Make finding the right yarn for arm knitting easy! I’ve got some helpful tips and some brilliant suggestions for arm knitting yarns in my arm knitting yarn guide. See my reviews for the best arm knit wool.
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My Quick Recommendations
- My Top Pick – Merino Wool Roving Yarn
- Best Luxury Option – Chunky Velvet Yarn
- Best Budget Pick – Tuff Puff
I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on June 3, 2023.
Table Of Contents
- Merino Wool Roving Yarn
- Chunky Velvet Yarn
- Premier Yarns Couture Jazz Yarn
- Homemoda Studio Roving Yarn
- Tuff Puff Yarn
- Merino Super Chunky Yarn
- Loopy Mango Big Loop Merino Super Bulky Yarn
- Patons Cobbles
- Red Heart Grand Yarn
- Bernat Blanket Extra Yarn
- What To Look For In Yarn For Arm Knitting
- Which Is Best For You?
- Q&A
The Best Yarn For Arm Knitting
Arm knitting designs and patterns are truly amazing. You can knit scarves, shrugs, or blankets with your arms! You don’t need giant knitting needles. Arm knitting is simply casting stitches on to your arms instead of needles to knit. Knitting this way works best with chunky knit yarn.
Wool, wool blends, acrylic and wool-like vegan fibers. Your searches for options are over.Beginners soon fall in love with the knitting projects they can make. It’s quick to make a blanket, a cowl or scarf. Dog beds and couch pillows are popular.
Merino Wool Roving Yarn – Top Pick
Makes a gorgeous chunky knit coverlet, arm knitting blankets, a throw or pillows. Personalize your home. It’s a high quality yarn if you aren’t limited by price. This type of fiber isn’t plied, so it’s less strong. Go slowly to avoid pulling the strands apart.
For shipping add on the cost depending on your delivery address. Also look out for sales, the sale price can sometimes be up to 40% off the original price.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Handwash in cold soapy water, hang to dry
- Made Of – 100% Merino Wool
- Yardage – 1 lbs – approx 27 yds
- Yarn Weight – Chunky
- Skein Weight – Choose how much you want
- Gauge – 1 stitch – approx 3-5″ (8-15 cm)
Product Design: The pound weight you choose depends on the size of your finished project.
Product Evolution: Eco-friendly, as this favorites chunky arm knit yarn is produced with sustainable materials and chemical-free dyes. Good for lots of DIY projects.
Pros
- This thing is soft and beautiful for knitting
- This choice doesn’t irritate skin
- This is something that’s good for babies
- Fast shipping
- Many ratings with 5 stars
Cons
- Handle with care
- It can’t be machine washed
- Not suitable for all budgets
Wondering what the best knitting yarn brands are? Take a look at my article.
Chunky Velvet Yarn – Cotton/Polyester
Velvety soft. Becozi, a US-based company, is well known for their arm knitting yarns and making blankets. Their Etsy store offers many lovely colors.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine wash
- Made Of – Cotton velvet fabric tube yarn filled with polyester yarn
- Yardage – 1 pound is 12 yards
- Yarn Weight – Jumbo
Product Design: Designed to be safe for everyone, including children and pets. So why not make a bed for your furry friend?
Pros
- Soft, squishy yarns in the hands
- This jumbo chenille yarn has a nice shape
- Hand loops are easy
- These brands are good for all crafts
- Etsy seller with an excellent rating
- These are the favorites (favourites) of beginners
Cons
- Joining the yarn creates visible knots
Premier Yarns Couture Jazz Yarn
This is a chunky, beautifully soft tube of fine, brushed acrylic.
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A favorite chunky craft store yarn for arm knitting. Soft to work with, and doesn’t shed. A good budget option.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Hand wash, lay flat to dry, don’t bleach or iron
- Made Of – 81% Acrylic, 19% Nylon
- Yardage – 16.5 yards/15 meters per 100g ball
- Yarn Weight – 6
- Skein Weight – 0.71 Pounds
Product Design: This fiber can be sewed together with a needle and thread for almost invisible joins. It takes time, but the result is worth it. It makes a great chunky knit throw. Premier Yarns created a 500g gram ball with 81.5 yards. Fewer ends to deal with. There are fewer colors, though.
Product Evolution: Amanda Bassetti from Simply Maggie used it in her viral Arm Knitting blanket video. Her blanket took 45 minutes to make. Beginners take longer, but her approach is relaxed.
Pros
- An incredibly soft, great starting yarn
- Soft and durable for any technique
- These ones are a budget-friendly option
- This chunky arm knitting yarn is easy to maintain
- Choose from 11 kinds of colors
- A great yarn for beginners to knit chunky items
Cons
- Whenever you knit a larger arm knitting blanket, you’ll need to join new skeins, and sew yarn ends together multiple times
- Not machine washable
Homemoda Studio Roving Yarn
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Merino wool is a popular material for arm knitting giant yarn. The material is soft, and it doesn’t itch. Perfect for sensitive skin. Projects such as a giant yarn blanket work well with this yarn. Handle with care.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Dry Clean Only
- Made Of – Wool
- Yarn Weight – Jumbo
- Skein Weight – 250g
Product Design: Choose the products with the amount/weight of wool you wish to purchase. Weights range from 0.55 pounds to 6.6 pounds.
Pros
- Bouncy and soft
- Knits quickly
- This chunky chenille yarn is for easy use
- Good variety of colors
Cons
- Wool yarn balls aren’t as big as what you see on Pinterest and other websites
- It’s delicate and snags easily (be careful when arm knitting)
- Unless you like dry cleaning, this yarn won’t work for you
- Don’t machine wash
- It may pill
Tuff Puff – Great Budget Option
Designed by Knit Picks, Tuff Puff is 100% wool and a great budget option. Make a denser arm knitting fabric by holding multiple strands together.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Hand wash and dry flat
- Made Of – Wool
- Yardage – 44 yds
- Yarn Weight – Super Bulky
- Skein Weight – 100g
- Knitting Gauge – 2.5 sts = 1″ on #15 needles
- Crochet Gauge – 9 sc = 4’’ on M/N-13 hooks
Product Design: Perfect for making any project, not just a chunky knit blanket for your house. If you have any trouble, contact the customer service team.
Pros
- Colorful and squishy with a lovely lofty feel
- This version is ideal as an accent blanket, hats, bags, or home décor for anyone
- This sort of thing creates the most wonderful results
- Looks great as a chunky scarf, sweater, or bag
- If you want something affordable, your search is finished
Cons
- Get enough of the same dye lot
- You’ll need to hand wash them
Merino Super Chunky Yarn
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For bulkier garments, throws, pillows or wall macrame, this super soft giant yarn is ideal. This business produces great yarn.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Hand wash
- Made Of – Merino Wool
- Yarn Weight – Super Chunky
- Skein Weight – 1kg
Pros
- The form is super soft but has good strength
- These types of yarn are available in whole host of 32 colors
- Great for arm knitting a super chunky blanket
Cons
- You can only buy it in 1-2kg skeins, so it’s best for projects with a lot of bulk, like a throw for the sofa
Loopy Mango Big Loop Merino Yarn
The difference between this and roving is it’s twisted and plied. This giant wool knits up textured.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Hand wash only, dry flat
- Made Of – 100% Merino Wool
- Yardage – 120yds (110m)
- Yarn Weight – Super Bukly
- Skein Weight – 38.8oz
- Gauge – 2.5 stitches to 4″
Product Design: One skein knits up into a throw 28″ x 40″ in 2-3 hours using this enormous ball of super fluffy arm knitting yarn.
Pros
- Squishy
- Easy to make an order
- Nice stitch definition
- Great yardage
Cons
- Fibers shed
- Limited color choices
- You need an account to purchase the yarn on this site
Bernat Mega Bulky Yarn
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The perfect chunky knit for beginners. Widely available. With a slight shine, this is a plied chunky yarn for arm knitting scarves and cowls. Great value.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine wash
- Made Of – 100% Acrylic
- Yarn Weight – Chunky
- Skein Weight – 7-10.5 oz
Product Design: There’s a noticeable knot because of the thickness of the yarn. Hide those sections in your garment’s curled edges. Arm knit stitches make the fabric open and loose. Be aware.
Product Evolution: If you want a thicker fabric, knit with two strands. Have fun making a chunky knit blanket!
Pros
- Soft like cotton candy
- This chunky yarn is slightly shiny
- Suitable for beginners and vegans
- Choose from 8 colors
- Budget-friendly
- Make chunky scarves, cushions, sweaters, and other knit projects with ease and satisfaction
Cons
- A visible knot appears when joining a skein of yarn
Patons Cobbles
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It’s a chunky knit wool/acrylic roving fiber. Fluffy. Since it’s a roving and not plied, it has several yarn strands.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Hand wash
- Made Of – 49% wool, 49% acrylic yarn, 2% polyester
- Yardage – 41 yds
- Yarn Weight – Super Bulky
- Skein Weight – 100g
- Knitting Gauge – 8 sts and 10 rows with a 10 mm (U.S. 15)
- Crochet Gauge – 6 sc and 7 rows with a 10 mm (U.S. N/15)
Product Design: The ‘cobbles’ details fill the gaps in the arm knitting stitches.
Product Evolution: Because of their open stitches, arm knit blankets sometimes look like fishing nets. Using two strands gives you a tighter texture. It’s luxurious and pillowy. Great for home decor.
Pros
- The finished item is lovely
- Choose from 6 colors for this chunky knit yarn
- No gaps and a denser fabric
Cons
- Knitting this yarn on needles can cause splitting
- Don’t wash in the machine
- Takes a bit of effort to start knitting with
Red Heart Grande Yarn
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This is a blend. Wool makes it softer than pure acrylic yarn. For beginners, Red Heart Yarns are perfect for garments and accessories like cowls, snoods, and scarves. Give it to a friend or family member as a gift. People appreciate homemade gifts.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine wash
- Made Of – 78% Acrylic, 22% Wool
Product Design: It’s not as bulky as others, however it’s super soft and many compare it to cotton candy!
Product Evolution: It’s best to work it double stranded. Add some cozy home items to your life!
Pros
- The strand is lofty and soft
- Has a great star rating
- This arm knitting yarn is suitable for beginners
- Soft palette of 11 colors and shades
- An inexpensive option
Cons
- Plied (twisted) yarn. It has a rope-like effect when arm knitted
Bernat Blanket Extra Yarn
No products found. No products found.Super soft vegan yarn, suitable for extreme knitting and traditional knitting.
What Is The Best Arm Knitting Yarn That Isn’t Wool?
Bernat Blanket is the best alternative for beginning knitters and advanced alike wanting to avoid pure wool yarns for their woven home blankets.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine wash
- Made Of – 100% Polyester chenille yarn
- Yardage – 97 yards
- Yarn Weight – 7
- Skein Weight – 300g
- Knitting Gauge -4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm) 5 sts x 7 rows with 12.75mm
- Crochet Gauge – 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm) 4 SC
Product Design: Choose this type of yarn if you are allergic to animal fibers.
Product Evolution: Hold this yarn double for a thicker fabric.
Pros
- This arm knitting yarn feels cozy
- Feels weightless and is easy to work with
- Great for things like pet beds
Cons
- Joins in the yarn will be visible
What To Look For In Yarn Suitable For Arm Knitting
Here are some key decision-making factors to consider when choosing the best arm knitting yarn.
What Kind Of Care Does It Need?
Some yarns are easy to care for, while others require more. If you’re looking for a yarn that’s low-maintenance, choose one that doesn’t require handwashing or special drying methods. This does matter, especially if it’s a gift.
What’s It Made Of?
How do you like your yarn? Which fiber – merino, acrylic, a blend, or vegan? My guide helps you find the right option for your arm knitting projects if you aren’t sure. The little differences make a big impact on the finished product.
How Much Yardage?
The yardage tells you how many yards you’ll get per skein. Check the yarn you choose has enough yardage for your project, otherwise you’ll have to buy over one ball. For arm knitting, this is always the case.
What Yarn Weight Is Best?
For arm knitting, I recommend chunky or super bulky yarns.
What’s Your Budget?
Keep in mind, arm knit yarn is super expensive, especially in large quantities! The best chunky yarn for blankets are more expensive than normal spending amounts. Maybe try a smaller project before splurging on arm knitting projects like a chunky knit blanket.
Which Is Best For You?
- Merino Wool Roving Yarn – Some of the best yarn for extreme knitting
- Chunky Velvet Yarn – Lovely arm knitting yarn for a chunky knit blanket
- Premier Yarns Couture Jazz Yarn – This chunky yarn is great if you love using acrylic chunky wool
- Homemoda Studio Roving Yarn – Super soft yarn for luxurious projects
- Tuff Puff Yarn – Some of the best yarns for those on a budget
- Merino Super Chunky Yarn – This chunky luxe big yarn is an expensive investment, but so worth it
- Loopy Mango Big Loop Merino Wool Yarn – Great if you love pure wool
- Bernat Mega Bulky Yarn – Choose this arm knitting yarn if you want thick yarn from this reputable, affordable brand
- Patons Cobbles – Perfect if you want to use it for hand knitting with knitting needles
- Red Heart Grand Yarn – An excellent affordable vegan yarn for arm knitted creations
- Bernat Blanket Extra Yarn – These arm knitting yarns are some of the best yarn as an alternative to pure chunky wool
FAQS About Arm Knitting Yarn
How Much Yarn For Arm Knitting Blanket? – How Much Yarn For Arm Knitting?
You need between 2.2lbs (1kg) for Baby Blankets and 15lbs (7kgs) for an Extra Large Blanket of soft yarn. Below are five different sized arm knit blankets. Here’s how many skeins you need.
- 30″ x 30″ (76 x 76 cm) – 2.2 lbs (1 kg) lightly felted wool roving or 43 yds of yarn
- 30″ x 50″ (76 x 127 cm) – 2 lbs (2 kg) roving or 87 yds of yarn
- 40″ x 60″ (101 x 152cm) – 6.6lbs (3kg) roving or 131 yds of yarn
- 50 ″x 70″ (127 x 177cm) – 8.8 lbs (4kgs) Roving or 174 yds of yarn
- 70″ x 80″ (177 x 203cm) – 15 lbs (7kgs) roving or 306 yds of yarn
Each person has a distinct tension and arm diameter. It will vary.
What Kind Of Yarn To Use For Arm Knitting? – What Yarn To Use For Arm Knitting Blanket?
Chunky blankets are made of thick, soft and bulky yarn. Bulky, Super Bulky, or Jumbo yarns are perfect. For a chunky blanket, roving merino wool like Becozi Merino Chunky Yarn is best. This yarn will help fill in gaps created by arm knitting’s loose weave.
Where To Get Yarn For Arm Knitting?
Get yarns for arm knitting on Etsy, Amazon or Lovecrafts. These online stores make it easy to get thick yarn for your arm knitting project!
What Size Yarn Do I Need For Arm Knitting?
Here are the yarn weights best for yarns for arm knitting: Super Bulky, Bulky, Chunky wool yarn, and Jumbo.
What Chunky Yarn Doesn’t Shed?
There is no definite answer to this question as each person’s tension is different, and effects the yarn when they’re making their arm knit blanket. Giant yarns that are plied and not roving don’t shed.
How To Make Arm Knitting Yarn
Here are some great tutorials by arm knitters on how to make arm knitting yarn for knitting blankets. Making this super bulky yarn is easy!
Why Do You Need Special Yarn For Arm Knitting?
Knitting with your arms differs from normal hand knitting. As the needles are large, the yarn must be much larger.
Can You Arm Knit With Regular Yarn?
Yes, though it’s much more difficult than beginner arm knitting yarn specifically designed for extreme knitting! If you’ve had experience with making an arm knit blanket or have arm knitted blankets or other projects using giant yarns, try the tutorial above.
Another benefit of this method is you don’t need as many skeins of expensive yarn! Why not use up your scrap stash?Use different yarns with each other to create a lovely effect. However the thinner the yarn, the looser the stitches, so it may look like a fishing net.
Does it matter what size your arm is?
Absolutely! The size of your arm does matter when it comes to arm knitting. A smaller arm circumference will naturally result in a tighter and denser stitch, while a larger arm circumference will create a looser and more open stitch.
Can You Use These Yarns For Knitting?
Regular knitting projects can use arm-knitting yarn listed above.
Can you use cotton yarn?
Cotton yarn like the bulky tshirt yarns are suitable for knitting with your arms. It is soft and elastic. I’d recommend you watch how you pull on this type of yarn as it is prone to stretch.
Conclusion
I hope my recommendations helped you find the right fiber for your next arm knitting project. I would love to see what you create, whether it’s some thick scarves with natural fibers, or chunky blankets with heavy wool! Have questions? Just leave a comment below. Your email address is never shared.
Read Next – Want the best place to save on yarn online? See here.