Monday, January 30, 2012

Sweet on Ruffles loom-a-long

The Ravelry Loom-a-long group has chosen my pattern for "Sweet on Ruffles" for the purchased pattern loom-a-long, taking place all February and March. I always enjoy the loom-a-longs. It is great to see how everyone interprets the patterns, and I love seeing all the different yarns and color selections. For the loom-a-long, I've  made the pattern available as a single pattern, or in the e-book "Loom Knit Shawls: From Simple to Sublime".
The shawlette is made in either bulky or worsted weight blockable yarn, on either a purple KK round loom or a 1/2 inch gauge loom. I hope you will be able to join the loom-a-long and make this sweet little shawlette with me ♥
Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Looming Inspirations

 I wanted to share some wonderful projects that are inspiring my own looming. Color and texture are two areas I hope to improve this year, and both are a challenge for me. My first inspirational loomer is Sarah of Dye Your  Yarn. Sarah is a fabulous loom knitter who makes the most creative, beautiful hats I have ever seen. But, that is nothing compared to her wonderful blog - and blog is a poor word for it. Sarah has created an amazing encyclopedia of fiber dying. Everything you could ever want to know she has tested and tried, written out and shared. The first photo is a little taste of the yarn color guides you will find at Sarah's blog.
 Brenda, the loom lady, at Loom Lore is always inspiring my loom knitting, with beautiful projects, and creative new techniques. The second photo is a collage of Brenda's 2011 projects, and I am just overwhelmed with the creativity and beauty of each and every one.
Helen at My Heart Exposed and her lovely daughter Angelica, created this wonderful Mario-themed blanket - a loom knitting masterpiece. Helen individually loom knit each of the mitered squares, and Angelica seamed them together, a nearly 1 year long project. Sarah, Helen and Brenda inspire me to loom knit in ways I never even dreamed of, and I hope they will inspire you as well.
Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Looming for the New Year

 I'm not sure how it happened, but my looms are full, so first on my to-do list will be to finish these projects. The first photo shows a shawl made from Beaverslide wool in a fingering weight. It is a rustic feeling and looking shawl, with a purl eyelet detail. It is off the loom and blocking, so almost done.
 The second shawl is a little change for me, made from Jojoland Rhythm worsted weight yarn. I'm on the third skein, and still enjoying new color combinations. The shawl itself is a loose variation of textural stitches, including the wave stitch and linen stitch. I'm about 1/3  of the way through this project.
This third photo shows a needle design I converted for the loom so I could be part of a knit-a-long in the Small Shawls Group in Ravelry. I'm using a 90 peg 1/2 inch gauge loom with a pretty variegated fingering yarn from Shibui.
There are also some great January group knits happening. The Loom-a-long group at Ravelry is working on the "Bee Bopper Bag", a cute tote bag. The Loom Class at yahoo groups is making a darling sweater for an 18 inch doll. And the Markman Looms group at yahoo groups has its annual beginning loomers course, a great class for learning stitches and reviewing basics.
Loom Knit Shawls: From Simple to Sublime $12.00 ebook, 5 patterns with variations 
Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom and Craft, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.