Looking for an affordable option for that arm knitting blanket you’ve been eyeing?
It takes a lot of yarn to create an arm knitting blanket, so before you spend a dime on yarn, check out this guide.
In this review, we will check out the best yarn for arm knitting and look at yarns for all budgets.
So let’s get started!
Top 10 Arm Knitting Yarns
No products found.
What is Arm Knitting Yarn?
Arm knitting is the technique of using huge yarn with your arms in place of knitting needles. This technique requires very large yarn so the market met the demand with size 7 “jumbo” yarns and some even larger than that to be used with just your arms.
Here we are covering everything you need to know about these giant yarns – from the best yarns to use for arm knitting to things to look for when picking out an arm knitting yarn.
The Different Types of Arm Knitting Yarns
There are many choices on the market today for giant yarn, so you have some great options when picking your yarn for an arm knit blanket, scarf or other project.
The two biggest differences in type of arm knitting yarn are in the fiber used and the size of the yarn, so let’s dive into those a bit more.
Fiber
Most of the yarns in our list are merino wool roving yarns that come from different breeds of sheep. This is a very popular choice for an arm knitting chunky blanket.
If you are looking for a vegan yarn, you will want to look for a lofty acrylic yarn and we have a great choice on our list.
Size
In your local yarn store, you aren’t likely to find a great selection of chunky arm knit yarn. The largest weight yarn they usually have is a size 7 (jumbo), which is smaller than the specially made giant yarn on Etsy.
Looking for a yarn weight just a bit lighter than this? Check out the best yarn for chunky blankets here.
Be aware that a lot of the blankets you see on Instagram and other websites are made with the very large yarns like the Merino Roving on Etsy and are not produced by major yarn retailers.
Now let’s look at some factors to consider when choosing your yarn.
Things to Look for in a Great Arm Knitting Yarn
Material
The really nice merino roving is expensive, but in this case you get what you pay for. The cheaper options are often not as nice, so if possible order a skein or two to test out before committing to an entire blanket’s worth of yarn.
You have several options when it comes to yarn for arm knitting. Classic wool and wool roving yarns are the most popular, but you can also find acrylic and wool blends in our line up.
Texture
You want a yarn that is smooth and easy to work with since you will be feeling the yarn on your arms as you work. Definitely keep that in mind if you are sensitive to wool!
You also want to think about how stiff the yarn is. If it is too stiff it will be difficult to work with and won’t make a very comfy blanket.
Also, if you plan on this item being next to your skin after creation, then you want to make sure you enjoy wearing it or snuggling up in it. Don’t waste all that time and money making it and then never use it.
Ease of Care
Think about how you plan on caring for the item once it is made. Will it need to be thrown in the wash from time to time? Do you mind hand washing it or taking it to the dry cleaners?
Read up on the care for each particular yarn you are considering and choose what works best for your life. I have four small children so I know that a dry-cleanable yarn is not a good choice for my house – I need a yarn that is able to stand up to the washing machine.
Color
The color of a yarn makes a big difference in your satisfaction with the finished project. If you are already a knitter or crocheter, think about how you are likely drawn to the same colors over and over again?
I have found that most yarn hoarders… um, I mean collectors, okay – knitters or crocheters – tend to have a certain hue that makes up the majority of their stashes. For me it is shades of blue and turquoise, so I know that would probably be a good bet for the color of an arm knitting project.
Also, if you are going to leave your blanket out for display, you will want to think of how the color goes with the other items in your home decor. Of course, there are no hard and fast rules on this, so go with the color that makes you happy!
Durability
Similar to ease of care, you want a yarn that is going to hold up to the use it is intended for. Want a blanket that is mostly for decor? Any yarn will do. But if you want a chunky knit blanket to cuddle up in, you want one that isn’t going to shed all over you or fall apart while using.
Yarn Weight
This is more important than you realize. While some people like to use the size 7 “jumbo” yarns for arm knitting, it can really change the look of the final project.
The wool yarn used for the arm knit blanket you see on Instagram is larger than the size 7 jumbo yarn. These yarns make for neat, even stitches with no extra space between them.
If you choose a yarn that is a lighter weight or go with a lighter chunky yarn or super bulky yarn (weight #6), you may want to hold two strands together and use them as one. This will give you the tighter stitches. Otherwise, you could end up with spaces in between the stitches that don’t make for a warm knit blanket.
Best Arm Knitting Yarns Reviews
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
No products found.
Common Questions about Arm Knitting Yarn
Arm knitting differs from traditional knitting in that you use your arms instead of knitting needles. The yarn has to be much larger since the “needles” are large.
The most popular is the super huge merino wool roving, and this is a great choice, but the factors we’ve discussed above also count. The best arm knit yarn is going to be one that you enjoy the feels good to you, is easy to care for and that is the right thickness for the project.
Making a diy chunky knit blanket is different than an arm knit blanket. You can use any super bulky (size #6) or jumbo (size #7) yarn to make a chunky blanket. If you are using knitting needles then the ball band will have a recommended size for the needles and I usually size up one or two to give the blanket some drape.
There are a lot of opinions on this and the best you can do is get an estimate because it will depend on the yarn used, your gauge and how big you want your blanket to be. From what I’ve seen, you can do a smaller blanket (more of a baby blanket size or smaller throw) around 30×50 inches with 6 pounds of yarn and a bit larger blanket with 8 pounds of yarn. Since arm knit yarn is so large it is usually given in pounds. Pretty crazy, huh?
This is hard because arm knitting tends to be a bit uneven, yet the thick yarn helps to even out the stitches. Typically you get your gauge from the size of the knitting needle as the yarn wraps around it. When you use your arms as the needles, though, it isn’t as easy. Your arms are thinner at the wrists and thicker as you get to the elbow, so the gauge can vary just a bit.
Most people think of the giant, cozy chunky knit blanket, but that isn’t the only thing you can make with some chunky knit yarn and your arms. You can also make a regular or infinity scarf, pillow case, or even a lacy item with thin yarn like this sarong!
Tips and Tricks for Using Arm Knit Yarn
The biggest tip I can give is to make sure you leave enough yarn to bind off! Knitting isn’t like crochet where you just fasten off at the end of a row and call it good. No, you have to make sure you have enough yarn for that final bind off row, so leave several yards of yarn (I usually check to see if my yarn will stretch over the area 2-3 times) for the bind off.
