There are many different loom knitting stitches that you can use for your projects. If you thought you couldn't ever get the hang of knit one purl two with your knitting needles, you have to try loom knitting. Everyone, from young children to adults, can have fun knitting this way! Using a loom is also perfect for people who have arthritis or simply have difficulty when knitting with needles.
Types of Knitting Looms
There are three basic types of looms for knitting. They can be purchased in kits in most craft and fabric stores, or occasionally as single looms.
- Round Loom: The round loom is the most prevalent loom used by beginning loom knitters. The name "round loom" can be a little misleading since it can actually come in a variety of geometrical shapes including triangle, oval, heart and many others. Round looms have no starting point or ending point, as the pegs are continuous all the way around the loom.
- Rake: The rake has a starting point and an ending point. It is used for flat knitting.
- Knitting Board: The knitting board is two parallel rakes used together to knit across. The resulting fabric is a double knit.
Stitch Glossary
The following glossary will help you with the following stitches:
- k= knit
- p= purl
- k2tog= knit two stitches together
- YO= yarn over
- sl= slip or skip peg
- psso= pass over the skipped stitch
Check out Knit Foundry's tutorial on how to read knitting charts. There are also lots of free patterns on this site.
Decorative Loom Knitting Stitches
If you're ready to try something beyond the stockingnette stitch, try a few of these for variety!
Diagonal Seed Stitch
This can either be used using a flat loom or a round loom. If you use a flat loom, use a garter stitch border at each end and use this diagonal seed stitch pattern in the middle. Cast on a multiple of 6sts. This can also be used on a round loom that has pegs in multiples of 6.
- Multiple of 6sts
- Row 1: *k5, p1; rep from * to the end of row
- Row 2: k1, *p1, k5; rep from * to last 5 sts, p1, k4
- Row 3: k3, *p1, k5; rep from * to last 3sts, p1, k2
- Row 4: k3, *p1, k5; rep from * to last 3sts, p1, k2
- Row 5: k1, *p1, k5; rep from * to last 5sts, p1, k4
- Row 6: *k5, p1; rep from * to end of row
- Rep these 6 rows
Lace Inset Stitch
This looks pretty when woven into the blankets and scarves. When used on a flat loom, it can be inserted on any 8sts. It can be used in the round on a hat, for example. Insert the lace on any of the hat panels.
- Worked over 8sts
- Row 1: k1, (k2tog, YO) 3 times, k1
- Row 2, 4: Knit
- Row 3: k2, (k2tog, YO) twice, K2
- Rep Rows 1-4. End on a row 4.
Feather Open Work Stitching
This is seen frequently on baby blankets used for decoration or on throws for rocking chairs. It can also be used for a variety of other knitting projects.
- Multiple of 5+2
- Row 1 (rs): k1, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1,
psso, rep from * to last st, k1
- Row 2: k
- Rep Rows 1 and 2
- K2tog: Start with the stitches are on pegs 1 and 2
Move stitch from peg 1 over to peg 2. Knit both stitches together.
- YO: E-wrap the empty peg
- sl1, k1, psso: Skip peg 1, knit peg 2. Move stitch from peg 2 over to peg 1. Knit over.
Additional Information
The following Web sites offer a variety of patterns, as well as instructions on more decorative stitches for your looms:
- Free Patterns.com lists primarily blankets and clothing items.
- Knitting Pattern Central has loom patterns for a wide variety of projects.
- Loom Room has lots of neat projects with step by step instructions with photos.
- Lion Brand Yarns lets you register for free to get access to hundreds of free patterns.
