Pattern and Video Tutorial: Loom Knit Mesh Bag

Loom Knit Mesh Bag by Kristen at GoodKnit Kisses

41 peg (or new 40 peg in pink) Knifty Knitter Extra Large Round Loom - Yellow

3 pegs of Spool Loom

Skill Level: Beginner, level up

Uses: Personal size Mesh bag for the beach or shopping.  Fits 6 foot rolled up towel, swimsuit, sandals, water & sunscreen.

Yarn:   1 ball nylon crochet thread 90-100 yards

            1 ball cotton 90-100 yards

*or 2 balls of cotton

(Watch http://www.youtube.com/goodknitkisses for video tutorials on this bag design)

Abbreviations:             EW = E-wrap                         P = Purl

Flat Panel-

1.     Using both strands of yarn E-wrap Cast on 14 stitches to round 41 peg Knifty Knitter loom (or new 40 peg loom). Counter-clockwise to the starter peg, work as a flat panel in ew 30 rows making sure your working yarn is back to the starter peg for the next row.

Building Base bag –

2.     Leaving the panel on the loom, stretch the panel across the loom to the opposite side and place on pegs across. Now take the side stitches and place 2 stitch loops at a time on adjacent pegs to stretch flat panel to fit on all pegs of the loom. Make sure to pick up ALL side stitches so your bag will not have an open hole. This is the bottom base of the bag. Wrap all pegs ew in a full circle and knit over leaving only 1 set of two strands (the two color choices). For example the side stitches had 3 sets of two before knitting over.

Main body of the Bag –

3.     P 1 row.

4.     EW 1 row.

5.     P 1 row.

6.     EW 8 rows.

7.     P 1 row.

8.     EW 5 rows.

9.     P 1 row.

10. EW 5 rows.

11. P 1 row.

12. EW 5 rows.

13. P 1 row.

14. EW 2 rows.

15. Basic bind off loosely as to not over tighten opening of bag.

Handle for mesh Bag –

Spool loom. 2 strands 1.5 times diameter of yellow loom or 52.5-54.5" long depending on material.

Weave the icord into the top of the bag between the knit stitch columns. Row to start the weaving. Look at the top of the bag. Weave between the two top purl rows. I started mine just above the bottom purl row (it's the 2nd to last purl row you completed). Connect the ends by tying together and weaving in the rest. Feed access handle material equally on opposite sides to pull outward, making it look like two handles. See picture. Pull both handles to drawstring close and look like a purse or pull all of one handle to make as a shoulder strap! Weave in all loose strands.

©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

New Flyers - What do you think??!

I created these to show off some of my work for an artist fair, just for display purposes.  Its not a craft fair but I'll be setting out business cards and these.  What do you all thing?  PLEASE PLEASE comment below or message me.

©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Garters: Ain't just for holdin' stockings!

Garter Belt? Garter stitch!

Yes, it is the Garter Stitch.  The tried and true.  The classic knit sequence stitch pattern of running a row of knit stitches and then a row of purl and back to knit. Start your project & finish in this stitch on your panel, scarf, or hat won't curl on you like a stockinette.  Below is the video for the Garter Stitch.  If you need to slow down for a tutorial on the knit & the purl stitches I've placed them in this blog as well.  As always please subscribe to my channel and 2nd click on it to email you when I upload so you'll get the latest.  Stay tuned for the Seed and moss stitches.

Happy Looming!   ©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Up in Stitches!!

Getting started on the loom? START HERE for your first cast on and stitch technique.

First Loom Stitch: E wrap or Single Stitch

When you first pick up a loom, the instruction book usually teaches you ONE stitch.  It is called the Ewrap or in regular knitting also called the single stitch. These stitches are abbreviated as ew or ss respectively.  The Ewrap makes a stockinette type stitch.  This type usually curls on you. Lets say you make a hat. If you don't make a brim from the instructions (or pattern) then the end of the hat will curl.  You can solve this by learning new stitches to start a project in and then continue in the ewrap for the remainder.  Many times I will start with a garter stitch as my brim and then ewrap.  BTW a hat is the quickest beginner project.  It works up fast and tells you you're doing well.  Be sure to pick up a Bulky #5 yarn for your first project or 2 skeins of worsted yarn in a #3 or #4 to use together at the same time.

The ewrap simply wraps the peg in a lower case "e" fashion where it crosses on the inside of the loom.  Check out this beginners tutorial below to see it and hear some tips along the way.  As always..I'm a goof.

(Stay tuned fairly quickly for I will show you both the knit (k) and purl (p) stitches to make the garter stitch pattern.)

Have fun! Be sure to come back and tell me what you've made and your progress! Happy Looming!!

How to Loom Knit: Beginner E wrap (ew) Stitch

© 2011 GoodKnit Kisses

AllFreeKnitting

Hi everyone!!
I have a few exciting announcements and TWO great tutorial videos are below:

I'm super pleased to announce I am now working along side of AllFreeKnitting.com to bring you the latest in Loom Knitting Tutorials on my YouTube Site and on AllFreeKnitting's site as well! A very big thanks to Mikey at mikeyssmail & The Crochet Crowd for hooking me up!

I am also happy to announce I have purchased my website but until I can get enough funding, through partnering with YouTube it will be delayed getting up and running.  WILL YOU HELP ME??? Please subscribe to my channel at goodknitkisses and pass the word to your friends.  You can opt to get an email every time I make a video or leave the box blank.  MY GOAL IS 800 SUBSCRIBERS!  Please help me get there :-)  For my videos to remain free, this will really go a long way. Thanks inadvance for your help.

My Publisher has approved of the following videos.  These are the first in the line and I have decided to start at the basics for beginners or traditional knitters who want to try their hand at learning.  Check out Part 1 for an introduction on looms and Part 2 for yarn selections and project ideas. Again, loom knitting is fun even for grade-schoolers.  SO grab a loom and get started today! Happy Looming!

DID THIS HELP YOU? Please comment below.  I'd love to hear from YOU!

Loom Knit: NEW Triple Rib Stitch Revealed

OMG I'm soooo excited! I did a totally original loom video!!! My YouTube - Please subscribe!

This stitch is usually done on needles only and I've never seen it on a loom...until Now! Yay!  

Have fun, Thanks for watching and Happy Looming!!
©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Rectangle Loom: Casting Off & Finish Loose Beginning End of Panel

Hi loom fans!

Today I've uploaded two new videos to my YouTube Site!

One video shows casting off the rectangular loom from a Twisted Knit Stitch or Single Rib Stitch.

The next video does something I've never found by using Google or searching videos on YouTube.  When I first learned to loom knit I figured out how to cast off or bind off my project from the loom but the starting end or side (beginning part you first cast on) always loosed "looser" than the final side.  If you crochet then it doesn't bother you.  You are probably finishing that end or adding a crochet border around he whole piece.  I didn't know how to make this EASIER so I made up my own.  The benefit was no extra yarn was needed!!  This is great if you ran out of that yarn after making a long scarf or panel.  It's also very quick!  I hope this helps you on your next project.  PLEASE come back and comment or let me know on my YouTube channel.  I'd love to hear from you.  Here is the video...thanks for tuning in and Happy Looming!! ©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for ALL new videos.  I may not always blog about them :-)

How To Loom Knit the Twisted Knit Stitch

Hello Looming friends!

I've uploaded my first tutorial.  The video will be included below or you can catch it and new videos by subscribing to my YouTube channel.  Just click subscribe and check the box to email you.  You'll be emailed when I upload videos.

This first video is my first attempt and I'm working out the kinks.  Thank you for your graciousness as I may fumble...don't we all? :-)

WHAT YOU'LL SEE: 
Quick Introduction to different Loom Types (showing some I have in the background)

Using Long green loom (rectangle)
Making a home made Styler (for quick setup of yarns on pegs)
We'll Cast On using two strands. (Note for beginners-This is how you put the yarn on at first to get started)
Cast On Method - Twisted Knit Stitch
Main Stitch Method/Pattern - Twisted Knit Stitch

WHAT YARN IS USED:
2 strands of #3 or 4 yarn in two different colors. 
(Just a standard crafting acrylic yarn.  You can use wool, cotton or acrylic.  This is just what I used.)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Beginner - This video I go a bit slow.  if you are new to loom knitting this is a great video for you.

IDEAS FOR THIS STITCH:
This stitch is great for scarves, lovey, blankets, placemats, pot holders (in cotton!) and a number of other projects you can build from panels.

Twisted Knit Stitch


Please come back and tell me what you made from this stitch.  I'd love to hear from YOU!

Have fun everyone, Happy Looming!!

New Twist in Loom Knitting

Loom Knitting is so nice because it is easy to learn and great for people of almost all ages.  There are no needles required.  Just a loom, a small special knitting tool and yarn are all you need to get started.

There are many stitches that imitate traditional knitting with needles.  Don't get me wrong though, loom knitting or knitting on a "rake" has been around for hundreds of years.  It is faster than traditional knitting and its extra wonderful for those who have carpel tunnel or other hindering issue with holding long knitting needles for period at a time.

One stitch that is very pretty is a rib stitch.  A single or even double rib is often imitated on the loom and there are many tutorials on YouTube on how to make those.  Tonight I wanted to film a tutorial on each of them and decided to be adventurous and attempt to design a triple rib stitch. It turned out nicely and I wanted to just show a quick overview of what the three rib type stitches look like side by side.

I hope this helpful.  Thanks for dropping by!


Loom Knitting: Stitches side by side, Rib & Twisted. Twisted knit stitch, single rib, double rib and triple rib stitch  shown side by side to see the difference in over all look. Ever see a triple on a loom?! It is so gorgeous! Tutorials to follow at future date.

Video

New Valentine Jewelry listed and QUICK POLL!

Hi friends!

I've got a simple poll I'd LOVE to have your quick feedback on.  It's to the right and its all about what you'd like to read next!--------->

Tonight on Etsy GoodKnit Kisses has posted three more necklaces perfect for you or a friend for Valentines day. SHOP GoodKnit Kisses from here and get my blogger Valentine Discount.  Type BLOGGER5 to get a 5% discount at checkout.

Thanks for passing the link onward.  Love you my friends and readers!! :-)

Trial & ERROR

Last night I was excited to make a matching bracelet and necklace for the first time.  I've never made this type of bracelet.  In fact I haven't made a bracelet since braiding Friendship bracelets long ago...remember those?

I'm a larger gal and have larger wrists.  I also know there are many more like me who would like a larger bracelet so I decide to trudge onward and make one for "us".  Why can't we have lovely and large jewelry without forgoing a tight bracelet or finding something to extend the length?  Decided; let's make it!

I plan out my workspace.  Carefully selecting and counting.  I lay it out and start to crochet together my silver wire. Where is my brain?!  I left off beads!  Not a problem.  I'll work the strand into the design for bulk, it will add width which it needs. Starting again. My beaded strand is too short for my wrist..I think. So I cut, tear it up and start over.  I make a few more of my pieces in the right length. Or this is the length I "think" is correct.  I totally forget that I need to include the clasp size in my number and by the time I do this my bracelet is so large I can put it over my mannish female hands. Not good.

To top it off the larger beads are too heavy and fall down on the wrist.  Now on display is my fine finishing technique.  Pretty, but not what was intended.

Design sometimes is about trial and lots of error.  Tonight I plan on tearing it up and starting it again.  This WILL be a bracelet someone will love.  I can FEEL it! :-)


P.S. Wanna tell me YOUR trial and errors?  I'd love to hear it...come on.. make me feel better.  lol

On the hook with Handmade Jewelry

Recently I was introduced to the world of crocheted jewelry. This has a major BLING factor!  Its not a yarn or thread that limps out resembling a hemp and bead design. Imagine Sterling Silver Wire with Swarovski Crystals, custom glass beads or any number of beautiful and funky textured bead designs.


I put it to the test and was immediately in love with the results.  Hand selecting my beads, wire and all the way down to my toggle clasp, I began to envision that first necklace.  I love to wear black.  Don't we all?!  Come on...its so slimming! Yes black attire is a staple for many including myself. Black can be boring though so I selected a few different shapes and sizes of beads and lots of texture in a glass bead. Some were small, round & shiny. Many were oblong in a honed finish with beveled edges that shined. And a few select Larger glass balls in a matte finish with a swirling design shown through from the smooth glass base of the bead.  Now to get it together!

(Please note this is meant to show how the product is layered but not necessarily a pattern.  You'll be able to buy my creations on my Etsy site :-)

I started by making a strand out of sterling silver wire, mixing my selection of beautiful glass beads. I made two more strands.  See the picture below.

Then I lace all of the strands together which gives a gorgeous effect! Complete with a quality clasp or toggle...and a few personal touches I like, and presto a lovely piece of jewelry has been created!

Now I just need a photographer for this beauty as my iPhone will simply NOT do it justice!