Author: horsenettle

Mock Crochet Neck Warmer / Cowl

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image from www.flickr.com 
I made this cowl by using two strands of Cascade 100% Merino Wool yarn and the round, yellow Knifty Knitter loom. It's a very loose neck warmer than hangs in folds but can be pulled over your head if you need a little extra warmth.>

The first time I started this, I used the regular e-wrap and one strand of yarn, but I didn't like the ladder-effect I was getting, so I frogged it all. The second time, I switched to using the mock crochet stitch, but it, too, was becoming too loose and airy, so I frogged it again. The third time's the charm–using two strands gave me the perfect thickness, but the stitch is more interesting than the normal e-wrap.

Here's a simple pattern I wrote up:

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Mock Crochet Neck Warmer

  • One skein yarn (Use two strands of worsted weight yarn or one strand of a bulky weight yarn.)
  • Yellow Knifty Knitter
  • Knitting tool

Cast on using your favorite method. (I use the cable cast on.) Start the Mock Crochet Stitch and continue throughout the entire project. Knit approximately 10" to 12". Cast off.

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There you have it! It's easy! Mine took approximately four hours from beginning to end.

Categories: Finished Object Loom Knitting Tutorials

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Wind-powered knitting machine

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You can find the strangest things on youtube, like this video of a knitting machine powered by a windmill:

wind knitting machine

 

And this old-fashioned sock knitting machine. It's mesmerizing to watch. (Okay, it's mesmerizing to watch if you like watching vintage sock knitting machines.)

Gearhart Sock Knitting Machine

Current project: I'm making a cowl on the yellow Knifty Knitter loom. I started it by using the pattern found at the Ben Franklin site, but after about 15 rows, I decided I didn't like the look of the plain e-wrap stitch. I was using just one strand of a Cascade wool in blue, and it was looking very ladder-ish. So, I frogged it all and began again, this time using the mock crochet stitch (instructions here). It's a very easy and pretty way to vary your loom knitting.

Categories: Loom Knitting Resources Vintage

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Woven Hat from 1936 Weave-It Book

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  • image from www.flickr.com
  • image from www.flickr.com
  • image from www.flickr.com
  • image from www.flickr.com
image from www.flickr.com

 I finished this hat a few weeks ago–on election night, in fact. Since this was my first finished Weave-it (Weavette, Wonder Weave) pattern, I'm going to cut myself some slack. Also, I was listening to election results while I sewed it up, so that may help explain why I misjudged the need to stitch the rim of the hat correctly. I was so excited about the election! Plus, stitching all those little squares together is very tiring. As a result, the rim/hem of this hat isn't matched up very well. It's a little bit crooked. Nonetheless, this is a very cool retro hat. It looks good on people who wear cool, retro hairstyles, like a Louise Brooks bob.

It doesn't look very good on me, but that's beside the point. Who cares! I made my first real Weave-it pattern!

These thirteen squares practically flew off my Wonder Weave loom. Good thing I had cats around to point out when I almost missed a row…

..and it's a real good thing the cats were there to keep the squares on the table. Those little squares have a way of flying off the table at the oddest times. But not with these cats on duty.

Categories: Finished Object Vintage Weave-It Loom Weaving

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Woven Dolls

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image from www.flickr.com 

When I saw this posting and instructions on the eLoomanator's blog, I knew I had to try to make these two dolls using just one 4" woven square apiece. Barbara Giguere created these dolls using her 4" Weave-it loom. I made mine with the Wonder Weave, which also creates a 4" square.

I selected three colors of Dale of Norway/Falk 100% wool and threaded the loom with the neutral beige. I used the same color to weave six rows for the head. I then swapped to my second color, wove six more rows, and finally swapped to my third color, weaving six more rows. Once off the loom, it's pretty straightforward to finish the dolls. Simply sew up the back to make a tube, use the extra yarn to draw in the neck and stuff, then gather the top. Stuff the body, tighten the waist and sew the feet. I liked how Barbara stitched in some arms and on the boy doll, some legs, so I followed the same idea.

Doll hair is still difficult for me. I don't quite know how to stitch it so it covers the head and yet can't be pulled off by a child. These two dolls have hair, but it's pretty loose–one good tug and it'll come off. I'll need to research hair for future dolls.

These two dolls are just four inches high. Aren't they sweet?

Categories: Finished Object Vintage Weave-It Loom Weaving

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