Arm knitting or traditional knitting, but with giant needles?

Knitting is not only about traditional knitting. In recent years, arm knitting (knitting without needles) has become increasingly popular, allowing you to knit a large-knit blanket, scarf or even a pet bed in just a few hours. However, many people wonder whether it is better to knit with needles or without them? Both methods have their advantages, and the choice depends on the desired result, the yarn used and your knitting experience.

Have you ever heard of knitting without needles? Or maybe about large-knit chunky blankets or very thick jumbo knitting yarn? And yet, will knitting with needles be enough or will your hands help you?

Knitting without needles, also known as "arm knitting", is a technique that allows you to create knitted products only with the help of your hands. This technique has been around for more than a decade and was created in order to create extremely large eyes with the help of your hands, thus obtaining an exclusive large knitting design. The size of the eyes can be up to 15 cm! Of course, you can also use needles or extra-large crochet hooks. The choice of tool is only up to the knitter's imagination or habit.

What can be knitted by hand?

Hand knitting is most often chosen when making:

• Large-knit chunky blankets;

• Decorative pillows;

• Scarves;

• Bedspreads;

• Carpets;

• Beanbag or pouf covers;

• Pet beds;

• Decorative knitted home accessories.

So if you want to knit yourself an extremely thick chunky blanket or just try this technique, here's what you'll need:

Thick jumbo chunky knitting yarn;

Your arms or knitting needles;

Knitting pattern.

What yarns to use for hand knitting?

The most commonly used yarns for hand knitting are:

• Thick jumbo merino wool "roving", wool layer type yarns (untwisted fibers). This is an extremely warm, soft choice, but in many cases, due to the slightly more vulnerable fiber that tends to fluff, it is more suitable for advanced knitters. It is recommended to combine it with a felting needle and wool felting techniques.

• Thick jumbo braided or tube yarn type yarns with filler. This is an innovation in the field of hand knitting. These yarns are a great alternative to chunky merino wool yarns, they are extremely durable, soft, and washable. Perfect for both beginners and advanced knitters. Super easy to work with!

• Plush chenille yarns. These yarns are loved for their pleasant softness, softness, and durability. This is usually the choice for those who want a slightly lighter and thinner knitting design (remember – it won’t be a regular design anyway).

Although the technique is called knitting without needles, many knitters choose 20–40 mm thick needles or large crochet hooks instead of hands. The end result is very similar, so the choice of tool depends on personal habits and comfort.

The most important thing is to decide what thickness, size and design we want to get the final product and choose knitting yarns of the appropriate thickness, length and fiber. For example: thick cotton tube yarn will usually be 1 kg - 30 meters, chunky merino wool yarn 1 kg - 27 meters, and plush yarn will be slightly thinner and will reach 1 kg even 90 meters, which will mean that such yarn is about "finger size". Another way is to use ordinary thin knitting yarns, of various fibers, of various thicknesses, adding several threads at a time to the desired thickness and then knitting. This method is suitable for beginners, when you want to try out whether hand knitting without needles is really for you.

How to calculate the amount of yarn?

Before starting knitting, it is worth assessing the size of the future product. The larger the blanket or bedspread, the more yarn will be needed. For example:

• 1–2 kg of thick yarn is usually enough for a baby blanket;

• A blanket measuring 80 × 100 cm may need about 2–3 kg;

• for a large 130 × 180 cm plaid often uses 4–6 kg, depending on the selected yarn type and knitting density. Or you can use our Yarn calculator. 

The most accurate amount will always be determined by the selected knitting description or a test sample of the knitting. It is also worth paying attention to the amount of yarn and length specified in the knitting yarn description. The fewer meters in the same weight unit, the thicker the yarn we get. Just choose a project,  choose the yarn, choose the knitting technique, all that remains is to calculate the yield and get started.

If you are still unsure about the basics of fiber types and care, check out our guide: How to Choose the Right Knitting Yarn