lacey afghan off the loom

Finally, my lace-loomed afghan is off the loom!  I removed it just the other day.  This afghan is so soft, and will provide many hours of snuggle time for a very special newlywed couple.  It needs to be blocked for shaping.  The yarn I used was Yarn Bee Andes Alpaca in Pearl & Paradise purchased at Hobby Lobby.  Loom knitted on the CinDWood 5/8" gauge Universal S-Loom using a lace pattern I created.  

Looming Through the Psalms:
"But you, ADONAI, don't stay far away! My strength, come quickly to help me!"
Psalm 22:19 

lace-loomed afghan blanket

Here is the secret project I mentioned in my lace practice post.  It's an afghan I've been working on since last October.  It's almost completed, and will measure approximately 64"W x 78"L.  The recipients know about it and some loomers wanted to see it, so I thought it was about time for the reveal.  I'm looming this on a CinDWood 5/8" gauge Universal S-Loom.  This was a special order gauge loom Cindy manufactured for me.  She's brilliant.  Thanks, Cindy!  I created the lace pattern for this afghan.  Thanks all for viewing my blog and your kind comments.


Looming Through the Psalms:
"Be exalted, O YHWH, in your strength!  We will sing and praise your power."
Psalm 21:13 

Today I finished the hat on my new Knifty Knitter purple round loom.  This loom has a 5/8" gauge.  This is the same gauge as the small Knifty Knitter blue round loom.  I used one strand of a worsted weight yarn and the "U" knit stitch which is a looser version of the flat knit stitch.  On this adult hat size loom, this produced a toddler size hat.  I also shaped the top of the hat so that it is not so bulky when you gather it.  I used the directions I found here for shaping the top.  Finally I have my baby hat completed in the correct size.  

This hat was made on the red Knifty Knitter using the knit stitch.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but this hat turned out to be a preemie size.  So far I've made two hats on this loom which is supposed to be a youth size, and both hats are very tiny.  The tension was not tight, so I'm not sure why these hats are turning out so small.  I'll try knitting another hat on my new KK purple round adult loom and see what happens.

P.S. - I've received some very helpful advice from some seasoned loomers.  When using the knit stitch, the sizing for the Knifty Knitter looms changes because the sizing is based on the e-wrap which produces a larger item.
Here is what one loomer uses for sizing with the knit stitch:
smallest blue loom = slipper socks and very tiny preemie hats
red loom = infants, babies
green loom = toddlers to youth
yellow loom = bags and large size men's hats
purple hat loom = teens and adults

Another important matter to consider in calculating the gauge for the size of your item is to knit a 4-inch square.  Count the number of rows and columns of stitches in the 4-inch square and divide each by 4 to get how many stitches per inch and rows per inch that loom, yarn, and your tension produces.  

lace practice

This lace pattern is turning out nicely which includes a k2tog and yo (yarn over) sequence.  Again, thank goodness for the instructional videos!  I tweaked a few things in a shawl pattern and ended up actually writing out my own pattern for this lace.  This pattern would make a lovely scarf and shawl.  I will be using this for a secret project (shhhhh).  Waiting on my new CinDWood Universal S-Loom and then I'll be all set to start looming.   

practicing stitches

I wanted to share a loom knitted dishcloth I made yesterday.  This dishcloth was loomed using the small blue Knifty Knitter loom and one strand of 100% cotton of either the Sugar & Cream or Peaches & Creme.  I'm not sure which brand because the yarn was laying around and wrapperless.  I used the knit stitch and purl stitch.  The garter stitch is used for the frame to prevent the edges from curling.  Once this dishcloth is washed, the stitches will fill in and fall into place.  It turns out the 5/8" gauge on the small blue KK loom combined with the knit stitch creates a lovely close knit.  No doubling of yarn strands needed.  I just ordered the purple KK round loom with the 5/8" gauge and can't wait to try it out.  I also have an 18" adjustable Markman RG rake in this size gauge.  It's a great size gauge for looming shawls, scarves, and afghans.

Looming dishcloths is a great way to practice new stitches.  I know at this stage in my looming experience I should know how to slip a stitch at the the ends of a flat panel, but I never tried it and wanted to practice and perfect the technique.  I think I just didn't understand the math behind it.  Do you cast on an extra stitch in the pattern so you can slip or what?  No, you just cast on the number of stitches the pattern calls for.  The stitch is still counted even though it is slipped.  The slip creates a beautiful neat appearance on the edges.  Now that this makes sense, I have to say I love the way the edges turn out, and I'll be using this technique from now on.  I never liked that "knobby" look you get on the sides of the flat panels without using the slip stitch.   
Thank goodness for the loom knitting instructional videos.  They are an incredible resource!  I used Isela's, "Create a Flat Panel on Knitting Loom," instructional video.  Thank you Isela!  Your looming videos have taught me so much.  I appreciate very much the time you have taken to create these videos.
  
Looming Through the Psalms:
"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.  May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.  May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God."
Psalm 20:1-5 

starting a new project

Here's a sneak preview for a new project I'm starting.  Shhhh, it's a surprise!  It's a stitch I found for the Lace Shawl converted for the loom.  It's working up nicely.  Thank goodness for the online tutorials.  It's been so long since I've loomed, I forgot how to do a YO (yarn over) with a K2tog (knit 2 together).  Click here  in case you're stumped like I was. 

Looming Through the Psalms:
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.  Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.  Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world."  Psalm 19:1-4

the purple knifty knitter loom

I started a new project to learn how to double knit using the purple Knifty Knitter long loom.  I found an excellent free Classic Stripes Scarf pattern over at DA Looms that Isela so graciously donated.  It is perfect for learning how to knit on the long loom.  The pattern includes great photos and instructions on how to wrap the long loom for the stockinette stitch, how to change colors, how to finish the beginning edge, how to bind off, and how to add fringe.  This will be a good first long loom project, and I'm enjoying how fast you can wrap and knit on this loom.  I like that there is no wrong side on this scarf.  It's turning out wonderfully thick and soft.   

rib brim hat

I first saw this rib brim hat at a blog called




A Knifty Knitter's Journal and wanted to loom one also.  A crown shaping method was used instead of the gather method, and I wanted to learn how to decrease, so I thought this would be a good project, plus I really liked the looks of this hat.

I loomed this hat on the KK green loom using Baby Alpaca Grande by Plymouth Yarn.  Navy was used for the main color, and grey was used for the stripes. 

Here is the pattern for anyone who would like to loom this hat:

Cast on 36 stitches using the crochet cast on method.
Brim: Using the knit stitch and the purl stitch.  Knit 2, purl 2 every row until brim is 4 or 5 inches, approximately 26 rows.
Body:  Using the knit stitch, knit every row with main color for 5 rows.  Switch to stripe color and knit 2 rows.  Knit 2 rows with the main color. Switch to stripe color and knit 5 rows.  Knit 2 rows with the main color. Switch to stripe color and knit 2 rows.  Switch to main color and knit the remainder of the body for 3 inches or approximately 16 rows for medium size.  Body of the hat should be a total of 26 - 27 rows.
Crown: Using stitch markers, divide the loom into 4 sections of 9 pegs each.  Number the pegs 1 - 9 in each section.
Knit from peg 1 to peg 9 and then turn at peg 9 and knit back to peg 1 as in a flat panel.  Remove the loop from peg 3 and hold on to the loop (I slip the loop onto a crochet hook).  Move the loop from peg 2 over to peg 3.  Place the original loop from peg 3 and place it back on peg 3.  You now have two loops on peg 3.  Move the loop from peg 1 to peg 2.  Remove the loop on peg 7 and hold on to the loop.  Move the loop from peg 8 to peg 7.  Place the original loop from peg 7 and place it back on peg 7.  You now have two loops on peg 7.  Move the loop from peg 9 over to peg 8.  You now have 7 loops on the pegs.  Knit two rows (knit the two loops as one) from peg 3 to peg 8, turn and knit peg 7 to peg 2.

Remove the loop from peg 4 and hold loop.  Move the loop from peg 3 over to peg 4.  Place the original loop from peg 4 and place back on peg 4.  Move the loop from peg 2 over to peg 3.  Remove the loop from peg 6 and hold loop.  Move the loop from peg 7 over to peg 6.  Place the original loop back onto peg 6.  Move the loop on peg 8 over to peg 7.  There are now 5 loops left.  Knit two rows (knit the two loops as one) from peg 4 to peg 7, turn and knit peg 6 to peg 3.

Continue to decrease stitches until you have one loop left.  Cut 12" from the working yarn, take the last loop off and pull the 12" yarn through the loop with a crochet hook. Tighten.  Repeat decreasing on remaining 3 sections until you have 4 triangles.  Stitch the 4 sections together using the mattress stitch.

Looming Through the Psalms:

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights." Psalm 18:32, 33
 

shaping a hat crown

I've been working on a practice hat to learn how to shape the crown instead of using the gather method.  Since there are 24 pegs on the KK blue loom, I sectioned the loom off into four sections of 6 pegs using stitch markers.  In the first photo there are two triangles after decreasing the stitches. 

The hat is taken off the loom with four triangles that 

will need to be stitched together to close the crown.

 

This is what the completed practice hat looks like 

after the triangles are stitched together. 

Isela on her Purling Sprite Blog has a tutorial on

this decreasing technique that I found helpful.

 

A video of the mattress stitch used to sew the seams 

together can be found here at KnittingHelp.com.

on the loom again

There's something new on the loom again.  I thought I'd dust off my Knifty Knitters and do some experimenting.  I have to say, this Alpaca wool is luxurious and wonderful to work with.  What could this new project be?  We'll see...                                                                                                   

                                                                                                           Almost ready to remove from the loom.

 

Where there's one project on the loom, you can be sure there's another one close behind.  I'm making this item on my CinDWood adult 1/2" gauge hat loom (51 pegs).  I wanted to see how the exact same project turned out on a smaller gauge.  The Knifty Knitter green loom has a 3/4" gauge.  

crocheted blanket completed

I'm not sure how procrastination can get the best of us at times, but almost a whole year has passed since I completed this blanket. I enjoyed crocheting this blanket that is now affectionately loved by two precious little girls. I haven't been looming or crocheting since I completed this project, but the desire is beginning to manifest to pick up the looms and hooks and get busy with these hobbies again. I'd like to get into needle knitting as well. One of my aunts got me started when I was a girl, so it would be nice to become reacquainted.

Looming Through the Psalms:
"And I--in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness." Psalm 17:15

blog prodigal returns & loomed prayer shawl

It's been ages since I last posted, 2 years and 3 months to be exact. I decided it was time to re-instate myself with this blog and with looming. I feel as though I'm starting over with learning this craft. I also took the plunge and gave this blog a total makeover which has been a tedious ordeal. I went with the updated editor including a new look, and most of my right-hand side links and additions had to be added again.

I finally took the prayer shawl off the loom. It's embarrassing to admit the shawl was on the loom for years and was haunting me to be completed. In my haste, it turned out a little short, but still functional. It was made using this pattern for the loom with my modded Markman Farm 18" RG adjustable rake. I've added the prayer shawl loom to my wish list for my next prayer shawl.

Looming Through the Psalms:
"I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Psalm 16:7,8

new beginnings

This is the start of new beginnings with my attempts at learning how to crochet. New beginnings for a new year. It's supposed to be a baby afghan. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to frog it because I started off doing the double crochet stitch incorrectly. When I was creating this stitch, I was placing my hook into the front stitch instead of taking it all the way through the whole loop. It makes a pretty pattern, but it definitely was a slower process. Then when I went to add new yarn, something went wrong and you can see the one edge was decreasing in size. Well, we learn from our mistakes, right?

The holidays have been great, full of lots of sweets and treats. It's been wonderful to have my daughter home from L.A. for a 2-week visit.

Happy New Year!

12 days of christmas mystery

Okay, this is one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me at Christmas. Someone who is remaining anonymous is delivering packages to me daily for the 12 days of Christmas. This started last Thursday, the 14th, and a package has arrived every day since then. Package 7 arrived yesterday with instructions to only open one package a day. Well, I opened #7 which was a huge box that contained another box labeled 8th day I had to wait to open today. The 8th box was a box that contained a box labeled 9th day. I have to wait until tomorrow to open this box. The mystery continues. . .
So who could this incredible mystery person be? I wonder if I'll ever find out. Whoever you are, I feel very blessed and thankful that you would shower me with so much love. You are a very special person!

Here's what I've received so far:
Light blue sweatpants with matching hoodie jacket, a microwavable lavender scented neck wrap from Bath & Body Works, Harry London dark chocolate caramels, a cherry almond candle, Bigelow body products, a Brookstone wine opener, and a bottle of Korbel Champagne. Wow! Every gift is perfect. I wonder if this has anything to do with the message I gave a couple of weeks ago at our women's coffee mug/cookie exhange. The message was Jesus, the Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Here's the box for the 9th day of Christmas. I have to wait until tomorrow to open this one.
Along with a very curious kitty, I opened the box for the 9th day of Christmas. Inside this box was another box labeled the 10 day of Christmas! Now I have to wait until tomorrow to see what the 10th day holds. The mystery continues. . .
Another box within a box for the 10th day of Christmas. We shall see what tomorrow holds. I have a feeling that I'll be unwrapping another box tomorrow that will contain the 12th day of Christmas box which will have the real prize. To be continued. . .

Oh my, I opened the package for the 11th day of Christmas, and it's an iPod nano! Okay, now I'm stumped because it has to be someone that knows I wanted an iPod. I only told one person, my hubby. Hmmmmm. . .
Wow, an iPod. Whomever you are, thank you! Hopefully, I'll get to thank you in person tomorrow, Christmas day.

On Christmas day my mystery person along with her family arrived at my home to deliver the 12th day of Christmas gift!
Drum roll...drum roll...drum roll. . .
My awesome gift bearer was my daughter's boss from when she worked at the tanning salon. Her name is Katrina. The 12 day gift was a KK set and yarn. Yay! Katrina, I love ya. You're an amazing person! Thank you so much for all these great gifts.