Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Traditionally knitting work is done with the help of the needles, but nowadays looms are widely used for knitting purpose. These looms are nothing but the machines which are used for weaving treads or yarn to make textiles.

Looms range from large automatic machines to small handy frames. There are some looms that are automatic and work with wire assembly. They are called wiring looms.

A loom will hold and wrap the threads beneath strain, which will allow interweaving of the weft threads which are horizontal threads in the weaving. Though there are different sizes of looms the basic functionality of these does not change.

Historically looms, also called Amish loom or knitting boards, are used for different weaving patterns. They are generally made of either from plastic or wood. These knitting looms are recently popularized in the area of crafting by Knifty knitter system, descendants of frame loom in grooved pegs spaced along a central frame.
While knitting you have to wrap all these pegs with yarn in different ways. After wrapping these pegs by the yarn you have to use a hook with the angle so as to pull this wrapped yarn from the top of the pegs. This will be woven into fabric which like knitted fabric.

While wrapping these pegs by yarn you will come across different combinations. Using these different combinations you will be able to make several intricate patterns. This process is simple but the variety, shape and size will give you different patterns.

With looms, it’s fairly easy to make a variety of different things such as scarves, sweaters and more. You will be able to create different gift items using these knitting looms as well. In fact you can even create larger fabrics (like for clothing pieces or coats) by using large knitting machines or looms.

If you want fabric on a regularly basis (like for business projects), then you may choose to make use of handy loom frames that are also easy to handle. Choose from manual knitting looms and automatic machines that are electrical, assembled with wire systems to work on their own.

Note that automatic knitting looms give you the same quality as manual ones as well as the same quality that you are getting from the knitting needles or that you get from handy knitting looms.

Many people prefer a knitting loom over knitting. It may seem difficult at first, but it is actually very easy to handle plus you get are maintenance free equipment and enhanced variety of patterns by combinations of the weaving abilities.



BRYON

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Knitting is becoming popular; loom knitting is an obvious solution for the next “time-conscious” generation of knitters. Loom knitting is very old craft, but it is in style again. Loom knitting is available in a variety of shapes such as round, oval, and rectangular. One type of them have one row of pegs, they are known as single rakes; the size of loom is a decided on fact how much you want to expand the piece of cloth. Size of pegs and their distance from each other, these factors affect the knit stitching and also thickness of yarn that works best on it.

Typically Loom is used to make knit fabric. These pegs look like a piece of knitting needle. There are various methods of wrapping the yarns on the pegs, to create knit work in variety of stitches and patterns, same as needle do. On rake loom creates a fabric that has number of distinctive right and wrong faces, while double rake loom creates a double knit fabric, both having right sides.
Loom knitting is quite an easy task; you can easily learn it, especially people who scare of knitting with needles, will surely find loom knitting easier. There is plenty of information regarding how to do loom knitting, and hoe to get the wonderful patterns, out of loom knitting, there are many websites available on internet you can easily get an idea.

Children as young as 5 years old can easily knit, there own hat using the loom. So kids will be busy during long winter vacations. Traditional needles can also make loom knit. In many countries knitting looms are usually made to give away. Instead of large floor looms or mechanically driven weaving looms these looms are lightweight and portable.

Looms can be used for knitting while watching television, though it sounds quite difficult but it’s true once you have a practice no need to look at it at all. In a waiting room, or while you are in your car and getting bore of traveling, this could be a great way of using your time, same way you will be doing something creative and productive.

There are different kinds of looms:

1. Hat looms:

Hat looms are obtainable in 4 different knitting gauges:

- Large gauge allows the use of two strands.

- Regular gauge allows the use of one strand, single stitch, and beautiful tight stitch.

- These gauges are preferred for baby items.

2. sock and bootie looms:

Sock and knitting looms are available in three different gauges:

There are three varieties regular gauge, small gauge, and fine gauge:

- Regular loom allow you to knit with different yarn thickness for different season.

3. Afghan looms: there are infinity rakes in these type. They are oval and infinity rake.

4. Mitten looms:

They are available in two different gauges, regular and fine gauge.

Looms are also classified according to the gauge size:

1. Large gauge looms

2. Regular /medium gauge looms

3. Small gauge looms

4. Fine gauge looms

5. extra small gauge loom

6. extrafine looms



LAWRENCE

Gina Williams asked:


Loom knitting is as well referred to as French knitting, reel knitting, spool knitting, box knitting, rake knitting, ring knitting, bung knitting, frame knitting etc Loom knitting is an historic fine art that has recently found a revival. Knitting nowadays is highly popular all over the world. And the revival of knitting looms in the world of knitting has given all knitters a grounds to smile.
Looms were used extensively in the medieval age in nations like Britain, France, Germany and many other places in Europe. People used the technique of loom knitting to knit bags, purses, tasseled caps, petticoats, shawls, hammocks, curtains, nets, petticoats etc. A common opinion is that guild apprentices knit carpets for their masters on frame boards i.e, knitting looms.

Knitting looms can be separated in to three basic types- the round loom, the rake loom and the knitting board. The round loom is not necessarily round. It could be a square, rectangle, an oval or even diamond-shaped. All pegs of this loom are necessary to be continuous without any specific starting or stopping point. The distance between the pegs of this loom determines its gauge. A lot of space implies a lot of gauge.

There is not much difference between the round loom and the rake. However, the rake, second type of knitting loom, has continuous pegs which have a beginning and a finishing point. Once Again, the gauge of the pegs in this loom is defined by the length between them. Only flat knitting can be done on this type of knitting loom.

A knitting board is a loom with two twin rakes. These parallel rakes are used to knit across the loom. A double knit fabric can be created with the help of a knitting board. The gauge of this type of loom is marked by two factors- the length between its pegs and the space between its rakes. A wider gauge is created by a larger distance between either of the two.

Loom knitting is facilitated by the different devices on a knitting loom. The knitting looms that have single rows of pegs are called single rakes, while those having double rows of pegs are called double rakes. Knitting materials that have a distinctive right and wrong side can be made with single rakes. A double material with both right sides can be produced with the aid of double rakes.

The purpose pegs serve in loom knitting is same as the purpose needles serve in hand or machine knitting. Each peg in a loom is like a knitting needle which is used to make different patterns and stitches on a loom. Gauge is the length between the pegs of a loom. It is this standard of measurement that specifies the size of the stitches that can be produced, as also the thickness of yarn that would work the best for a particular loom.

Loom knitting has not only gained a return but also is acquiring popularity. It is easy to learn and the knitting looms are simple to use. Those who have given up crochet and needle knitting owing to arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or other such complaints can enjoy loom knitting instead. It does not require use of needles and is quite user friendly.

The trend of loom knitting is taking the world by storm and is for certain doing a lot good to the world of knitting.



LEE

Christa Kowalczyk asked:


Knitting loom is a kind of prehistoric art that has many kinds of loom shapes like oval, round and rectangular. It has different types.

A Knitting loom is a very old art that has been revived recently. It is known by different names such as:

? frame knitting

? rake knitting

? ring knitting

? box knitting

? bung knitting

? spool knitting

? reel knitting

? French knitting

? Loom knitting

? Knitting in the round

? Knitting board

During the middle ages, looms were used in:

- France

- Britain

- Germany and

- Other parts of Europe

They used it to knit:

? tasseled caps

? petticoats

? shawls

? blankets

? stockings

? bags

? purses

? sacks

? nets

? hammocks

? curtains

Looms come in different shapes like:

- round

- oval and

- rectangular

Some looms have two rows of pegs, and these are called double rakes. The size of a knit piece depends on the loom’s size. The gauge or distance of pegs and its size make the size of the knit stitches. The thickness of yarn also contributes to its size.

To form knitted fabric, you can use loom. Imagine that the pegs of the loom are pieces of knitting needles. Different methods of wrapping yarn on the pegs make different stitches and patterns.

The single rake looms make the knitted fabric possess a distinctive right and wrong sides. The double rake looms are used in making double knitted fabric right at both sides.

It is also easy to learn loom knitting. Many people find it simple to use this, unlike knitting needles. Those who have problems with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome and other ailments enjoy loom knitting.

Loom knitting revived again. Perhaps it is because of its fast and easy way of getting into knitting.

The three basic types of looms are:

1. Round Loom

The most common round looms is the Knifty Knitters. Round looms though called round can be a

- circle

- triangle

- oval

- square

- heart and many others

The shape does not matter. What matters is that all of the pegs are unbroken. It must have no starting or stopping point. The measurement of a round loom is determined by the space between the pegs. The further the pegs the larger the gauge. The good thing about round looms is that you can use it for circular knitting. You can also use it for flat panel knitting like a rake. Stitching is the same except for the knitting. With circular, you continuously knit in the same direction for the whole piece. With flat panel, the knitting is back and forth.

2. Rake

Knitting on a rake is same as knitting on a round loom. The difference is that a rake is a single line and the pegs have beginning and end point. You can do flat knitting using a rake. The distance between the pegs can determine the gauge.

To know where you are in a pattern, know how pegs are numbered on the loom.

? Peg 1 being the first peg to the left of the anchor peg.

? You are able to identify anchor pegs by looking on the top portion of your circular loom, and it can sometimes be found at the end of the rake.

? The only anchor peg found on the right also has a counterpart peg, and this is found on the left. Therefore, peg 1 is the first peg to the right above the rake.

? The number for the succeeding pegs for round looms and rakes continues to the left. Peg 2 follows peg 1 to the left, peg 3 follows peg 2 to the left and so on.

3. Knitting Board

This is a two parallel rake used together to knit across. Knifty Knitters is one of the most common long looms knitting board. These looms serve dual function. It can be a round loom and as a knitting board. To create double-knit fabric, you will need a knitting board. Two different factors will determine the gauge:

- distances of pegs

- distances of the two rakes

The greater the distance, the larger gauge created. There are different gauges of knitting boards available. Some manufacturers give you the chance to alter the gauge of the knitting board. You can change the distance between the two pegs. In Knifty Knitters, one gauge is available.

Also, knitting boards have different knitting sizes for hats, bags, scarves, socks, blankets and many others.



BOBBY

Gina Williams asked:


Knitting has regained popularity in recent years. Once thought to be for just the older generation, this is not so now, as it is enjoyed by young and old alike. So is the case with the knitting looms. Knitting on looms is far easier than knitting with needles. There are various manufactures who produce knitting looms, these can be used by you at home. They are easy to use and help to make knitting interesting. Knitting looms vary from, plastic looms to the heavy duty wooden looms.

Knitting looms that are available in to days market come in various shapes and sizes, these including oval, round and rectangular. There are also looms that you can buy that are shaped like butterfly, this design is helpful in creating knots and crochets. Some manufacturers have made fun filled looms which glow in the dark. You would find these knitting looms helpful if you wanted to work in a dimly lit room.

Parents can even get a gift child knitting loom set, to give their children on there birthday. The child set includes a set of four plastic looms, they also come with a full set of instructions for the use of them. All the possible steps are taken for the safety of the children. But it is recommended they are not used by children below 5 years of age.

By giving your children a set of knitting looms you can develop a interest in this hobby at an early age. It is also said that knitting is a very good recreational activity, that can be enjoyed by all the family.

Round knitting looms can be used to create objects like hats, wrist warmers and so forth. They also come in single rake or double rake, this means it has a single row of pegs or a double row. A single row can be used to create objects with one right side and a wrong side. While the double row is used to create a garment that can be used both ways.

Rectangle knitting looms are good for creating scarves, Afghans, and other large projects. This loom has a single rake and it is easy to work with. If you buy a set of these, you will also get a pick and hook tool and the necessary instructions.

Knitting looms are a great for every beginner to the world of knitting. The knitters who are unable to, or wish not to knit using needles can use them easily. By using various methods of wrapping the yarn on the pegs, you can create projects of intricate stitches and patterns.

Any project you create using a knitting loom, is every bit as good as the ones that are made using needles. So why not get yourself a knitting loom and with the help of it you can create exquisite projects, in a much faster time and with much less effort.



JOEY

MulePacker asked:


I just bought a knitting loom and I am trying out my first project. My problem is that the yarn on the pegs get so tight that I can not even pull it over the peg, and this is only on the third round. I tried making the yard as loose as I could for the beginning, but by the third round it is impossible to work with. Does anyone have any insights for me?

ALVA

curious mom asked:


I’ve tried wrapping the turning pegs at the end of knitting each row, before returning back down again, but I still get the curling. I do not know how to knit or crochet with needles, so any suggestions will have to be very basic.

ANDREW