Knitting Loom

Using a knitting loom is a wonderful way to teach a youngster how to “knit” without the frustration that sometimes comes from trying to manipulate the needles. These looms are also great for older or more experienced crafters who want to try something different, but similar to, knitting.

What is a Knitting Loom?

A knitting loom is usually a round or oval shaped piece of wood with a series of pegs sticking out. Some companies also make rectangular looms, which make it easier to knit flat pieces. The rectangular looms, are also known as knitting boards. Knitting boards are used to create double sided fabric, meaning both sides have a "right" side.

Looms come in many different sizes with differing numbers of pegs. Different sized looms can be used to make projects of varying sizes, from hats for babies to hats for grownups.

Any of the looms or boards can be used as a knitting rake (a single row of pegs) to create flat panels. Flat panels can be either shawls, panels for sweaters, panels for blankets, or panels for scarves.

Using a Loom

To use a loom, you wrap the yarn around each of the pegs several times and then knit by slipping the bottom loop over the other loops.

A knitting loom tool, which looks kind of like a cross between a crochet hook and a dental tool, can be used to speed up the time it takes to lift the loops over the pegs.

When you reach the end of the round, you just wrap the yarn around each peg again so that you have the same number of loops that you started with. Repeat the process as many times as you need to in order to make a tube for a hat or neck warmer.

You can also make flat pieces on a round loom by using only some of the pegs. Or you can find a straight knitting loom to make scarves, pieces of afghans, sweaters and more.

Depending on the size and shape of the loom you can make hats, leg warmers, slippers, Christmas stockings, sweaters, scarves and blankets with these handy items.

Sources for Knitting Looms

Knitting looms (sometimes made of plastic instead of wood) can often be found at your local craft store in the knitting and crochet section. For more selection and sizes, visit some of the following online vendors:

• Frame Knitting - knitting boards, books, patterns and accessories
• The Knitting Loom Store-wood based looms with nylon pegs
• The Knitting Loom Company
• The Loom Room
• In the Attic—urethane looms
• Babe’s Fiber Garden—PVC “rake” loom

Projects

The variety of projects you can make are almost as wide as with regular knitting needles. You are limited somewhat in the size of projects a loom can hold, but you can always make strips of knitted fabric and sew them together later, as you would do to make a loomed afghan.

Here are some places to look for patterns to get you started on your “looming” journey:

• Frame Knitting - Patterns and instruction books for knitting boards, looms, rakes
• Frame Knitting Online Instructions - online knitting board instructions
• Knitting Loom Store--2 pages full of instructions
• Knitting Loom Store Videos--mini-video tutorials on how to use the looms
• Bev’s Country Cottage—hats, mittens, dolls and puppets
• Rake Knitting Instructions—shows how to do different stitches
• Rake Patterns—basic patterns for cozies, dish cloths and more
• Roberts Crafts—holiday décor, wraps, shrugs, slippers and more
• Loom Knitted Designs--free instructions on stitches and patterns

Using Your Knitting Loom

People who are experienced using a loom will tell you that it is a much quicker method for finishing projects, especially small projects like hats and booties.

Because of this, you will probably find that you are getting many more projects done once you are comfortable with the concepts behind loom knitting.

After you’ve outfitted all the kids and their friends with all the hats and scarves they can handle, consider donating some of your time and energy to making loomed items to give away. There are tons of groups that are always looking for handmade items to give to the less fortunate.

Using your loom to craft for charity is a great way to give of yourself that doesn’t take a lot of time or cost a lot of money. If you’re interested in giving away loomed items (or knitted or crocheted items, for that matter, a great source for charities looking for help is on the Lion Brand Yarn site.

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