Looming Lady Blog
The Fox Scarf on the loom is my 4th child's project. This scarf was made for my oldest great niece. I hope she will love it. I want to make several more. This was my first.
You will need a 24 peg loom, loom hook, yarn needle, 1 skein of orange yarn, small amount of fox face color. I used a light brown. This is done with 2 strands of yarn so make 2 balls of each color. Carry whatever color not being used behind your work during first 10 rounds and last 15 rounds. Make a slip knot of orange, attach to anchor peg. Double e-wrap around. Lift the bottom loops off. Round 2. E-wrap, knit around. All rounds will be done in e-wrap. Rounds 3-4: knit around. Round 5: Attach face color to anchor peg, carry it behind orange. Knit 5 stitches in orange, switch colors, knit 2 stitches in face color, switch to orange, knit around. Round 6: Knit first 4 stitches in orange, switch colors, knit 4 stitches in face color, switch to orange, knit around. Round 7: Knit first 3 stiches in orange, switch colors, knit 6 stitches in face color, switch to orange, knit around. Round 8: Knit first 2 stitches in orange, switch colors, knit 8 stitches in face color, switch to orange, knit around. Round 9: repeat round 8. Round 10: Knit around in orange, carrying face color behind. Cut long (about 3 inch) tail for face color to weave in later. Rounds 11- 90: Knit around. Attach face color. Round 91: Knit 1 round, carrying orange behind. Rounds 92 – 95: Knit around in orange, carrying face color behind. Round 96: Knit around in face color, carrying orange behind. Rounds 97-100: Knit around in orange, carrying face color behind. Round 101: Knit around in face color, carrying orange behind. Rounds 102-105: knit around in orange, carrying face color behind. Round 106: knit around in face color, carrying orange behind. Cut long (3 inches) of face color. Rounds 107 – 108: Knit around in orange. Round 109: knit 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch off all around. Cut 8 inch tail. Round 110: pull tail through stitches on loom and pull them off, drawing them closed but do not sew. Before you sew the ends weave in all threads. Attach eyes – buttons or safety eyes, or use fabric paint. To make ears (Make 2) with face color, double e-wrap 1 peg, knit off bottom loop. Double e-wrap peg to the left, knit off bottom loop, turn, knit 1st stitch, double e-wrap next peg, turn. Lift bottom loop off peg and knit next 2 stitches, turn. Knit across. 3 stitches. Turn. Purl across. Attach orange on the anchor peg and knit across in orange. Turn. Cut 2-inch tail. Knit across. 3 stitches. Turn. Knit across. 3 stitches. Turn. Knit off first stitch, knit 2. Turn. Knit off first stitch, knit 1. Turn. Cut 2-inch tail. Pull through final stitch. Use threads to sew 2 sides closed into a triangle. Sew the ears to the scarf above the face. Weave in threads.
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Pencil bags
These bags are very simple. They aren’t large – about 3 inches wide and 5 inches high. I plan to put boxes of crayons/ pencils, erasers, and maybe a small note book in each of mine. You will need a 24 peg loom, loom hook, small amount of yarn. Optionally, you could use a crochet hook and yarn needle. E-wrap all around. Rounds 1-24 – u-wrap, knit. This is also call the flat stitch. Knit off all stitches. With crochet hook, slip stitch around the top. Turn inside out. With yarn needle, sew bottom closed. I embroidered the piano keys onto one of my bags. My embroidery needs work! This will be a sample for a new, improved version soon. On my face bag, I changed colors on rounds 12 and 20. Then I embroidered the face. For my 2nd child’s project I looked again at baby projects. For this you will need a 12 peg loom, loom hook, yarn needle, small amount of yarn. REMEMBER: this is a baby's toy. Be sure to caution the recipient not to leave baby unattended with it. Apply anchor stitch with 2-inch tail. Wrap all the pegs on the loom. Rounds 1-3: U-wrap all pegs. (Flat stitch around.) Round 4: purl around. Rounds 5 – 7: U-wrap all pegs. (Flat stitch around.) On round 7, cut a long (2 inch) tail. Pull tail through each stitch, pull stitches off pegs. Neatly close circle, weave in tail. Place 3 small bells or a dog’s squeaker replacement into the circles. Turn, use beginning tail to close 1st round. Weave in tail. Attach the edge loops of round 4 (the purl round) to the pegs. 12 stitches. Attach anchor stitch – knit first 2 loops flat for 6 rows. Knit off. repeat 5 times. Weave in all threads. To make a ring, attach 2 loops between any 2 legs, with the piece on the inside of the loom. Knit 30 rows flat, knit off. Attach end of strap to loops opposite the beginning loops with the tail and yarn needle. Weave in threads. My first post wasn’t very clear. Are the children’s projects for children? Or for them to make? Either can apply to most of the patterns I intend to present in this blog serial. I want to make 10 patterns for children of varying ages that will work as gifts. There’s a reason for this. I’ll explain it at the end of my last blog on this subject. However, I want them to be simple enough a 10 year old can use them to make gifts as well.
For my first project I went with a baby gift. A snuggly octopus can entertain, soothe, and delight a young toddler or baby. This project is a little advanced in my opinion only because it is made in more than one piece. The legs are added on. Here is the pattern. Use a 12 peg loom, loom hook, and small amount of yarn. A yarn needle can be useful as well. E-wrap all pegs. Knit 12 rounds. Knit off first 11 stitches. Knit last stitch 15 times. knit off. Cut long tail. Add the 2nd stitch on the bottom edge back onto the peg. Knit 15 times, knit off. Cut long tail on each leg as you go. Repeat with the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th stitches. You have 6 legs. Use the yarn needle, or a crochet hook, to pull the tail up to round 13. Tie the tails for each leg together and weave in all loose tails, or trim as needed. Stuff the octopus body. Sew the top of the octopus closed. Use a thread to weave all around, through round 10, to draw closed. Tie final tail, weave in and trim all loose threads. Apply eyes – I used fabric paint. Enjoy! But, but. Little octopus has so many hands, and no one to hold one. So I made a big brother on a 24 peg loom. E-wrap all pegs. Knit 24 rounds. Knit off first 23 stitches. Knit last 2 stitches 12 times. Knit off. Cut long tail. Skip 1st and 2nd stitches. Add the 3rd and 4th stitches on the bottom edge back onto the peg. Knit 12 times, knit off. Cut long tail on each. Skip 2 stitches, add next 2 stitches on. Knit 12 rows. Repeat 3 times. You have 6 legs. Use the yarn needle, or a crochet hook, to pull a thread through round 20. Draw the top together into a ball. Tie the tails for each leg together and weave in all loose tails, or trim as needed. Stuff the octopus body. Sew the top of the octopus closed. Use a long tail to weave all around, through round 10, to draw closed. Tie final tail, weave in and trim all loose threads. Apply eyes. Why make hats in August?
I just completed 3 blogs on hats. In August, the hottest month of the year. Why would I blog about hats? Here’s 3 reasons. Hats are popular crafts. They’re quick and easy, and not big projects like blankets and afghans. They don’t fill your lap up and you can carry them around easily. The looms are larger than I like, but in a canvas bag they work. Hats are great for gifts, for charity, and for your own use. Fall is coming – and so is the holiday season. Hat’s will be useful then. Actually, I’ve been seeing them already as I go around town. I want to make some simple hat and scarf sets to leave around for people who find they need them. Also, I want to make a few sets for me. Last year was a big hat gift season for me so I might not make too many for holiday presents. But they are nice to have on hand. I wanted to give some basic information on how to cast on. Hats were a great way to do that. I showed how to do 3 cast on stitches which will hopefully be useful. Now I’ve done with hats. Next, I want to do a series on small projects for children. Stay tuned. I wanted to make a hat with a flat top and an interesting pattern so I made hat number 3 with squares. It has a traditional e-wrap bottom but I did the pattern with u-wrap. You will need 2 colors of yarn, a 31 peg loom, loom hook and yarn needle. Double e-wrap all the pegs in color 1. Rounds 1-5: flat stitch (u-wrap) knit all around. Rounds 6 – 10: You will use two colors, carrying one behind the other as you complete this pattern. Knit 6, pick up color 2 by attaching with a slip stitch to peg 7, knit 6, pick up color 1, knit 6, pick up color 2, knit 6 around, * pick up color 1, knit 6, pick up color 2, knit 6, repeat from * around. Rounds 7 – 14 flat stitch knit in color 1. Rounds 14 -19 repeat rounds 6 – 10. Rounds 20 – 27 repeat rounds 14 – 19 in color 1. Rounds 28 – 30 repeat rounds 6 – 8. Rounds 31-32: repeat rounds 7 – 9 in color 1. Round 33: purl around in color 1. Rounds 34 – 38 : repeat rounds 14-19 in color 1. Rounds 39 – 41 – repeat rounds 16 – 10. Change to color 1. Round 42: knit 1 round. Cut long tail (at least 6 inches) pull thread through each stitch, lift all the stitches off, draw carefully closed. Use tail to sew hold closed. Weave in all threads. My next blog will explain: why publish hat patterns in August? This turned into a baby hat due to gauge. I used a 36 peg loom, just as I did on hat 1. But my stitches were tauter than the first hat. Thus it turned out to be about 6 ¼ inch high and 14 inches around. Perfect for a newborn, not a preemie. It might even work for a small toddler.
This had is simple, with a crochet cast on, u-wrap, color changes but nothing too complicated. If you're bored with basics but not ready for advanced, this is a good hat to try. You need 2 colors of yarn, the loom, loom hook, and yarn needle. Wrap peg 1, then reached down into the loop for the working yarn, drawing it up onto peg 2. Reach down that loop and pull up the working yarn, placing it onto peg 3. This process goes as far as you want it – I finished the round to the end. Round 1: Begin u-wrapping for the next level. This creates a crochet like bottom, with a base and two posts. It makes the bottom look lacy. Rounds 2 -5 Knit 2, purl 1 around. Rounds 6- 12 Flat stitch (using the u-wrap) around. Attach color B. Rounds 13 -18: Flat stitch around. Attach color A. Rounds 19 – 30: Fat stitch around. Attach color B. Rounds 30 -31: Flat Stitch around. Cut long tail, pull through each stitch, then remove hat from pegs. Draw the stitches closed, turn inside out, sew over. Weave in all seams. If you remember my last blog I started 3 hats and worked the bottoms. I used a 31 peg loom, loom hook and yarn needle along with 4 colors of yarn for hat number 1. It is based on a brim, has stripes and bobbles. But it is still simple. Most loom projects are. I used the flat knit stitch, with the u-wrap on this. My yarn was thick enough to use 1 strand. Be sure to use 2 strands or thick ply yarn for a warm hat.
This hat is about 9 inches high so the brim can be pull up for a woman. Double e-wrap each peg, knit off. Rounds 2-6 knit. Round 7 purl Rounds 8 -14 knit. Bring the 1st round of loops up onto the pegs and knit off for the brim. Rounds 14-20 knit. Attach new color b. Rounds 21-26 knit. Change back to color A. Round 27 knit. Round 28 knit 3, turn, knit back, turn, knit back, turn, knit back, 1 bobble made. *Knit 6, turn, knit 3, turn, knit 3, turn, knit 3, turn, knit 3. 2 bobbles made. Repeat from * to end. Six bobbles made. Round 29 knit around. Change to color c. Rounds 30 – 36 – knit around. Change color d. Round 38 -39 – knit around. Change to color A. Rounds 40 – 53 – knit around. Change to color d. Round 54 – knit 3, turn, knit back, turn, knit back, 1 small bobble made. *Knit 6, turn, knit 3, turn, knit 3,. 2 small bobbles made. Repeat from * to end. Six bobbles made. This makes a flower petal effect at the top of the hat. Change to color A. Rounds 55-56. Knit. Cut long tail, draw through each peg and pull piece off loom. Draw closed. Sew over hole and weave in all threads. Next time I’ll share project number 2, a child’s or small adult’s hat. A blog on technique: casting on. This blog will lead to a few follow ups on hats, a subject I meant to cover in February. That intention was derailed by personal issues but I’m returning to it. Hats are top on many loom knitters to do lists. They’re quick, fun, easy, and useful. Who could ask for more? But to begin, I want to discuss techniques. This blog, and the next four issues, will provide 3 patterns and techniques to make your own toppers. Let’s start with the bottom. The bottom of your piece helps define it. What cast on do you use to start a loom knit project? I made 3 hats – starting with an e-wrap, a u-wrap, and a crochet cast on. Here’s how they shaped up, bottoms wise. All of these hats were made on a 36 peg Knifty Knitter loom. I used 4 skeins of yarn and had plenty left over. Also, I used a loom hook and a yarn needle. Each hat took me about an hour working leisurely. I wrapped all the pegs of the loom and then e-wrapped all the pegs, knitting off the bottom loops. I kept working in knit, with e-wraps for 5 more rounds, purled 1 round, and knit 6 more rounds. Then I took a picture of my bottom. With the larger pegs of the Knifty Knitter loom the foundation is a chain of loose oval loops. I didn’t want such loose work on a hat. My nephew would immediately stick his fingers through the holes and easily rip it. I placed the stitches from round 1 up on the pegs and knitted them off. This made a new bottom (as well as a short brim). Now I have loose arches for my bottom. Since I like the brim I left it. I decided to add bobbles and a stripe to this hat. The pattern will be in the next blog. We will set this hat aside and start on one with a crochet cast on. I cast onto peg 1, then reached down into the loop for the working yarn, drawing it up onto peg 2. I reached down that loop and pulled up the working yarn, placing it onto peg 3. This process goes as far as you want it – I finished the round to the end. Then I began u-wrapping for my next levels. This creates a crochet like bottom, with a base and two posts. It makes the bottom look lacy. I used it for a baby hat. Finally, I went to my 3rd hat. I wrapped all the pegs, then lay the working yarn across the tops of the pegs to lift the bottom loops over it. This makes a tighter knit than the e-wrap. This makes a tight chain – two parallel lines all around. I didn’t try the drawstring method because I wanted to make hats from the bottom up. It would work, I believe, from the top down. I will try to make a separate post for that. For now, I have three hats started. The bottoms are shaping up nicely… In my next blog I’ll finish up hat number 1. I made this bag to hold a few things on my bird watching, dog walking expeditions. It is about 3 1/2 inches long and 3 3/4 inches wide. Inside is a pocket. On the outside is a pocket. It has a loop to attach to your wrist or belt. My bag holds a cell phone, a small bag of bags, a small notebook and pen, identification and debit card If needed, a couple of small dog treats, and a lip balm. Not bad for such a small bag! If you have a birding application on your cell phone, and a good camera, you’re as set as your canine friend for a good stroll. At a readers request I’m making this pattern in u-wrap instead of e-wrap. U-wrap means you lay your working yarn above the wrapped loop on the peg and pull the loop over the working yarn. This makes a neat, tight stitch more like the traditional knit stitch. It also uses a little more yarn. But this pattern will just take a bit, maybe a ball that will fit in your fist? Use a 24 peg loom, wrap all pegs. Purl 1, knit 11, purl 1, knit 11. Repeat round 1 for 24 rounds. Knit off 1st 13 stitches. Knit flat for 2 rows. Turn. Purl 1 row. Turn. Knit 2 rows. Turn. Purl 1 row. Turn. Knit 7 rows. Turn. Knit 3, knit 1 off, knit 2, knit 1 off, knit 3. Turn. This made the button holes. Knit 2 rows. Knit off all stitches. For inside pocket, e-wrap 10 pegs, turn. Knit 20 rows. Knit off. Sew to inside of bag. Sew bottom of bag closed from the inside. (turn bag inside out and attach pocket, then sew bag closed.) For handle, wrap all pegs, turn, knit 1 row, turn knit off. sew to upper edges, along the purl stitches of the last row. Wrap all pegs. Knit 6 rounds. Knit off. attach circle to outside front of the bag. Sew on buttons. |
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
October 2022
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