Wednesday, November 07, 2012

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.  

Monday, November 05, 2012

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.  


Saturday, October 27, 2012

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.   

Friday, October 26, 2012

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 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

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