Arm knitting is the latest trend in the knitting industry, and it has hit with a bang!
Did you know you can do your knitting projects using your arms without using machines and needles?
Do you want to learn arm knitting? To do this, you will need some of the best arm knitting yarn in the market.
You will achieve your knitting goal by enjoying your leisure time while knitting and making adorable pieces for sale.
You can also promote your mental health with the use of your arms.
However, this can remain only a pipe dream if you do not have access to the best arm knitting yarn.
There are plenty of yarn choices in the market. That means you need to do lots of sampling and research to identify the best options.
Again, you may not have the luxury of time to engage in all this.
I’ve gone ahead and found the best yarn for use in arm knitting.
My aim in coming up with this guide is to assist you in understanding some of the best yarn to use and the factors to consider.
It will also help you to understand the features of the yarn and its benefits.
Read further for more insight.
The Best Yarns for Arm Knitting
Check out the options below for some of the best yarn for arm knitting in the market:
1. Shanqian Thick Yarn
The Shanqian Thick Yarn is great for crocheting and hand and arm knitting of blankets, cat bed shawls, scarves, and handmade blankets.
It contains two packs of skeins, with each roll measuring o.5kg in weight. It is 66 inches in length and 1 inch in diameter.
It is suitable for beginners who are just starting to learn crocheting and knitting. With this yarn, projects are completed efficiently and quickly than with less bulky, thinner yarn.
You can clean and dry super chunky yarn in the washing machine, making its maintenance simple and super easy.
The giant yarn is made of comfortable and soft cotton material, no lint, no ball, or elasticity. The material is a high-quality material you can always use.
2. Merino Super Chunky Yarn
The Merino Super Chunky yarn is most suitable for bulkier crafts such as pillows, wall macramé, or throws.
The ball weighs 100g/3,5oz, and its length is 65m/71yards.
3. Chunky Yarn Merino Wool for Extreme Arm Knitting
The Chunky Yarn Merino Wool for Extreme Arm Knitting is a perfect selection for extreme knitting. The yarn is comfortable and soft and has an excellent elasticity.
The yarn is a high-quality yarn that has you enjoying while knitting. It comes with a weaving tutorial, and the final product is soft.
The yarn is perfect for knitting pillows, blankets, dog and cat beds, and thick scarves. It can be efficiently cleaned and dried in a washing machine, which makes it easy to maintain.
The wool comes in four colors, blue, pink, dark grey, and light grey. It also comes in different weights.
Features Highlighted
- Four colors available
- Super stretchy and soft
- It comes with a weaving tutorial
4. Premier Yarns Couture Jazz
The Couture Jazz (Premier Yarns Brand) is a soft, chunky, and fluffy yarn of fine acrylic. The yarn was used in a blanket arm knitting video by Simply Maggie’s Amanda Bassetti.
She knit the blanket in a record 45 minutes from start to finish. When you are a beginner, it could take you longer. But don’t get discouraged.
The yarn is a favorite for your knitting projects. You can also find it online. It’s easy to work with, soft, and doesn’t tend to shed off.
It is the perfect option for a tight budget.
The fiber’s quality will allow you to sew together the yarn ends with a thread and needle.
The good thing about this particular yarn is that it is created in a 500g ball which translates to 81.5 yards. This means it doesn’t have many ends you’d need to deal with.
The downside is that the 500g ball is limited in the colors on offer.
Pros
- It is known for its durability and softness
- A good option for a tight budget
- Can be machine-washed
- It gives you 11 color options to choose from
- A great beginner yarn if you are just starting on knitting
Cons
- You have to sew the ends together several times due to the low yardage
5. HomeModa Studio Non-Mulesed Chunky Wool Yarn
Simplicity is good. But having the same product can be boring. You can add a modern design to give a contrast to your plain-looking product.
You can add color to the façade of your living space too.
The HomeModa Studio Non-Mulesed Chunky Wool Yarn will give color to your outfit and room too.
The HomeModa yarn will help you create plenty of fabulously knitted products. From throws to giant blankets, ring scarves, and so on.
The yarn has a unique softness and fine fibers. It will boost your confidence.
Its fibers bend relatively quickly in comparison to other fibers. This makes it an excellent feature, especially for giant bedroom items like blankets.
The unspun yarns are among the high-quality wools in the market. The product’s reliability is guaranteed.
Furthermore, the HomeModa yarn has high elasticity; thus, this keeps your knitted items in good shape in the long run.
What’s more?
The yarn is compatible with dry cleaning, which also helps with the longevity of the knitted crafts. The wools come in different sizes and colors you can select from.
You will enjoy it as you experiment with the different fibers available.
Features Highlighted
· Bouncy texture
· Compatible with dry cleaning
· Multiple color and size options
· Soft yarn
6. MLMGUO Giant Chunky Wool Yarn for Arm Knitting
The MLMGUO Giant Chunky Wool is hypoallergenic, and it is well known for its durability and softness.
It’s an outstanding and beautiful unspun merino wool. The wool is suitable for arm knitting and extreme knitting, roving, or crocheting.
If your skin is hypersensitive, this is the fiber to choose, without a doubt.
Features Highlighted
- Softer
- Hypoallergenic
- Good for extreme knitting
- Durable
- It has a bouncy texture
7. Gigantic Chunky Big Giant Merino Wool Yarn
If you love your yarn fluffier and fancier, then the Giant Chunky Big Merino Wool yarn is your best choice.
The wool will be an excellent choice if you love knitting. Also, because it is soft, the knitters can use wool for arm knitting at the beginner level.
You can use it for multiple products such as scarves, pillows, chunky rags, blankets, or any other type of crafts.
However, you cannot use the yarn for felting. The yarn might be the best yarn for arm knitting in your next knitting project.
Features Highlighted
- Super soft
- Fluffy
- Regulates temperature
- Looks luxurious
- Unspun wool
8. Bernat Softee Yarn
The Bernat Softee yarn is super-bulky, making it perfect for knitting accessories, garments, and home décor items.
It is available in various colors, and the yarn is a suitable option for the different patterns you may want to use.
It can be machine washed and dried conveniently.
Features Highlighted
- 3-ply yarn
- Awesome stitch definition
- 100% Acrylic
- Machine wash
- The ball size is 100g weight and 108 yards length
9. LB Collection® Wool Yarn
The LB Collection wool yarn is a super bulky yarn selection. It has a white binding surrounding the roving and is tightly wrapped at varying intervals. This gives the yarn a unique look.
You can create cowls, scarves, or home décor using large hooks and needles with this wool. You can also arm knit with the wool to make a cowl in less than 30 minutes.
10. FOHOMA Chunky Yarn
The FOHOMA Chunky Yarn is on top of the list as one of the best yarn for arm knitting. It comes in different sizes and colors to choose from.
It is created from 0.7 wool and 0.3 synthetic fiber. The premium materials used to make the product elastic, soft, and easy to maintain.
The wool also comes in different natural colors. The natural color combination gives this giant wool an excellent feel to the skin.
Unlike other regular wool options, this yarn has more ‘tooth.’ This makes it suitable for beginners as they work on their knitting projects.
The 23-micron yarn will allow you to knit super thick and cozy items. Crafts knitted with this yarn add elegance to your living spaces.
The yarn is ideal for making pet beds, 3D sculpting, jewelry making, throw blankets, and other forms of handcrafting.
Aside from its beautiful colors, the yarn fits well in all weather conditions. It regulates the body temperature to keep you comfortable and warm.
The wool comes in a hand-dyed state. You don’t need to over-dye it.
Features Highlighted
- Highly durable
- Used in 3D sculpting
- Regulates body temperature
- It’s a combination of synthetic fiber and wool
- Good with knitting beginners
11. Wool Couture Epic Extreme
Epic Extreme by Wool Couture is a pure merino yarn for arm knitting projects, giant knitting, chunky knitting, and extreme knitting. The un-spun merino is fantastic for making chunky scarves, massive blankets, and rugs.
Epic Extreme is among the biggest of the Wool Couture yarns and is perfect for use with their needles, crochet hooks, circular needles, or arm knitting.
Epic Extreme is perfect to work with and is even perfect for those who would like a luxury item made in the shortest time possible.
In taking care of the yarn, make use of a professional dry cleaner or spot clean it.
12. Eastsure Chunky Braid Cotton Yarn
The Eastsure Chunky Braid Cotton Yarn is among the best yarns for arm knitting. It arrives in a scope of incredible tones, including light green and denim blue. This is ideal for arm sewing covers for your home, thick scarves, mats, or whatever else you can consider.
This yarn is produced using cotton and loaded up with hollow fiber. This makes it antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and ideal for cuddling up to when sewn into a perfect blanket. It’s machine wash friendly to save you time, and it doesn’t shed.
At last, this yarn is breathable and temperature regulating.
Features Highlighted
- Machine washable
- It has a range of colors
- The hollow fiber is antibacterial and breathable
13. Blue-Net Super Chunky Acrylic Yarn
The Blue-Net Super Chunky Acrylic yarn is top on the list as the best bulky yarn in arm knitting. It comes with three color choices and is made of premium elastic material. It is easy to maintain and soft.
The yarn is ideal for pet nests, rugs, pillows, blankets, and cushions. It’s best for use by beginners since it’s light in weight.
The yarn is machine washable.
The yarn ball is 25m long and has a diameter of 30mm. This allows for cozy and super thick crafts.
Features Highlighted
- Machine washable
- Has three colors available
- It is 25m in length
14. Merino Wool Chunky Yarn
If you would love to create macramé crafts and a beginning knitter, then the Merino Wool would be your best choice. The wool is made from pure merino wool.
The wool has several positive impacts on the human skin. It also has numerous healing properties, such as curing back pain.
Other healing benefits include stimulating blood circulation and curing arthritis. The wool is also highly breathable.
The wool is available in various sizes and colors. Using this yarn, you will come up with quality creations such as sweaters, blankets, scarves, or hats.
Other than that, it is also suitable for items best knitted with chunky wool.
The downside?
The yarn can only be dry washed. You should not wash it in washing machines. A machine wash will cause it to shrink. Thus, your crafts will lose their attractiveness.
Features Highlighted
- Easy to use
- Awesome for beginners
- 10-20mm thick
- Pure merino wool
- 20-micron fiber
15. Wateralone Chenille Yarn
The Wateralone Chenille Yarn is made from polyester by the Wateralone brand. The yarn has a thickness of the thumb which is approximately a diameter of 2cm.
The yarn doesn’t fade or shade. It can be washed by hand or machine. The material is soft and comfortable. One bundle has a length of approximately 18m.
Click to Learn More/Buy from Amazon
16. Patons Cobbles
Patons Cobbles is an acrylic/wool blend. It has 49% acrylic yarn, 49% wool and 2% polyester. It’s a chunky knitted acrylic/wool blend roving fiber. It is fluffy, light, and very bulky.
When knitting blankets with it, they can have a ‘fishing net’ finish because the stitches are open. The crafts made from this are great for home décor items.
Pros
- Look lovely when the item is finished
- Has 6 colors to choose from
Cons
- Do not wash in a washing machine
Click to Learn More/Buy from Amazon
17. Red Hart Grand Yarn
Red Hart Grand Yarn is a blend of 22% wool and 78% acrylic. It is softer than 100% acrylic yarn since wool is incorporated in the blend.
When arm knitting, it’s best to work the yarn double stranded.
Though the texture is super soft, it is not as bulky as other fiber options.
For beginners, when knitting with arms to make accessories and garments like scarves and cowls, Red Hart Grand Yarns are appropriate.
Pros
- Appropriate arm knitting yarn for beginners
- Has a soft feel
- It is affordable
- Has a choice of 11 colors
Cons
- This yarn is twisted and with a rope-like feel
Click to Learn More/Buy from Amazon
18. Yarn Bee Showstopper
Yarn Bee Showstopper has a blend of 35% polyamide, 15% wool, 50% acrylic. It’s thick and relatively cheap though not entirely soft.
It’s important to note that this yarn lightly sheds. That way, it is suitable for an accent blanket for use on the couch or at the edge of the bed.
Pros
- Thick and soft
- Has a variety of colors
- Fits best in smaller budgets
- It is easy to work with
Cons
- It sheds lightly
Click to Learn More at Hobby Lobby
19. HomeModa Studio Roving Yarn
For arm knitting merino wool is a very popular material for giant yarn. It’s soft, not itchy and comfortable hence appropriate for people with sensitive skin.
The yarn brings out knitting projects like a giant yarn blanket well.
Ensure you select a product with your desired wool weight.
Pros
- Bouncy and soft quality
- Ease in working with
- Quick in arm knitting
- Chunky wool
Cons
- Not ideal for machine washing
Click to Learn More/Buy from Amazon
20. Merino Roving
Merino Roving creates a unique color chunky knit product whether it is a pillow, throw or a coverlet.
For arm knitting projects, this is a quality one if you are not limited by price.
Pros
- Does not irritate the skin
- Ideal for baby blankets
- 100% Merino Wool
- Soft and beautiful for knitting projects
Cons
- Not ideal for machine washing
- Requires delicate handling
Click to Learn More/ Buy from Etsy
What is a Knitting Yarn and Why Do You Need One?
A knitting yarn is a type of textile made of plant-based fibers, synthetic fibers, or animal-based fibers.
The result in a knitting project mainly depends on the type of yarn used in the project knitting.
Knitting professionals recommend you to use the yarns below:
- Craft Store Yarn
- US Merino Yarn
- Vegan Yarn
You choose the yarn to use according to your project and budget.
The Different Types of Yarns in the Market
Yarns are generally divided into two categories: Synthetic and Natural (Animal and Plant-based yarns). The label on the choice of yarn you will make will tell you the yarn material content.
Often, you will find a mix of the two types of fibers.
Animal Fiber-Based Yarns
The categories of yarns made of animal fiber include Wool, Alpaca, Silk, Possum, and Cashmere.
Plant Fiber-Based Yarns
Yarns made from plants include Hemp, Bamboo, Cotton, and Linen.
Synthetic Fiber-based Yarns
Synthetic fiber-based yarns are made from polyester, nylon, and acrylic. They are typically not expensive.
Although these types of yarn can be deemed fake, they have some drawbacks, but they are a great option.
They offer a good experience if you are starting on the knitting experience.
Their other advantage is that they can be durable over the years.
As you research your yarn options, you will realize that can be costly. The natural, high-end yarn options will cost as much as $300 for a single ball.
However, there are low-priced ones that cost under $10, so enjoy.
Once you are working on your knitting project, the project pattern will give you an idea of the yarn fiber you will use.
When you have already identified the yarn weight you are comfortable with, choose yarn fiber within your budget. Ensure that it also feels good to you.
5 Benefits of Using Yarn for Knitting (Benefits on Mental and Physical Health)
1. Knitting is seen as a stress reliever and a sort of medication.
2. In therapy sessions, it is seen to improve self-esteem, and it facilitates communication.
3. Knitting works in helping cognitive anchoring. Some individuals will learn an activity best while performing another action.
4. Studies have shown that activities like knitting help in reducing conditions such as memory loss.
5. Some people have expressed that knitting has helped with their dexterity, even though they had arthritis. A woman explained this in an article in the New York Times.
7 Things to Look For In a Good Yarn
What knitting project do you want to come up with? Is it a scarf, a garment, or a chunky blanket?
What’s your set aside budget?
What type of yarn do you intend to use?
Here are some of the factors you need to keep in mind if you are looking for good yarn:
1. Quality of material – The quality of the knitted crafts will depend on the quality of the yarn used. Most professional knitters swear by the US Merino wool for arm knitting even though the price is higher.
Even though there are low-quality yarns, they don’t last too long. If your budget is tight, you can purchase materials at the beginner level. Never compromise on quality, though.
Yarns for beginners are Red Heart Grande, Patons Cobbles, or Bernat Mega Bulky. They are all good for beginners.
2. Durability – Durability is a crucial concern when choosing a good quality yarn. If you decide between vegan yarn or merino wool, you will not worry about quality. The material will serve you for a long time.
The poor-quality yarns get detached from the knitted crafts. Thus, your house will end up covered in little yarns.
In a worst-case scenario, your knitted crafts may tear apart just because of the choice of poor-quality material.
3. Softness – Nothing beats a soft and warm feel during cold winter days. You need to check how soft the yarn is before you make your purchase.
4. Washing efficiency – Most yarns in the market are washable by machine. Few yarn materials can be dry cleaned.
You will choose the material to use depending on how you would like to use it. If you want to make a blanket or a toddler item, select machine-washable fabric. This way, you can clean as and when it is necessary.
5. Fiber content – Check the label to see the percentage composition of the yarn and whether it is what you desire.
6. Yarn thickness – The thickness of the yarn will determine the outcome of the project. The yarn thickness will also determine the weight of the yarn, which also translates to the weight of the item you will knit.
7. Yarn Weight – Knitting while using your arms means that you will be putting a lot of pressure on the arms. This is because they support the entire project. Look for a yarn material that will not cause you fatigue which translates to causing you harm.
Yarns for Arm Knitting – Final Word
Some of the best yarns we would recommend are the Fohoma Giant Yarn, Inverse Growth Chunky Merino Yarn, and HomeModa Studio Non-Mulesed Yarn.
They offer the best quality yarn in the market.
When using the best yarn for knitting, you will do exciting projects in short periods, which is encouraging.
The art of arm knitting is beneficial and therapeutic because you get to concentrate while using your arms.
When choosing the yarn to use, consider the material, the weight, the fiber’s texture, and so on.
Ensure that the yarn does not cause harmful effects to the skin, such as itchiness and irritation. The fiber should have an ideal weight to avoid exposing the arms to pressure and fatigue, thus counter-productive.
I hope the recommendations I made here will make it easy for you to find the suitable fiber for your next arm knitting experience.
I’d also appreciate seeing your lovely creations.
Feel free, and get in touch with your photos in the comment section. My readers would love to see your work.
Have any questions? – Comment below. I’d love to get your thoughts.
FAQs
1. What is the best yarn for arm knitting?
It will depend on personal preference, the yarn material, the knitting project, and so on. Before making your selection, look at the factor to consider highlighted above. Decide what best suits you. Pick what matches your expectations.
2. How thick should yarn be for arm knitting?
How thick the knitting project determines the yarn. The yarn’s width is measured in wraps per inch (WPI). The ply count also determines it. The ply count usually is in the range of 1-ply and 14-ply. This factor affects your project’s outcome and the difficulty in knitting.
3. How many skeins of yarn do you need to arm knit a blanket?
The weight of skeins of yarn to use will depend on the size of the blanket. It is essential to determine the size of the blanket you intend to make and the amount of money you are willing to spend.
4. What is the best yarn for chunky blankets?
The best yarn for chunky blankets should be soft, thick, and bulky. Check for yarns labeled Jumbo, Super Bulky, or Bulky.
Some of the best yarns would be roving merino wool, such as the Becozi Merino Yarn. This yarn’s texture will fill the gaps created by the loose arm knitting.
5. How much yarn do you need for arm knitting a blanket?
It all depends on the size of the blanket you intend to make and the knitting style. You need around seven pounds of chunky yarn for a regular size blanket (45 inches x 60 inches). If you have a preference for tight knitting, you would have to get slightly above seven pounds.
6. What is the best yarn for blanket knitting?
You can choose between Alpaca and US Merino Wool. These are popular for knitting blankets. Remember not to use low-quality yarns for your blankets. They shed over time. It’s annoying!
