As the weather gets colder and the evenings get darker, there's no better craft to get engrossed in than a bit of knitting. If you've got the hang of the basics in knitting and are looking for a nice big project to get stuck into, we might have just the thing!
Giant knitting is such a fun trend in the world of stitching, and it's much easier than it looks; all you need is a little of knitting know-how, some super sized yarn and a bit of space.
Giant knitting uses super chunky yarn and oversized knitting needles (or even your arms!) to create some unique and striking projects.
You can use materials such as merino wool to make snuggly and cosy, chunky blankets and cushions, or you can use fabric tube yarn to make quirky knitted accessories and homewares.
Getting to grips with giant knitting is a great craft project for when you're relaxing on the sofa in that week between Christmas and New Year; you could easily have a massive oversized knit blanket whipped up in that time!
How to get started with giant knitting
Like with most knitting projects, you don't need too much to get started: just some yarn, knitting needles and an understanding of the basic knit stitch.
Supplies
- Yarn
- Knitting needles (or your arms!)
Yarn - Merino wool is often a popular choice for giant knitting. It can be balled up as thick roving yarn rather than spun into a plie that has to be twisted together to make a usable yarn. This gives the perfect chunky texture for giant knitting.
You can also get fabric 'tube style' yarn which gives a very smooth and squishy look to projects. It's usually made of a cotton blend fabric with some slight stretch that has been woven into a long tube and then filled with a stuffing to give it some dimension while still keeping it workable.
If you're after a cosy and luxurious finish, opt for a super chunky merino wool, and if you want a quirky, soft and 'puffy' look, go with fabric tube yarn.
Knitting needles - You can get giant knitting needles in a range of sizes and how big you go depends on the type of look you want for your finished piece.
Using your arms for giant knitting
Instead of using giant and sometimes cumbersome knitting needles, a lot of people decide just to use their arms instead.
Arm knitting is a great way to change up the scale of a project as you aren't likely to find any knitting needles that'll give you the same gauge stitches as your arms will, and it's a fun way to learn some new knitting skills.
The knitting technique stays exactly the same, you just use your arms as the needles and your hands are then free to loop your yarn and move over your stitches.
Giant knitting tips and tricks
Unroll your yarn - This is a good tip for any knitting project, but even more so for giant knitting. Making sure you have plenty of slack yarn before knitting means that you can keep your tension nice and even, but with giant knitting, you'll want even more slack as each stitch uses up a lot more yarn.
If you giant knitting yarn is 10 times bigger than the yarn you are used to working with, you'll need to give yourself at least 10 times more slack!
Using circular needles - Using circular needles for giant knitting can help take some of the strain off of your arms. Rather than having to hold all the stitches on one needle (which could get heavy depending on what yarn you're using and how big your project is) you can spread the weight out over the circular needles.
Stopping when arm knitting - One of the most asked questions about arm knitting is 'Can I stop in the middle of arm knitting?' and the answer is yes!
There's nothing worse than having to stop part way through a stitch or row to answer the door when knitting normally, but at least you can set it down quickly. So what happens when your arms are the needles?
If you need to take a break from arm knitting you can slide the stitches onto a holder, using something like a roll of wrapping paper works well – or even just stringing the stitches onto a spare length of yarn will do.
Giant knitting project inspiration
Comfy giant yarn rug
Looking for a way to add a cosy touch to your living space but aren't a fan of traditional rugs? Instagram knitter @bettaknit shared a perfect solution with their giant knit rug!
Chunky Christmas puddings
Who doesn't love a bit of chunky knit, especially around Christmas. These chunk Christmas puddings shared by @missknits on Instagram would make a fabulous festive addition to your winter decor.
Create a cosy bedroom
If your bedroom is looking a bit flat, adding a giant knit throw or pillow could be just the thing to give it a new luxurious feel. We love this inspirational post shared by @dtricot on Instagram. The giant chunk knit throw at the end of the bed and the arm knit pillow make the room look so inviting and comfortable.
Huggable cushions
Instagram user @real_ta_daan shared this step by step for making a super chunky arm knit merino pillow in a stunning burgundy wool and it's giving us comfy sofa next to an open fire vibes. For even more seasonal flair, you could use multi-coloured merino wool in a mix of reds, oranges and yellows!
Giant knitting kits
Fancy giving this fun knitting trend a go? Why not treat yourself to a giant knitting kit that comes with the exact amount of yarn that you'll need and easy to follow step-by-step pattern instructions? Here are some of the best giant knitting kits we've found with projects to suit everyone's tastes.
flaxandtwine Giant Arm Knit Bunny Kit- Large
flaxandtwine Lazy Lounger Arm Knit Pillow Kit
flaxandtwine Giant Hand Crochet Heart Kit
flaxandtwine Giant Cotton Squish Pouf Kit
flaxandtwine Arm Knit Cowl Kit
Lauren Ashton Designs Knit Your Own Giant Blanket Kit 30+ Colours
WoolsbyNicky DIY XXL Plaid Kit - Make your own XXL Plaid!
WoolCoutureCompany Arm Knitting Kit. Chunky Knit Heart Blanket
Do you love knitting? Share your creations with us by tagging @primamag in your pictures on Instagram!
