The days are mercifully getting longer here in Scotland as we edge into spring, but it's still mighty cold. The 'Beast from the East' weather snap is upon us and the gritters with their cute names are out in force. So, I thought I'd courie-in (one of my favourite Scottish words meaning to nestle or snuggle) and tell you all about my giant knit merino wool blanket.
What is Extreme / Arm Knitting?
Unlike extreme ironing, which is crazy and perilous, extreme knitting is a cosy, fun and quick activity. Super-sized yarn is knit as normal, but instead of regular needles, you use your forearms instead. Alternatively, you can invest in a lovely pair of giant needles or make your own from some curtain poles or PVC piping. You can use jumbo chunky yarn, or like me opt for raw roving.
Woolly Mahoosive
Woolly Mahoosive website
I bought my wool from Woolly Mahoosive and found the owner Andrea very helpful when I messaged her with questions. This is definitely a luxury product, a 4kg ball of 19.5 micron superfine giant merino costs £160, but there is a more budget friendly'Mammoth' acrylic version for £60. I bought a giant ball of each - the merino colour is denim and mammoth is midnight, but I have to say that my heart belongs to the merino.
The lower the micron, the finer the yarn,
Whilst the merino is pricey, it does represent good value compared to the other shops I considered. Prices were very similar, but as the other shops were abroad, postage and tax was high. Moreover, Woolly Mahoosive sell exceptionally soft 19.5 micron compared to the standard 23 micron that I found elsewhere.
Needles
Excuse the childish staging!
I decided to buy the giant 40mm by 80cm knitting needles as part of a set with the wool, but I they seem to be sold separately now - here. I was a bit disappointed when one of the ends of the needles came off when I started knitting. Instead of fixing with wood glue, I taped with my bright ducky tape which helped remind me if I was on a knit or purl row!
My Extreme Knitting Calculator
Here is a little calculator that I made to help you know how much wool to buy and how many stitches to cast on. Please note that these are approximate amounts and will depend on your tension, knitting method and needles size.
The Knitty-Gritty
I knit the blanket in exactly the same way as I would with normal size wool and needles. As the wool takes centre stage, it works best with simple stitches, so I alternated rows of knit and purl to give a traditional stockinette stitch. The roving is very delicate, so ensure that the wool is not under tension. I accidentally broke the wool at one point by tugging too hard, but thisYouTube video showed me how to join the ends again. If you've not knitted before, or would like a recap, here are 4 good knitting videos covering the basics.
I watched a couple of movies, so would say it took me about 4 or 5 hours in total - such a blissful way to spend an evening!
I watched a couple of movies, so would say it took me about 4 or 5 hours in total - such a blissful way to spend an evening!
Felting and Washing
Lightly felting your wool helps decrease shedding an prolong the life of your blanket. Many guides I read were quite complicated and were often conflicting so I contacted Andrea from Woolly Mahoosive for advice. Here is the guide Andrea supplied - her process was thankfully very quick and easy.
The acrylic wool can go in the washing machine but not the merino. Here’s a guide I found about caring for your merino blanket.
The acrylic wool can go in the washing machine but not the merino. Here’s a guide I found about caring for your merino blanket.
The Finished Blanket
As usual, this is not an affiliated post in any way. I paid full price for my supplies and all my opinions are my own.
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