Gems, Jewels, and Loom Knitting

Gems, Jewels, and Loom Knitting

Recently I discovered that I am in need of wearing my reading glasses while I loom knit.  Especially when using yarn that doesn't have a smooth texture.  Or when I am working increases and decreases.  Or any other time...

Due to this unfortunate discovery that surely has NOTHING to do with my AGE and since I am not afraid being stereotypical or care in general what people think of me, I decided to make myself an eyeglasses chain.  Something snazzy obviously.  Otherwise it wouldn't be worth the effort...  

Well I still have tons of jewelry making supplies despite not having made anything new in quite a while so I went pilfering through my stuff.  I ended up finding my grandmother's crochet jewelry supplies and that got me thinking...

What if I made my eyeglasses chain like my grandmother did when she crocheted beaded necklaces?  What if I didn't crochet it but LOOM KNIT it instead?

And lo and behold!  THIS HAPPENED!

Well THAT happened after I found my Czech crystal beads and lame' beading thread.  BUT IT HAPPENED!

And I was so well pleased with the outcome that then THIS HAPPENED!

And all was right with the world once more...

But wait!  There is more...

I shared these pictures on the Book of Faces and discovered that I wasn't the only person that thought this was a wonderful idea so GUESS WHAT??  THAT'S RIGHT!!  I am about to share with all you fine people HOW TO MAKE THESE AS WELL!!!  For FREE!!!

So hang on your hats, ladies and gentlemen!  In the next post on the blog that hasn't posted anything in almost a year, I will be sharing this Magic of Loom Knitting Elegant Jewelry That Is Rather Easy To Make.  I should probably come up with a better name than that though...

Loom Knit Corkscrews

I have been thinking on corkscrews for some time.  There are a few other tutorials online loom knit corkscrews.  But I have been wanting tight spirals similar to crochet corkscrews that are not limited to the number of pegs on the loom for the length or using lots of decreases.

The other day while looking at a picture of an i-cord, it hit me.  A 2 peg modified i-cord.  Got out a loom and proceeded.  Got it on my second try.  First try, the yarn was not bulky enough for the loom gauge.  Found a heavier weight yarn, and it worked!  Oh happy day!

Had some trouble with my borrowed video camera though.  There is audio static.  Not happy at all...  But it does get better after 10 seconds or so.  I will try to remake the video whenever I can acquire a different camera.

But the video is recorded.  The tutorial is written.  And it's all uploaded to Ravelry in one nice downloadable file here.

Or find the video here.

Enjoy!

Zoe MacLean's Loom Knit Mermaid Tail with the Raised Paving Stitch

How exciting!  Zoe MacLean is very talented!  And she created a new loom knit pattern with the raised paving stitch that I converted for loom knit for a photo prop baby mermaid tail.  Isn't it incredible??

This is knit on the 36 peg round loom so the stitch has been modified just a little to accommodate the peg count of the loom.  She uses 2 strands of DK yarn held together as one.  DK is a 3 weight yarn equivalent to sports or baby weight yarn.

You can find her awesome pattern here.

Fringe (without Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop ...)

So I was a on tear with my Addi King knitting machine the past 2 days.  Among the 12 hats, I made a tube scarf and added fringe.  Which lead to a small quick impromptu video on how I make and attach fringe.

Here is the video!  I hope it helps.  

My newest creation for the humiliation of the children...

Back in the fall while waiting for the bus with my kids, I got the bright idea for a hat.  Took me this long to get it done.

I know.  Classy...  not my best work but this was  fly by the seat of my pants project.  It can be done with knit (needles, loom, machine) or crochet.  It's quite simple.  I made this hat on my Addi King knitting machine.

Make a tight fitting beanie hat in the "hair" color of your choice. Cut long strands of the yarn and add it to the hat like fringe.  I cut my yarn about a yard long then cut it half.  Hooked it on so there were 2 strands per fringe.  Roll the fringe on sponge rollers.  I used 2 pieces of fringe about 1" apart per roller to hold them steady and 16 sponge rollers.  Use however many suits your fancy though.

Viola!

The perfect hat to wear with a housecoat while holding a cup of coffee when waiting for the bus.  You might want to do it in the afternoon when they least expect it.  Or makes a nice hat to wear to Wal-mart.

Update:

Here is a loom knit pattern for the hat including detailed instructions on how to attach "hair".

Curlers Wig Hat

Yarn Usage for Different Loom Knit Stitches

I have a new friend on Facebook!  Hard to believe but true nonetheless...  Say hello to Katie of the Crafty Misu Co.  You can find her at:  Facebook.com/craftymisuco

Well Katie has taken the trouble to work up some swatches to see how much yarn different stitches use.

Here is what she has found out.  Take it away, Katie!

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Alright so for everyone like me who knits on a budget, yarn usage is an important consideration before taking on a new project. Because I wanted to see which stitches have the best ratio between yard efficiency and knitting speed, I tested six stitches to see how much yarn they use (I already know how long they take me to knit, on average):

Measurements are for 5 rounds of knitting on a 12 peg (3/4" gauge) flower loom, counting from the end of the slip knot to the end of the tail of the working yarn:

E-wrap Knit - 136 1/4"
Flat Knit - 97 5/8"
U-Wrap Knit (U-Knit) - 102 7/16"
Basic Purl - 100 1/2"
Figure Eight (All-In-One-Round) - 221 7/16"
Diamond Lace - 225 1/2"

41" of each measurement was the cast-on length, that brings the per-stitch/per-peg measurements as follows:

E-wrap Knit - 2 1/4" ps
Flat Knit - 1 9/16" ps
U-Wrap Knit - 1 5/8" ps
Basic Purl - 1 1/2" ps
*Figure Eight (AIOR) - 3 5/8" ps
*Diamond Lace - 3 11/16" ps

*I will post pictures of the differences between these two stitches as well.

So long story short, you won't see a big difference in the amount of yarn used when you are making small projects with a low number of rows. However, the more rows you knit, the more you will notice that certain stitches use more yarn than others. The flat knit stitch uses the smallest yardage of yarn, and the diamond lace stitch uses the most.

Now for some pictures...

• Shows the 2" tail.
  

• E-wrap cast on - pulled taut but not stretched.

• Figure 8 (all in one round) - You wrap in a figure eight, until there are three loops on every peg, then knit over.

• Diamond lace stitch - You wrap in a figure eight, and knit over those two pegs before continuing. Each peg technically gets TWO stitches per round.

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Thank you, Katie, for all  your hard work and pictures!

Now I would like to add a few of things.  While the flat knit uses the least amount of yarn, it is also the shortest of the knit stitches.  The e-wrap knit stitch is the tallest of the knit stitches.  And the u-wrap knit stitch is in between the 2.  So you will need to keep in mind that it will take more rows using the flat knit stitch to get the same length as with the e-wrap or u-wrap knit stitches.  A post detailing the differences in the different knit stitches is on my list of things to do this year along with learning how to post pictures on here where they all line up properly...

Loom Knit Oval Shapes

Wanting to knit an oval on loom?  Well, look no further!  With a few short rows and picked up stitches, you will be knitting ovals on any loom in any size you want.

This is my first attempt at an oval.  And yes I know what it looks like...  Uh mum...

And this is my second attempt.  It is a little longer in the middle than the red one.

I am writing this so you can make any size oval. There is not a set number to cast on or number of rows.  It can make for a confusing pattern.  I am hoping the video will help clarify everything.  Feel free to ask questions either here or on the YouTube comments.

The width of the oval is double the number of pegs cast on.  So if you want an oval that is 10 stitches across, you need to cast on 5 pegs.  If you want an oval that is 30 stitches across, you cast on 15 pegs.  And so on.  You can use any gauge loom with any yarn weight you desire.

Video links at the end.

Here you go...

K - knit
P - purl
S - slip (skip)
W&T - wrap & turn - lift loop off peg and wrap working yarn around peg from back to front.  Now peg is has 2 wraps or loops on it and working yarn is ready to purl the first stitch on the next row.

I will be using letters for the rows for the garter ridges in the center section and numbers for rows on the end semi/half circles.

E-wrap cast on half the desired width.  You will need to cast on an odd number of pegs.

FIRST SIDE OF MIDDLE SECTION

Row A - S1, K rest.
Row B -  S1, P to last peg, K last
Repeat Rows A - B until you get the desired middle length.  Rows A and B together is 1 garter ridge.

Now we start our short rows for the curved end.

CURVED END SECTION

(*Row 1 - S1, K to next to last peg, W&T next to last peg
Row 2 - P to last peg, K last peg
Row 3 - S1, K to 2 pegs from last W&T, W& T the peg that is 2 pegs from the last W&T  -There should be a peg with only 1 loop between the pegs with the W&T
Row 4 - P to last peg, K last peg

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until there is a W&T on every other peg with the end pegs only having 1 loop.  So your last repeat will only be having 2 pegs where you slip the first peg and wrap and turn the second then knit the end peg. * Refer to the video for clarification on this.

This shows how the pegs look at the end of the wedge with the W&T.

Now repeat Rows A and B once.)

That is the first wedge of 6 for the semi or half circle end.

Repeat inside the ( ) 4 more times.  Then repeat from * to * once more.  This will give you 6 wedges.  You now have 2 loops every other peg.

Now we are ready to work our garter ridges back down the other side while picking up the side stitch to join the 2 sides.

SECOND SIDE OF MIDDLE SECTION

Row A - S1, K rest
Row B - Place end stitch chain from the other side from the last garter ridge before the semicircle on the end peg.  P to the last peg, K last peg.

Repeat Rows A and B until all the side stitches from the other side have been joined.

Repeat the Curved End Section

There are 2 ways to finish.

Method 1 - Join and Bind Off

Place the cast on stitches back on the loom.
Using the Basic Bind off, bind off.

Method 2 - Bind Off and Seam with Mattress Stitch

Bind off first with Basic Bind off and use the mattress stitch to seam close.

If you wish,  you can sew the 2 little circles close.

I hope this helps!  Please feel free to refer to the videos to help understand what I have written.

Video Links

Part 1 -  Covers introduction and knitting the first side of the middle section.
Part 2 -  Covers the short rows for the first curved end.
Part 3 -  Covers knitting the second side of the middle section and joining the sides together as you knit.
Part 4 -  Covers the short rows for the second curved end, joining for the bind off, and binding off.
Part 5 -  Shows the finished product.

Or play them all on the Playlist.

New Videos Demonstrating Loom Knit Stitches

Got a request to make a video demonstrating the garter stitch.  So I made 3 videos.  Garter, rib, and seed stitches.  Will be adding other stitches later.  Also made a playlist that contains all the stitch videos.  So here are the links to the videos.

Garter Ridge Stitch

 

Rib Stitch

 

Seed Stitch

Here are all three side by side.  All swatches are 6 stitches wide.  Shows how much the ribbing draws together.

Loomy CD Coaster

My newest idea.  A loom knit coaster using a cd or dvd in the center so the moisture will not seep through.  I used variegated cotton, but use your imagination with any kind of color work.  Also included 2 versions - the one pictured and also one with spokes.  Any kind of stitch pattern should work fine.  Be creative!  Hope you enjoy.  Video links at the end.

Loomy CD Coaster

 

·         Small gauge loom with 3/8" peg spacing - AIO loom set to 32 pegs used in the sample or Martha Stewart loom set up using 2 u-shape and 2 - 6 hole straight pieces with small pegs in every hole for 32 holes

·         Worsted weight cotton yarn

·         Loom tool

·         Old CD or DVD - can be painted to cover label with spray paint for plastics

 

Version 1 - Plain (shown)

Drawstring cast on every other peg

Rounds 1 - 2 - knit cast on pegs carrying working yarn behind unused pegs

Round 3 - knit pegs with loops carrying working yarn in front of unused pegs

Round 4 - knit all 32 pegs (ones with loops and with yarn in front)

Rounds 5 – 11 - knit all

Rounds 12 – 14 - purl all

Rounds 15 – 22 - knit all

 Decrease by moving every other loop to next peg so only loops on every other peg, knit over so only 1 loop remains

Rounds 23 – 25 - knit pegs with loops

Bind off with gathered bind off method. 

 

Gather one end.  Place disc inside.  It will be tight.  Stretch the knit until the disc lays cross ways with the middle of the purl section is on the disc's edge.  Gather other end.  The gathers will line up with the hole in the disc.  Making sure both sides are pulled tight, pull yarn end from one side through the hole in the middle and double knot with the other yarn end.

 

Version 2 - Spokes (not shown)

Drawstring cast on every other peg

Rounds 1 - 2 - knit cast on pegs carrying working yarn behind unused pegs

Round 3 - knit pegs with loops carrying working yarn in front of unused pegs

Round 4 – *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat from * to * all 32 pegs (ones with loops and with yarn in front)

Rounds 5 – 11 - *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat from * to * all

Rounds 12 – 14 - purl all

Rounds 15 – 22 - *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat from * to * all

 Decrease by moving every other loop to next peg so only loops on every other peg, knit over so only 1 loop remains

Rounds 23 – 25 - knit pegs with loops

Bind off with gathered bind off method. 

 

Gather one end.  Place disc inside.  It will be tight.  Stretch the knit until the disc lays cross ways with the middle of the purl section is on the disc's edge.  Gather other end.  The gathers will line up with the hole in the disc.  Making sure both sides are pulled tight, pull yarn end from one side through the hole in the middle and double knot with the other yarn end.  Cut yarn ends.

Video Tutorials –

• Part 1 – http://youtu.be/3A2tuScWxiw

• Part 2 – http://youtu.be/NTHacvok2WU

 

Let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy!

 

Pattern designed and written by Renita Harvey

 

Written pattern is not to be reproduced in any manner without the express permission of the designer.  Items made from the pattern may be sold.

 

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www.etsy.com/shop/StringTheoryFW

www.stringtheoryfiberworks.blogspot.com

www.youtube.com/user/theonlyrenita

Paving Rainbows Hat

My latest idea - playing around with stitches.  I got out my 400 Knitting Stitches book and found one I liked.  Raised Paving stitch.  The book showed it in one color.  But leave it to me to get ideas...  Converted the stitch for the loom and got to work.  And this is the result...

 

 

Love the way it turned out!  Used 2 yarns.  Bernat Mosaic in Calypso and Red Heart Super Saver in Black.  I used the knit and purl stitches with slipped stitches.  Much easier than it looks.  You can also use just 2 colors that are not self striping or just use one color.

 

Until I can figure out how to post a pdf file for download, here is the pattern!  Please let me know if you find a mistake or have a question.  Enjoy!!!!

 

 

Paving Rainbows Hat

 

·        All-n-One loom set for 72 pegs or Martha Stewart loom with 4 corner, 4 – 6 hole, and 2 – 12 hole straight pieces with 72 small gauge pegs in every hole.  Sample made on the All-n-One.

·        1 skein Bernat Mosaic in Calypso – Color A (or any medium weight yarn color of your choice)

·        1 skein Red Heart Super Saver in Black – Color B (or any medium weight yarn color of your choice)

·        Loom tool

·        Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

 

Pattern Notes

·        Use only one strand of yarn.

·        Carry yarn to the inside of loom when not using.  Do not cut.

Abbreviations

·        K - flat or u-wrap knit

·        P - purl

·        S - slip (skip)

·        Rnd(s) - Round(s)

 

E-wrap cast on all pegs.

Rnds 1 - 18 - With color A, K all

Place cast on loops back on pegs, knit over

Rnd 19 - K all

Drop Color A to inside of loom.  Add Color B.

Rnd 20 - With color B, K all

Rnds 21-23 - P all

Drop Color B to inside of loom.  Pick up Color A.

Rnds 24-29 - With color A, K3, *S2, K6*, repeat from * to * until last 5 pegs, S2, K3

Drop Color A to inside of loom.  Pick up Color B.

Rnd 30 - With Color B, K3, *S2, K6*, repeat from * to * until last 5 pegs, S2, K3

Rnds 31-33 - P all

Drop Color B to inside of loom.  Pick up Color A.

Rows 34-39 - With color A, S1, *K6, S2*, repeat from * to * to last 7 pegs, K6, S1

 Drop Color A to inside of loom.  Pick up Color B.

Rnd 40 - With color B, S1, *K6, S2*, repeat from * to * to last 7 pegs, K6, S1

Rnds 41 - 60 - Repeat rnds 21 - 40 once

Rnds 61 - 63 - Repeat rounds 21 - 23 once more

Cut Color B leaving a 6” tail to weave in.  Pick up Color A.

Rnds 64 - 65 - With color A, K all

Rnds 66 - 70 - With color A, K2, P2 around

Bind off with flat drawstring bind off developed by Jeannie Phillips.

·        Video for bind off - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoizvzKpBBA&list=FLhxzf6NF02iXWS1pPGwBH6w&index=16

Weave in ends.

 Video for stitch pattern

• Part 1 - http://youtu.be/hPDS5bmEqfI
• Part 2 - http://youtu.be/T3rDS5JsbX4

Original Pattern by Renita Harvey.

Please do not reproduce written pattern without express permission from designer.

Feel free to share this link.

Items made from this pattern may be sold.  That is your hard work.



Hat Sizes for the All-In-One

Here is a link to Isela Phelps blog for the number of pegs needed for different hat sizes when using the All-In-One knitting loom by Authentic Knitting Board. 

Very useful information!  Thank you, Isela!

http://isela.typepad.com/loomknitting/2012/03/all-n-one-knitting-loom-launch-by-authentic-knitting-board-company.html