3 posts tagged “green loom”
It always bothered me that the hat I made never fit quite right. This was one of the first things I made with my KK set. It was too short and a little tight, so this morning I frogged it and made a new one. I wanted to do a knitted pattern for a long time, and this was my chance. I used a single strand of Lion Thick & Quick on the green loom and created this spiral-ribbed hat. I used the non-loopy cast-on method, and then made a ribbed brim by alternating K2, P2 for four rows. I then started the spiral ribbing. This is super easy to do. The green loom has an even number of pegs, so I chose an odd number in my pattern so that it wouldn't end and start at the same spot each time around. I did K3, P2 for about 25 rows. I cast off a little differently, too, because I'm not fond of the lumpy top that results in gathering 36 loops into one bunch. The final row of knitting consisted of pulling the loops from the odd numbered-pegs, and putting them on the even-numbered pegs. Then, knit off the loops. At this point there's just one loop on each even-numbered peg, and you simply use the same removal method that's in the KK directions. (Thread each loop through the tail of the yarn and pull tightly.) It's still a little bunchy on the top, but it's better than before.
I like the look of this hat, plus it fits! And with -20 degree windchills today, I'm happy to have it.
This week, I also finished my bag. Alas, I fear I'll never actually make the bag I set out to make, but I do like it. It's more like a purse, and it's got a retro-1970's feel. To make this, I used the green loom and three strands of yarn (yes, three!). I chose three different weights and colors. One strand was Lion Brand Jiffy (I think) in an olive green color, the second was a flecked beige from Red Heart, and the final was Cotton Twist in a metallic orange. I made a flat bottom (Crystal describes how to do this in her blog). After I finished the bottom, I knitted around until it reached the right height. (I can't remember how many rows--maybe 40?) I wanted the top to curl over like a brim so I didn't do any special stitches. I then made a strap by knitting three pegs into an i-cord with two of the colors. I also braided three strands of the green yarn, and wove it in and out near the top to make a pull string. I had some wooden beads, so I tied them on all the ends for a final, groovy touch.
I wasn't happy with this bag for many days and I almost frogged it, but at some point I realized I liked it. I'm not sure why. Maybe I just got used to the idea I hadn't made a bag--I made a purse, although I think it's big enough to carry around the blue KK and some yarn. So there's a little lesson--don't frog something right away, because it just may grow on you. I would still like to put a fabric lining in this little purse. I think it'd make a good gift for a girl who's into wearing bell bottoms.
I've been a little bit proud of the fact that I don't really have a yarn stash. When I want to make something, I head out and buy the yarn for the project, only giving into temptation once in awhile. So, what happened to me last night? My head is still swimming. I ventured into Goodwill, wondering if I could find a sweater I could salvage, when I happened to notice this Moda-Dea yarn for $1 each. I have no idea what came over me, but I walked out of the store ten minutes later with nine skeins! Okay, it's only nine dollars, but still... What am I going to do with all this?
I wanted to make a bag out of my Bollicine Victor yarn, and I had trouble coming up with a design, so I decided to start from the bottom and work my way up. I chose the green loom, and stated with the woven technique from the Provo Craft backpack. Another KK loomer has done this and she's outlined the way she created the woven bottom here. This was hard. I used one strand of yarn and by the end of six hours, my fingers were aching and I had an elbow cramp. No matter, it was done. It looked like a green plate.
I then had the decision of what stitch to use on the sides of the bag. I liked the bottom because it was a tight weave, and I could imagine actually using this bag to carry my knitting projects to and from work. After a little bit of trial/error, I ended up using a flat stitch with two strands of yarn. This started out just great, but then, about ten rows into it all, something strange started happening. The sides of the bag were caving in, almost like the cuff of a sock. I switched to my blue (Sky) yarn, and kept on going with the flat stitch. After just another five rows, I realized I wasn't making a bag, or a backpack. I was making a bowl!
Bowls are fine, but one out of rather floppy yarn looks interesting but isn't strong enough to actually hold anything unless it was felted. My yarn is 70% wool/30% acrylic and I decided I wouldn't risk trying to felt it, so I taught myself how to "frog," or how to unravel the rows so I wouldn't loose them all. This is easy at first, but gets harder when you try putting the loops back onto the loom.
I frogged all the blue and then got down to the final two rows of green. I fished out my stitch holders and looped in all the loose stitches I could find, and then I put the whole thing back onto the loom. This was only truly difficult near the end, where I was pulling really hard on the yarn to get it over the final few pegs. I highly recommend a stitch holder for any newbie like me who's trying to frog. It lets you salvage your work without too much swearing.
So now I'm using an e-wrap and it's a looser stitch, not like with the flat stitch when it turned into a rolled cuff. I really have no idea how this will turn out, which is one of the reasons why I like knitting. I always learn something new.
I still need to make myself some slippers! It's actually cold out, and I'd love to make a felted pair but I'm a little stumped with how to size them. I'm guessing I'd use the red loom, but maybe the green. I'm also thinking about making a cowl, although minus the pom-poms. Saaski here on Vox made one, and it's pretty neat. Something else I've discovered is that people often salvage yarn from thrift-store sweaters. Not only is this frugal, it seems like fun. Ashley Martineau has created a tutorial that is very detailed and helpful. This may be a good (but also time-consuming) way to acquire wool if you don't mind the work.
I love this thing! Knitting with the KK looms is really, really fast. I decided to make a hat this weekend, so I bought a skein of Lion Brand Thick and Quick yarn and in record time made this hat--and I had enough left over for a headband.
I've learned yarn thickness is really important with the KKs. Thick yarn is best, or two strands of regular worsted weight. I've become fond of the Thick and Quick yarn, and I like this "natural" color. I used the green loom and followed the instructions that came with the looms. I cast on and e-wrapped ten rows, brought the bottom row up and made the brim, and then knit approx. 20 rows before drawing the yarn through to pull into the top of the hat. Quick! I then made the headband by knitting about 30 rows and casting off with a crochet hook. I'm new to this and crocheted too tight, but it makes the headband fit like a charm--nice and snug on top.
What to make next? I'm interested in wool and B is asking for a French Press cozy. A French Press is basically a glass beaker, and coffee gets cold fast, especially in the winter. I have NO idea how to make one, so we'll see...
