Good morning! It’s spring… well, sort of. We still have snow falling this week. But hey – that’s Michigan for you. I know I’m a little biased toward northern accessories like a spring scarf (don’t laugh, all you readers down in Florida) but the truth is, a lightweight scarf like this one makes for a cute accessory year-round up here. You may have caught my preview of this project the other day when I posted some silly mother-daughter photos over the weekend. I’ve become an arm-knitting junkie. The first project I made was a blanket, and today I’m going to share a tutorial for a slightly smaller project: an arm-knit infinity scarf.
Because your arms are much larger than knitting needles, arm-knit projects work up really quickly. By my 3rd or 4th project, I was cranking out scarves in about 15-20 minutes, so you can do this on a lunch hour, during naptime, or while you watch your favorite TV show. All you need is your yarn and your arms! This project uses one skein that’s 35 yards for 18-20 rows of 8 stitches (I say 18-20 because it depends how large your arms are and how tight or loose you make your stitches. This isn’t as uniform as specifically-sized needles.) If you’ve chosen a yarn that’s only 30 yards, that should still work all right – you can always make your scarf 6 or 7 stitches wide instead.
This project is a little different than the tutorials I’ve seen out there. Instead of using 2 skeins of a bulky yarn, I picked a yarn geared specifically toward scarf projects so that I could make it more lightweight and more suited for the changing weather. See, you don’t actually need several skeins of yarn to arm-knit. You will have a lot leftover. What you need more than one skein for is to double or triple the bulk going into your weave – to work with more than one strand to make your piece thicker – to compensate for the large knit. Less yarn also makes this a lot more cost-effective project: this scarf cost me $4.19. Granted, I used a 40% off coupon for my yarn, but you can do the same, and you don’t need ANY tools but the ones you were born with. :)
You ready? Let’s jump in!
Are you excited to get started? I had never knitted or crocheted before trying this technique, and I LOVE it! I hope you enjoy!
Adrianne,
I just want to compliment you on your tutorial. I tried to comprehend 3 others and failed. Your’s is very clear. I succeeded the first time through!
What a fun project. I will make many of these.
Thank you.
Thanks so much…I sent the link to my grandchildren’s mother, she got them started and they have made 7 already! They will teach their crocheting cousin tomorrow.
This is the best arm-knitted scarf I’ve seen. Most of them are so big and bulky, it looks like the person is wearing a tire around their neck. I would love to have a printed copy (with pictures) of your tutorial, if you have it for sale. Thanks!
Thank you! I do not have photos of this tutorial. Mainly because, it’s awfully difficult to operate the camera with yarn on your arms, haha. My husband did photograph the process when I shared a tutorial over at Crafts Unleashed to arm-knit a blanket, though, you should be able to print it from there for free! Here’s the link: http://www.craftsunleashed.com/craft-basics-main/yarn-crafts/arm-knitting-blanket/
so happy to find this! have several skeins of this yarn with different trims (sequins, loops etc) and need a change from the standard ruffle scarf. made several during a serious illness and found it very therapeutic. and calming. great job!! you are a very good instructor!
Arm-knitting has been on my TO MAKE list for-ever. Knowing I have your video tutorial waiting in the wings to help me, I might be making it sooner than later. Thanks, Adrianne! ;-)
This is Amazing! I never knew about ‘arm knitting’. I am a beginner knitter and this is great for me and I will be passing this tutorial on to my tipsy chicks ‘Knit Wits’.
Thanks:)
You can buy this scarf yarn right now for $2.25 per skein at creativefiberarts.com They have it on sale right now.
Your scarf is simply stunning! I definitely NEED to try arm knitting! ;)
I love the infinity scarf, I want to try one but will have to watch this a few times.
I also am in Michigan. Thanks for posting this!
Thanks Adrianne I have watched multiple videos on how to do arm knitting and I know it’s easy but had such a struggle when I actually tried to do it. I don’t knit, but do crafts and crocheting so I know I could do this. Your video is the best one yet in teaching how to get started. I found some of that yarn in my stash Just last night. Will be making a scarf This weekend. Thanks again.
Yes Adrianne, binding off is a knitting term. You used it correctly. Great video, thanks.
Woohoo! Thanks for the reassurance. ;)
Hello, I started this project and keep finding I can’t seem to get the beginning of the knitting process right. Is there any way I can get a step by step process sent to me for the casting and knitting beginning process? I’m already on my fifth attempt and keep having to completely unravel the yarn and start over, and I’m getting a little discouraged. Your video is great, I just think I’m having an issue and missing something in translation.
Hi Christine – I think everyone learns differently and my way of explaining will work well for some people but not for others. I would try googling some other tutorials and see if someone else’s explanation makes more sense to you. Sorry for your frustration! :)
Help help help please.
My tail end becomes too short after the second loop on the first row. What am I doing wrong?
Hmmm. I’m not sure – how much tail end did you measure off before making your knot to begin? My suggestion would be to make it longer, since you shouldn’t be running out. I measure off from one arm to another – I know that’s not really visible on the video and I know I said a few feet, but I measured my arm span and it’s actually 5 feet that I’m measuring off before making that knot.
If that doesn’t help, see if you’re able to send me a photo. If I can see what you’re doing, maybe I can talk you through it. happyhourprojectsblog@gmail.com
Failing that – there’s still Crafty Hour! Tara from Suburble and I do a live craft-along every other Friday, and on April 11, we are arm knitting! So you’ll be able to see it live and ask questions while it’s happening, but that’s nearly 2 weeks away and that’s a long time to wait. :)
This is such a great project, Adrianne!! I am definitely giving it a try :)
I love how light-weight this looks. I’ve recently had to add arm knitting to classes I’ve been teaching and we always use multiple yarns and it ends up so bulky. I thought the one skein of ruffle yarn would be too light, but it looks really good. And you have a unique way of casting on but it seems to work, that is the hardest part like you said. Great tutorial and I can’t wait to check out more of your blog!
What a beautiful scarf! I love the color and texture of the yarn. Thanks so much for taking the time to make a video tutorial. There is no way I could make this without that! I look forward to seeing more tutorials.
Love this, Adrianne! The colour is so great on you. Your tutorial is spot on and SO easy to follow. I’m trying this ASAP!
Adrianne,
Great tutorial on arm knitting. I bet this would be fun to do with tweens, or teens.
Karen Marie Kedzuch
Dragonfly & Lily Padss