`
`Getting Started
`on the
`Round Loom
`
`By Anne Bipes
`
`For additional loom knitting instructional materials and pattenrs, please visit us at
`
`www.loomknitting.com
`
`e 2005 Innm Knittin g All Ri ghts Reserved
`
`I DV 1023
`
`Page 1
`
`
`
`Loom Knitting
`Getting Started on the Round Loom
`
`Introduction
`
`Thank you for purchasing Getting Started on the Round Loom from Loom Knitting. The
`instructions in this book were written for round looms, but can be used for single rake
`straight looms as well.
`
`Many people find the looms easier to use than knitting needles or crochet hooks. Some
`have always wanted to knit, but just couldn't get the knack of working with needles. And
`many accompilshed needle knitters and crocheters enjoy using looms as another tool to
`create beautiful and useful knit pieces.
`
`This book assumes you have no experience with using looms, and will help you get
`started with the basics. Once you master these techniques, you will be ready to learn
`additional stitches, and then how to combine them into a large variety of stitch patterns.
`Loom Knitting can help you along the way.
`
`It is easiest to learn to loom knit if you use a smooth yarn, not a novelty yarn with fur or
`bumps or other texture. We recommend using a single strand of worsted weight yarn for
`all the instructions in this book.
`If you have any questions or comments about this e-book, please contact us at
`customerservice@loomknitting.com .
`
`Wishing you much success and pleasure with your loom knitting,
`Anne Bipes
`
`Table of Contents
`
`Casting On
`E-wrap: One-over-one stitch
`E-wrap: One-over-two stitch
`E-wrap: One-over-three stitch
`E-wrap: Two-over-two stitch
`Hints on not wrapping too tightly
`Knitting with multiple strands
`Gather removal method
`Flat removal method without a crochet hook
`Crochet removal method
`Single chain removal method
`Project ideas for knitting in the round
`
`page
`
`10
`11
`13
`14
`16
`18
`20
`21
`
`© 2005 Loom Knitting All Rights Reserved
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`Casting On
`
`Most round looms have an anchor peg on the side. This is used to hold the ends of the
`yarn in place, so it doesn't unwrap from the loom. Make a slip knot with your yarn,
`leaving about a 6" tail. Put the slip knot on the anchor peg and gently tighten it just so it
`stays.
`
`The basic wrap technique is called an e-wrap. This is because the yarn travels around the
`pegs in a pattenr that looks like a series of lower case cursive es.
`
`It doesn't matter if you wrap the loom in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction.
`(Keep in mind that when you knit lfat pieces on a round loom, you will be going back
`and forth.) It also doesn't matter if you hold the loom with the pegs facing up, down, to
`the left, or to the right, or any other direction. Whatever feels most comfortable for you
`is fine. The pictures will show the pegs pointing up.
`
`Move the yarn to the inside of the loom, straight up from the anchor peg. Then bring it
`around a peg in a circle to the inside of the loom again. Do this again for the next peg.
`Continue all the way around the loom. Notice that the yarn crosses over itself on the
`inside of the loom, and there is a single wrap of yarn on the outside of each peg.
`
`A word of caution: Don't wrap the yarn as tight as it will go. You want the loops to be
`just snug enough that they don't slip off the pegs. If the yarn is wrapped too tightly, you
`will have a hard time moving it off the pegs.
`
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`Page 3
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`
`Once you get to the beginning, go all the way around again. Make sure the second row of
`loops is above the ifrst row. When you fmish the second row, you will see there are two
`loops on each peg.
`
`b. _A
`
`Ar
`
`M
`
`Wrap the yarn around the anchor peg a couple times to secure it, or you can use a half
`hitch.
`
`To knit off, insert the hook tool into the lower loop.
`
`i
`
`I
`
`5
`
`© Loom Knitti
`
`Pull the stitch over the top loop, and over the top of the peg, to the inside of the loom.
`
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`Page 4
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`
`
`OW.
`
`Continue knitting off all the pegs, until all pegs have just one loop on them.
`
`Congratulations! You have successfully cast on to your loom!
`
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`Page 5
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`
`
`One-over-one stitch
`
`MEM
`
`(cid:127)
`
` Knitting
`
`One-over-one means that there are two loops on the peg, and one loop is knit off over the
`other loop. This is also called the stockinette stitch.
`
`Knitting one-over-one with worsted weight yarn produces a lacy piece of knitting on
`large gauge looms. This may or may not be desirable, depending on the piece you are
`working on. The one-over-one stitch is recommended for many novelty yarns with
`texture such as fun fur, fancy fur, eyelash, mohair, etc.
`
`After you have knit off your cast on row, loosen the working yarn from the anchor peg.
`E-wrap the entire loom again, making sure the loops you wrap are above the loops
`already on the pegs. You might have to push the existing loops down a little. Go in the
`same direction on the loom as you did before. When you get to the beginning, secure
`your working yarn on the anchor peg.
`
`Knit off, just as you did before. Insert the hook tool into the lower loop on the peg, and
`pull the loop up and over the peg to the inside of the loom.
`
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`Page 6
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`One-over-two stitch
`
`0410
`
`P;t 2
`
`One-over-two menas that there are three loops on the peg, and one loop is knit off over
`the other two loops.
`
`This is a very pretty stitch, and produces a tighter knit piece thna the one-over-one stitch.
`
`After you have knit off your cast on row, loosen the working yarn from the anchor peg.
`E-wrap the entire loom, making sure the loops you wrap are above the loops already on
`the pegs. You might have to push the existing loops down a little. Go in the same
`direction on the loom as you did before. When you get to the beginning, e-wrap the
`entire loom one more time, placing these loops above the other two. When you are done,
`secure your working yarn on the anchor peg.
`
`Notice that there are now three loops on each peg. Knit off by taking the bottom loop
`and bringing it over the middle and top loops to the inside of the loom.
`
`L
`
`wan
`
`P(cid:127)1 4 VP"'
`
`You still have two loops on each peg. Push them down a little, so you have room to put
`another row of loops on the pegs. Wrap the loom once, so there are three loops on each
`peg again, and anchor your yarn. Knit off, taking the bottom one loop over the top two
`loops.
`
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`Page 7
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`
`
`One-over-three stitch
`
` „vit
`
` it
` illS1
`r
`
`4 9
`
`i 1
`
`Ag1
`1 1
`
`1
` 'J VV";i14
`
`
`i
`4
`10i
`41
`‘1
`
`rNi
`
`=•
`'''v
`
`e 4
`5N'v
`0V4Ai
`
`4''
`
`1 '
`
`10l
`
`1 1
`
`I .
`
`k. 0
`
` t
`
`t
`i
`''W4
`
`One-over-three means that there are four loops on the peg, and one loop is knit off over
`the other three loops.
`
`This stitch looks a bit like a braid. The knitting is thicker and tighter than that made with
`a one-over-two stitch. It also doesn't have as much stretch to it. The stiffness of this knit
`stitch makes it a good choice for tote bags, purses, and cases for cell phones and the like.
`
`After you have knit off your cast on row, loosen the working yarn from the anchor peg.
`E-wrap the entire loom, making sure the loops you wrap are above the loops already on
`the pegs. You might have to push the existing loops down a little. Go in the same
`direction on the loom as you did before. When you get to the beginning, e-wrap the
`entire loom two more times, placing each loops above the loops already on each peg.
`The pegs will seem pretty full. When you are done, secure your working yarn on the
`anchor peg.
`
`Notice that there are now four loops on each peg. Knit off, by taking the bottom loop and
`bringing it up over the three other loops to the inside of the loom.
`
`IN ■. i■,mIN
`
`imi
`
`, ail
` ...Er . .----_ —
` (cid:127)is (cid:127)
`•r
`
`IL ...,
`
`a
`
`(cid:9) ANg
`
`I
`
`11 0
`
`=
`
`You still have three loops on each peg. Push them down, so you have room to put
`another row of loops on the pegs. Wrap the loom once, so there are four loops on each
`
`© 2005 Loom Knitting All Rights Reserved
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`Page 8
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`
`
`peg again, and anchor your yarn. Knit off, taking the bottom one loop over the top three
`loops.
`
`© 2005 Loom Knitting All Rights Reserved
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`Page 9
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`
`
`Two-over-two stitch
`
`I
`
`kqQMLiTali.rd
`
`Two-over-two means that there are four loops on the peg, and two loops are knit off over
`the other two loops.
`
`After you have knit off your cast on row, loosen the yarn from the anchor peg. E-wrap
`the entire loom, making sure the loops you wrap are above the loops already on the pegs.
`You might have to push the existing loops down a little. Go in the same direction on the
`loom as you did before. When you get to the beginning, e-wrap the entire loom two more
`times, placing each loops above the loops already on each peg. The pegs will seem
`pretty full. When you are done, secure your yarn on the anchor peg.
`
`Notice that there are now four loops on each peg. Knit off, by taking the bottom two
`loops and bringing them up over the top two loops to the inside of the loom. If this is
`difficult, take one loop at a time.
`
`-mm
`
`o
`ew
`
`rI
`
`=
`
`M_ir
`
`ions
`
`N
`(cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127)
`
`i
`
`You now have two loops on each peg. Push them down, so you have room to put another
`two rows of loops on the pegs. Wrap the loom twice, so there are four loops on each peg
`again, and anchor your yarn. Knit off, taking the bottom two loops up over the top two
`loops.
`
`© 2005 Loom Knitting All Rights Reserved
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`Page 10
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`
`
`Hints on Not Wrapping Too Tightly
`
`Until you get comfortable with the looms, you may experience a common problem —
`wrapping the yarn so tightly on the pegs that it is hard to ilft the bottom loop over the top
`loop(s). When you lift a yarn loop up and over the peg, the yarn pulls the strands
`between that peg and the pegs on either side of it. So it's not just the yarn wrapped
`around the peg that needs to be loose, but also the yarn that travels between the pegs.
`
`While it's easy to say, "wrap loosely," it isn't always so easy to do. There are several
`
`
`things you can try.
`
`Make sure there is plenty of slack between the skein of yarn and the loom. If you are
`trying to extract the yarn from the skein at the same time as you are wrapping the
`loom, the tension in the yarn will pull your stitches tighter. Keep a little puddle of
`yarn in your lap or next to you.
`
`When wrapping the loom, hold the yarn on the previous peg with one hand while
`wrapping the current peg with the other hand. That will limit how much you stretch
`the yarn.
`
`,
`
`M
`
`You can also wrap and knit off each peg before going on to the next peg instead of
`wrapping the whole loom then knitting off all the pegs.
`
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`Try threading the yarn through a 3-4" length of a drinking straw, and hold the straw
`to wrap the yarn. This can help give an even tension when you are wrapping the
`pegs.
`
`i
`
`A
`
`, .
`
`When you pick up the loop from the peg to knit off, pull it out away from the loom a
`little, then ilft it up and over. Use your hook tool to push the remaining loop down to
`the bottom of the peg to increase the distance between that loop and the loop that
`gets wrapped on the next peg.
`
`m
`
`1 p
`
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`Knitting With Multiple Strands
`
`Instead of using a bulky weight yarn on a large gauge loom, you can use two strands of
`less expensive and more readily available worsted weight yarn. You don't even need to
`buy two skeins; you can use both ends from the same skein.
`
`Another reason to use two yarns is to combine two different textures, especially with one
`being a fun fur or eyelash type yarn. Do be sure that you wrap both strands, and knit off
`two strands. It is easy to inadvertently wrap or knit off only one strand, or for one of the
`remaining loops to silp off the peg.
`
`When you knit with two strands, the strands tend to twist together between the skein and
`the loom. This is because of the wrapping motion of the e-wrap stitch. It does not detract
`from the beauty of your knit piece. When knitting with a fur type yarn, the worsted
`weight yarn gives the piece shape and stability, while the fur gives it texture, and having
`the two yarns wrapped around each other is not a problem at all.
`
`w-,i-2
`
`But what if you don't want the yarn strands twisting around each other when you wrap
`the loom? You have several options.
`
`Keep one skein of yarn on one side of you, and one skein on the other side. This will
`force you to have enough slack in the yarns that you will be able to keep the inevitable
`twisting far enough down that you don't have the twisted yarn on the loom. You'll need
`to turn the loom a few times with each row to untwist the working yarn before it gets to
`the loom, but you'll be able to easily see when it needs to be done.
`
`You could wrap the entire loom with one strand, then wrap the loom with the other. This
`is similar to doing a two-over-two stitch, and makes a wonderful striped pattern if your
`two strands happen to be different colors.
`
`You can wrap one peg, knit it off, then wrap the next peg and knit it off. This helps
`control how the two strands of yarn lay on each peg.
`
`© 2005 Loom Knitting All Rights Reserved
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`Gather removal method
`
`To remove a tube from the loom, you will run a strand of yarn through the loops on all
`the pegs, remove the loops from the pegs, and pull the ends of the yarn strand tight.
`
`When your tube is the length you want it to be, knit off until you have a single loop on
`each peg. Cut your working yarn, leaving a 6" tail. Cut a length of yarn that is a little
`more than twice the diameter of your loom. (You can wrap it around the outside of the
`pegs twice, then add about 6" more.) Thread this yarn onto a blunt end tapestry needle.
`
`Starting at the first peg, bring the needle through the loop, the same way as you did with
`your hook tool. Instead of lifting the loop up and over, pull the needle and the yarn
`through the loop. Make sure to keep about a 6" tail hanging below the first peg. Leave
`the loop on the peg.
`
`IL , ki (cid:9)
`
`Ar
`
`Ar "
`
`AT
`
`Now bring the needle through the loop on the second peg, and pull the yarn through as
`well. Continue all the way around the loom until you have reached the last peg.
`
`Now bring the needle through the loop on the first peg again. Leave the needle on the
`yarn strand.
`
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`Remove the loops from all the pegs. Tunr your piece inside out.
`
`Let the tail of the knitting piece dangle out of the way. Pull on the two ends of the
`gathering yarn until the opening of the tube is cinched closed.
`
`If you used a bulky yarn, there may still be a small hole. With the still-threaded tapestry
`needle, sew across the opening a couple times to pull it tighter.
`
`Tie the two ends of the gathering yarn together. Pick up the knitting tail and include it
`when tying the ends.
`
`Weave the ends into the knitting, or cut the yarn about 1/2" from the knot.
`
`© 2005 Loom Knitting All Rights Reserved
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`Flat Removal Method Without a Crochet Hook
`
`Removing a knit piece from the loom with a lfat method means the ending edge of the
`piece stays the same width or diameter as the rest of the knitting. Don't confuse it with
`knitting a lfat piece. The flat removal methods work for both lfat pieces and tubes.
`
`Knit off all pegs until there is one loop left on each peg. Your working yarn should be at
`the last peg of the row. You will start the removal with the ifrst peg, and work toward the
`working yarn.
`
`Remove the loop from peg 2 and put it onto peg 1 (diagram). Knit off peg 1. Move the
`loop to peg 2.
`
`VIM 1
`
`is;
`
`Remove the loop from peg 3 and put it onto peg 2. Knit off peg 2 (diagram). Move the
`loop to peg 3.
`
`Remove the loop from peg 4 and put it onto peg 3. Knit off peg 3. Move the loop to peg
`4.
`
`Continue in this manner until there is one loop left on the loom. E-wrap that peg, and
`knit it off. Cut the working yarn, leaving a 6" tail
`
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`
`E-wrap the peg again, and knit it off. Remove the loop from the peg. Pull the loop until
`the end of the yarn comes through. Gently pull it snug against the knit piece. Weave the
`tail in
`
`© 2005 Loom Knitting All Rights Reserved
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`Crochet Removal Method
`
`This method produces a fmished edge identical to the flat removal without a crochet
`hook.
`
`If you are using a worsted weight or similar weight yarn, you will need a size J or K
`crochet hook. If you are using a bulky weight yarn, you will need a size ??? crochet
`hook. This method works for both tubes and lfat knit pieces.
`
`Knit off all pegs until there is one loop left on each peg. Your working yarn should be at
`the last peg of the row. You will start the removal with the ifrst peg, and work toward the
`working yarn.
`
`Remove the loop from peg 1 and put it on the crochet hook.
`
`Remove the loop from peg 2 and put it on the crochet hook. Pull loop 2 through loop 1,
`leaving just loop 2 on the hook.
`
`Remove the loop from peg 3 and put it on the crochet hook. Pull loop 3 through loop 2,
`leaving just loop 3 on the hook.
`
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`Remove the loop from peg 4 and put it on the crochet hook. Pull loop 4 through loop 3,
`leaving just loop 4 on the hook.
`
`Continue in this manner until all the loops are removed from the loom and there is one
`loop left on the crochet hook. Cut the working yarn, leaving a 6" tail
`
`Wrap the working yarn around the crochet hook. Pull that loop through the loop already
`on the crochet hook. Pull the loop until the end of the yarn comes through. Gently pull it
`snug against the knit piece. Weave the tail in
`
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`
`Single Chain Removal Method
`
`This method produces a fmished edge with more stretch than the other lfat removal
`methods. There is a single chain stitch made between each loop that comes off the loom.
`
`If you are using a worsted weight or similar weight yarn, you will need a size J or K
`crochet hook. If you are using a bulky weight yarn, you will need a size ??? crochet
`hook. This method works for both tubes and lfat knit pieces.
`
`Knit off all pegs until there is one loop left on each peg. Your working yarn should be at
`the beginning of the row. You will start the removal with the ifrst peg.
`
`Remove the loop from peg 1 and put it on the crochet hook.
`
`1411 11
`
`Wrap the working yarn around the crochet hook. Pull the new loop through the loop that
`came from the loom, leaving just one loop on the crochet hook.
`
`Remove the loop from peg 2 and put it on the crochet hook. Pull that loop through the
`loop already on the crochet hook from the working yarn. You should now have just one
`loop on the hook, which came from the loom.
`
`Wrap the working yarn around the crochet hook. Pull the new loop through the loop that
`came from the loom, leaving just one loop on the crochet hook.
`
`Continue in this manner until you get to the last peg on the loom. Put it on the crochet
`hook. Pull it through the loop already on the hook from the working yarn.
`
`Wrap the working yarn around the crochet hook. Pull the new loop through the loom that
`came from the loom, leaving just one loop on the crochet hook. Cut the working yarn,
`leaving a 6" tail
`
`Wrap the working yarn around the crochet hook again. When you pull this loop through,
`pull it all the way until the end of the yarn comes through.
`
`Gently pull it snug against the knit piece. Weave the tail in.
`
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`
`
`Project Ideas For Knitting in the Round
`
`Hats! With a cuffed brim, or a rolled brim. Use variegated yarn for a unique self
`pattern. Make vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, or both. Make them extra long to wrap
`around the neck as a scarf also. (Many charities accept hats. So do hospitals, especially
`hats for premies and newbonrs, and chemo caps.)
`
`Scarves! Use a fun fur and knit a long tube. Add a strand of worsted weight yarn to
`make it even warmer. Leave the ends open and add fringe. Or gather the ends closed and
`add tassles.
`
`Cozies! With a small loom, make cozies for water bottles, wine bottles, soda cans,
`coffee cups, dish soap bottles, anything you can think of!
`
`Soap mitts! Lather and scrub all in one step. Use a cotton yarn, gather up one end, slip
`in a bar of soap and gather up the other end.
`
`Skirts! Use a large loom to make a skirt for a small girl. A long tube is all you need to
`knit. Fold down an edge for a waistband, sew in some elastic, and you're done!
`
`Tube socks or stockings! A long skinny tube, gathered at the toes to keep your
`tootsies warm!
`
`Leg warmers! Add some elastic thread to the tops to help them stay up.
`
`Mittens! Make them as long as you want to keep your wirsts warm too.
`
`Winter holiday decorations! Knit a white tube on a small loom, stuff with balls or
`fiberfill, and you have a snowman. Add some buttons for a face, braid a scarf, and don't
`forget to add a loom knit hat! Use red yarn to make Santa. Fun fur would make a great
`beard.
`
`Easter decorations! Knit a hat shape as a cover for an Easter basket. A very tiny cap
`would make a little basket to keep a colored egg safe.
`
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`Page 21