Best Arm Knitting Yarn: Knit Guide To Chunky Wool Yarns 2024

I’ve made finding the best yarn to use for arm knitting easy. Below I’ve got fabulous suggestions for different arm knitting yarns to knit your projects.

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Frustrated Teacher Quits In Disgust, Sells The Farm, Moves The Family Halfway Across The World And… Starts Knitting

Find the best knitting wool for your arm knit projects with my reviews.

I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on March 26, 2023.

My Quick Recommendations

• My Top Pick – Merino Wool Roving
• Best Luxury Option – Chunky Velvet Yarn
• Best Budget Pick – Premier Yarns Couture Jazz Yarn

Table Of Contents

• What Is The Best Yarn For Arm Knitting?
• What Makes The Best Yarn For Arm Knitting
• FAQS

It’s truly amazing what arm knitting designs and patterns show off this technique. Whether they be scarves, shrugs or blankets, all with using your arms to knit projects! No need for equipment like giant knitting needles. Not familiar with arm knitting?

It’s casting the stitches on to your arms instead of needles to knit all kinds of items. This knitting technique works best when using the super-chunky knit yarn. Like merino wool, blends, vegan fiber or acrylic.

Beginners to arm knitting soon get hooked and adore all the knitting projects they can make. It’s quick to make an arm knit blanket. Even quicker for a cowl or scarf! Pet beds and couch pillows are popular. (Don’t use it for a baby blanket though.)

What’s The Best Yarn To Use For Arm Knitting?

For those of you in a hurry, the best yarn to use for arm knitting is Merino Chunky Knit Wool. Read the full reviews of suitable products further down.

What Makes The Best Yarn For Arm Knitting?

What are you making? A chunky knit blanket pattern with needles, a scarf, or a garment? What’s your budget? Many brands of arm knitting yarns for chunky blankets are more expensive than what you’re used to spending on yarn.

What yarn do you prefer? A natural fiber like merino? Acrylic? A blend? Vegan? Aren’t sure? My guide will help you find an option for your arm knitting projects.

Best Arm Knitting Yarn For Most People: Merino Roving

Creates a gorgeous color chunky knit product, whether it’s a coverlet, throw or pillows. Decorate your home with your arm knitted creations. Aren’t limited by price? This is for arm knitting projects, like a diy chunky knit blanket.

This merino yarn is light and lofty. This type of fiber isn’t plied, so it doesn’t have the same strength. Go slowly to avoid pulling the strands apart. Select the different pound weights depending on the size of your project. This thick yarn makes a great gift for knitters.

Pros

• Beautiful and soft for knitting projects
• Doesn’t irritate the skin
• Great for baby blankets
• This seller sometimes offers free shipping to the United States.

Cons

• This yarn chunky requires delicate care
• Not machine washable

Homemoda Studio Roving Merino Knitting Yarn

Merino wool is a popular material for giant yarn for arm knitting. Most people find it comfortable, soft, and not itchy. This is great for those with sensitive skin. Be aware the wool yarn balls aren’t as large as what you see on Pinterest and other social media sites.

Knitting projects like a giant yarn blanket comes up well. Remember to handle with care. When shopping, select the products with the amount/weight of wool you wish to purchase. (0.55-6.6 lbs.)

Pros

• Soft and bouncy quality
• Arm knits up quickly
• This yarn arm knitting is easy to work with 
• Chunky arm knitting wool
• Great for a blanket knitting pattern

Cons

• It’s delicate and snags easily (be careful when arm knitting and you shouldn’t have a problem.)
• Requires dry cleaning
• Not machine washable
• It may pill

Another video tutorial worth watching is by Peony and Time – How to Make a Giant Yarn Blanket from Start to Finish!

Bulky Weight Knit Yarn Skeins

Tuff Puff is 100% Super Bulky Wool by Knit Picks and is a great budget option. Holding multiple strands together makes a dense fabric for an arm knitting project. Use a ballwinder to create neat yarn cakes of this chunky yarn.

A gorgeous range and a beautiful lofty, squishy feel. Perfect for an accent blanket at the end of your sofa. Suitable for home decor ideas like a diy knit blanket.

It’s a great type of yarn for scarf. Also imagine chunky sweaters and bags with this bulky weight yarn. Get enough of the same dye lot for your arm knitting project. You’ll need to hand wash items made from this knitting yarn.

Pin For Later

Merino Super Chunky Chenille Yarn

Super soft fiber for knitting bulkier garments, throws, pillows or wall macrame. Comes undyed in one pound.

Loopy Mango Big Loop Merino

This huge ball of fluffy arm knitting yarn is a massive 40oz. One skein knits up in about 2-3 hours and makes a throw 28” x 40”. The difference between this and a roving is it’s twisted and plied, so it’s stronger. Knitting with this creates a textured feel.

Pros

• Thick and squishy
• Great stitch definition

Cons

• May shed fibers
• Limited choice of colors

Acrylic Type

Best Budget Option: Premier Couture Jazz

Couture Jazz, a chunky, soft knitted tube of fine, brushed acrylic.(81% Acrylic, 19% Nylon.) It was used in the Arm Knitting blanket video by Amanda Bassetti from Simply Maggie that went viral. (See below for more information.)

Her blanket took 45 minutes. As a beginner it may take you longer. A favorite chunky craft store yarn for arm knitting projects, widely available online. It’s easy to work with and doesn’t shed. A good option for anyone on a tighter budget.

Each 100g ball has a low yardage (16.5 yds/15m). When knitting a larger arm knitting blanket you’ll join on new skeins multiple times through projects. The quality of this fiber allows you to sew yarn ends together with a needle and thread for almost invisible joins.

It’s time consuming, but worth it. A chunky knit throw looks great. Premier Yarns created a 500g gram ball, which gives 81.5 yds. Not as many ends to deal with. The 500g version doesn’t have as many colors on offer.

Pros 

• Well known for its softness and durability
• Good option for those on a tight budget
• Machine washable
• Ease of maintenance
• A great starting yarn for beginners to make a chunky knit item

Cons

• Low yardage means sewing ends together multiple times for bigger projects.
• Not machine washable

Bernat Mega Bulky

Lovely and thick, the perfect chunky knit choice for beginner arm knitters. Widely available in crafts stores. Knit with a single strand. For a thicker fabric, hold double.

It’s a plied yarn and is great for arm knitting scarves and cowls. Good value for money. Due to the thickness joining on a new skein, there’s a noticeable knot. Hide those sections in the curled edges of your garment. 

Due to arm knitting stitches, this arm knit yarn makes the fabric open and loose.

Pros

• Thick and soft with a slight shine
• 8 different colors to choose from
• Machine washable
• Would suit those on smaller budgets

Cons

• When joining a new skein, there’s a visible knot

AR Workshop Chunky

A jumbo 100% Polyester chenille yarn that can be crocheted or knit. Try 4 balls for a lapghan or area rugs (4+ balls).

Pros

• Soft and squishy
• 16 colors to choose from
• Machine washable but dry flat (don’t tumble dry)
• Suitable for blankets, rugs and pillows

Cons

• Some customers found issues with thinness in some spots. The good news is that Lion Brand Customer Service sorted it out.

Acrylic/Wool Blend

Patons Cobbles

This blend is 49% wool, 49% acrylic yarn, & 2% polyester. It’s a chunky knitted wool/acrylic blend roving fiber. Bulky and fluffy. Since it’s a roving and not plied, there are several strands wrapped around each other.

The ‘cobble’ details fill the gaps in the arm knitting stitches. Sometimes arm knitting blankets have a ‘fishing net’ look because the stitches are so open. To have a tighter texture, use 2 strands together. The resulting item has a pillowy, luxurious feel. Great for home decor items like cushions.

Pros

• Lovely feel while working and the finished item
• 6 colors to choose from
• No noticeable gaps and makes a denser fabric

Cons

• If choosing to knit this yarn on needles, be careful of splitting
• Don’t put in the washing machine

Red Heart Grand

Red Heart Grande is 78% Acrylic, 22% Wool. Having wool incorporated means it’s softer than a 100% acrylic yarn. Work it double stranded when arm knitting.

It’s not as bulky as other fiber options, though it’s super soft. Many compare the texture to ‘cotton candy’! Red Heart Yarns are great for beginners when knitting with arms to make garments and accessories like cowls, snoods, and scarves.

Your project makes a great gift for a friend or family member. People appreciate receiving DIY home crafts as gifts.

Pros

• Soft and lofty feel
• Choice of 11 soft palette colors
• Good for those looking for an inexpensive option

Cons

• This is plied (twisted). Some find it has a rope-like effect when arm knitted

Vegan Yarn

Homemoda Studio Bulky Thick Roving

The resulting blanket is soft. Like having a giant teddy bear draped over yourself.It’s lightweight, fluffy, and great for year-round use, adding style and coziness to any room. Great for a rug.

The loops are easy to make. Super durable and easy to care for as it’s Machine washable. It saves you time. Suitable for vegans who don’t want fibers from animal products. It’s 100% acrylic. Pet friendly and child friendly. Children will enjoy its softness. A great alternative to wool or cotton yarn.

Pros

• Pet and child friendly
• Great for sensitive skin
• Range of colors

Cons

• Not as warm as a merino wool yarn
• Less stretch

Best Luxury Option: Velvet Yarn

A soft plush feel of velvet. The construction is a velvet fabric tube filled with polyester. Becozi is a US based business for their variety of arm knitting yarns. There are lots of lovely colors available in their Etsy store.

Pros

• Super soft and squishy
• Lovely super chunky form
• Easy to make loops with your hands
• This Etsy seller has an excellent star rating
• Suits beginners

Cons

• Joining the yarn creates a visible knot

Bernat Blanket Extra

A chenille style 100% Polyester yarn. Hold it double for a thicker fabric. This type could be top of your list if you are sensitive to animal fibers.

Pros

• Soft, cozy, and lightweight

Cons

• If there are any joins in the yarn, it’s noticeable

The table below helps you compare quick features of our top picks.

Best Arm Knit Yarn Comparison Chart

FAQS About Arm Knitting Yarns

How Much Yarn Do I Need To Arm Knit A Blanket?

The amount you need to arm knit a blanket is 2.2lbs (1kg) for a Baby Blanket to 15lbs (7kgs) for an Extra Large Blanket. Here’s the amount for 5 arm knit blankets.

1. Baby Blanket ~ 30″x30″ (76 x 76cm)
   2.2lbs (1 kg) lightly felted wool roving or 43 yds
2. Small Blanket ~ 30″ x 50″ (76 x 127cm)
   4.4lbs (2kg) roving or 80 meters (87yds)
3. Medium Blanket ~ 40″x60″ (101 x 152cm)
   6.6lbs (3kg) roving or 120 meters (131 yds)
4. Large Blanket ~ 50″x 70″ (127 x 177cm)
   8.8 lbs (4kgs) Roving or 160 meters (174yds)
5. Extra Large Blanket ~ 70″x80″ (177 x 203cm)
   15 lbs (7kgs) roving or 280 meters (306 yds)

This is a general guide. Every person has a different tension and arm diameter.

How Many Yards Of Yarn Do I Need For A Chunky Knit Blanket?

The yards of yarn you need for a chunky knit blanket is from 43 yds for a baby blanket up to 306 yds for an extra large blanket. Chunky wool knits up beautifully. Below is a yardage guide for #7 Super Bulky Yarn, for 5 blanket sizes.

1. Baby Blanket ~ 30″ x 30″ (76 x 76cm)
   43 yds (39 meters)
2. Small Blanket ~ 30″ x 50″ (76 x 127cm)
   87yds of chunky knit yarn (80 meters)
3. Medium Blanket ~ 40″ x 60″ (101 x 152cm)
   131 yds (120 meters)
4. Large Blanket ~ 50″ x 70″ (127 x 177cm)
   174yds (159 meters)
5. Extra Large Blanket ~70″x 80″ (177 x 203cm)
   306 yds (280 meters)

Everyone has a different tension and arm diameter so there’s variations.

What Kind Of Yarn Is Used For Chunky Blankets?

Yarn used for chunky blankets is thick, soft and bulky. Yarns labelled Bulky, Super Bulky or Jumbo are perfect for chunky blankets. The best arm knitting yarn for a chunky blanket is a roving merino wool like Becozi Merino Chunky Yarn.

The texture helps fill in the gaps of the loose weave of arm knitting. The yarns I’ve featured can be used for the best chunky yarn blankets.

Conclusion

I hope my recommendations has made finding a suitable fiber for your next arm knitting project easier. I’d love to see the creations you make. Have questions or tips? Leave a comment below, your email address is never made public.