Chloe Zhang
Loom knitting is a fun, easy, and beginner-friendly way to knit without the fuss of knitting needles or specialty stitches. It is done on a knitting loom, which is a wood, plastic, or metal frame containing evenly spaced pegs. The process is simple: wrap the yarn around each peg in a continuous motion, then lift the bottom loops over the top loops to create knit stitches. Loom knitting is faster than knitting with needles and is gentle on the wrists and hands. It is also easy to see your stitches and keep track of your knitting. With a loom, you can create a variety of projects, from simple hats and scarves to more complex items like sweaters and socks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Loom knitting tools | Loom knitting hook, loom knitting pens, stitch markers |
| Loom knitting benefits | Faster than knitting with needles, beginner-friendly, easy on the wrists and hands, easier to see stitches, easier to keep track of knitting |
| Loom knitting projects | Hats, scarves, cowls, shawls, blankets, sweaters, sleeves, leggings, toys, baby items, bags, socks |
| Loom types | Round looms, long looms/knitting boards, adjustable looms, modular looms |
| Loom shapes | Circular, oval, rectangular |
| Loom gauges | Fine, small, regular, chunky |
| Loom knitting stitches | Knit and purl stitches |
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What You'll Learn
Casting on: Threading the yarn through the loom pen
Casting on is the first step in loom knitting. To start, you will need to thread the yarn through the loom pen. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, remove the metal yarn hook from the tube. Then, hook the yarn with the metal yarn hook and thread it through the pen, entering through the large open end. Use the yarn hook to pull the yarn all the way through the pen. Ensure that the cut end of the yarn is coming out of the small pen tip.
Now, tie the yarn end to the starting peg on the side of the loom. You can use the pen tip to wrap the yarn around each peg on the loom. As you knit, simply drop the pen and let it slide up the yarn strand. You will only need to remove the pen once the yarn is cut and your project is finished.
Loom knitting is a great way to create beautiful knitwear without the fuss of knitting needles or specialty stitches. It is beginner-friendly, gentle on the wrists and hands, and can be faster than traditional knitting, especially with double knitting. Loom knitting offers a "guide" as you knit, making it less likely that you will drop or lose stitches.
Loom knitting tools, such as the loom hook and loom pen, make the process faster and easier. The loom hook makes it simple to lift stitches, while the loom pen speeds up the process of looping the yarn around the loom pegs. With these tools, you'll be well on your way to creating your first loom-knitted project!
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Wrapping the yarn: Clockwise for counter-clockwise knitting
Wrapping the yarn in a particular direction is an important step in loom knitting. The direction you wrap the yarn dictates which 'leg' of the stitch sits at the front. This small but significant detail will impact the kind of stitch you create. For instance, a specific combination of which leg you insert into, and which way you wrap, creates a standard knit or a twisted knit.
If you are knitting counter-clockwise, you should wrap the yarn in a clockwise motion around each peg. Continue wrapping in a clockwise motion around each peg until you have gone around the loom. The line of yarn should be nearest to the inside of the loom, and you will end up with two distinct lines on each peg. If you are knitting the first row, wrap the yarn around each peg of the loom one more time so that you have two levels of yarn on each peg.
If you are knitting the first row, you will need to wrap another row of yarn around each peg so that you have two levels of yarn on the pegs. This will allow you to make knit stitches. You can also begin wrapping and lifting stitches to make purl stitches.
The direction you wrap the yarn also depends on the style of knitting you are using. For example, if you are knitting in the Continental style, you would wrap the yarn counter-clockwise. However, if you are knitting in the English style, you would wrap the yarn in a clockwise fashion.
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Binding off: Removing the project from the loom
Binding off is the process of removing your knitting project from the loom. It is the final step in loom knitting and can be challenging to get right. The goal is to bind off without pulling too tightly, as this will pull on the other stitches in the bind-off. However, if you do not pull tightly enough, it will be loose and uneven.
To begin the process of binding off, you should have one loop on each peg. Pull the loop off the second peg and put it on the peg to its left. Pull the bottom loop over the top loop. Take the loop on that peg and put it on the empty peg. Repeat this process with the next pegs until the loom is empty.
You can also use a tapestry needle to bind off. Insert the needle under a loop on a peg, with the tip pointed upwards. Bring the threaded needle through the loop and pull it off. Keep pulling up on the yarn so that it is all worked through the loop on the peg. Once you've pulled it all through, use your fingers to lift the loop off the peg. Continue to bring the threaded needle through each loop and pull off each stitch. Work your way around the loom and bind off the final peg.
A tip to control the tension is to tug the bind-off edge gently away from the working stitch every two or three stitches. This helps to balance the tension across the finished stitches.
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Knit and purl stitches: Creating a foundation row
Loom knitting is a great way to knit without the hassle of using knitting needles or specialty stitches. You can get started in one sitting and complete a whole hat in the time it takes to watch a movie!
To start, make a slip knot and put it onto a peg of your loom. If your loom has an anchor peg, place the slip knot on the peg closest to the anchor. If your loom doesn't have an anchor peg, keep track of where you started the row. Next, wrap your yarn around every peg on the loom. Once you have your foundation row, you can make a knit stitch.
To make a knit stitch, insert a loom hook into the lower loop of a peg. Pull the bottom loop up and over the top loop on the peg to bring the bottom loop over the top loop on the same peg. Now you can take away the loom hook and use it on the next peg. Repeat this process according to your pattern.
If you want to purl stitch, you'll only need one row of loops on the pegs. Keep the working yarn in front of and below the loops on the pegs and pull the yarn up through the existing loops.
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Casting off: Cinched or flat
Casting off is the process of taking your knitting off the loom. There are several ways to cast off a loom-knitting project, including the cinched cast-off and the flat cast-off.
Cinched Cast-Off
The cinched cast-off creates a cinched or gathered closure at the end of your project. This method is extremely simple and beginner-friendly. To create a cinched closure, you will need a long yarn tail and a darning needle. Thread the yarn through each loop on the pegs one at a time, then tug on the long yarn tail until the gap closes. You can also use a yarn needle to thread the yarn through each loop before pulling it tight to close up the end.
Flat Cast-Off
The flat cast-off, also known as the slip stitch cast-off, creates a flat, open edge on your project. This method is perfect for projects with flat edges, such as scarves, blankets, and shawls. It gives your project a nice firm edge that can be made as stretchy or as tight as you need. To achieve a flat cast-off, you will need to bind off your stitches following the pattern you were using for your project. Move the second stitch over to the first peg so that it stacks on top of the first stitch. Use a loom hook to pull the bottom loop up over the top loop, dropping it off the peg. Repeat this process until all the stitches have been bound off. Finish by cutting the yarn, leaving a few inches, and pulling the yarn through the last stitch to secure it.
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Frequently asked questions
Loom knitting is a type of knitting that is done on a loom—a wood, plastic, or metal frame containing evenly spaced pegs. It is a great way to knit without the fuss of knitting needles or specialty stitches.
You will need a knitting loom and yarn. Some people also prefer to use a knitting hook.
First, thread the yarn through the loom pen. Then, wrap the yarn around each peg in a continuous motion. Next, wrap another row and lift the bottom loops over the top loops to create knit stitches.
Loom knitting can be used to make a variety of projects, including hats, scarves, cowls, shawls, blankets, sweaters, socks, toys, baby items, bags, and more.
