It’s finally here! You guys have been begging me to post this arm knitting tutorial, but I was holding back for that VERY good reason which I announced yesterday. I am writing a book! squee! which will be chock full of fabulous arm knitting and finger knitting designs. I have enjoyed contemplating and designing projects in this arm-knit scale. Wait till you see what is in the book! Plus, so many cool finger knitting projects you’re not going to believe it! The arm knitting tutorial was put on hold while the final details of the book got solidified. I’m happy to say it’s solid, now! I can post the tute!
Over the next week, I will be posting a beautiful step-by-step photo tutorial of arm knitting in four parts here on the blog (I’m afraid your browsers would get permanently bogged down if I did it any other way)! This four part tutorial includes the basics, but also details how to make a gorgeous cowl at the same time. Here are the parts:
I will provide links to each of these parts as they are complete so you can access it all from here. But, if you want to take the directions on the road with you, or you just are so anxious to get started, you can purchase this instant pdf download from my shop right now!
Arm knitting is a fabulous craft for knitters and non-knitters alike. It is easy to learn, especially with these step by step directions. Have no fear! This cowl could be yours in a matter of hours! And then, one for your friend, sister and mom a day after that! I love how quick and easy it is.
The cowl above was made with inexpensive Loops & Threads Cozy Wool, but here it is in Rowan Drift in Clay, the yumminess of these tones simply make me melt!
One last note, if you want to learn how to arm knit with me in person, don’t miss this great class at Brett Bara‘s Brooklyn Craft Company this March. Its going to be fabulous and I’d love to see you there!
ClaireLA says
Thanks so much for posting this, Anne! I can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Amanda says
Super keen to give arm knitting a go!
How much wool do you need to make the cowl?
flaxandtwine says
Hi Amanda! I’m so glad. You need three 80 – 100 yard skeins of bulky yarn. You can see the full tutorial beginning here: https://www.flaxandtwine.com/2014/02/arm-knitting-how-to-photo-tutorial-part-1-casting-on/
Mandy says
This was soooo helpful thank you!!! Just finished my first blanket and I LOVE IT! you’re instructions are so simple and the pictures are incredibly helpful.
THANKS!
flaxandtwine says
YAY! Mandy, Congratulations! If you can, send me a photo! I would love to see it flaxandtwine (at) gmail (dot) com.
Anabel Ressner says
What a great idea! Now I have a project for that crazy watermelon bulky I bought just because!
JULIE SPEAR says
I gave the arm knit cowl a try this weekend…I followed your arm knit cowl tutorial. I have to say that mine didn’t turn out as lovely as yours look. I had some troubles keeping the knit tight. I didn’t have your yarn recommendations with my when I purchased the yarn, so I got Bernat Softee Chunky, which is still a #6 superbulky. I LOVE the way the inexpensive Loops and Threads Cozy Wool looks as shown above and in your tutorial , mine more closely resembled the Rowan Drift you picture above, but I have to work on getting my knit tighter, which I see from the tutorial comments is a common issue for beginners… I am NOT giving up though – because I think these are GORGEOUS!!! I just wanted to thank you so much for sharing the AWESOME tutorials, and I did have one questions that I haven’t seen in any of the comment sections…. have you tried this with any of those super soft chenille yarns? I think it would look great, but may be hard and “tangley” to use?
flaxandtwine says
Hi Julie, I’m so glad you are making arm knit cowls! Keep trying and each one will look better and better! The Bernat Softee Chunky is a #6 but it is on the thin side of Bulky yarns. I recommend a yarn that is closer to 2.5 stitches/inch for a full looking scarf. The Bernat ranges from 2.75 to 3.5 stitches to the inch. You could add another strand of the Bernat to make it more full also. I have seen it with the chenille yarns and it looks great! It’s a little sticky around the cast on edge but its doable.
Anne
Jocelyn says
Hey Anne! Im just learning to finger knit and it would be cool to arm knit too! But my question was can i use my kinder knitted rope-ish thing? It’s half my wrist size and its fox collored if you were wondering.
flaxandtwine says
Yes, I’ve been meaning to write a post about arm knitting with finger knitting – but you totally can do it. Play with different number of strands of it to see what works best for a full fabric.
Jocelyn says
Finger knitted not kinder knitted lol XD
Jamie says
Very good article, I am going to spend more time learning
about this topic.