Knitting on Circle Looms: Part 5

Reflection time!

Hello guys and welcome to my fifth and final blog post. For my last post, I have decided to reflect over my previous projects and look at how much I have learned, improved and mastered in the last 3 months. 

In my first post, I learned about two different stitches: the purl stitch and knit stitch. I applied that knowledge to knitting a scarf. It turned out to be pretty difficult for me because of the alternating patterns so the design got messed up in many areas. Through that project, I learned that to be a good knitter you should not rush but take your time! Denise Layman, author of Learn to Knit on Circle Looms emphasized that, there are many skill levels for knitting so work at your own pace (Layman 30). 

Place where I rushed and made a mistake

My first successful and favorite project was knitting hats. Although knitting a hat may seem more time consuming and complicated than knitting a scarf, I found it very easy! I was successful with knitting my hat because through learning from my mistakes in my first post, I took my time and learned to fix my mistakes rather than just leave them. This gave me the confidence to make another hat, not for myself but as a gift for someone else. I also realized that giving a gift that you spent time making and creating rather than just buying gives it much more meaning!

The third and final project I created was a headband. I was really proud of this project because I decided to step it up and add a twist on the front of the headband to create a better design. Although this step was optional, I still went for it and I am really happy with the results! Layman said, "Level intermediate: add an optional twist on the front of the band" (Layman 18). This skill set was for an intermediate leveled knitter while I only did projects that were meant for beginners! Knitting has taught me to challenge myself and always strive for something better. 

Overall, I am really glad that I chose knitting as my new hobby because it is a lifelong skill that I will cherish and hold. Thank you for reading! 


Question: How do you think a hobby or new skill can affect your life?

Citation: Layman, Denise. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms: 10 Easy Projects! Berne, IN: DRG Pub., 2006. Print. 

Knitting on Circle Looms: Part 4

Knitting a Head Band!

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! For my fourth blog post I am going to be knitting ear-warmers/a head band! I decided to knit a head band because the process is fairly simple and goes perfect with the cold weather we are experiencing.

Knitting a headband is very similar to knitting a scarf because the instructions are nearly the same. Denise Layman, author of Learn to Knit on Circle Looms said, "Repeat alternating from a purl and knit stitch until you have reached 10 inches" (Layman 11). These direction are nearly the same for creating a scarf and if you've read my first two blog post, then you probably know the struggles I had with knitting a scarf and the multiple times I made mistakes. This time I am determined to not let that happen.

Materials:

- 1 skein of yarn
- Loom hook
- Circle loom with at least 14 pegs
- 1 plastic knitting needle (usually comes with the package     of circle looms) 

Steps:

1. Start by casting on the yarn to the first peg of the loom.
2. Twist the yarn from the front to the back then on the 14th peg, turn the yarn the opposite way 
3. Start alternating from a purl stitch to a knit stitch after you have turned around (the last pegs should always be knit stitches)
4. This step is optional but it you want a twist on your design then at around 10 inches of knitting, move 8 stitches from once side of the loom to the other- creating a criss-cross affect. 
5. Then proceed as normal(following steps 2 and 3) for the next 10 inches 
6. Do this for the size of your head (mine came out to be about 20 inches long)
7. After you have finished knitting to your desired length, bring your very first row of stitches to the row you are currently working on and place the first stitches onto the pegs.
8. Cut off the yarn and an extra 2 feet of yarn
9. Put the extra yarn into the needle and sew the yarn through both stitches.
10. Remove your stitches from the pegs and enjoy your new headband!

Throughout my blog posts, I have noticed lots of improvement compared to my first knitting project. I realized that this time I made minimal mistakes because of how much I learned from my past mistakes. As Layman discusses, as you go on, your skill levels will change with the more you learn (Layman 30). I found this to be true. My first project compared to my last has shown a huge difference in technique and efficiency. Although, I accidentally made my head band a little bigger than my actual head, so it falls off easily. I might just give it to someone else who has a bigger head than me!

Question: Do you think years of experience or pure talent makes someone an expert at any skill?


Citation: Layman, Denise. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms: 10 Easy Projects! Berne, IN: DRG Pub., 2006. Print.

Knitting on Circle Looms: Part 3

Finishing my Hat!

Hello all and welcome back to my blog! In my previous post I began the process of knitting a hat and have finally finished. Using tips from my previous blog, I completed a project that was good quality and wasn't rushed. 

Throughout my journey of knitting I have learned to focus on on the quality of what I am creating rather than how quickly I can make the product because it determines whether or not you are happy with the outcome. Knitting has taught me to keep moving forward but to fix your mistakes as you go along.

My hat (Left) and the hat I made for my niece (Right)

Denise Layman, author of Learn to Knit on Circle Looms, said, "All of these knitting loom projects will surely make wonderful gifts to share with your friends and family" (Layman 2). This made me realize that making something for yourself feels great but putting time and effort into a project then giving it to someone makes you feel even better! Because of this, I knit a hat for my one year old niece!

In my last post, I finished the brim of my hat, and for this post I am going to finish the rest of my hat. Layman pointed out that, finishing your knitting project is the best part because you finally get to see all the hard work you have put in! (Layman 16).

To finish your hat, you will need:

- a plastic knitting needle (in addition to the materials needed in my last post)

Steps:
1. Repeat the same steps from my previous post
2. Cut off the yarn and cut off an extra 2 ft. of yarn
3. Use a plastic knitting needle to sew the extra yarn through each peg of the loom 
4. Take each knit off the peg and tightly tie each end together

Question: Do you feel more accomplished when you use your skills for yourself or for others? Comment down below!

Citation: Layman, Denise. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms: 10 Easy Projects! Berne, IN: DRG Pub., 2006. Print.

Knitting on Circle Looms: Part 2

Knitting a Hat

Finished Scarf

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! If you saw my previous post then you know that I have started knitting on circle looms for the first time and attempted to create a scarf. I have since finished the scarf and am starting a new project on my circle loom: knitting a hat!

Finishing my scarf was a bit difficult for me because I continuously lost my place while knitting and rushed the process. As a result, my scarf had many mistakes and wasn't up to my standard of quality. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms by Denise Layman, taught me that knitting can be a tedious hobby, "Be sure to take the time to lift off the bottom 2 loops on the pegs that have 3 loops...repeating 15-17 times" (Layman 18). Thus, taking your time and making sure you are correctly following the directions will not only help one become a better knitter but a better person as well. 

The mistake is in the middle of the photo.

Through knitting, I have found that when doing a project, activity or just in general, you should give it your complete and entire effort because failing to do so will result in a product that is poor quality. Layman underlined that the key to mastering knitting is to realize your mistakes and going back to fix them (Layman 18). Doing so will not only help with knitting but beyond that as well. I struggled with this while creating my scarf, so I was set on succeeding with my hat!

To knit a hat on a circle loom, you will need:

• An adult sized circle loom 
• Yarn
• Yarn Needle
• Loom hook

The Brim:

1. After gathering the materials you will need to create a basic "slip knot" and put in on the first peg of the loom. 

2. Wrap the yarn around all the pegs from the front to the back.  

3. Repeat this step once more. 

4. "Yarn over" by taking your loom hook and flipping the bottom yarn pieces over the peg. 

5. Repeat this step multiple times to the desired length and fold both ends over each other. (The brim of my hat was 14 stitches)

The Rest of the Hat:

1. Repeat steps 2-5 from "The Brim" after you have created the brim of the hat. (My hat will have about 15-17 stitches)

* The number of stitches depends on what size hat you want. 

Finishing:

1. After knitting your hat to desired length, cut off the yarn.

2. Cut off a piece of yarn that is about 2 feet and use a knitting needle to sew the string through the knits on the pegs of the loom, take your hat off the loom as well.

3. Pull the hat inside-out and tie the two strings at the top of the hat.

4. Pull the hat right-side out and you have created a hat!

I am very proud at the progress I have made while completing my hat. By learning through my mistakes from my first project, I am taking my time in completing this project. Now that you know about my first experiences in loom knitting: 

Do you think it is better to accept failure and move on if you keep making mistakes or to never give up? Tell me your thoughts below! 

Citation: Layman, Denise. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms: 10 Easy Projects! Berne, IN: DRG Pub., 2006. Print.

Getting Started: Knitting on Circle Looms

Knitting on Circle Looms!

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog! My name is Sabica Nasar and here you will follow me through my journey of mastering the art of knitting on circle looms! 

I have always wanted to learn to knit because I love the comfort of fluffy scarfs and blankets, especially in the winter time, so I decided to take up knitting as my new hobby. 

Learn to Knit on Circle Looms by Denise Layman, teaches the benefits of knitting and of course, how to knit on circle looms! This was my first time knitting and I realized the patience and work it takes to master the art of this hobby. I decided to knit a comfy scarf which goes perfectly with the cold weather we are currently experiencing!

Getting Started

First, I had to get all of the supplies from Jo Ann Fabrics. They have enormous amounts of yarn, I didn't know where to start! But I finally decided on simple grey colored yarn.

You will also need a circle loom. Circle loom knitting is very different from normal needle knitting since it involves circle looms and no needles. Although, they create the same end results if you are creating something simple such as a scarf. Circle looms come in many different sizes and are perfect for beginners like me!

Layman emphasizes that knitting on looms is a fun and easy hobby to master and allows one to relax and alleviate the stresses of the day (Layman 15). This shows the importance and benefits loom knitting produces. In addition to being a practical and interesting hobby, knitting showed me a community I never knew existed!

The materials you will need to begin knitting on circle looms are:

• A circle loom (any size)
• Yarn
• Knitting loom hook

Circle Looms

After 30 minutes of knitting

After gathering all of your materials, the fun part begins! 

First, you have to make a basic knit on the loom. Then repeat that for the amount of pegs you have decided to start with. (I decided to go with 17 pegs). Next, you keep repeating this step until the last peg. Then go the opposite way, making a "purl stitch" for every other peg. This creates a fun and interesting texture. 

Almost finished!

Knitting involves lots and lots of repetition, "Work your piece repeatedly to get the desired length of your scarf" (Layman 7), but once you get the hang of it, you can knit practically anywhere! I have been knitting while watching TV, in the car and pretty much anywhere I have free time. I have also realized that you need to have patience and precision while knitting because if you mess up on one peg, it ruins the rest of you product!

Although knitting a scarf may seem like an insignificant achievement, once you finish your creation you can feel proud knowing that it was you who created a thing that will be used multiple times!

Now that you know a little bit about me and my new favorite hobby, would you take up knitting as a hobby and if you do or already have, then how do you think knitting will improve or maybe worsen your patience?

Citation: Layman, Denise. Learn to Knit on Circle Looms: 10 Easy Projects! Berne, IN: DRG Pub., 2006. Print.