out2design

Tip: Alternate to 2-yarn Strand Loom Knitting

On one of the email lists that I belong to, a member recently posted the following tip, which I thought was worthwhile of reposting on here. The original poster asked what the best way to loom-knit when the pattern suggested that two-strands of yarn be used.

You can also use one strand of yarn, wrap your loom three times, and lift one loop over 2. Wrap once again, lift one loop over 2. Continue. This gives a nice tighter stitch, as opposed to having to use two strands. I prefer this method, as opposed to using two strands.

Ciao, Sara

I just completed a hat that used 2-strands, and would have found this method to be a little simpler.

Charting patterns using spreadsheets

One of the things that I remember growing up with my knit-crazy mother was when she would design her own patterns. She would get out this special paper (later I found out this was just a large piece of graph paper) and start plotting a pattern. She would then calculate her knitting pattern from that chart. Last week as I was trying to figure out how many rows I should knit on my KK Loom for a striped hat, I did the same thing, only I moved the process to a more 21st century solution – the spreadsheet. Attached is the spreadsheet that I created that can be used as a template for the round knitting looms (each tab references one of the round looms).

Attachment: kk_round_grids.xls

Hat, double yarn (12/28)

After completing my striped hat, I created this hat using two strands of yarn on the green round loom. I also followed a standard “pattern” for a hat that I found on one of the mailing lists which suggested 14 rows (folded to form a 7 row brim), and then 24 rows from the top of the brim to the top of the hat. This hat has a closer knit to it (due to the double yarn), and will be the standard for future hat projects.

Loom: Green KK Round (36 pegs)
Yarn: Red Heart, Worsted Medium 5oz, Fleck (color 4334)
Stitch: E-wrap, double-yarn

Hat, striped

I completed this hat on Christmas Day as family slept and watched movies. I had just finished the multi-color hat, and wanted to try a single strand of yarn knit for a hat to see how it turned out.

Loom: Green KK Round (36 pegs)
Yarn: Lion Brand, Wool-Ease worsted Weight (3oz), Wheat (Color 402) – primary color; Lion Brand, Wool-Ease (3oz), Denim Twist (color 194) – stripe color
Stitch: E-wrap, single

Notes: This hat is a lot looser than the multi-color hat given the yarn used. Next hat will be double yarn.

Shortened life … potholder

This item started its life out as a scarf, but ended as a potholder/placement.

Loom: Yellow KK Long (36 pegs)
Yarn: Lion Brand, Jiffy Thick & Quick (5oz), Berkshires (Color 214)
Stitch: Double-knit

Multi-color hat (first attempt)

My first hat on the knitting loom.

Loom: Green KK Round (36 pegs)
Yarn: Lion Brand, Jiffy Thick & Quick (5oz), Berkshires (Color 214)
Stitch: E-wrap

Notes: The thick and quick yarn does provide a very thick effect for the hat, however it also affects the “stretch factor” of the brim.

Scarf, blue

This was my very first project using the KK long loom and the yarn used (lamb wool blend) is very soft and warm.

Loom: Yellow KK Long Loom, 36 pegs (38 with anchor pegs)
Yarn: Lion Brand, Wool-Ease (3oz), Denim Twist (color 194)
Stitch: double-knit

Status: gifted

Welcome to the new OUT2DESIGN

Welcome to the new OUT2DESIGN. This site originally began its life as a web design site, and since then it has gradually taken on a more broader focus and now includes craft and website designs created by James. More content will be added as we continue our transition to our new blogging tool.