October Looming

The Shapely Loom: Innovations for Loom Knitters  $12.00 US  

October is here, and lots of great looming around the net for all of us. I'm most excited about the Ravelry Loom-a-long group this month. We are working on "Josie's Sweater", and I have completely updated and revised this little baby sweater pattern. Be sure to download the new version of this free pattern, and join us for the loom-a-long. download now 
Stop by Loom Lore and see the baby turtle shell made from Brenda's wonderful Baby Gran Hexagon pattern. This is a great idea for using "motifs" - combining small shapes to make a larger item. 
The Loom Class schedule is not up yet, so I'll post it when available. In the mean time, come join me for the Loom-a-long.
Copyright 2012 by Renee Van Hoy, Invisible Loom. All rights reserved.

Shapely Loom Preview: Circles

 Today's preview is of the circle patterns from The Shapely Loom. This section of the book starts with the pattern formula (loom knit basic) for a "Just Go Round". The round is based on the short row triangle from the first part of the book. As with the other patterns, the round may be made in any size, on any loom.

The next "basic" pattern is for the "Ruffled All Around." Samples may be seen in the second and third photos. This pattern takes the round to the next step, adding a ruffled edging. The edging is made at the same time as the round, and there is just one small seam between the cast on and cast off edges. 

                        

Ruffled All Around has variations for a washcloth, baby blanket and a circle shawl, throw or tablecloth in three gauges: large, half and small. The pattern will work on any single rake loom, any gauge, and in any size you prefer.

 The third loom knit basic pattern in the circle section is "Encircled in Lace". Shown here in the fourth photo as a lace weight circle shawl, the pattern takes the basic round and adds a lace edging. The edging is made at the same time as the center. There is no seaming except the small seam at the cast on and cast off edges. The pattern includes variations for a doily, tablecloth, bedcover or baby blanket in large, half and small gauges. The pattern is fully adjustable as well, for any size or loom you prefer. You may even make a lace edged round on your knifty knitter loom using worsted weight yarn.

 The last two patterns are shawls, because you know how I love shawls. The the first photo shows the back, and fifth photo shows the lace detail on "Just a Little Lace Shawl for the Loom". This is a partial circle shawl pattern, with lace edging worked at the same time as the center . The pattern has variations for the large, half and small gauge looms, and is also adjustable in size. 

The last pattern in the book is shown in the sixth photo. "Sweet Floral Fantasy For the Loom" builds on the previous patterns, and adds a floral lace design to the center of the shawl, along with the lace edging. It is a more intricate pattern, and written out line by line. The pattern is adjustable in size, from a half circle to a full circle shawl, and even the length may be increased. 
In addition to the 13 patterns and pattern formulas in the books, with their endless variations, the introductory section discusses how and when to wrap pegs for particular patterns. Seaming options for different fabrics are given, and the idea of "proportioned gauge" is used throughout the book. Proportioned gauge is the way that a modular/sectional item comes out evenly when made on the loom. A full stitch key is given, using my stitch abbreviations just for the loom - terms that work for the loom, rather than trying to apply needle knit terms to the loom. 
I hope you enjoy "The Shapely Loom: Innovations for Loom Knitting" Please let me know what you think. 

The Shapely Loom  US  $12.00







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

The Shapely Loom Preview Day 3

Today I'd like to share with you the patterns from the section on Squares. Building on the basics in the triangle section, this part of "The Shapely Loom" starts out with a pattern formula for an "Un"Mitered square. Why "Un"? Well, they do look just like a mitered square, but in this pattern, you do not have to move any loops or work any decreases. You will be able to make the squares in any size, on any loom, that you wish. You may even make a huge square (I'm thinking of all of you with TWO Martha Stewart sets) and have an afghan.

The second pattern, seen in the second photo, is for a two color "Un"Mitered square, with a self edging. This pattern shows you how to carry yarn along an edge, and avoid having to change colors. You will have a one piece square, with no seams. Since this is a loom knit basic, you may make it in any size, any gauge, on any single rake loom. A little receiving blanket is shown in the photo.

The third pattern is the "Stacked Up Squares Washcloth". Now the un-mitered square is really showing off, in a one piece checkerboard. There is only one small seam at the cast on and cast off edges. The entire washcloth is worked in one piece, without having to cut and tie your yarn. 

The washcloth looks just as if you have stitched four squares together and edged them. Once again, any loom, any gauge, any size you like.

The last of the squares patterns, "Maxed Out Squares Blanket" takes the other three patterns one step further, by adding a lovely lace edging to the stacked up squares. The edging is loomed at the same time as the center, so there is only one small seam at the cast on and cast off edges. The pattern gives you three sizes, a baby blanket, throw (shown in the first and fifth photo) or afghan, as well as variations for different loom gauges. You may make this in a single color, or up to nine different colors. 
I hope you will come back tomorrow to see the patterns from the circle section.
Copyright 2012 by Renee Van Hoy, Invisible Loom. All Rights Reserved.

Preview Week - The Shapely Loom Triangles

 Today I thought I would show you some of the patterns from the "triangle" section of the book. I'm starting with a pattern called the "Mostly Harmless Scarf," named by one of my great testers, Pam. Some of you may recognize this as a loom interpretation of a popular needle knit pattern called hitchhiker. 

 This great scarf is an asymmetrical triangle with a saw tooth edging. It is a wonderful scarf to make with long color changing yarns. The pattern includes the option of adding beads to each of the "points". 

 One of the fun things about this pattern is that you may make it on any single rake loom, any gauge, any yarn. The first two photos show it in a worsted weight yarn, and the third and fourth photos show a fingering weight. Both were made on a 1/2 inch gauge loom. You may make the scarf as long as you like, but one skein of fingering made the sample in the third and fourth photos, with yarn to spare.

The main part of the section on triangles focuses on three "loom knit basics" - formulas for making triangles. These are the "bottom up", "tip up" and "short row" triangles. The three basic triangles and their many variations are explained in this part of the book. 

 A little kerchief pattern, shown in the fifth photo, is part of the short row formula pattern. Would you believe of everything in the book, the kerchief was the one sample my daughter wanted?

The triangle chapter gives you the foundation for the next section, squares. 
To answer questions from yesterday's post, the book will be available October 1, 2012 (maybe even earlier) and there will be multiple pdf files, in 24 point font large print as well as a 12 point paper saver version. The pdf's are compatible with screen readers as well as kindle and tablet friendly. Back tomorrow with the squares.
Copyright 2012 by Renee Van Hoy, Invisible Loom. All rights reserved.

Preview Week - The Shapely Loom

"The Shapely Loom" e-book is almost completed, and I thought I would give you a preview over the next few days. This collection is based on three basic shapes, the triangle, circle and square. The book is different from my previous collections. For starters, it is much larger, and it contains pattern formulas I'm calling "Loom Knit Basics".  Basics are the building blocks of many patterns, and with these formulas, you will be able to make many beautiful items, on any loom, in any gauge. In fact, all of the patterns will work on any gauge loom. 

In addition to the "basics", there are patterns that build on them, so for example, once you have mastered a circle, you have patterns for making a one piece circle with a ruffle or lace edging. And once you have mastered these, you have a lovely floral lace shawl pattern. Because the patterns are flexible, you may make them in any size, any yarn, on any loom.  

I've included lots of new things - an "Un-Mitered" square, with no loops to shift; a one piece four square blanket with a lace edging - and (almost) no seaming. I've avoided seams. There are only two tiny seams in the book, even though the patterns look as if you seamed many pieces together. The second photo shows the "Maxed Out Squares Blanket" pattern while still on the loom, to give you an idea. 

I will be posting more about the patterns over the next few days. I hope you will be inspired by "The Shapely Loom"!

Copyright 2012 by Renee Van Hoy, Invisible Loom. All rights reserved.

The Best Gets Better

It is no secret, I like my Markman adjustable looms. They are all wood, hand made, fully adjustable, and expandable. The only concern, and it has been a small one, has been that when I have a large project on them, sometimes I lose a loop off the top of the straight wooden peg. Well, last weekend, I had a wonderful visitor, Lynn Markman, and she showed me this:

It was a sample size 3/8 inch loom, with little wooden beads glued on to the pegs. I was so excited at this simple solution, Lynn left the little loom with me to try, and gave me a lovely gift of a travel size 1/2 inch gauge loom. 

I tried some plastic pony beads and "fast grab" tacky glue, and was able to modify the little loom in no time. The glue held the beads in place, and  I used a long wooden pick to make sure they were even. I added extra glue down the center of the beads, and now have a wonderful little loom, with no chance of losing the loops off the tops of the pegs. 

Better yet, I can see the pegs better, and have great contrast. I'm thinking of alternating bead colors on the larger looms, to have built in stitch markers for K1, P1 patterns.  Lynn was a wonderful visitor, and we had a lovely afternoon's visit talking everything loomy. It was so nice to meet Lynn after all these years on the net, and learn more about how her beautiful looms are crafted. Talk about inspiration!
Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.

Looming around the 'Net

Fall finds us all busy once again with school, family, and of course, looming. It is time to begin working on our holiday gifts and decorations, and the loom community has stepped up in spectacular style.
Helen Jacobs-Grant My Heart Exposed has a beautiful new beret pattern "Best Friends for Life," inspired by her daughter's friends. I love the charming idea of "friendship hats."  The Loom Class at yahoogroups is working on an adorable little bluebird pattern taught by Kelly Knits. On the 17th, the class will work on converting a needle knit pattern for a very cute little apple decoration. Over on Ravelry, the Loom-a-long Group has been busy with a "work in progress" wrestling month. We are getting caught up on our unfinished projects, so we will be ready to tackle the year end loom-a-longs. I'm pretty excited about the year end loom-a-longs, because they are going to be three of my patterns. In October, we are working on "Josie's Sweater," a loom knit baby cardigan. 

In November and December, we'll be working on "Travel by Rail Cuffs," a great small holiday gift project, 

and in December and January, the loom-a-long will be "The Daisy Chain Sweater." 

Last but not least, I'm almost done with the next ebook, "The Shapely Loom." Publication is planned for the end of this month. The photo at the top of this post shows you a full circle pi-shawl made in lace weight yarn, one of the patterns from the book. More to come this month as I preview the patterns.
I hope something wonderful is on your loom!

Loom Knit Shawls: From Simple to Sublime ebook $12.00 US  




Blooming Loom: Colorful Patterns for Loom Knitters ebook $12.00 US  
Copyright 2012 by Invisible Loom, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved.