm, try tightening it up when you make that first stitch. Also make sure you aren’t knitting with the tail:)
Hi I found this on Pinterest and I absolutely LOVE the idea! I’m new to being crafty and I hope this isn’t a ridiculous question, but I was wondering how you even got the yarn started? I see comments about doubling the yarn, but even that doesn’t make much sense to me yet! Any help??
Hello there! When you purchase your yarn look on the back of the package to make sure it’s bulky or super bulky. Once you’re ready to start your scarf pull a strand of yarn from the center of each ball and use them both at one time as if they are one strand. Hope this helps!
I made your scarf tonight and i loved it!!!! Iam 14 years old and it took about an hour. At one point I could knit and watch pretty little liars at the same time.
So excited to show my friends(and tell them it was really hard, even though it was easy)
I already made two of these! I want to make the blanket next..how would you change colors while arm knitting? (I’m fairly new)
I actually haven’t tried that yet. I’m not sure how that would work.
This is SO cool! I’m going to try it. Do you think it would look okay if I used two different colors? Also, could I make a blanket by adding a lot more? Thanks!
Hello two colors would look good! And I have a post here http://www.simplymaggie.com/how-to-arm-knit-a-blanket-in-one-hour on how to arm knit a blanket.
[...] Arm knitting. Made two scarves last weekend with this technique in two colors – pretty [...]
Hi this is a wonderful tutorial but for some reason when I do the stitching it seems to look much too loose! I don’t know how else to explain it or how to fix it but I also don’t understand how you pull the stitch tight? What part of the yarn are you pulling? The working yarn?
Pull the working yarn to tighten. But on the first stitch that you knit on each arm you have to tighten it by pulling the working yarn and pushing the “knot” part of the stitch up at the same time.
I bought one ball (skein) of “Loops & Threads – Cozy Wool”, which is 90 yards. I think the color is called “fleece”, it is a creamy white. I unrolled it and folded it together in the middle to start with the two strands in the very beginning.
There was enough material to make one loop, and when I put it around my neck, it comes down my chest a bit more than the tutorial scarf, which I think is due to difference in yarn and the looseness of my stitches. So I didn’t need two balls of yarn.
But this was absolutely fantastic and super easy to follow, I’m so excited!! I’ve never knit in my life and was able to do this in about 45 minutes, but next time it will be much faster. Thank you!
And it looks absolutely great
[...] complicated I will simply post the tutorial video from the girl who originally post it. Her blog is Simply Maggie and go check her other amazing [...]
This was so much fun to do!!! I have made 2 scarves, that didn’t take any time at all!! Great idea, and wonderful tutorial. Thank you so much for teaching me how to do this!!!
So awesome! I made mine with 1 skein of bulky yarm of 100m, find the end and the beginning. It was enough for me to make a scarf that i can wrap around my neck twice. Thnx for sharing!
[...] video tutorial by Simply Maggie. I recommend watching the tutorial in advance of starting to knit, trying to [...]
[...] Arm KnittingBy Pintester on April 5, 2013 in DIY & Crafts, Women's Apparel If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe by email. (That makes you an official Pinteste.)Guys, I should really know better than this by now. I should. Mostly I realize that I am incapable of crafty things, like sewing or candy making or refinishing or hot gluing. But then I see a thing and I think I can do it because it doesn’t involve any special tools. Image from SimplyMaggie.com [...]
Just made the scarf and I love it! I did make mine just a lil longer than what is pictured, but might go with a shorter one next time! Everyone loves it, thank you!
[...] like knitting, but with your arms instead of needles. I found a link to this video while browsing the Ravelry forums today. My first thought was, very bizarre. My second, I must try [...]
[...] Simply Maggie Blog, 2012: Arm Knitting How To.” (available at http://www.simplymaggie.com/arm-knitting-how-to-updated [...]
Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I
came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my
followers! Excellent blog and excellent style and design.
This is fantastic!! I love knitting but it’s too time consuming =( Do you know how to knit on the round like this?
I want to say it wouldn’t be possible, but I could be completely wrong. I’ll try it out soon:)
This is so AWESOME! I have a wonderful daughter in law who wants a big bulky blanket knitted but did not have huge knitting needles. THIS WORKS!! I have knitted since I was 5 years old. Where is world did you get this idea? Wow!! Impressed! Also now I know what yarn to use too. I was wondering if Bernat Baby Blanket yard would work also. It’s Super Bulky also and very soft. Any opinion? Thank you for this tutorial!! EXCELLENT! You did a great job teaching!!
Diane
As long as it’s super bulky it will be perfect.
Glad you enjoyed this! And thank you, I’m glad this was helpful for you.