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Loom knitting

37107 views 16 replies Latest reply: February 10, 2016 at 1:54:51 AM

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Stitchboard Admin message #1
Loom knitting
December 24, 2009 at 10:58:23 AM

Loom knitting

Based on a loom knitting discussion in the Knitting, 2 stick knitting, machine knitting Circle, a question has arisen about loom knitting. (Personally, as a hand knitter/crocheter, I first tried a loom a couple of years ago and found it very frustrating.) So, here's the question: do most people who enjoy loom knitting learn this before learning hand knitting and/or crochet?

If you're a loom knitter (or someone who was frustrated upon trying it), please take this poll.

Then feel free to discuss with us which you prefer!

Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

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Posts: 270

wizdmzchyld message #2
Re: Loom knitting
December 24, 2009 at 6:58:03 PM

I learned on one of those little wooden spools with the four nails sticking up and then later learned a bit more on one I bought a niece for Christmas one year. I know there are scads of things you can do with them but I never learned.

charlene

Quote:

Loom knitting

Based on a loom knitting discussion in the Knitting, 2 stick knitting, machine knitting Circle, a question has arisen about loom knitting. (Personally, as a hand knitter/crocheter, I first tried a loom a couple of years ago and found it very frustrating.) So, here's the question: do most people who enjoy loom knitting learn this before learning hand knitting and/or crochet?

If you're a loom knitter (or someone who was frustrated upon trying it), please take this poll.

Then feel free to discuss with us which you prefer!

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #3
Re: Loom knitting
December 24, 2009 at 7:39:03 PM

Charlene,

Ah, yes...a knitting knobby!

I don't remember much, as I haven't used one in ages...I don't recall having as much of a problem with a knitting knobby as a full-size loom...LOL, okay, though I have to admit to the Lazy Woman's Way of making cording...using one of those hand-crank knitters.

Wheat

Member since:
Dec 22, 2009
Posts: 27

Wheat message #4
Re: Loom knitting
December 28, 2009 at 10:55:47 AM

I think how much you enjoy this technique depends both on the type of yarn you like to use and the projects you hope to make.

It has been my observation that those who did K&C and then try Looming on a hard plastic or even the knitting boards, do not enjoy the process.

Those who like MK seem happier

But if you want the most pleasant experience, then you really need to use one of the flexible looms originally offered by In The Attic. I am sure it would have been relegated to a dog toy permanently if my first had been the hard plastics type.

Like many things, it has a place and is more suitable for some projects than others.

I just wish they did not call it a "Loom"

Peace of the Season

Wheat

Its All Just String:
http://www.ItsAllJustString.com

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Stitchboard Admin message #5
Re: Loom knitting
December 29, 2009 at 1:40:56 PM

Wheat,

Quote:

I think how much you enjoy this technique depends both on the type of yarn you like to use and the projects you hope to make.

I agree!

Quote:

It has been my observation that those who did K&C and then try Looming on a hard plastic or even the knitting boards, do not enjoy the process.

That's what I'm beginning to think, as well. As a child, I enjoyed knitting on my "Apple Pie Knitter" (which was a small loom for making Barbie clothes), but that was before I learned to hand knit or crochet. I'm not sure if I'd like it now, but my "Apple Pie Knitter" is long gone, so I can't try it! (Clarification: I've tried the looms they sell now, but wonder if there is a specific difference between those and the "Apple Pie Knitter.")

Quote:

Those who like MK seem happier

Oh, wow, I never thought of that, but undoubtedly you're right! Perhaps that's because looming is closer to using a machine than hand knitting?

Quote:

But if you want the most pleasant experience, then you really need to use one of the flexible looms originally offered by In The Attic. I am sure it would have been relegated to a dog toy permanently if my first had been the hard plastics type.

What kind of loom was that? I've never heard of a flexible one, only the hard plastic looms.

Quote:

Like many things, it has a place and is more suitable for some projects than others.

Excellent point! And I do like the idea that people who will never be interested in learning to knit can at least knit in some way. I'm all for the encouragement of any type of craft!

Quote:

I just wish they did not call it a "Loom"

Hmm...I see your point...it's not truly a loom in the sense of weaving or knitting. So what would you call it?

Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142

StitchMeKnot message #6
Re: Loom knitting
February 3, 2016 at 7:49:04 AM (in response to beadmaster message #1)

I have been a long time crocheter who could not learn to knit before [I'm a lefty]; I tried the looms and loved them, and then by using youtube videos and such, taught myself to needle knit, too. I don't think I would have ever [re]tried to learn how to needle knit except for learning how to do it on the looms.

And now, due to hand / joint pain, sometimes the only thing I can do is loom knit.

Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com

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Member since:
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Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #7
Re: Loom knitting
February 4, 2016 at 2:50:52 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #6)

Debbie,

So happy you don't have to give up knitting entirely.

I have fond memories of loom knitting...my first loom was many years ago, something called the "Apple Pie Knitter," and I made Barbie clothes with it. I've often thought of trying to build my own loom of a similar size to the Apple Pie Knitter, so I can try to recreate the enjoyment of making doll skirts on a loom. Oh, the memories!

Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142

StitchMeKnot message #8
Re: Loom knitting
February 5, 2016 at 5:01:46 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #7)

Quote:

Debbie,

So happy you don't have to give up knitting entirely.

Melanie,

I wouldn't think it would be very hard to make something similar. There are tons of youtube videos on how to make your own; I've seen some made with pens and even those "pick up sticks" that we had when we were kids. Although the best ones I remember were made out of the old wooden thread spools.

Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com

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Stitchboard Admin message #9
Re: Loom knitting
February 5, 2016 at 5:11:16 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #8)

Debbie,

You're right, it really doesn't look terribly difficult...I think the main thing is that I'm not sure of the size of the Apple Pie Knitter, to get a similar sized knitted tube. I don't really remember how many of the posts there were or how wide the loom was. My friend has a book on making looms, and from the sound of it, a tin can and some nails taped to the can would suffice, but again, I'm not sure of the sizing. So perhaps the best thing to do would be to try different sizes of cans until something makes a correct sized tube. LOL, hopefully!

Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142

StitchMeKnot message #10
Re: Loom knitting
February 5, 2016 at 5:53:32 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #9)

I found this if it might help ...

http://spoolknitter.blogspot.com/2008/08/apple-or-cherry-pie.html

Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com

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Member since:
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Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #11
Re: Loom knitting
February 6, 2016 at 3:09:54 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #10)

Debbie,

Thank you...I never knew there were so many different spool knitters made back then, and I'm so surprised they haven't really made a comeback!

The pictures sure do bring back memories.

Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142

StitchMeKnot message #12
Re: Loom knitting
February 7, 2016 at 12:35:35 PM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #11)

Melanie,

I read in the comments on either that page or another ... they said that if you keep an eye on ebay periodically you may be able to find one now and again.

Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com

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Member since:
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Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #13
Re: Loom knitting
February 8, 2016 at 1:26:54 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #12)

Debbie,

Exactly...hoping to find an inexpensive one someday!

Ebay can be frustrating sometimes...it seems every time I want something, I get stuck in a bidding war. Then when I've found whatever and paid a high price for it, someone else comes along with the same thing or something even better for a lower price...and there's no sense in buying it, because I've already got one. And then someone ends up getting it for a way low price, as they're the only bidder.

LOL, I think me and ebay have a bad timing issue.

Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142

StitchMeKnot message #14
Re: Loom knitting
February 8, 2016 at 9:03:16 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #13)

Yeah, I really don't like the auctions for much the same reason ... if I *have* to do ebay, I look for the "buy-it-now" items.

Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #15
Re: Loom knitting
February 9, 2016 at 2:44:50 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #14)

Debbie,

Oh, exactly...the "buy it now" sales are really the only way to go. No bidding war, no worries about the prices going way too high...so much better. The only problem with it is if someone doesn't want to offer it that way...or their "buy it now" price is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay higher than the item is really worth.

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