Hello November.
I can finally start getting excited about winter now that November has arrived. Who doesn’t love cosy nights by the fire, wrapping up warm and frosty walks in the park?! And with it comes the chance to create some seasonal DIY’s.
I’ve been dreaming of oversized blankets for a while now, having been inspired by Pinterest-worthy interiors filled with chunky knitted throws, so I decided to have a go at making my own.
I was really surprised at how quick and easy this DIY was to make and I love the result. If you want to make your own read on to find out how I made my oversized arm knitted blanket…
I found this amazing giant yarn on Etsy from Wool Couture in a soft grey and bought two balls for £45. I only wanted a medium blanket and was recommended that two would make a blanket around 25 x 50 inches (63x127cm). It is merino wool meaning it is a lot softer and more gentle on your skin than pure wool, which can be a little scratchy. I had never tried arm knitting before but thought I’d give it a go as it creates a lovely open knit, perfect for a chunky throw. Wool Couture threw in a free arm knitting tutorial with my order so I could start straight away when my wool arrived. If you want to try arm knitting follow along with my step by step, all you need is some wool and your very own hands!
Casting on
I started by tying a loop in the end of the yarn and slipping it over my right hand.
1. With the knot under my wrist and palm facing me I laid the yarn from the back of my hand over to the front of my palm.
2. With my left hand I then went through the loop under my wrist, ensuring the yarn nearest the ball was on the right side of my left wrist.
3/4. I grabbed the yarn length and pulled back through the loop my left hand had come through, allowing the loop to slide off my right hand in doing so.
With the loop I has just made I placed over my right wrist to create two stitches. I continued steps 1 to 4 until I had cast on 16 stitches (as this is what Claire from Wool Couture suggested) on my right arm.
Read Why I’m doing #12DaysOfDIY this December
First row
1. To create my first row I wrapped my yarn around the front of my right thumb and made a fist to hold the yarn.
2. Taking the next stitch along, (3) I passed this over my fist and the yarn I was holding.
4. I passed the loop that was in my right fist over the left hand to create my first stitch of this row.
I continued steps 1 – 4 on this row until all the loops were on my left arm and I had completed this row.
I continued knitting my blanket repeating the same steps for each row, passing the yarn from left to right and back again until I was coming to the end of my yarn.
Casting off
1. To finish my blanket and cast off I started by grabbing the yarn length in the same fist that has all the stitches on (my right).
2. I made 1 stitch in the same way I had on previous rows.
3. I made a second stitch in the same way I had on previous rows.
4/5. I then passed the first stitch over the top of the second stitch and slid off my left hand leaving one stitch on my left hand.
I then repeated steps 3 – 5 until all stitches where off my right arm and I was left with one loop. To finish I pulled the remaining yarn through the this loop and tied it off.
Top Tip: Leave plenty of yarn before casting off and try to keep the stitches big a loose to avoid making this row too tight.
Arm knitting takes a little getting used to and some fiddling but once I got the hang of it I really enjoyed it. My blanket knitted up really fast and I had finished it within an hour or so. I gave my blanket a little stretch and pull out to make the stitches even, before placing it on my bed. In the end it measured about 40 x 40 inches, a little more than predicted but this was probably as I was arm knitting rather than using needles.
I love how cosy and comfy this throw is, the yarn is super soft and the perfect colour of grey for winter. My spare room is white on white, soft neutrals and copper highlights so I think it will go well in there.
My first go at arm knitting turned out really well and I think it is a great project for beginners wanting to learn to knit or those who want a quick project to get into knitting. Wool Couture have a range of wool for any project but also sell ready made blankets like mine if you want to buy one already made up. Check them out here.
To watch the video tutorial of how I made this blanket, click here.
I hope you have enjoyed this winter warmer of a tutorial. Have you tried or would you like to try arm knitting?
Anna
x
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks for sharing this with others. Visit: Chunky knit blanket
Author
Thank you so much for reading! x
I have tried arm-knitting, and Ikm not a knitter! I made a long scarf with smaller sized wool, and a shawl sort of wrap. With the thick wool roving. One piece of advice before you start an arm knitting project. Go to the bathroom! Loved this tutorial! Thank you
Author
Haha very true! Thanks for stopping by! x
Love this, such a great DIY! When autumn comes I have to try to make it. Now it’s just too warm here in Italy to be cozy… 😉
Ingrid | thatscandinavianfeeling.com
Author
Thank you! Yes give it a go for those cosy winter nights. x
I’m not sure if you have an actual feed that has a live recording of this tutorial but if not can you tell me where I can find a tutorial closes to your style. I love the way yours turned out! I have to learn asap.
Author
Hi,
Thank you, yes here is a link to the video tutorial of this blanket:
https://ao.com/life/lifestyle/diy-giant-knit-blanket/
Hope that helps,
Thanks for reading,
Anna x
I love the way this turned out and found it to be one of the easiest ways to make this blanket. However I am getting a little confused on the switching arms part. After creating the first row and switching to your left arm, do you continue to make every row on your right arm and switch it to your left arm so all the rows are on your left arm? I’ve been trying to make this blanket since earlier this week but just can’t seem to figure that out. I can’t wait to share once I get it down! 🙂
Author
Hi,
Thank you, glad you liked my tutorial! Yes you switch from one arm to the other when making each row.
Here’s a link to a video of my making the blanket that might help:
https://ao.com/life/lifestyle/diy-giant-knit-blanket/
Thanks for reading,
Anna x
Hello, could you let me know the weight of the one yarn ? 🙂 I saw it long time ago and I really want to try so I am looking to by the giant merino wool yarn but I do not know about the weight 🙂
thank you!
Did you ever find this out? I’m curious too. When I went to order two balls and had the weight options, I got stuck!
Author
Hi,
I bought two balls at 500g /1.1lbs each.
Here is a link to where I bought my yarn: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/272934892/25off-chunky-yarn-2-ball-natural-grey
Hope that helps,
Anna
Author
Hi,
I bought two balls at 500g /1.1lbs each.
Here is a link to where I bought my yarn: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/272934892/25off-chunky-yarn-2-ball-natural-grey
Hope that helps,
Anna
How much wool was used for your 25 x 50 inches blanket?
Thanks <3
Author
Hi,
I used x2 balls of wool at 500g each and around 50 meters. Here is a link to where I bought the wool which has more info on the yarn.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/272934892/25off-chunky-yarn-2-ball-natural-grey
Thanks,
Anna
I am just about to start this project and am so excited! One question .. once I have finised on the first ball of wool how do I start and connect to the next ball of wool?
Thank you!
Author
Hi,
Ah that’s great! I would love to see how you get on! I just tied them together, (kinda like how you would tie a ballon?) and then cut the ends short and tucked the knot to the back!
Hope that helps, thanks for reading,
Anna x
Hey love this. Just wondering how long it has taken you to create the blanket? Thinking about creating one for mum for Christmas
Hannah x
Author
Hi Hannah,
Thank you! It didnt take me long once I got the hang of it, probably around an hour to knit up.
Ah that’s such a lovely idea! Let me know how you get on!
Anna x
I was trying to pick out yarn to do this today. I actually decided against yarn that looked identical to yours thinking maybe it wouldn’t hold up over time. How does yours look a few months later??
Author
Hi Natasha, Thanks for reading.
I have had mine about a year now and its only just started to bobble, I use it often and don’t really follow the correct care instructions so this could be why. I think a darker colour could last longer and hide any bobbles better as you suggest.
Thanks again,
Anna
I really want to give arm knitting a go! The blanket looks lovely and you made it look really easy! 🙂 x
hola
una pregunta, yo soy de México y deceo comprar de este hilo donde se vende
gracias
I would like to make one of these for each of my boys for Christmas, how long did it take you to make this blanket and if I wanted to make it bigger how would I add more yarn to it?
Author
Hi,
That would be a great present! It only took me around an hour to make up this one.
Thanks,
Anna
The tutorial is helpful but my blanket has a lot more open space than yours, how did you get your stitches so tight?
Author
Hi,
I kept the loops fairly small when knitting the blanket up. I also adjusted as I went along to ensure the loops were even.
Hope that helps,
Anna
Hey, when you start your second ball of yarn, how did you attach it?
Author
Hi,
I just knotted the two ends of yarn together at the start or end of a row, the wove the ends in later.
Hope that helps,
Anna
How long did this take you to complete?
Author
Not that long, around an hour or so.
x
I’m headed to my local craft store now you have truly inspired me !!
Does this blanket shed? I want to make one for college but since I’ll be moving a lot I was a yarn that doesn’t shed or fall apart easily.
Author
Hi,
Yeh it does loose fibres easily. The wool is quite delicate so probably not the best in heavy traffic areas or if moved about a lot.
Thanks,
Anna