Knifty Knitter Long Loom Series
75Double Knitted Scarf
Long loom frustrations
Ever since I posted a Hub on how to use the circular knitting loom, I've been getting questions from people wanting to know how to make things on the long looms. So yesterday I decided I better teach myself how to use one. And I found the directions that come with the kit were not all that helpful. For one thing, the booklet looks like it would be big enough, but it actually contains instructions in 4 languages, so only about 1/4 of it is instructions on how to use the loom.
So I went to the Provo website recommended by the brochure, and they have virtually nothing on using the long looms.
So I went to http://www.youtube.com/ and found some, but alas, some of them use a technique entirely different from the one in the booklet, using more of a double lacing pattern.
The long looms can be used for circular knitting (just like the round loom only squished into an oval), or, you can do double knitting with it, or single knitting (by only using some of the pegs).
I will post photos of my project so far. Remember, I'm just like you, learning as I go. If we put our heads together we can figure this thing out.
One woman on youtube even displays a circular baby blanket made on the knitting loom and says anything is possible. Unfortunately she doesn't explain how she did it. So we are off like a herd of turtles.
Update: The Provo site just added instructions. About time I say! http://www.provocraft.com/products/index.products.php?cl=knifty%20knitter
Tutorial, flat panel, double knitting, long loom PART 1
Various loom projects
The diamond pattern I mentioned above.
Scarf
Knitting Loom Blog
- Book by Kathy Norris
I am getting daily emails from people wanting to know how to do everything under the sun on their knitting looms. And while I am flattered, they are often further ahead on the learning path than I am so it's not much help. But I just bought this book "More Knitting Wheel Fashions" so I plan to catch up with them so I can be more useful.
- Knitting Wheel Fashions
I got a new loom knitting book called More Knitting Wheel Fashions by Kathy Norris. This is going to fill in some of the blanks in my knowledge I hope. It has 18 new projects. I'll have to keep my eyes open for Knitting Wheel Fashions, which I assume came out already. This does seem to have pretty clear instructions so we'll see how it goes. It has patterns for scarves, socks and hats and a baby section. It's by Leisure Arts. I've enjoyed many of their books. I really like the black and white checkered scarf on the front cover. Must be a throwback to my days as a mime.
- Wooden Knifty Knitter Rip off Looms
I was browsing the booths in Quartzsite AZ when I came to one with a sign that said 'material'. So I beelined it for the entrance. I instantly spotted some items made on a Knifty Knitter loom. But wait...it wasn't the Provo Craft Knifty Knitter loom. The artisan had obviously taken a set of Knifty Knitter looms and copied them slavishly to make wooden looms. Personally I would much rather have them in wood for period encampments like SCA and primitive gatherings. But it gauls me to the core that this couple ripped off the KK loom designs and made it their own. They even sell the round looms in a set of four just like the plastic looms. And they have the long loom version as well. Now I know knitting looms have been around a very long time and there are wooden ones out there. And maybe I'll get one some day. I've seen some on Youtube. But sooner or later Provocrafts is going to get wind of those guys and sue their little arses off. Ugh. So needless to say I didn't buy one. Also, wood is heavier than plastic so a little more tiring to use I am sure.
Circular Loom Tutorial
My Almost Daily Craft Blog
- Little Girl's Room
I'm getting ready to have my daughter visit. Which means I have to hide the things I'm making for her for Christmas. HAHA. I picked up some root beer colored beads last night at Michael's. I suppose it's a sign of the times that now they have a combo lock on their bathroom and their employee's lounge. Those didn't exist when I worked there. Very inconvenient when you have to use the restroom. And they no longer just tell you the password. You have to wait for them to page someone to come to the door and unlock it for you. Kind of like being in second grade eh? I'm surprised they don't come in the stall to watch you. At any rate, I got my beads, and got to work on my beaded collar for about an hour before bedtime. I think I have enough beads in the right colors now to finish it. It's getting pretty heavy, but I actually like the way the weight of a beaded garment will hug your body. I met two knitters at the Nanowrimo meeting yesterday. They just learned so I'm looking forward to seeing them again so I can teach them to knit a hat to go with their scarves. One of them told me about a site called 'Write or Die". If you have trouble writing blog posts in a timely fashion you might want to check it out. I tried it last night but I was so tired, I'll have to try it again. You set it for how many words you want to write and in what length of time, and then the timer keeps you on track. Sometimes I think my blog entries are a little on the slim side so I will definitely try it. Otherwise I tend to daydream instead of write.
- My Life in a Vlog
I've decided to make a vlog about what I've been up to lately and as soon as it uploads to youtube I'll share it here. It is me talking about Nanowrimo and Halloween 2009. And it highlights some of the projects I'm working on right now. Sometimes I forget I can make videos and weeks go by without me making one. I make them with my Canon Power Shot and Windows Movie Maker. I'm working on 2 aprons. I'm also making a knitted rug. And a beaded collar. And writing 1,667 words a day for the National Novel Writer's Month. It sounds like a lot but I still have time to blog and watch too much TV and sit around daydreaming.
- Bread and Aprons
It's been a busy day and I'm getting kind of sleepy. But I'm still making bread. The loaf I spent all day making is about ready to go into the oven. I can't wait to see it turning brown. My first loaf ever of home baked sourdough bread. I'm so excited. While it was rising, I went to the fabric store and picked out the fabric to make two aprons for Christmas gifs. Each apron has 2 fabrics. So for the first one I'm going with red chili peppers on a burnt orange background with orange and yellow polka dots for the pockets and straps. The other one is a mod retro looking swirl of colors. Two of the colors are hot pink and brown. So the contrast will be a small print in brown with pink stars. My daughter's new kitchen is shades of brown so the apron will hopefully go with it more or less. The fabric is in the washer getting pre-shrunk so I won't start on those until tomorrow.
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Comments
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! The instructions that came with my loom are horrible. I really appreciate this, now I can figure this thing out.
Just received a long loom and can't understand the booklet that came with it. What great instructions you have put together. Thank you.
I know how to do the double knit on the long loom, but I would like to know how to do the single stitch on the long pink loom.... do you know how to do that?? I've made several scarves using the double stitch, but I'm wanting to try the single knit... thanks!
Hi Angel,
Have you ever used the circular looms? If you can visualize the oval long loom as a pinched round loom, you use it exactly the same way. You go around the perimeter wrapping one peg at a time. Then you go around again until 2 loops are on each peg. Then you lift the bottom yarn over the top yarn and off the peg.
Wrap again. Lift bottom yarn over top yarn like before and repeat.
Keep going until you have the length you want. Then, pull off a bit of yarn at the end, thread a yarn needle, pick up each stitch one by one, remove from peg and gather them all up. Tie knot to secure. Weave in ends.
See photos here:
http://hubpages.com/_l6f64eotqm13/hub/Gift_ideas_f
Thanks for your visual. Very helpful. I tried it with only one strand of yarn, came out too loose. Stitches looked very messy. I guess two strands work better and give a tighter and better looking stitch. Will try it again.
Very helpful photos, thank you
I started the loom knitting with the purple long loom..I am addicted and recently bought the round loom set. My question is where can I find the other long looms?
I got my long loom set at Joanne's Fabrics.
I presume this is what the wooden cotton reel with 4 nails in the top developed into -its rather cool -Im wondering if I can buy one in Australia - do they come up in EBay and Amazon - because I would be happy to buy mail order hint hint!
That's a great question. Anyone here in Australia? I've seen other versions of knitting looms on some of the YouTube videos. A clever person could even make one out of wood.
I've seen them on ebay. I also know that I bought the long loom set for my granddaughter at Michaels (and if you wait for the 50% off coupon it only costs $10! - what a deal!). I appreciate the wonderful step by step pics you did I too was frustrated with the directions.
I have a question about the ribbed knit stitch on the long loom. It's shown in the Kinfty Knitter III booklet that I bought at Wal-Mart, but I can't figure out how to turn around and go the back the other direction when I get to the other end. Do you have any advice?
Thank you very much for your posting on the project!!!!!! It's helped me alot. You were so right about the web site, it showed nothing about "How To" on it. So thanks to you I can now get started on my daughters and sons blankets.
Thank you, thank you. I bought the long looms and was so frustrated trying to follow the instructions. Your pictures and explanation were wonderful. It must have been a lot of work and I want you to know that it is really appreciated. Thanks.
Thank you so much! I bought the looms today because I just couldn't crochet correctly, let alone knitting. The kit seemed easy yet I almost laughed at the instructions. I couldn't figure them out for the world. You've helped me tremendously! Thank you again =)
Hi! My daughters and I worked on the round looms for awhile and became addicted...I bought the long looms last week and, you're right. The instructions are a JOKE. I followed them very closely but my stitches came out too loose, even when I tried with 2 strands! Any ideas?
Recently I noticed new books hitting the craft stores on Loom Knitting. Next time you are in your favorite store, check their book section.
Also, experiment with your strands MO. Too many strands and you struggle to lift the loops over the pegs. Too few and it looks took open. Try different combos until you find one that you like. I find a more slubby or texturned yarn like Homespun or Fun Fur fills in the gaps nicely.
Thank you so much for this. I have just got my loom and this helped ALOT. But I dont know how to finish it. How the heck do you remove the knitting. Thanks for the help.
Hi, Thanks for the very organize project. I try using the instructions in the package. After 3 hours and nothing done, I decided to go to my computer. Now I will try again using your instructions and pictures, and will make a scraft.
thank you so much that helps more than you know i really appreciate the help
thank you for the instruction it was much easier just watching of youtube.com
great info thank you
Wow you are a god send, I bought the same loom you did and the instructions were terrible, but your pictures really helped alot... I'm not sure if I did it right but it looks nice, I just need to know how to finish it so i can get the yarn off the loom.... thanks again!
The only thing i thought wasn't explained was the second set of wraps. one you pull it and 'hold for a moment'...then what? 'adding next set of wraps' didn't help much...wouldn't that leave the last peg without a top wrap? (that keeps happening when i try)
I will be making a video soon. That should make things easier Sabrina.
Hi and thanks for the info it is very helpful. I still am having a problem understanding how to make a flat panel on the long looms. Every time I try the yarn is to tight and it won't work. I tried looking for the directions on the provocraft web page but could not find it. I can use the round looms but I can't seem to get the long looms. I'am really anxious to try them. Can you help?
Thanks ,
April Kegley
I picked up two pamplets for .99 each yesterday that may help a great deal. Knitting with the Knifty Knitter (A New Experience in Knitting) by Provocraft and Knitting with the Knifty Knitter 2. Version 2 covers the long loom. They also cover how to do ribbing and binding off.
Good news! I figured it out...the answer is yes, you do leave a corner peg without a top wrap in that step...and I finished my scarf!! the ending isn't that hard...if you do it right, it makes little loops that you can pull the last strand through, then tie in a knot and done!
I couldn't have done it without your tutorial, though...thanks! =D
I appreciate your clear instructions, the company should hire you to do the booklet! I was wondering if you have any instructions on the other stitches the company mentioned on the back of their booklet.
Thank you Holly. I am working on that right now. All the good stuff like increasing, decreasing, cables and so forth.
I, too, wanted to thank you. I am just hopeless when crafting... though I love it very much. I am making something now with the e wrap on pink oval loom.... my husband asked me what it was..... I was then stumped! I have no clue. I don't even know how to finish it off. and what exactly is knit one pearl two? HELP!!! lol Thank you!!
Its great instructions, but i just need to know how to finish, like u said u would be doing. but im sure ur a busy woman lol. get back to me soon. thanks again
THANKS SO MUCH IT WAS MUCH CLEARER TO SEE IT DONE, COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE INSTRUCTION THAT CAME WITH THE LOOMS. HOWEVER I NEED HELP HOW DO YOU FINISH THE PRODUCT. IM DOING A SCARF BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO STOP AND TAKE IT OFF.
how to you bind off using the kniffty loom
You are just wonderful for helping. Can't thank you enough!! I am sure I will have lots of questions.
i'm trying to make a scarf. i only bought one skein of yarn and now realize i need more yarn. how do i attach the second skein to the loom to make the scarf longer?
Could you help with turning when working with the ribbed stitching?
Thank you. now I am going to tackle a shawl.
Thank you so much for your pictures! They were a lot more helpful than some of the videos I saw on Youtube. The pictures were nice and clear! This is my first time knitting and I was having a hard time getting started. Thanks again!
how do I know which looms makes what?
Beginner asked how to attach a new strand of yarn. I loosely tie a new yarn to the old yarn temporarily, allow a few inches of slack, and continure on with the new yarn. After the piece is off the loom, I untie the knot, and weave both ends in.
Cricket asks how to know which loom makes what. I know people that make everything on the round loom and never even need the long oval looms. You can make flat pieces on the round loom by not joining the ends together and working back and forth instead.
The smallest round loom makes a baby hat, the next bigger one, a child's hat, then an adult hat and the biggest one of all makes an XL adult hat. If you think of the ring like a crown, and it almost fits over your head, that is the size hat you will need.
There is a series of booklets published called knitting with the knitfy knitter by provocraft that I found in my local wal mart for 50 cents each. They look like pamphlets with about 8 or 9 projects each in them. Very helpful, and there is alot of info on the long looms, plus a section in the front for different stitches. I just finished a basic toboggan from this book on my long looms, used as if it were a round loom as discussed above. Ilove these things!
I bought 3 books recently that are long and narrow, so I'm guessing they are the same ones, but I think I paid .99 each. They came out after this article was written. I haven't had time to do anything with them yet. I'm still trying to finish about 6 knifty knitter loom projects that I already have started. Here is a photo I took of two of them so you can see if it's the same ones you have. http://flickr.com/photos/almostfamous/2764808726/
MoonMaiden~
Please help. I have three projects going on three different looms.. because I can't figure out how to take the scarves off the darned looms! I don't crochet, so I can't figure out the instructions with the crochet hook. Please.. if you can.. can you explain this to me? Incidentally, your tutorials are phenominal! You should work for ProvoCraft!
Thank you,
You don't need to use a crochet hook. You can do the same thing with a yarn needle. Thread the needle with a long piece of yarn. Secure one end on your project, I can't go into detail without knowing the type of project. With the round loom, if you are making a hat, you go through each loop once and remove each loop from the peg and then gather them up as if on a giant drawstring. Then secure the end and weave at least 6" back into the project and cut off the excess.
With a scarf, assuming you want the end to be flat, you'd have to catch each loop, probably taking one stitch on the right, then the left, then the right, thus weaving back and forth to secure each loop. Remove from loom, flatten out and secure. I know that's kind of vague, and you'll have to experiment to get the shape you want, but I hope it helps.
I was going to try the mittens but the directions are confusing. They mention the e wrap so that from above it looks like series of lowercase eaCtms. This is the provo craft mitten pattern I got off the Provo Craft site. Thanks, Toni toniandlou@live.com
oh THANK you!!! My dear lady, you are a GODsend! I was SO confused by the silly pamphlet included with the knift knitter, as well as the instructions they provided on the website. And I understand crocheting, too! I just never got the hang of knitting ~ so I thought, you know, those knitter doo-hickey's might just be the answer... but HAH ~ up till now I was STILL stumped! Dumb thing is, I even know how to weave... but the little booklet they included with the knitter was SO ... annoying! Your pictures made it perfectly clear, however! Again, THANK YOU!!!
~Red
I am trying to make some scarves but find that one skein of yarn is far too short how can you add a skein to make a longer one?
Justasoftbreeze@yahoo.com
WEll finally . complete understandable instructions. Thank you so much.
i still dont understand how to do the e wrap. No matter what I try, I'm still not sure what it is or that it's right. I really want to get this done and am feeling very frustrated. Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks!
Thank you Thankyou Thank you
Hi, I was making a baby blanket with 4 medium size squares with the letters Individual letters in each square to spell out baby. Well, when I started my 1st square, it just narrowed into the center making it smaller with the shape of a 'backwards C' on each side and wasn't looking good. So, I gave up. How do you keep it from going inward using the blue long loom, when you want a straight edge and the same width on both sides? Any help on this? Thanks!
I was wondering if it is possible to convert standard knitting patterns to the looms. I have a Christmas Afghan pattern that is knitted in squares and then sewn together. Each block consists of a picture so there is a lot of color changes and I've never been able to master it. What do you think?
As an FYI...there is a small woman-owned business that claims to have created the "long loom" design (in wood) only to be copied by "a...well-known craft company"...I'm not connected with them, but I came across their website as I was searching for information on knitting boards (and came across yours as well, and your instructions and photos are excellent!) Check out http://www.oldfashionedknittingboard.com and needless to say...you might want to re-reconsider who you buy from ;)
Thank you so much for this blog. Your directions are so clear and consise. I just purchased a purple long loom from Provocraft and was getting discouraged because the directions are so confusing.
How do you get tit of the loop. Please tell me ho to do it. Thant you , I' just learning ho to doing it
Hi, can you tell me where you got that grey and pink yarn and what Brand it is
Hi, Moonmaiden: Thank you for taking the time to document this perplexing little pastime. The instructions that came with my long loom set are not good. It might be that the different languages get in the way. It's enough to have to read my language, figure out what the loom wants from me. The burden falls on the reader to sort out the languages, which gets in the way of learning. As you mention, taking the knot off of the anchor peg is important. Thank you for working this out for me. Best wishes, Knottsdale.
Hi Kelly,
I believe the pink yarn may be Dazzleaire, but I bought it a long time ago so I have no idea if it's still out there.
Thanks Knottsdale. More and more books are coming out so our learning can continue.
THANK YOU!! I have been looking all over for this yarn. I was thinking it might be red heart, but couldn't find anything. You've given me one more clue to search. BTW, you're instructions were SOOO helpful. I did my first scarf totally wrong, and after looking at your instructions scarf #2 is going MUCH better. I'm using black and white yarn.
I'd love to make a baby blanket for my daughter. Any idea on an easy pattern with no crochet? TIA!
Hi Kelly,
You may not have made your first scarf wrong. There are a lot of different methods out there, and new ones show up on video tutorial sites all the time. But I'm glad you found my article useful.
Hi Julie,
Have you checked youtube and other sites for baby blanket tutorials? I'm sure some of the new books out must have such a thing as well.
I cannot figure out how to decrease on my round looms. I am trying to make a hat and without decreasing, it's too bulky on top. Somebody please HELP!
I just started using the long loom to make a scarf. Your instructions are phenomenal! I am chomping at the bit to see the pictures of how to close the scarf. Although, I have read the instructions over and over they do not make any sense to me. In the meantime I'm starting another scarf. I'm trying to make Christmas presents. Thanks for your help.
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caspar says:
2 years ago
Nice clear instructions - thank you!