// Knit two stitches on to your right arm.
// With your left hand, pick up the first stitch you knit on your right arm.
// Pull that first stitch over the last stitch you knit.
// Knit the next stitch from your left arm. You should have two stitches on your right arm again.
// Pick up the first stitch on your right hand again.
// Pull it up and over the stitch you just put on.
// The stitches you bind off will chain with one another over the top of the fabric.
Ending it:
// Remove the last loop from your arm. Loosen loop a bit so the stitches won’t pull out. Lay down your piece.
// Cut the working yarn with enough yarn to seam your project (you need approximately 1.5 yards to seam the cowl).
// Bring the end of the yarn you just cut through the loop that remains.
// Tighten the loop. It’s ready to finish!
Only one thing left!
Part 4: Finishing
The finishing tutorial will include a tutorial on mattress stitch seaming (which is what you need if you are making the cowl) and other finishing details (if you are just making a scarf or something else). The mattress stitch creates an invisible seam on the right side of the knit fabric – so great! It’s super easy to do and you’ll use it for all sorts of other knitterly goodness, too!
Look at this beautiful fabric. I want to dive into it!
Laura says
I am very excited to try this! I love big, chunky scarves. This is a perfect project for me. I wanted to download the PDF but seem to be having trouble. When I click on the link nothing happens. Any suggestions?
anne says
Hi Laura, I’m so glad you are excited. It really makes amazing scarves. Here is a link for the PDF – It should open to Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/179944176/arm-knitting-how-to-pdf-a-step-by-step?
Clarissa Scidmore says
what do you do if you get hungry when your arms are the needles….its notlike you can just stick the needles in a ball and come back toit
anne says
Hi Clarissa! I think I included a tip on this in Part II. When you want to take a break, get all the loops on one arm or the other. Place all the loops one by one onto a strand of spare yarn (different color if you can). Go about your business. Then place the loops back on the arm they started on. The knit side should be facing you. The working yarn should end up at your hand.
colleen says
I just completed my first arm knitting project thanks to your wonderful tutorial! Even though I am left-handed, your pictures were so good that I was able to figure out just what to do. Thanks so much for a fun and relatively simple project!
Cindy says
When I needed a break I took a large safety pin and ran it through my loops it was super handy. I love how easy the tutorial made this and am now making tons of scarves.
flaxandtwine says
Great! I’m so glad you are enjoying the tutorial! Happy fall!!
Aimee says
This is a great tutorial! I’ve made a few now. I think I do the ends too tight…so…I guess that means I cast on too tight? I’m not sure – but still learning. Fun new hobby!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Aimee, If your cast on edge is too tight, you can loosen it! just start at the tail and move the stitches apart from each other a bit. Basically the length from that first row of stitches will move to the edge and widen it. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! knit on!
kay says
Just learned about arm knitting. What fun and your directions are so clear. I can’t wait to show my granddaughter.
flaxandtwine says
Hi Kay, Thanks so much! I hope you have an amazing time with your granddaughter!
Jessica says
Help please! For some reason when I finish a row (especially the first row) I have a huge loop at the end that is really loose. Any ideas as to what I’m doing wrong?
flaxandtwine says
Jessica, If its only that first slip knot stitch, it will tighten when you loosen your cast on edge at the end of the project. Basically the cast on stitches are tighter than how the rest of the stitches flow. when you loosen this at the end that,slip knot can tighten down. You basically are moving the slack from that slip knot back into the stitches that came after it. The size of it will also be less noticeable after your seam up your project as well.
There is also a tendency for one row of edge stitches to remain big. Part of this is because of how the yarn flows when you go back the direction you just came from. It makes the working yarn tighten down the stitch beneath it and leave the length in the edge stitch you just did – does this make sense? You can adjust this unevenness after you finish. or pay particular attention when you are switching directions to leave the stitches before and after that edge stitch as even as they can be. For the most part, those larger stitches will be hidden when you finish your project as the edges curl in a little. Hope this helps!
ursula miller says
My arm knitted scarf has loose loops. How can a tighten up these.
Thank you
flaxandtwine says
Hi Urusla,
Here are my suggestions for how to keep your stitches tight:
The first thing that is important is to keep your hands close together as you knit. Do you pull your arms apart when you’re actually making the stitch? Sometimes you can grab the working yarn close to your hand and then pull your arms apart from each other as you are making the stitch or as you go to get the working yarn for the next stitch. Try to grab the working yarn close to the last stitch you made, but also keep your hands/wrists/arms close together as you pull the new stitch.
The next thing to think about is that the last stitch you made won’t actually lock down tight, but the one you made just before it can tighten. So as you arm knit, think about tightening the prior stitch to the one you’re currently knitting so that it is snug to your wrist. Each time, concentrate on tightening the one before the one you just made by snugging up the working yarn.
Lastly, you can always manually tighten your arm knit stitches by starting at the second from the beginning stitch on the stitches you’ve just made (close to your elbow). If you’ve been orienting the stitches correctly (not everyone does this), you can pull the working yarn snug against your arm from the leg of the stitch that is behind your arm. Pull on that, then move to the next stitch and pull on the back leg of that one. Continue to tighten each stitch against your arm as you move towards the stitch closest to your hand. As you tighten, the excess yarn will come with you towards the working yarn at your hand.
Meg says
I rarely ever comment on things but I need to say that this four part series is the best tutorial I’ve ever read! For anything, not just arm knitting. You are clear and thorough. Just wanted to say thank you-job very well done! I’m very excited to give arm knitting a go.
flaxandtwine says
Thanks so much, Meg. This comment means a lot to me!
April Barker says
I’m very very new to this. When you use 3 strands of yarn, how do you keep them from getting twisted? I thought about braiding the three together, but not sure how that woI’ll look. Please Help! 🙂
flaxandtwine says
Hi April, they just tend to twist a little as you go, but it shouldn’t be too bad. The first suggestion I would have is to make sure you don’t wind the three strands into one big ball. This will increase the amount that they twist. Next, generally the strands do twist a bit. If it bothers you, I recommend arm knitting with single ply yarns, like Cascade Magnum, which will be neater as you knit. If there is major twisting, send me a photo and I’ll see if I can help further. Anne
Cindy French says
I finished my blanket but not too thrilled with it. Using three strands doesn’t work well. Some become looser than others and therefore the knit stitch isn’t tightly formed. The arm also causes the stitches to be too loose with three strands. In order to be successful with arm blankets use a THICK yarn only so you won’t need the three strands. It will look much better.
flaxandtwine says
Hi Cindy, Thanks so much for your comment. I’m so sorry you weren’t happy with the result of your blanket. It sounds like the yarn you chose wasn’t quite thick enough. Some of the super bulky yarns are too thin for three strands. Sometimes I do my blanket with 4 or even 5 strands. If you want your stitches tighter, check out this post: https://www.flaxandtwine.com/2016/04/arm-knitting-tighter/ I LOVE making arm knit blankets with the thick yarn. Unfortunately, this yarn is much more expensive than typical craft store yarn. But, there are a lot more options now than when I first did this post, too! All my instructions work with the thick yarn, so I hope you give it another whirl! Happy making!