Almost Blooming

 Almost ready for publication, "Blooming Loom" has been such fun to work on. The last few patterns are finished, and just the final editing is left. Oh, and the photographs. My "model" and I are having a "contract" dispute. She wants more money! The top photo shows the "Camp Blanket Scarf", a lovely color work scarf that is just like playing with a box of crayons. The yarns are Knit Picks Chroma worsted in "Sunrise" and "Galapagos".

The second photos shows the pretty bunting edging from the "Ahwahnee Sunset" scarf. The yarn is Knit Picks Chroma fingering in "U-pick", a pretty combination of purples, reds, pink and orange. The scarf is a very long, shaped scarf, with the lace edging. It can be wrapped around as a long scarf, or worn as a small shawl. The pattern will adjust easily for loom size, and length. Look for this collection on April 1st. 
Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.

March Looming

March is going to be a busy month of looming for me. I have 4 designs completed for the new e-book project, and 2 left to work on. In the photo above is "Venetian Lace", an over sized asymmetrical scarf or wrap. Not a very glamorous photo, as it is being blocked, but it gives you an idea of how this lovely scarf  looks.
Around the net, there are several classes and loom-a-longs that have wonderful patterns this month.

The Ravelry Loom-a-long group is working on my "Sweet on Ruffles" pattern, pictured in the second photo. The "Peaceful Days Shawl" is  being loomed as well. The loom-a-long continues through March, so please come and join in. If you want to make some toys, the Loom-a-long group is also working on a sweet kitten and bunny during March and April.
The Yahoo Loom Class group has toys for March. Cute "Mr. Egg"  taught by Graciela Worth the first two weeks, and Bethany Dailey's adorable "Mr. Wobbles" the penguin the last two weeks of the month.
I hope something fun is on your loom!

Loom Knit Shawls: From Simple to Sublime  $12.00

Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.

On and Off the Loom

 We finally have Winter here in Northern California, which means dreary rainy days. I am craving color, and my loom reflects it. I have decided to put together another e-book of patterns, this one to be focused on texture and color. The first photo shows a large shawl pattern for the new e-book, called "American Paris."

 In the second photo, the "Steamer Shawl" pattern is shown. I finished this some time ago, but had to go through quite a few ribbons before deciding on a simple, wide satin ribbon to contrast with the somewhat rustic yarn. The yarn is Beaverslide fingering, a wool and mohair blend, in "Chokecherry Heather." The photographs do not do the  rich purple - red color justice.

 The third photo shows my "Sweet on Ruffles", unblocked, made for the Ravelry Loom-a-long. I used Wool of the Andes worsted weight in "Nevermore", on the purple KK hat loom. The loom-a-long is running through March, so please come and join in.

 On my loom, the fourth photo shows a Deco themed colorwork cape, for the new e-book. This has been a lot of fun to work on ... after the first 5 tries. Now that the pattern is settled, I am enjoying it very much.

 The fifth photo shows my 90 peg baby afghan loom with a little asymmetrical lace shawlette called "Venetian Lace." The yarn is a fingering weight Zauerball in a perfect-for-February color combination of pink, white and mint green.
What is on your loom?

Loom Knit Shawls: From Simple to Sublime
$12.00 e-book with 5 patterns, and variations. 
Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.

Wingspan for Loom Knitters

 A few weeks ago, designer maylin debuted on Ravelry with a stunning needle knit pattern called "Wingspan". She has been gracious enough to encourage alternate versions of her pattern, so I have written "Wingspan for Loom Knitterns" for you to enjoy.

The photo shows Wingspan on a 1/2 inch gauge 90 peg loom, using worsted weight yarn. If you want to use a large gauge loom, you may increase your yarn to bulky, or stay with worsted. The garter stitch is very forgiving, and you will love the clever shaping of this scarf. If you have more pegs on your loom, you may make a large size scarf, or even a shawlette. Please let me know how you like this pattern. Wingspan for Loom knitters
Wingspan has been updated to the new e-book, including the Wingspan in Lace, and instructions for making Wingspan on different looms. Wingspan e-book $8.00  

Remember to come and join the "Sweet on Ruffles" loom-a-long on Ravelry, too. (See prior post.)
Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.

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.

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.

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.