Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Lacy Pumpkin Loom-inaries

Just a quick post with a fun little pattern I designed and taught for the Yahoo's Loom Class a couple of years ago called, Lacy Pumpkin Loom-inaries. This crafty little project is reminiscent the balloon and string ornaments that many of us did as children. Also, by changing the colors and embellishments these little luminaries would make a festive addition for just about any occasion.

Happy Halloween!!

My grandson's 1st prize BSA Pumpkin Carving project

 


Monday, October 21, 2013

Ms. Kitty

My new favorite loom for knitting amigurumi, washcloths,afghan squares, and other little items is the KB Sock Loom 2 which is a smaller version of the All-n-One Loom. Both of these looms have a 3/8 inch gauge and can easily accommodate one strand of worsted weight yarn. Also, both can be adjusted for decreases or increases which proved to be the perfect loom for today's featured project, Ms. Kitty, pictured above.

Ms. Kitty is a loom knitted adaptation of Linda Dawkins Beans the Cat, which is a needle knitted pattern available as a free Ravelry download. My loom knitted version is very similar, but modified for the loom. Since there was no size or gauge mentioned in Linda's pattern, I had to guess, but overall I was pleased with my little fat cat. I plan on making one using black yarn for Halloween.

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Ms. Kitty, the amigurumi cat
(The following gives general modifications for making this project on the loom. For complete needle pattern information, please refer to the Ravelry pattern, Beans the Cat)

Materials
Loom: KB Sock Loom 2
Yarn: Paton's Shetland Chunky in #03212 Imperial (This is a #5 yarn in a discontinued color, so you may have to substitute.)
Embroidery yarn or buttons for eyes and nose
Stuffing

Gauge: 4 st X 6 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Size: 4.3 inches tall and approximately 3 inches wide

Stitch pattern: Crossed Stockinette
Row 1: flat or u-knit all pegs
Row 2: e-wrap knit all pegs

Instructions

Set slider for 30 pegs (10 on each side, plus the 5-peg end pieces)
CO 30 pegs using a drawstring CO. 
Work Crossed Stockinette stitch pattern for 2¾ inches ending on an e-wrap row.
*K1, k2tog; rep from * to end of row. This is a decrease from 30 to 20 stitches.
Continue working stitch pattern for another 1.8 to 2 inches.


Refer to the original pattern for shaping, stuffing, eyes and nose.

Tail: Work a 5 inch I-cord using 4 pegs and stitch in place.

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I hope to be adding many more projects that I've worked on over the past few months. I've spent more time knitting than blogging so I'm a bit behind updating Loom Lore. I hope to add projects that I did for the Yahoo Loom Class that haven't been posted before in addition to new creations. My next post will be my version of a log cabin square done on the loom, so stay tuned.