How To Fix The Jog For Loom Knitters

Hello loom knitters and welcome to our color series! 

Color is everywhere...it affects our mood, inspires us and makes us feel more creative!

This is the 2nd in a series of blog posts and accompanying videos discussing different methods of using color in your loom knitting. This topic was squeezed in on request from one of my favorite loom knitters (Leisa, you know who you are girl!) Check back for future articles or subscribe to our mailing list to be the first notified of the new posts in this series. This post will teach you how to fix the jog when knitting stripes in the round.

The series will include

• Topic 1: Beginners! Simple Colorwork on the loom including, self-striping, variegated yarn, stripes and color changes, vertical and horizontal colorwork
• Topic 2:  How to fix the jog when knitting stripes.
• Topic 3:  Fair Isle loom knitting
• Topic 4:  Intarsia on the loom
• Topic 5:  Mosaic & Skip/slip Stitch Loom Knitting
• Topic 6:  Finding color inspiration
• All the topics will include video links where applicable.

Are you tired of the Jog when knitting in the round?
Do the back/sides of your striped hats, stockings and socks look terrible?
How do the pros have such neat color changes, even on the back of their loom knits?
Today I'm going to let you in on a secret!Here's how!

First, why does the jog happen?

Most knitters believe that their rows of stitches are stacking perfectly one on top of the other. The truth is, they are not. If you can visualize it, when knitting in the round you are knitting in an endless spiral, your stitches are not truly stacking. See image below.

How do we interrupt this?

We eliminate a stitch by doing a skip1, this will pull up your row of stitches when doing it correctly.

• Everytime you change colors, skip the 1st stitch of the 2nd row of color. Place your working yarn behind peg 1 and move on to peg 2.
• Always place the non-working yarn on top of the working yarn at the beginning of the first two rounds of a color change, pull the yarn snug to lift the row of stitches and prevent holes in your knitting.
• Your 2nd round would read like this if it was written in a pattern (assuming you are knitting in stockinette):  Skip1 wyib, knit to the end of round.

Here's an example, using the chart below, assuming the color changes every 4 rows:

Rnds 1-4:  Knit in red.

Rnd 5:  Knit in white. (at the beginning of rnd, place the non-working yarn (red) on top of the working yarn (white) pull snug after knitting 1 stitch to pull up row of sts)

Rnd 6:  Skip1 wyib, knit to the end of rnd. (at beginning of rnd, place the non-working yarn (red) on top of the working yarn (white) pull snug to pull up row of sts)

Rnds 7 and 8:  Knit in white.

Rnd 9:  Knit in red (at the beginning of rnd, place the non-working yarn (white) on top of the working yarn (red) pull snug to pull up row of sts)

Rnd 10:  Skip1 wyib, knit to end of rnd.  (at the beginning of rnd, place the non-working yarn (white) on top of the working yarn (red) pull snug to pull up row of sts)

Rnds 11 and 12:  Knit in red.

Continue in this manner.

This will be your result!

I hope I'm your favorite loom knitter today for fixing this problem, (lol). Please leave a comment below if this tutorial has helped you or if you have any other questions. Here is a video link for how to fix the jog:  VIDEO I'm sorry for the technical problems in this video, the camera fell a couple of times. I pieced the video together as best as possible.

Have a great day!

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Nicole F. Cox

Loom Knitting Color Series, Simple Color Changes

Hello loom knitters and welcome to our color series! 

Color is everywhere...it affects our mood, inspires us and makes us feel more creative!

This is the first in a series of blog posts and accompanying videos discussing different methods of using color in your loom knitting. Check back for future articles or subscribe to our mailing list to be the first notified of the new posts in this series. This post is a beginners guide to simple or easy colorwork covering variegated and self-striping yarns, color pooling, stripes (horizontal and vertical), and large vertical blocks of color. 

The series will include

• Topic 1: Beginners! Simple Colorwork on the loom including, self-striping, variegated yarn, stripes and color changes, vertical and horizontal colorwork
• Topic 2:  How to fix the jog when knitting stripes.
• Topic 3:  Fair Isle loom knitting
• Topic 4:  Intarsia on the loom
• Topic 5:  Mosaic & Skip/slip Stitch Loom Knitting
• Topic 6:  Finding color inspiration
• All the topics will include video links where applicable.

Topic 1: Simple Colorwork on the loom including vertical and horizontal colorwork

The variegated yarn in this project is an example of a self-striping yarn with long color changes.

Variegated and self-striping yarns

• No color changes necessary, the yarn does all the work.
• This does not mean you can not control the look of the color changes. Below are some ways to change it up.
• Vary your sts:  Changing the stitch can greatly affect how your color changes look. Experiment with skip/slip sts, knits, and purls on a swatch and see how it affects the look of your work.
• Color Pooling:  You can measure the color changes of your yarn and cause color pooling for really interesting, modern effects. Here is a nice guide for color pooling:  Color pooling guide.  Here is a color pooling calculator:  Calculator
• Long/short color changes:  Choose yarns for short or long color changes. The picture of the baby dress above shows a variegated yarn with long color changes. Yarn that looks mottled or blended has very short color changes. You can plan your project with this in mind.
• Combine colors:  Use a solid and a variegated yarn for interesting designs.

This is an example of intentional striping. This yoga legwarmer pattern can be found here:  Get the pattern!

Simple stripes (horizontal colorwork)

When you want to change the color of your yarn for stripes, how do you do it?

• Leave a 4-inch tail, hold it firmly and beginning knitting with the new yarn color. It's as simple as that!
• You do not need to knot it to any other yarn you are working with. Knots leave uncomfortable/unsightly bumps in your knitting and can come undone later.
• You will weave the tails into your knitting later. This will secure your ends and keep them from unraveling.
• If you are changing color often (under 5 rows): You may run the unused color inside the knitting of a hat or other garment/project where it will be hidden, occasionally catching it at the end of a row by laying the non-working yarn on top of the working yarn. This is not desirable if the backside of the knitting will be seen as it can be unsightly. Do a swatch if you are not sure.

When making stripes, how do I make a clean color change?

Help, I'm getting a "blip" or running thread/ladder across my knitting when I'm changing colors. First, let me say, this "blip" always occurs in knitting when doing stockinette/purl stitches. The only thing we can control is where the "blip" shows up. On the front/public side or back of our knitting.

As you see in the above illustration, stockinette has both a "head" to the stitch and a running thread at the bottom of the "V" formed in stockinette.

If you want a clean color change as in this example, you must change color on a knit row.

If you want the "blip to show on the public side, change color on a purl or ribbing row.

How do I control which side the "blip" shows up on?

• If you want a "clean" color change. Always change color on a knit row. It is acceptable to add a knit row within ribbing also if you would like a clean color change in a ribbed portion. It will barely be noticeable and I do this often in my patterns.
• If you want the "blip" to show up on the right/public side, change color on a purl or ribbing row.

How do I make vertical stripes in my loom knitting?

This depends on whether your stripes will be close together or far apart in large blocks.

Repetitive (vertical) striping

• Skip every other peg by putting the yarn in back of the peg to do 1 x 1 stripes as seen in the picture below. The alternate pegs (or skipped pegs) are worked in another color. Here's a secret...this is also your most basic Fair Isle pattern, not so hard right?! Here's an example on the brim of our Snowman Hat 

• Make wider 2 x 2 vertical stripes by skipping 2 pegs with the yarn in back (wyib) of the pegs. See the chart below. Work 2 sts in color A and 2 sts in color B, always skipping necessary pegs with the yarn behind the pegs. It is not recommended to skip more than 2 pegs without catching the yarn (that will be explained in topic 2, Fair Isle).

• There is no need to twist your yarn together or lock it in with the two examples above. The yarn will float along the back of your knitting and automatically be secured as you knit. Larger gauge looms will produce bigger "floats" than a smaller gauge loom so keep that in mind when making baby items as little fingers can get caught in the knitting.

The ears on the rabbit hat are an example of vertical blocks of color.

How do I make large, vertical, solid areas of color?

• Referring to the chart below. You would knit the indicated number of sts in color A, then knit the indicated number of sts in color B. Next twist the two colors together 1 time. You must twist the colors together (every time they meet) to prevent making two separate sections of knitting. Twisting locks the two colors together and makes a seamless join as you work. Vertical Color Video/Twisting Your Colors Together
• The ears of the bunny, in the pattern pictured above, shows this technique.

Note:  You may make your blocks of color any width, using any number of sts, the above is just an example. You can also do as many blocks as you would like.

I hope you are enjoying this series so far and it inspires you to add more color to your loom knitting. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions. Have a great day!

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Nicole F. Cox

Loom Knit Fair Isle Infinity Scarf (Free Pattern)

Premium Loom Knitting Pattern (free) 

By This Moment is Good Designer, Nicole F. Cox

Recently I've been noticing many more loom knitters venturing into the area of Fair Isle loom knitting. This technique is named after the island of Fair Isle, which is one of the Shetland Islands. This technique is easy to do on the loom as it requires no extra skills if you already know how to do the regular knit stitch. That doesn't mean that it doesn't require work, you will have to pay attention to color changes and carry your yarn on the back of your work. After your efforts, you'll be rewarded with a WOW piece to show off to all of your friends and family! 

The pattern is both charted and written so work off whichever method you are most comfortable with. It's knit in a tube so you don't have to weave in the ends, yay! Just leave them inside the knitting and they won't show. This infinity scarf came about after the new hobby lobby opened in our area and I found a wonderful Hemp and Acrylic blend yarn. I needed the perfect project to show off the wonderful texture and muted colors in this yarn. 

I'm really pleased with how the Fair Isle pattern came together with the chosen yarn. The loom knit infinity scarf has a very organic feel and suits my designing style perfectly. As you loom knit this scarf, the anticipation grows as the colorwork slowly appears from the bottom of the loom. It's what I like most about Fair Isle, it makes my heart sing.

Wear this beautiful scarf/cowl wrapped twice around the neck or hanging loose. It looks nice either way. The yarn used in this project is also perfect for those allergic to wool but still want a more natural/organic feel to their fiber. The small amount of hemp in this mostly acrylic fiber gives it a more natural feel.

Loom Knit

Mystic Diamonds Infinity Scarf Pattern

Designer:  Nicole F. Cox

Gauge: 19 sts and 21 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st.
Finished Measurements:  64"/162.6 cm long x 5"/12.7 cm.

Pattern Key:  Glossary of Loom Knitting Terms With Video Links
Are you unsure of how to do Fair Isle on the loom? Click Here and learn how.

Supplies

• Loom:  3/8" peg spacing, 48 pegs needed. You may adapt this pattern to any round loom with peg numbers divisible by 12. (KB Knitting board adjustable loom used in sample)
• Knitting tool
• Crochet hook
• Yarn/tapestry needle
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

Yarn:  Yarn Bee Rustic Romantic, 85% Acrylic, 15% Hemp, worsted #4, 228 yds/208 m, 3.5 oz/100 gms.

• 1 skein, Color C #09, Okie Wheat.
• 1 skein, color A #26, Slate Roof.
• 2 skeins, color B #04, Sugared Oats.
• 1 skein, colr D #27, Window Ivy.

Pattern Notes

• Infinity scarf is knit as a tube so that floats remain hidden within the inside of the scarf.
• Carry non-working yarn/color by laying it on top of the working yarn (behind pegs) as you knit. No need to carry the yarn unless you do not use a color for more than 2 pegs. The front will look much neater if you catch your floats as you go.
• Change color A every 16 rows, but color B will always remain your background color.
• This pattern can be adapted to any gauge loom with peg numbers divisible by 12 sts. Just use appropriate yarn Example:  24, 36, 48, etc. (12 stitch repeat, repeat the chart as many times as necessary)
• The regular knit stitch is used through out this pattern.

Foundation Round:  Chain CO 48 pegs with 1 strand Color B; join to work in the round.

Round 1: [K1 in A, k2 in B] 16 times (48 sts).

Round 2: [K2 in B, [k1 in A, k1 in B] twice] 8 times (48 sts).

Round 3: [K1 in B, k1 in A] 24 times (48 sts).

Round 4: [K1 in A, k1 in B, k3 in A, k1 in B] 8 times (48 sts).

Round 5: [K1 in B, k1 in A] 24 times (48 sts).

Round 6: [K2 in B, [k1 in A, k1 in B] twice] 8 times (48 sts).

Round 7: [K1 in A, k2 in B] 16 times (48 sts).

Round 8: [K2 in A, k3 in B, k1 in A] 8 times (48 sts).

Round 9: [K1 in B, k2 in A] 16 times (48 sts).

Round 10: [K1 in A, k1 in B, k3 in A, k1 in B] 8 times (48 sts).

Round 11: [K2 in A, [k1 in B, k1 in A] twice] 8 times (48 sts).

Round 12: [K1 in B, k2 in A] 16 times (48 sts).

Round 13: [K2 in A, [k1 in B, k1 in A] twice] 8 times (48 sts).

Round 14: [K1 in A, k1 in B, k3 in A, k1 in B] 8 times (48 sts).

Round 15: [K1 in B, k2 in A] 16 times (48 sts).

Round 16: [K2 in A, k3 in B, k1 in A] 8 times (48 sts).

Repeat rnds 1-16 until your scarf measures 64"/162.6 cm. Change color A after round 16 (or work 8 extra rnds by knitting rnds 1-8 again) but always knit with color B as the background color. The colors work in this order color A, color C and then Color D. Tuck the tails of your yarn (from your color changes) inside the knitting (loom) as you go.

-Chain one bind off all sts; leave long tail for seaming.

Finish:  Seam the bind off edge and the cast on edge together. There is no need to weave in the ends, just leave them tucked in the tube. Block lightly if desired.

Get in Touch!

Have you noticed our new blog design? If so, please let us know what you think of it or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts! No account needed to comment. We've also been named Top 15 loom knitting blogs by Feedspot, Wow! Thanks Feedspot, please check them out and all the other wonderful loom knitting blogs -Nicole

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Nicole F. Cox

Loom Knit Easter Egg Cozy

These eggcellent cozies are sure to delight children and adults alike this spring. If you are looking for a lighthearted, quick loom knit than this may be your next project. I made them on the Authentic Knitting Board 18" adjustable loom and each egg is sporting a different eggtastic look, the slouchy hat (so fashionable right now), the bunny, and the ski cap. It's the perfect eggccessory for the Easter basket this year!

Loom Knit Easter Egg Cosy Pattern

"Because eggs get chilly too"

Yarn: Lion Brand Pounds of Love, 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight #4, Any Color, small amount needed. This is a good scrap project but gauge will matter somewhat, so test for size.

Gauge:  8 sts and 13 rows = 2 inches/5 cm in stockinette.

Sizes: Vary depending on hat. See below for measurements.

Pattern Key:  A loom knitting glossary is available at the top of this blog under the header picture, it contains pattern sts and video links.

Supplies

• Loom:  3/8" peg spacing round loom with 24 pegs, adjustable 18" Authentic Knitting Board used for sample.
• Knitting tool
• Crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Fuzzy pom-poms for embellishment (optional)

Pattern Notes

• Knit from the bottom up in the round.
• Knitting is designed to roll at the brim but you can use ribbing if you prefer. Feel free to experiment.
• Experiment with color and style: the stripes were made by changing color every 4 rows. Knit your egg a scarf to go with its' hat using garter stitch and 3 sts.

Egg Cozy

Foundation Round:  Chain CO24 pegs; join to work in the round.

Rnd 1:  Knit (regular knit st)

Repeat round 1 until total knitting measures 2 1/4"/5.7 cm for Bunny and ski cap and 3"/7.6 cm for slouchy hat.

Next row: move every 3rd stitch to the next peg, decreasing sts.

Next row: knit only the pegs that have sts on them.

Bind off using gather method.

Make Ears (bunny hat only)

Pick up 3 sts (you can pick up 4 if you want a wider ear than shown) on either side of the bunny hat. Make sure right side of knitting is facing you, encourage sts gently away from the hat and place on the loom, repeat until you have 3 or 4 sts on the loom. Leave a tail for weaving in when beginning the next row.

Row 1:  Purl

Repeat rnd 1 until total knitting measures 1 inch/2.5 cm. Make them longer if you want a more pronounced ear!

Next row:  K2tog, ssk. (hint: move the outer sts in one, decrease 2 sts, k2tog again on an additional row if you picked up 4 sts)

Chain one bind off.

Finishing:  Weave in all ends. Hot glue pom-pom to the top of hats (optional).

Eggtastic loom knits!
Here is another loom knitting pattern for Easter:  Easy Chick!

Click the picture above to see more loom knitting gifts!

Thank you for reading, happy loom knitting!-Nicole

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Nicole F. Cox

Learn The Open Buttonhole Stitch

#buttonholestitch #loomknittingstittches #loomknitting #loomknittingtutorials #looming #loomknitbuttonholestitch #freeloomknittingpatterns

Here's a fun, open stitch for the loom. It would look great as a tote bag with an interesting liner peeking out behind it! Thank you for reading and supporting this blog-Nicole

Open Buttonhole Stitch (loom knitting)

Row 1 Knit

Row 2 Purl

Row 3 K8, *BO 6 sts, k6 (including last st used in BO), rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 4 P8, *CO 6 sts, p6, rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Row 5 Knit

Row 6 Purl

Row 7 K2, *BO 6 sts, k6 (including last st used in BO), rep from * to last 8 sts, BO 6 sts, k2 (including last st used in BO).

Row 8 P2, *CO 6 sts, p6, rep from * to last 8 sts, CO 6 sts, p2.

Repeat rows 1-8.

Note: See our glossary at the top of this page for stitch definitions/ video links/how-tos. The true cable cast on works great on sts that require casting on in the middle of the pattern stitch.

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Nicole F. Cox