Bear Hat on Bic Knitting Loom

Here is yet another hat. I didn't really intend on making this wearable (hence the size). This was just an experiment in decreasing stitches on my Bic pen loom creation. I have discovered that I can actually add and remove pegs from the loom while working, giving me the ability to increase/decrease stitches while knitting "in the round". I need to improve my placement of the decreases, but at least I figured out how to do it. I'm eventually aiming to make some contoured fingerless gloves and some socks to wear camping. I will need to use thinner pegs, though. I'm thinking BBQ skewers at the moment.






Here are close ups showing the decrease effect. Not the best placement.





Next I think I've found a way to double knit on it as well! I'll keep you posted on my success. :)

************UPDATE************

I did it! I figured out how to double-knit on my pen loom. Check it out here. I'm all ready to start making a double-knit scarf!

"Knit Picking" or Pick Knitting

After trying the finger weaving, I started thinking about trying this knitting on other items. I found a pick and tried knitting on it. It was a little tight and the pick didn't have enough teeth for me.



So, I tried a fat comb. I really liked the results. I skipped every other tooth.



Then, I tried other stitch combinations. Below are alternating rows of knit/purl, e wrap, rib, and seed..





***************UPDATES****************

For my Halloween swap I used a metal dog comb to create a little pouch using cotton crochet string. I really like the texure of the pouch. Check it out here.

I also figured out a way to double-knit on this thing! It's really cool. Check out my double-knit here

Finger weaving/knitting

Below are some of my experiments with finger knitting. I wanted a wider result than I was getting with just five fingers, so I started using all ten. Finger weaving is really easy, quick and fun. Jeudi and I have been enjoying it. We will definitely be doing more of this in the future.





Here are some pics Jeudi took of me working:

Adjustable Round Knitting Loom

I'm taking a short break from my can tabistry to share my new creation I'm rather proud of.

I've been try out some knitting with my daughter before she goes back to school. I came across a post on http://www.renaissancefestival.com/ about finger weaving (I'll post some of our finger weaving soon). Anyway, since then, we've been doing a lot of experimenting with loom knitting. Being a thrifty person, I was playing around with things arounds our house like combs and pencils. Finally, I've come up with a great new adjustable loom for knitting.

Here is Jeudi modeling her new hat while displaying our loom. I ran out at 32 pens. Have to wait to make a hat for myself until I can get more.





Makes a great duck beak, too!!


I used BIC stick pens, small rubber bands, and beads. It separates anywhere along the pegs and can be laid flat. When ever I need, I can add/subtract pegs really easily. No extra looms to carry or fancy tools necessary. I love it because I can just roll it up yarn attached and all and stuff it in a bag for long car rides.



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Before the adjustable BIC loom, I had tried a pencil loom. I tried tying string to each pencil, but it took too long to put together and I couldn't make it smaller as easy. I made 2 hat/scarf sets for Jeudi's dolls.

New Hats! And, future tutorial!

I've got 2 new hats to show off!

Just finished a topless for my Great Aunt Claudine made with yellow t-shirt scrap and multi-colored yarn.



The other is a sun hat made with blue and white fleece strips that was made by request for a fellow crafter on http://www.craftster.org/. She's giving it as a gift to someone who collects hats. I tried some new techniques on this one. I figured out a way to weave muli-colored patterns (hard to see the music notes here) and a new way to attach the pieces together. Mom is modeling it til I can get some pics from the new owner.







I'm currently working on a tutorial on creating tabistry and how to make a pop top hat. When it is finished I am sending it to http://www.craftedonline.com/ for sale on their new site. I may also work on a "how to" video for them as well. So, in the near future, anyone interested will be able to get a copy from them to create their own.

It might be nice to have some others try the tutorial and proof it before I make it public. If you are interested in a FREE copy, let me know in a pm. All I would require is for you to fill out a quick survey, share some pics of your results or something like that..