How to Knit with a Loom
By Lydia Mearse
Blue = preemie baby or doll size
Red = newborn or small child
Green = child
Yellow = adult
Once you get the concept of how to knit with the loom you can experiment with different sizes to make tube scarves, shawls, blankets, and more.
1. Start by selecting yarn of your choice. Typically, 2 strands of standard weight yarn are used when making a hat; however, if you are using a bulky weight yarn or prefer a lighter weight hat you could use a single strand. This demonstration shows 2 strands of standard weight multicolored yarn.Tie a simple knot with a loop on the end of the yarn. This will hook to the peg on the loom and help secure the yarn while you are knitting the first row.
- Begin wrapping the yarn clockwise around each peg all the way around. Push down the first row with your thumbs and continue wrapping each peg a second time all the way around.
3. Take the hook and pull the first row of yarn over the second all the way around leaving just one row of yarn on each peg. Tip: The first time around take the loop you tied on the outer peg to start and loop in around an upright peg and pull the thread over it. This will hide the knot inside the brim when you are finished.
- Continue knitting as described in steps 2 and 3 until you have double the width of brim you like (usually 8 to 16 rows). Take the edge of the fabric from the first row and hook it over each hook all the way around from the inside. This will essentially fold the fabric in half and create a nice brim on the hat preventing the edges from raveling. Continue knitting as described in steps 2 and 3 until you have the size hat you want. Tip: Use your hand as a tool to measure from your ear to the crown of your head. This will help you determine how long to make your hat when you place your hand inside the loom measuring the fabric from your wrist to your fingertips.
- When you have reached the length of hat needed wrap the yarn around the loom about 1½ times and cut. Thread your yarn needle and weave the yard from the bottom of the row to the top of each peg all the way around.
- Remove the thread from the pegs releasing the hat from the loom. Pull the needle and thread tight to close the top of the hat. Put the needle through the hole in the top of the hat and tie a tight knot on the inside of the hat. Weave the needle through the yarn on the inside of the hat at the top circle to hold the hole closed. Tie a secure knot and trim the remaining thread. Done!
