If you love to knit, then you likely know that creating anything from blankets to sweaters usually comes down to two techniques: arm knitting or traditional knitting. These approaches actually have a lot in common. Whichever method you use, the yarn makes the stitches the same way.
The defining difference between the two techniques involves your tools, says Anne Weil, the designer behind Flax & Twine and author of Knitting Without Needles: A Stylish Introduction to Finger and Arm Knitting. "[For arm knitting], you use your arms as the knitting needles to hold the stitches, and your hands as a way to make new stitches," she says. "With some creativity, you can make almost all the same variety of stitches, as well. [You can also] make cables, lace, and complex stitch patterns."
Of course, since you are using your arms, the results tend to be larger in scale, and that's a good thing: Chunky blankets and sweaters are popular both for their warmth and aesthetic. With that said, you'll need more yarn to complete these bigger projects.
How to Identify the Amount of Yarn You'll Need
When it comes to figuring out how much yarn you will need, consider two things: what you are making and what yarn you intend to use. "The amount of yarn you need really depends on your project and how thick your yarn is. For example, a good size blanket takes about 225 yards of yarn," says Weil. "If you are making that with four strands of super bulky yarn, you would need 900 yards total. If you are using two strands of a jumbo yarn, you would need about 450, and so on."
If you are using something really large, like T-shirt tube yarn, you might require even less than that, since the stitches you make are bigger, she adds.
Make a Swatch
Still, it can be hard to guess that final number. If you're stuck, consider creating a small swatch of fabric in the shape of the item that you want to make. "Measure the dimensions, and how many yards of your yarn were required for that swatch, and expand the dimensions to the size desired. Multiply required yarn accordingly," she says. "For example, if your swatch was 10 x 10 inches and it required 5 yards (100 square inches) and you want a blanket that is 80 x 60 inches (4,800 square inches), you would need 48 times 5 yards, which equals 240 yards for the blanket."
Follow Pattern Guidelines
The good news is that many patterns for knitting projects will include a guide or estimation of how much yardage you would need for a project. For instance, this arm-knit blanket pattern estimates that a small blanket will use 6 pounds of yarn; a large blanket will use about 9 pounds. Weil's patterns, like this one, include a clear materials list to eliminate the guesswork entirely.
Test Out Patterns
It's also good to experiment. Developing your own patterns can be a great way to learn what works and what doesn't. The final results, after trial and error, can be quite beautiful, and it will be worth it to see what you can make.
FAQs
"The amount of yarn you need really depends on your project and how thick your yarn is. For example, a good size blanket takes about 225 yards of yarn," says Weil. "If you are making that with four strands of super bulky yarn, you would need 900 yards total.
How many skeins of yarn for a hand-knit blanket? ›
But if you plan to use the blanket often I would recommend a non-wool yarn. Below are some great options! Bernat Big Blanket Yarn from Michaels – you will need about 6-8 skeins to make a blanket the size of mine. (You can see a picture of a blanket made using THIS yarn below.
How much chunky yarn do I need for a 40x60 blanket? ›
MEDIUM Throw: 40x60 inches (100x150 cm) - 3,5 kg (7,7 lbs) LARGE Throw: 55x65 inches (140x165 cm) - 5,5 kg (12 lbs) TWIN Size: 40x75 inches (100x190 cm) - 4,5 kg (10 lbs)
How much yarn is needed for hand crochet blanket? ›
A very rough guide to how much yarn you'll need for a crochet blanket is: 3 – 4 balls for a baby blanket, suitable for a pram, bassinet, or cot. 6 – 8 balls for a small blanket, suitable for a toddler bed or to use as a small sofa throw. 15 – 17 balls for a twin size blanket, or a large sofa throw.
How many balls of arm knitting yarn do I need to make a blanket? ›
"The amount of yarn you need really depends on your project and how thick your yarn is. For example, a good size blanket takes about 225 yards of yarn," says Weil. "If you are making that with four strands of super bulky yarn, you would need 900 yards total.
How many skeins of Bernat blanket yarn to make a throw blanket? ›
Throw Blanket (50x60 inches): A throw blanket is perfect for draping over a couch or chair. For this size, you will need about 4 to 6 skeins, equating to approximately 880 to 1320 yards. Twin Bed Blanket (66x90 inches): To cover a twin bed comfortably, prepare to use about 8 to 10 skeins, or 1760 to 2200 yards of yarn.
What size yarn for arm knitting? ›
If you're shopping online, check to see if you can filter your search by yarn weight category “Jumbo” (weight category 7) which will be one larger than “super bulky.” Any yarn in the Jumbo category is likely to be perfect for arm knitting.
How much super bulky yarn do I need for a throw blanket? ›
For example, they may be able to identify that 4 pounds of wool can yield a 30” x 50” blanket, and the ball contains 28 yards per pound. Crunch those numbers, and know that you'll have about 340 feet of chunky yarn in a single ball to yield a 30” x 50” blanket.
How do you calculate yardage needed for yarn? ›
Formula: (length x width x gauge) / 6 = yards needed. Length and width are in inches and gauge is in stitches per inch. The division by 6 is to convert the answer from square inches to yards. For example, if you'd like a scarf 48" long and 8" wide using a worsted weight yarn, (48 x 8 x 5) / 6 = 320 yards.
How easy is arm knitting? ›
Arm knitting is an easy way to create chunky garments in a hurry. Arm knitting is so fast that you can create a blanket in about an hour. All you need to get started is some super bulky yarn in the color of your choice and your arms!
Here is a calculation you can use to determine approximately how many skeins you may need (for a medium-tight knit blanket). You can replace the 50 x 60 with whatever measurements you have: A blanket 50x60: 50x60=3000 divide by 350 = 8.57 - 9 skeins.
How many skeins of yarn for an Afghan? ›
A typical afghan, say 45 x 60 inches, in worsted weight, knit in a somewhat lacey pattern needs in the vicinity of 1500 yards. A skein is often 220 yards in a 100 gram skein, so 7 or 8 skeins.
How many rolls of chunky yarn to make a blanket? ›
This answer will depend on the size of the blanket you are making. For smaller baby blankets I used 2-3 skeins of chunky yarn. Lap blankets 3-4 skeins. For throw blanket 7-8 skeins and on from there.
What is the best yarn for hand knit blankets? ›
The most popular natural fibers for making blankets are cotton yarn and wool yarn. Wool yarn has better insulating properties than cotton yarn does, but cotton yarn is generally easier to care for.
How many skeins of yarn do I need for a temperature blanket? ›
How much yarn is needed for a crochet temperature blanket? Most blankets will take 10-15 skeins depending on how many colours you use and how large it is. I started with 10 and have run out of one or two so far (up to November).
How many skeins of yarn do I need to loom knit a blanket? ›
Gather the materials for your knit blanket.
Adjust the loom so there is 1.1 inch (3 cm) between each peg. You'll also need 6 skeins of bulky yarn, scissors and a knitting tool or crochet hook. Each skein should weigh 6 ounces (170 g) or measure 169 meters (185 yards).
