Friday, December 17

Intro to a Loom


I have just learned to knit and am working on my first project. Since my daughters see me knitting there has been requests from them to knit too. Although we are a few years away from knitting together, a small loom has been the perfect alternative. This simple loom is a great size and having just 6 rows to work with has been just enough.



At first I thought the large needle that the loom came with would be too big and clumsy but it works very well. Now we both have our own projects to work on during these winter afternoons and my youngest daughter joins us by stringing beads and pasta too.

I am also wondering if a knitting tower would be another alternative for my oldest (who just turned 5) ? Does anyone know what age a knitting tower is suitable for? I have never used one.

8 comments:

The girl who painted trees said...

Could you let us know where you got that loom? I would love to get one for my daughter to use eventually.

Miri said...

We have Nova Natural's knitting tower. I have just tried it with our 39 months old. He grasped very quickly what he was supposed to do, but it is still early for him to be able to do it completely on his own with no help on my side. He can pull the yarn but still can coordinate both hands, if it makes any sense to you. I guess your oldest daughter will enjoy it very much. I know children that were 4 years old when started with knit tower. You can even try to do some finger knitting with her, using fingers. I was always wondering if it is simpler than using the tower. Just give it a try - like with everything else, your daughter will decide if it is suitable for her or you should wait for a bit longer.
Anyway, I am attaching you a few links that helped me. I hope you find them useful -
http://www.novanatural.com/creative-learning/stitch/knitting-tower-with-light-rainbow-yarn

http://thetobyshow.typepad.com/the_toby_show/2010/05/homemade-knitting-tower.html

http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/knittingnancys.html

http://weewaldorf.blogspot.com/2010/04/spool-knitting-tutorial.html

Good luck!

Family Fun said...

This is such a great idea!

Amy said...

I bought the loom years ago and have been keeping it for a time when she would be old enough to use it. When I checked online I couldn't find a website, as if the company stopped producing them. It is made by Pleasant Valley Toys and is called the Weavables Weaving Loom. As an alternative, we also have the Peg Loom by Harrisville Designs, (haven't used it yet) which could be used by a younger child by stringing just six rows instead of stringing the whole loom.

Thanks for the links for the knitting tower. I think we will give it try. It will be new to the both of us!

The girl who painted trees said...

Is this it http://www.susansfibershop.com/kids_korner.htm

Amy said...

The peg loom on that page is the one we have. My daughter hasn't used it yet because it holds so many rows, but from my time weaving a few rows on it, I really like it. For a child, I would just set up six rows to weave on.

The girl who painted trees said...

Thanks Amy. I think using 6 rows would make it similar to the one your daughter was using on the post.

Anonymous said...

I found finger knitting easier than the tower. My almost 4 year old can do it easily.