Looming Lady Blog
My cheerful heart
I’ve been busy recently, and stressed. Loom knitting helps soothe a bruised heart. I made a cheerful one instead. Since I’ve just posted about e-wrap I thought I’d use the stitch to make my piece. Use a 12 peg loom, small bit of yarn, and a yarn hook. I added eyes, just for my own amusement. On the 12 peg loom, start with a long tail in place, e-wrap the first stitch, e-wrap it again and pull the first loop over the top loop. I’ve found this makes a solid start. E-wrap the remaining pegs. Rounds 1-5: We’ll be working in the round, so keep e-wrapping. Lift the bottom loops over the top loops. Remember this is the twisted knit stitch, make with e-wrap. Round 6: E-wrap first 6 pegs, turn, knit back. Round 7: Skip 1st peg, knit 4, turn, Round 8: Skip 1st peg, knit 2, bring 2nd stitch over to 1st stitch and bind off. Leave a long tail. Attach a slip stitch to 1st remaining stitch, leaving a long tail. Repeat rounds 6-8. Stuff the heart lightly. If adding safety eyes, attach them. Sew the heart closed, Weave the tails in except 2 tails to bead and tie closed. You can attach to a key ring, if wanted
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I saw a squirrel climbing down a tree while I was bird watching. Then I thought I’d like to make a cute copy to remember the fun. Here he is. You will need a 12 peg loom, a small amount of yarn, a loom hook and a yarn needle. E wrap all the pegs, then e-wrap again. Knit 3 rounds. Purl one round. You have made the base. For the tail, knit 8 stitches on the first peg. Lift the first stitch off, place the 8th loop onto the peg, replace the first stitch. Knit around. Knit 9 rounds. Round 10: bring your working yarn 3 pegs back. Knit 6 stitches. Turn. Skip peg you ended on, knit 5 stitches, turn. Knit 5 stitches, turn. Skip peg you ended on, knit 3 stitches. Turn. Round 11: knit around. Round 12: knit 2, on second peg knit 4, lift last loop off peg, replace 1st stitch on peg, re-place 4th stitch, knit around to peg 10, repeat second peg workup, knit to end. Rounds 13-16, knit around. Pull long tail through all the stitches, lift off, pull tail through hole onto inside of work. Sew on eyes, just below ears. Pull muzzle closed, oversew with tail using yarn needle. Stuff head lightly. Then stuff body. Sew base closed. Make arms by knitting on 1 peg for 8 rows, bind off. sew the chain row across the body leaving one stitch loose on each end. Weave in all threads. I will be posting more technical items on my page this week. Hope you find it useful! Well, I’ve missed a couple of blogs for Looming Lady. Literally and personally. I had planned to complete a blog on favorite hats from the loom. But life intervened. My home is full of family, who had an emergency and needed a quick, temporary stop while their own house is being repaired. My yarn baskets are scattered and so is my yarn. The other night, I looked on my printer and thought I saw my Gracie cat. She likes electronics. But the printer wasn’t active and she was so still that I became worried. When I checked, it turned out that “Gracie” was just a skein of black yarn. Why was my black yarn on the printer? I’d rather not know.
Beside my home being full, my life has been overwhelming. Work, guests, extra animals, extra work, has all been crowding my time. But life is like loom knitting (or any yarn craft for that matter). The best thing to do is to keep plugging along. You might have to frog a piece (that means unravel it.) Change a project (colors or styles). But keep on keeping on. So that is what I’m doing. I’m going to delay my hat piece and explain some of my web site changes. I am adding a loom knitting technical manual page to my website. I want to cover how to loom, stitches, pattern stitches and patterns. So far I started with the beginning, a very good place I think. The loom. Casting on with a slip stitch. E-wrapping. This week I hope to show a video completing a project – a squirrel patterned off my cat design. So check out my new page and my newest pattern! Three Competed Projects Every Loom Knitter Should Have On Hand
Loom knitters are like any other yarn crafters in one sense – they build up stashes. Piles of yarns. Lots of looms. Extra hooks everywhere. What about completed projects? I found two large plastic bags of completed designs in my basement stash this past week. Upon going through them I realized it was smart to save them. Some, of course, were test projects. Like the kitty with the big green eyes. Other crafts will be very useful. I think there are three items every loom knitter should have done and ready for use, gifts, or charity. Of course winter warmers top my list, and not only for winter. Hats may be for style instead of warmth. But they can be very comforting in winter! Or in a freezing cold office. You should have at least one of every size – large adult, small adult/teen, child, and baby. Also make up scarfs, socks, and gloves. They’re all great gifts and fun to donate. You never know when you can use them yourself, either. Speaking of gifts – small gifts that you can give on a whim or sudden celebration are important. Make up mug cozies and matching mats. Or keychain projects – like my hand signs or little kitties. Or gift card pouches. They’ll come in handy when someone gets a promotion or a new job, when a senior you know is graduating, or just as an I love you gift. Finally, have at least one blanket on hand. For that baby shower that comes up quickly. Or a wedding gift. Or any other housewarming present. Something to warm. Something to share. Something to comfort. That’s what loom knitting is for. Next week I’ll share my favorite hat styles on the loom. Yarn Barn number 2 for 2018.
I promised a new version of a yarn barn and here I deliver it. This time I used an 80 peg small gauge loom and a small amount of yarn from 2 skeins. However, the differences to a 36 peg Knifty knitter loom is minimum. I added changes for the Knifty knitter in brackets []. E-wrap all the pegs and knit in the round for 8 rounds. Round 9: Purl 1 round. Knit 20 rounds. Attach 2nd color. Round 30: Purl a round with color B. Round 31: Knit 4, purl 1, around, until the last 6 stitches. Knit 5, purl 1. Repeat round 31 for 5 rounds. Round 36 knit 4, knit 5th stitch off, repeat around to end. [Knit 5, knit off last stitch.] Round 37, knit around, e-wrapping all the empty pegs. Rounds 38-39, knit around. Round 40– knit all the stitches off. Cut long tail. Weave in all tails. Place 5 stitches from round 30 (the purl round at the top) onto the loom. Knit 5 stitches for 75 rows. Knit off. Sew to 5 stitches across from where you started. (e.g. if you started with stitches 1-5 sew end to stitches 38-42) [17-21] For bow tie, knit 1 peg 75 rows. Bind off, cut tail. Weave through spaces on round 28. Tie loosely with a bow tie. I changed my yarn barn to a cleaning wipes bottle. They work well, though smaller than soda bottles. Also, the working yarn strings through the lid without having to cut the plastic. But make sure your container is completely dry before you use it. Wipe it out with a dry cloth and let it air dry as well. Otherwise your yarn will get moldy. Ick. I like the tighter weave for this project. I didn’t have to double my bottom. There’s plenty of room for small balls of yarn and supplies I need to loom knit on the go. This really should help my 2018 knitting goals! My first project in 2018 didn’t turn out well. But I have hope for it yet. The project is a loom knit yarn barn carrier. I like the concept. But the prototype needs improvement. I used a 41 peg Knifty knitter loom. I knitted 20 rounds, purled a round, then knitted 10 rounds before knitting off. ‘ Next, I made an interior sack. I knitted 15 rounds, purled a round, then knitted 10 rounds and knitted off all the stitches. I sewed the two sacks together at the base. I added a handle by attaching 5 stitches in round 1 on the inside of the loom. I knitted 50 rows and knitted off. Then I attached the handle to the opposite side of the holder. I weaved in all the stitches. This will hold a sawed off 2-liter soda bottle, which will hold a ball of yarn and small loom, loom hooks, needles, and more. It works well for a few reasons. · It’s easy to corral a day’s work without overloading with unnecessary stuff. I like carrying the small loom for little projects – think cats and hand signs. · I like having the hard container within the soft bag. Hooks don’t fall through it for one thing. · It’s nice to be able to carry my WIP and walk – I’m trying to exercise a little more this year. But I’m going to work on a new carrier this week. I want a taller bag and plan to nix the pocket. But I want a double bottom for strength. I also want to make a tidier sawed off bottle. Maybe I'll use a smaller gauge yarn? I’ll show you the finished project next week. Snowflakes. All different, all beautiful. They represent the purity of the season and the fun of the holiday. Here is one I made up in less than 10 minutes. Try making a few yourself! Hang them up or give them away. You need a 12 peg loom, a loom hook, a large eyed needle, and yarn. I used white acrylic with a little sparkly thread intertwined. Double e-wrap peg one. knit off. knit 5 more stitches on that peg. *Wrap the next 2 pegs. knit 6 on third peg. (so wrap peg 2, ignore it, wrap peg 3 and knit 6 times. Repeat from * Round 2, knit 1, knit 1 off all around. Round 3,* knit 1, e-wrap next peg, around. Cut a long tail (about 1 and 1/2 length around the loom.) Pull the tail through all the stitches and pull off the pegs. Draw the circle closed, Weave in your thread to tighten the circle. Trim leftover thread. You'll notice there are 5 loops and a line (that first set of 6 chains) that works perfectly as a hanger. Enjoy. OThis is the week I turn in my Shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse! I look forward to this every year. It's fun to think of giving a child a little bit of joy. This year has seemed particularly hard with hurricanes and earthquakes. I pray my little boxes make a few children happy. So I made some kittens on a 12 peg loom. Little toys that fit in a pocket. Of course one of the kitties had to go sit on a Santa hat because cat's don't do the floor if there's paper or material laying around. I took a picture. But don't worry, Santa. Kitty didn't snag anything. I'm going to add the patterns to my patterns page. Make a few of these for a child you know - or don't. They only take about 1/2 hour to make. Project: Small Cat Size: about 3' tall. Tools: # 12 peg loom, hook, yarn needle. Gauge: does not matter. Keep your stitches smooth and even by smoothing them as you make them. Supplies: sport weight yarn, small amounts. Eyes, if desired. Abbreviations and explanations: WY Working yarn K: Knit P Purl FS Flat Stitch Row: Knit flat across stitches, turn. Round: Knit across stitches, continue in circle. Repeat after * means to follow the pattern described all across the row or round. Pattern: Double e-wrap. Knit 1st round. Round 2: knit around Round 3: Purl Row 4: knit first 2 stitches, turn. Knit 2, turn. Repeat from * 9 times. change color, knit 2 stitches 3 rows. Knit off. This makes the tail. Tie on main color, pick up stitches from row 4 beginning, knit around. Rounds 5-9: flat stitch knit around. Round 10: knit around. Rounds 11 - 15: flat stitch knit around. Round 16: knit first 3 stitches, turn, knit back, turn, knit off 3 stitches. * Knit next 3 stitches, turn, knit back, turn, knit off 3 stitches. Repeat from * 2 more times. Cut long tail. Attach eyes, if desired. Or use fabric paint. Use long ending tail to sew head closed, folding the ears together. Stuff somewhat lightly. Sew bottom closed so you have a base for kitty. Attach a collar around the neck, pulling slightly to shape. Straiten the tail. If you wish, you can sew it to the body. Or leave it loose to swish! Project: Small Santa Hat Size: 4:1/2' not including pom-pom. Tools: # 24 peg loom, hook, yarn needle. Gauge: does not matter. Keep your stitches smooth and even by smoothing them as you make them. Supplies: sport weight yarn, small amounts of two colors if you want a cuff. Abbreviations and explanations: WY Working yarn K: Knit P Purl FS Flat Stitch Row: Knit flat across stitches, turn. Round: Knit across stitches, continue in circle. Repeat after * means to follow the pattern described all across the row or round. Pattern: Double e-wrap with white for cuff. Knit 1st round. Rounds 2-4: flat stitch knit Round 5: Purl Rounds 6-9: flat stitch knit. On last row, bring row 1 stitches up onto the pegs and knit off to make brim. Change color. Rounds 10 – 29: flat stitch knit. Round 30: cut long tail (at least 2X the circumference of the loom) and pull the tail through the stitches on the pegs. Lift the stitches off, pull closed, over sew, weave in tail, cut as necessary. With white, make a pompom and sew to the hole of the hat. Voila! Perfect for a loom knit kitty to hide in. For a tighter brim, use a crochet hook to pull the purl row through each other. Use beginning tail to seal the final stitches. Psalm 23: 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
A picnic! It was perfect. Fresh, hot rolls in a basket. A bowl of hot corn on the cob, a bowl of carrots, one of peas, and another of fresh cheese. A large picture of milk. A bowl of butter. There were assorted berries, and nuts, already cracked. A pot of thick cream. Cheese. The table was covered in a red checkered cloth. And there wasn’t an ant to be seen. Shouts came from across the river. I stared. Was that me expressing fear and humiliation? Was that a boy who had thrown rocks at me when I was young jumping up and down while yelling? The man who had tried to seduce me when I was twenty looked silly in his mustache and toupee as his face twitched in some feeble attempt to attract my attention. More adversaries were behind them. I realized they were not real, but shadows of my own experiences and I turned away. There was no need to look again when I could look at Jesus all day and be happy. I sat down across from my lord and I bowed my head in prayer before partaking this feast. Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. It was a delightful repast and I laughed almost constantly. The enemies across the river had disappeared. I knew I was in heaven. “Nay. My child. You are not dead. When you die, you will rest under the Fathers throne until the end of time.” He told me. “Then heaven and earth will be new, and you will take your place as my child, a citizen of my world, well rested from your sleep.” I was confused, and suddenly doubtful. Did I have to return to my place in the cold, cruel world after this taste of paradise? My eyes filled with tears. But he touched my hand and peace flooded my heart. “You will take this with you. My goodness and mercy shall follow you. Tomorrow, when your boss is cross because you did not meet her expectations. When a member of the church you dropped out of meets up with you and invites you back. When your bus is held up because of a sport event. The next day, when you have the day off but no money to go anywhere or do anything fun. You will make hats for newborns and donate them to your hospital, sharing my goodness in your own special way. Maybe you will make a casserole for a shut in, and share it on Sunday for lunch. Your pastor will have the woman’s name who could enjoy it. That’s the pastor of the church you dropped out of. It’s not perfect. But neither are you.” He smiled, and I felt a glow through me. Then I opened my eyes. I hadn’t realized they had been closed. The beams of light had dimmed far into the black night sky. I was on my balcony, in my pajamas and robe but no slippers. My tears had ceased. I was back in this pitiful world, right outside my sad little studio apartment. But as I slid the door open my eyes could still see the beauty of the house of the Lord. He had spoken of the Father’s many mansions. That was for later. For now, I thought about my current abode. “I think I will put on the blue sofa and chair set, and that soft blue rug in the center of the room.” I thought, with a smile. Then I went to bed and slept through the night. Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
There is no way to describe the restoration of my soul. In this day I had lied. My boss asked me if I had completed a task and I had answered yes, though I had not. Earlier today I had snarled at someone who had asked me a simple question. It was too simple and I could not stand their stupidity. I spoke tersely to them. How was I to know they were feeling bad from a cold and just couldn’t focus as they normally would? I had cursed someone silently for getting ahead of me on the bus so they got a seat of their own and I had to share. There had not been an ounce of gratitude for my rice and bean dinner. I had wanted a pizza but couldn’t afford it. All of these sins were cleansed away without discussion, along with many more. Wrong choices over a life partner in my past had cost me a home and a family. Helplessness had held me back from helping people I should have. Laziness had cost me opportunities I didn’t know existed. Tears had fallen over them, but the Lord told me to put them away. “You are my child. I paid for those sins.” What could I say? “I’ll try to do better, Savior.” But he drew me away from the self-reproach to be happy in the moment. Grief had passed over me that day. Pain had surprised me when I was accused of something I had not done and would never do by someone I trusted. Christ soothed my pain and misery. The next moment was of complete peace, joy, and freedom. There was no need to be anyone but who I am. Now I could see the way to righteousness, not only in what I did, but how I thought and felt. Goodness is only good in his name’s sake. Everything else is fake. Now I could see Paul’s point about being a child and growing up, about looking in a mirror and only seeing part of the image, dimly. I thought of the moon, full and brilliant, then covered in clouds and sharing next to no light. My days were so much like these similes! But I had Christ’s assurance. I could not see it all, but he could. My shepherd would lead me if only I didn’t flee him. Righteousness could only be in his presence. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Death. I was afraid of it, really. Not knowing about that mystery was frightening. But Christ had been through it. He had conquered it. Though he died he is alive. “Will you really be with me, my Lord?” I asked, trembling and not sure I wanted the answer. “Until the end of time, little girl.” I liked that. A little girl. But the subject of death still hung over me. “What is it like, Jesus?” “Nay, child. I may tell you sometime. But not now. Mysteries do not have to be feared. Why else would you enjoy a good mystery book?” I blushed. Sometimes it’s the mystery, sometimes a romance. But I love the suspense. He smiled. “Trust in me and you will know that death is nothing to fear.” I swallowed, and made a decision to believe. He gave me the strength, and the knowledge of his might comforted me. He handed me his staff. I took it, and unwillingly use it to stepped off the rock, away from his arms. It held me up, despite my sore knee. He wanted me to practice my walk. The bad knee almost buckled and I leaned on the tool he had given me. It was good, though not as good as his arm. “I need my arm.” He laughed. He was holding a lamb, feeding it. I cocked my head, leaned on his staff and smiled at the picture that came straight out of my nursery. But this was real. “ “I’ll always give you what you need. It may not be in a form that you want. But I want to give you every comfort that I can. Not a fancy, costly walking stick. There’s nothing wrong with them for those people that can get them. Sometimes it will be a hand carved shepherd’s staff. Or a rod to keep what you fear away. Sin, wild animals, predators of all sorts.” He gazed at me with love. I dropped my eyes. It was becoming too much again. But I didn’t want to run now. I just needed a moment of relief. One day I will be better equipped to be in the presence of my sovereign. “Let’s eat!” his voice was joyous as he waved an arm and a feast appeared. |
AuthorI am an office worker by day but a writer and crafter in my free time. My books can be found on Amazon in print or on Kindle. Archives
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