My Adventure into Loom Knitting

I'm anxiously awaiting the delivery of my 2 new wooden hat looms that I ordered from DA Looms.  They make them special for you when you order, so it can take a little while to get them... but from the hype I read online, it's totally worth it.  I got an email that they have been shipped, so I should get them this week! :)

I have tried the Knifty Knitter Looms, and they are fine... but I feel like I really need to have only chunkier weight yarn, or else things look too spread apart.  I also have a really awesome Adjustable Sock Loom by Knitting Board, and a (soon to be tried out) 28" Knitting Board as well.

How did this whole loom knitting thing start out you wonder?  Well, as most of my new craft adventures begin... I was browsing through Hobby Lobby (or sometimes Michaels - but this time it was Hobby Lobby) and came across the Adjustable Sock Loom.  It came with all the pieces that I needed (just choose your own yarn) as well as an instructional DVD. 

You see, my Mom taught me how to knit (with knitting needles) when I was a teenager.  She taught me a few times actually, as I tended to forget the specifics after not knitting for awhile between projects.  I learned the most basic stitches, and how to cast on and off... that's it.  I successfully knitted quite a few scarves over the years.  That's about it.  I currently have a throw blanket sitting on a pair of circular needles that I started, oh about 3 years ago.  It kinda takes me awhile to work on knitting projects :)

So when I saw the sock loom kit, I thought "How cool would it be to knit my own socks?"  The loom is adjustable so you can make anything from a tiny baby sock to a large mens sock.  I got it home and found some time to watch the instructional DVD and learn how to get started, and that was that.  It was so much easier and quicker to knit on the loom than it usually takes me to knit on needles.

For my first attempt at knitting socks, I figured it would be wise to start small... so I started with a toddler sized pair for my daughters.  It started off well, and the sock turned out pretty cute, except I totally mis-measured and it turned out a bit too long.  From the top to the heel, it was perfect, the heel fit my oldest's foot perfectly, and the width around her foot was great.  It was from heel to toe that it turned out a bit too long, and so just looks a little funny, and well, it unusable.  I didn't bother trying for the second sock in the pair.  I'll try again... with hopefully better measurements.

The loom made it so much easier for me to get a good stitch, to not drop stitches and I can even follow patterns now without loosing my place.  I especially like that I can stop in the middle of a row and not loose my place on a pattern.  Of course, I still only know how to do the basic stitches for now, so my extent of a pattern is a basic knit 2, purl 2 ribbing.  Basic, yes... but still looks great and serves some practical purpose (especially with socks, or hats).  It's going to be so much easier to add and subtract stitches too... now I can make things in shapes other than just a square or rectangle :)


Here's a little sneak peak at something I've been working on...

Cute huh?  It's a gift for a friend of mine's baby shower... I've got a little less than a month to finish it, think I can do it?  Oh, I think it can be done :)  I'll share the whole thing once it's finished and been given to my friend - Don't want to spoil the surprise :)