Lion Brand Notebook ®
In honor of our new Martha Stewart Crafts™ Lion Brand® Yarn Knit & Weave Loom Kit, I sat down with loom-knit designer and author, Isela Phelps, who shared some of the reasons that you may want to try out the wonderful craft of loom-knitting. Isela is the author of books including Loom Knitting Primer: a beginner’s guide to knitting on a loom, Loom Knitting Pattern Book, and Loom Knitting Socks: a beginner’s guide to knitting socks on a loom. Check out Isela’s website at LoomKnit.com.
Who would you recommend loom-knitting to?
I would recommend loom knitting to anyone who is either wanting to learn to knit or has had difficulty learning to knit in the past or to those who due to hand dexterity problems can no longer create with knitting needles.
Are there advantages to knitting with a loom as opposed to knitting with needles?
The main advantage that I have found is that my hands do not get as tired from holding onto the needles. Less hand cramping means longer periods of time knitting.
What is one thing you would like yarncrafters to know about loom-knitting?
Loom knitting is a viable way of creating. We are still using our hands to create knitted items just a different tool to create the fabric.
What are your favorite online loom-knitting resources?
I recommend visiting YouTube.com for videos–an invaluable sources of hundreds of videos, free. LoomKnittingHelp.com is a great resource for written instructions. LoomKnit.com, my own website, is also a top resource for videos, instructions, and patterns.
A note from Zontee: Look out for new how-to videos for the Knit & Weave Loom Kit on Lion Brand’s YouTube channel in the next few weeks.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to a loom-knitter?
Everything takes practice; the more you practice the easier it gets. Take it step by step, learn the basics, and move slowly up.
How did you get started yarncrafting? Loom-knitting?
I grew up with my grandmother and she is a knitting guru! She can create anything if she has yarn and needles. As a young child, I learn at her side how to create items, not from reading patterns but just from my own imagination. Loom-knitting became an integral part of my life when my husband started a small knitting loom company. At the time, there was very limited loom-knitting information available and I made it my mission to spread the word about loom knitting. I started creating patterns, instructions, and videos and my website, LoomKnit.com was born.
What’s your favorite thing to design?
I am an accessories person. I love to jazz up my wardrobe with simple pieces such as scarves or hats.
Thanks, Isela, for telling us about this great craft!
Have you tried loom-knitting or do you have any questions about it? Leave a comment below!
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Anonymous
Nice interview on loom knitting!!!
Peggi P-knits
In addition to Isela’s website and books – which are very helpful and detailed, there are several loom knitting chat groups through Yahoo! and Ravelry. Also, Bethany Daily just published a loom knitting book directed toward kids, called “Loom Knitting for Little People”.
Karen M
I have a lot of knitting looms, including the new Martha Stewart, I love loom knitting. I even teach classes. IÂ started a charity to give to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a lot of local giving. This is my favorite craft. I can crocht also, but this is my favorite.. I highly recommend it to children and adults…
Karen M./OH
http://HuginHats.com.
Crickett Williams
I call so make hat for kids , and take them down to the homeless here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. also to some of are hospitals here too. I love to make the hats, and give them a way. Been looming for 4 years, teach my girls too.
Kathnic
I just love to loom it’s better than knitting.
Carneyes
I am thinking of getting the Martha Stewart loom kit for my 11 year old granddaughter, but I have heard the directions given with the kit are poor. But I also heard that the loom parts that come with this kit are wonderful. Could she get enough information on line which would help her learn.
Fairiwings
There are many groups on yahoo that teach this craft. All you will need to know is how to put your loom together. Also youtube has many loom knitting videos. There are also lots of books available now. Just google loom knitting patterns, books or sites. There are too many to list here. I have been looming for 6 years…. I am sure that your grand daughter(and you) will love it…
Zontee
Hi Carneyes, we’ll have videos available in the next few weeks, specifically demonstrating skills on the Martha Stewart Crafts Knit & Weave Loom Kit, that should be pretty helpful. We also have lots of free patterns already available on LionBrand.com specifically for the loom kit.
Kngleason
What a joy to have discovered loom knitting through my adult daughter who knits hats for orphan children. She has taught all of her 4 young daughter’s to loom knit, also. I use the Knifty Knitter looms, both circle & rectangular. I enjoy creating matching baby blankets & little baby hats for newborns, various sizes of neck scarfs, a prayer shawl, table mats with matching coasters in my kitchen colors and hats for my grandchildren & nieces, plus myself. My grandsons loved the camouflauge hats I knitted them for winter. It all started when my daughter came to visit from Maine for Christmas with her daughters, and they would sit around talking & take turns on knitting loom hats. My daughter made me one in a few hours and I decided that I could do that, too!
Karan G. in Oregon
A Look at Loom-Knitting: an Interview with Isela Phelps | Lion Brand … | Ayshah Maiorano
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Cheryl F.
I just retired from teach Art to K-8 children. One of the projects I did with my Jr. High Students was Loom-Knitting hats. They each donated one to a local Childrens Cancer Hospital and then made some for themselves. They loved it. Found that the written directions alone were hard for them to grasp, but I didn’t have any trouble teaching them how to do it when I added my demonstration. The kids had no problem learning how then. I’ve even made sweaters on them.
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