Loomy Q&A

Question #1 has to do with creating flat panels: The question reads:

I can't seem to get started on flat single-sided knitting on a board or round loom. *Is* there a way to make a truly flat piece (non-curling) that is single-sided? Or do I have to resign myself to a knitting board and double-sided knitting?If one *can* make a single-sided flat piece, I would like to make a simple scarf. I need to know how to cast on, how to do the stitches, and how to cast off.

You can definitely create a flat panel that does not curl on a single sided rake/round loom. To prevent the curling, I recommend knitting a garter stitch edge at each side of the item as well as at the beginning and end of the item.

We will break this section into small parts: casting on for a flat panel, knitting on the flat panel, and removal of the flat panel.

The Garter Stitch on a knititng loom consists of the following:

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Purl

Repeat Row 1 & 2

Section 1: casting on for a flat panel. We will be using 12 pegs on any size loom, for my example, I am using the small blue knifty knitter knitting loom.

I recommend using a cast on that provides a nice tight edge like the one provided by either the Cable Cast on or the Chain Cast on (click on the links to view the file/mini-movie). 

Section 2: Knitting on your flat panel. When knitting on your flat panel, you have a choice of creating a chain like edge at each side by slipping the first stitch of each row. Or you can knit the stitch. The choice is up to you. I like to slip the first stitch, but it is all personal preference.

The instructions below are for a panel of 12 stitches:

Row 1, 3, 5: Knit all 12 stitches

Row 2, 4: Purl all 12 stitches

Row: 6: Knit all 12 stitches

Row 7: Purl 3 stitches, knit 6 stitches, purl 3 stitches

Repeat Row 6 & 7 for the desired length of the item

Repeat Rows 1-5.

The garter stitch edging of the first 3 stitches and last 3 stitches will prevent the item from curling at the sides. The first and last 5 rows will prevent it from curling at the ends

Section 3: Binding off the flat panel. Binding off is the procedure of taking the knitted item off the knitting loom.

View the mini-video below to see all the steps to create a flat panel.

Make video montages at onetruemedia.com

Comments

[Linda Harkins]

Hi Isela,

Thank you for all your wonderful videos.....they have been very helpful to me as a newbie. I have a question about your flat panel video. I think I have the hang of it but I am having a problem with the left side of my panel. The edge is very messy....the right side looks good but the left side I can't seem to get a nice edge. The video doesn't show how to handle the edge when you are coming back from the 12th peg. I am still very new at this so i hope i explained my situation enough for you to help.

Thank You
Linda

[sharon sparling]

hello i would like to learn your flat loom so i cant hear what you say, i am deaf so what is knit? what is purl? please explain it to me
thank you
sharon

[Amber]

Hi Isela!! My ? is how do you create vertical stripes on the kk long loom as if you were making a scarf with vertical stripes rather than horizontal stripes?
Thank you
hugs, Amber