DIY Projects & Crafts Knitting How to Arm Knit a Cozy, Chunky Blanket Bulky-style yarn and nimble handiwork are all you need to try out this simple technique. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 23, 2022 Snuggle up in a big, cozy blanket made by hand—literally. This blanket's pattern, designed by Teresa Carter of DeBrosse, involves arm-knitting, a technique which uses the knitter's arms instead of needles. When arm-knitting, choose yarn in a size of 6 or "super bulky." Knitters can decide the number of skeins they want to use based on desired thickness and length. We also have a few tips for those attempting this pattern for the first time: First and foremost, depending on the size blanket you want to make, you will need to purchase varying pounds of yarn. For a small 30 x 50-inch blanket, use 6 pounds of yarn; for a large 40 x 60-inch blanket, you'll need 8 pounds. To achieve your desired final size, keep a loose tension. When you start the project, do not turn or flip your work. And if you're a beginner? Use our basic knitting how-to as a guide. What You'll Need Materials Bulky yarn Scissors Instructions Measure 8 to 10 feet of wool. Create a slip knot by placing the tail end over the working yarn. Slip one hand through the loop. Using your hand in the loop, reach through to pull up the working yarn. (Note: Working yarn is the yarn connected to the source.) Pull the working yarn through the loop. Tighten until a slip knot forms. To begin your blanket, cast on your first row of stitches. To do so, loop the tail ends of the slip knot around your opposite hand's index finger and thumb. Slip your hand (holding the slip knot) under the loop made on your opposite hand's thumb. Cast the stitch onto your hand; you have cast on your first stitch. Cast the first few stitches onto your arm, using a loose tension and leaving wiggle room in each stitch. Once your arm is full, gently slip stitches off and lay on your working surface. Continue to cast on until you have 13 stitches. To knit the body of the blanket, pull a loop from the working yarn up through each stitch (this is emulating the knit stitch). On your first row, you'll work left to right; on your next row, you'll work right to left. (Note: Your cast-on stitches may appear to be laying on an angle. Always twist the stitch towards the right before knitting into them.) Continue arm-knitting until you only have around 7 yards of wool left. To finish your blanket, cast off to ensure that your stitches don't unravel. To do so, pull up loops into your first and second stitches as normal. Take the second loop and insert it through the first loop. You have now cast off the first stitch. Continue with all stitches by pulling up a loop on the next stitch, and then pulling it through the previous stitch. At the end of your last row, cut tail and pull through final loop; discretely weave end into backside of blanket. Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART