My Favorite Super Stretchy Bind Off

Happy belated every holiday, everyone! I'm afraid I dropped the blogging ball for a while. Today I'm sharing with you a photo tutorial for my favorite super stretchy bind off for loom knitting in the round. This is perfect for fingerless gloves, headbands, hats done top-down, and many other items. It can also be used for flat panel items, but you will obviously skip the final steps of going back to the first peg. All you will need is a yarn needle to do this bind off. Let's get started!

Step 1: Wrap working yarn around the loom 3 times, plus around 2 inches.
Step 2: Cut working yarn and thread tapestry/yarn needle.
Step 3: Bring yarn up thru peg 2.

Step 4: Bring yarn down thru peg 1 and pull the yarn tight.

Step 5: Bring yarn up thru peg 3.

Step 6: Bring yarn down thru peg 2 and pull the yarn tight.

Step 7: Repeat this process around the loom until you reach the last peg.
Step 8: When you reach the last peg, go up thru peg 1 and down thru your last peg.
Step 9: Pull the yarn tight and go up thru peg 1 once more.

Step 10: Using your loom hook, carefully remove the item from the loom.

And that's it! It's very easy once you get the rhythm down. This is my go-to stretchy bind off. I often have troubles with other stretchy bind offs; my tension is usually too tight and the bind offs don't end up stretchy enough. But this bind off works perfectly for me! I hope it will for you too.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for reading—and for being patient with me while I was away! ♥

Loom Knit Baby Cupcake Hat

Hi everyone! This Loom Knit Baby Cupcake Hat is an improved design from one of my original patterns at my old blog. The hat is knit in the round using a loom with a gauge of 3/8" and 56 pegs.

For this project, you will need:

• 30 yards of worsted weight cake batter colored yarn (Sample uses Red Heart With Love in "Chocolate")
• 30 yards of worsted weight frosting colored and textured yarn (Sample uses Bernat Dippity Dots in "Lavender")
• worsted weight scrap yarn (enough to wrap around the loom twice, plus around two inches)
• a 56 peg round loom with a gauge of 3/8"
• Examples of this include: the All-N-One loom, Knitting Board Adjustable Hat Loom, and the Martha Stewart loom.
• your favorite loom hook
• a crochet hook to cast on and weave in ends

Let's get started!

Step 1: Chain cast on the loom in Cake Batter color (as shown in this video).

Step 2: Purl one row.

Step 3: E-wrap one peg, purl one peg (E1/P1) all around the loom.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 seventeen times.

Step 5: Cut yarn, leaving a two-inch tail.

Step 6: Attach Frosting colored yarn to the Cake Batter yarn.

I usually make a slip knot with the new yarn and attach it as closely as possible to the old yarn's location behind the last peg. This can be tricky with Bernat Dippity Dots, but it does work. Use whatever color-changing method you prefer.

Step 7: E-wrap one row.

Step 8: Repeat Step 7 fourteen times.

Step 9: Follow the flat drawstring bind off as shown in this video, with a couple of alterations (please read below before doing the bind off). 

• I did E1/P1 around the loom instead of K2/P2. Be extra careful when purling with yarn like the Bernat Dippity Dots; I usually have to guide the mini pom-poms thru the loops using my hook and my fingers. 
• After doing the three rows of E1/P1, cut the yarn and leave a two-inch tail (cut right before a mini pom-pom). Attach your scrap yarn (I used white colored yarn) to the Frosting colored yarn. Continue with the drawstring portion of the bind off.

Step 10: Weave in your end from casting on and double check to make sure your color changes are secure (I tug a little on each color and then tie a couple of small knots to be extra sure).

Your cupcake hat is now complete!

The hat measures 6 inches long with a circumference of 14 inches and will fit most babies, from newborns up thru 6 months (possibly older).

If you want a slightly smaller hat for a newborn (for a photo shoot, for instance), I recommend doing 3 fewer rows in each section. I will experiment with this soon and update accordingly.

As always, feel free to experiment with your own project. You are more than welcome to leave a comment with a photo of your finished cupcake hat.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have.

Thanks for reading, and have a super awesome day!

I Was Featured on Loom-A-Hat!!!

Last week, the popular loom knitting website Loom-A-Hat featured me and my patterns! I am absolutely blown away by all of the positivity and encouragement I have received. The support means the world to me!

You can find the feature about me here: http://www.loomahat.com/kalie-kreischer/

Thanks to everyone who has spread the word about my blog either via Facebook or Pinterest!!

♥♥♥

Loom Knit Baby Bear Hat: O-So Cute Bear Hat

Happy August everyone! This Loom Knit Baby Bear Hat, called the O-So Cute Bear Hat (referencing the Spanish word for bear, oso), is perfect for a baby shower gift or to use for a newborn photo prop. The hat is knit in the round using a loom with 28 pegs and a gauge of 3/4", but similar looms used for baby hats may be used.

For this project, you will need:

• 35 yards of bulky yarn (Sample uses Loops & Threads Country Loom in "Shale")
• a 28 peg round loom with a gauge of 3/4" (I used the Knitting Board Adjustable Hat Loom)
• a 30 or 31 peg round loom will also work
• a 26 peg long loom that can be worked in the round is also an option
• your favorite loom hook
• a tapestry or yarn needle to attach the ears
• a crochet hook to weave in ends

Let's get started!

Step 1: Double e-wrap cast on the loom (as shown in this video).
Step 2: Purl one row.
Step 3: E-wrap one row.
Step 4: Purl one row.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 2-3 thirteen times.
Step 6: Follow the flat drawstring bind off as shown in this video. I did K1/P1 around the loom instead of K2/P2.
Step 7: Weave in the yarn tails from your cast on and bind off.

You have now finished the main hat portion of the baby bear hat!

Note: Because of this stitch combination, a definite line shows up
at the start/end of each row. I treat this as the back of the hat.

Now, on to the ears...

This is the tutorial I used as my inspiration. However, instead of using e-wrap and making two sets per ear, I did the same stitch combination used for the hat. This makes the ears reversible and eliminates the need of using two layers.

Step 1: Chain (or crochet) cast on 10 pegs.
Step 2: E-wrap one row.
Step 3: Purl one row.
Step 4: E-wrap one row.
Step 5: Purl one row.
Step 6: E-wrap one row.
Step 7: Purl one row.
Step 8: E-wrap one row.
Step 9: Purl one row.
Step 10: Bind off using the method described in the link above.
Step 11: Repeat for the other ear.

The main hat and the ears are now complete!

We can now begin assembling the pieces...

If you already have a preferred
option of attaching pieces together,

feel free to use that instead of the method described below.

Step 1: Position one ear where you would like it to be on the hat. Using your crochet hook from the inside of the hat, pull the tail from the cast on inside the hat.

Step 2: Thread your tapestry/yarn needle with the same yarn used in the project. Do not knot the yarn. Starting at the bottom of the year, bring the tapestry/yarn needle thru the back of the ear. Be careful not to pull all of the yarn thru the ear; leave an inch or so outside the ear.

Step 3: Bring the tapestry/yarn needle thru the top layer of stitches of the hat and pull it snug (but not so snug that the yarn comes all the way thru the ear).

Step 4: Bring the tapestry/yarn needle thru the top layer of stitches on the hat and the bottom row of the ear.

Step 5: Continue stitching in this way until you reach the top of the ear. Keep the tail from the bind off behind the ear.

After Step 5, you will have three loose strands of yarn (and one inside the hat): one from the beginning of attaching the ear, one from the ear bind off, and one from the end of attaching the ear (the one inside the hat is from the original cast on of the ear).

Step 6: Using your crochet hook, pull all of the loose strands currently outside of the hat to the inside of the hat.

Step 7: Secure the ends by weaving and tying knots. Trim the excess yarn.

One ear is complete!

Step 8: Repeat for the other ear.

At last, the entire hat is complete!

The hat measures 6 inches long with a circumference of 14 inches and will fit most babies, from newborns up thru 6 months.

For a size closer to newborn, you may be able to use a 24 peg loom with a gauge of 5/8". Using the 24 peg loom will give you a hat that is quite small with very little room for growth, which is why I use 28 pegs.

The same pattern can be adapted for a larger size using a 36 peg loom with a gauge of 3/4”. The only difference will be the length. You could also easily adjust the size of the ears.

As always, feel free to experiment with your own project. You are more than welcome to leave a comment with a photo of your finished bear hat.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have.

Thanks for reading, and have a marvelous day!

Loom Knit Slouchy Hat: Bea's Easy Beanie

Greetings! I present to you my latest hat creation: an open-weave slouchy hat, known as Bea's Easy Beanie. 

Here is a close-up of the stitches used in this hat:

For this project, you will need:

• 90 yards of worsted weight yarn (Sample uses Red Heart Super Saver in "Soft Navy")
• a 48 peg loom with a gauge of 5/8" (Knifty Knitter, when it was still with us, used to make a purple version of this loom. Premium Knitting Looms/CinDWood Crafts makes a wonderful loom with the same specifications.)
• a 40 or 41 peg loom with a larger gauge will also work (See end of post for photo.)
• your favorite loom hook
• a crochet hook to weave in ends

Notes: Knit stitches in this pattern are u-knit stitches.

This hat is designed to be slouchy, but you could

knit fewer rows or measure as you go for a custom fit.

Let's get started!

Step 1: Chain cast on the loom (as shown in this video).
Step 2: Knit one row.
Step 3: Purl one row.
Step 4: Knit one row.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 2-4 four more times for a total of five sets or 15 rows.
Step 6: E-wrap one row.
Step 7: Figure-8 stitch one row (as shown in this video).
Step 8: Repeat Steps 6-7 eleven more times for a total of twelve sets or 24 rows.
Step 9: Follow the flat drawstring bind off as shown in this video. I did K1/P1 around the loom instead of K2/P2.
Step 10: Weave in your yarn tail from your cast on.

Your hat is now complete!

The hat measures approximately 10 inches tall with a circumference of 18 inches. This hat will probably best fit older children, teens, and most adults.

Here is what the back of the hat looks like having used the flat drawstring bind off:

Here is the same pattern done using a 40 peg loom with a 3/4" gauge:

As always, feel free to experiment with your own project. You are more than welcome to leave a comment with a photo of your finished hat.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

Loom Knit Fingerless Gloves: Shizknit Fingerless Mitts

Hey there! Here is a pattern I've written up for Loom Knit Fingerless Gloves, humorously known as Shizknit Fingerless Mitts. These mitts are knit in the round using a loom with a gauge of 3/8" and 36 pegs.

You will need:

• 90 yards of worsted weight yarn or 105 yards of light weight/DK weight yarn (Sample uses Bernat Softee Baby in "Mint")
• a loom with a gauge of 3/8" and 36 pegs in the round
• Examples include: All-N-One loom, Martha Stewart loom, or the Knitting Board Sock Loom 2
• your favorite loom hook
• row counter (or scrap paper to keep track)
• a tapestry or yarn needle to do the super stretchy bind off
• a crochet hook to cast on and weave in ends

Notes:
Knit stitches in this pattern are u-knit stitches.

I would say that these gloves are about a medium/average size. 
For a smaller size, I recommend using 32 pegs. 
If you're not sure about size, you can use scrap yarn to make a sample glove first.

Let's get started!

Step 1: Chain cast on 36 pegs in the round (as shown in this video).
Step 2: Knit 2 pegs, purl 2 pegs all around the loom.
Step 3: Repeat previous step five more times (totaling six rows).
Step 4: Knit one row.
Step 5: Repeat previous step five more times (totaling six rows).
Step 6: On to the thumb hole...we'll do this first row in the opposite direction. Skip peg 36, and knit pegs 35 thru 1.
Step 7: Skip peg 1, and knit pegs 2 thru 36.
You will be knitting back and forth without connecting your glove six more times, for a total of eight rows.
Step 8: Knit all pegs around the loom for a total of 36 rows.
Step 9: Knit 2 pegs, purl 2 pegs all around the loom.
Step 10: Repeat previous step five more times (totaling six rows).
Step 11: Bind off using this super stretchy bind off.

• Since this item is done in the round, you will follow the bind off above but continue in the round. When you reach the end/beginning of your loom, after you bring the yarn up thru peg one and down on the last peg, bring the yarn up thru peg one again. Then you will remove your mitt from the loom.

Step 12: Weave in the yarn tails from your cast on and bind off.

Repeat all to create the second glove.

Each finished glove measures approximately 7 inches long.

As always, feel free to experiment with your own project. You are more than welcome to leave a comment with a photo of your finished fingerless gloves.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have.

Thanks for reading, and have a splendid day!

Loom Knit Cowl: Ridgeway Cowl

Hello all! I've been working on updating and improving some of my old patterns. Here is one for a loom knit cowl, which I have named the Ridgeway Cowl, done in the round on a 48 peg loom.

You'll only need to know two stitches for this project: e-wrap and purl.

For this project, you will need:

• 65 yards of bulky yarn (Sample uses Deborah Norville Saturate in "Clematis")
• a 48 peg round loom with a gauge of 5/8" (Knifty Knitter, when it was still with us, used to make a purple version of this loom. Premium Knitting Looms [known formerly as CinDWood Crafts] makes a wonderful loom with the same specifications.)
• a 40 or 41 peg loom with a larger gauge will also work but the cowl will be slightly less wide
• your favorite loom hook
• a tapestry or yarn needle to do the super stretchy bind off
• a crochet hook to weave in ends

Let's get started!

Step 1: Double e-wrap cast on the loom (as shown in this video).

Step 2: Purl one row.

Step 3: E-wrap one row.

Step 4: Purl one row.

Step 5: E-wrap one row.

Step 6: Purl one row.

Step 7: E-wrap four rows.

Step 8: Purl one row.

Step 9: E-wrap four rows.

Step 10: Purl one row.

Step 11: E-wrap four rows.

Step 12: Purl one row.

Step 13: E-wrap four rows.

Step 14: Purl one row.

Step 15: E-wrap four rows.

Step 16: E-wrap one row.

Step 17: Purl one row.

Step 18: E-wrap one row.

Step 19: Purl one row.

Step 20: E-wrap one row.

Step 21: Purl one row.

Step 22: Bind off using this super stretchy bind off.

• Since this item is done in the round, you will follow the bind off above but continue in the round. When you reach the end/beginning of your loom, after you bring the yarn up thru peg one and down on the last peg, bring the yarn up thru peg one again. Then you will remove your cowl from the loom.

Step 23: Weave in the yarn tails from your cast on and bind off.

Your cowl is now complete!

The cowl measures 6 inches wide with a circumference of 22 inches and will fit children and adults alike.

As always, feel free to experiment with your own project. You are more than welcome to leave a comment with a photo of your finished cowl. 

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have.

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day!