Christmas in July!

It's not snowing yet, it's been 90 degrees and sunny out lately. But I got a head start on my Christmas cards. Here is the picture of them. I used my Stampin' Up Stamps to complete them and paper I had on hand. More details to follow.

Homemade Tags for Dad

I took out my Tag Punches and Art by Design stamp set to make homemade tags for my Dad's wood turning projects. I used the "Created By:" on the front and the backs have either "limited edition", "Homemade" or "Made with Love" I figured he can sign, date and tie them on his projects. I made about 30- all the olive green textured paper I had, so that should last for awhile.

Loomed Pinwheel Baby Blanket- Finally Finished

I’ve always thought Denise Layman's Pinwheel blanket was a neat pattern but it looked difficult. I decided to try it out, I have the motivation to finish this summer for a church fundraiser. This pattern is easy to loom and remember the pattern. It went quick to get to the completed circle. Now I am trying to do the trimming border in single crochet and a 5 double-crochet shell stitch for the final border, instead of the loomed border. I am using Lion Brand's Pound of Love yarn in white and yellow.

Pink Ribbon Scarf

My friend's mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and I wanted to do something to show my support, so I found Denise Layman's Ribbon scarf

I had a dark pink of Patons Classic wool on hand and a Fun Fur type of yarn in matching pink. It came out nice and fluffy (and I had to use the Fun Fur every other row to make it last the whole scarf) Loom knitting is like saying a whole lot of prayers for someone while creating a loving gift for them.

Another Baby Blanket Finished!

I finally completed my blue baby blanket on the Long Blue Knifty Knitter Loom for my friend's baby. It came out well- so soft and I know it will be loved! For the Final measurements is is 24 (wide from the loom) x 25 (long- can be adjusted as long as you loom it) inches loomed, and with the crochet border it is 29 (wide) x 30 (length) inches. a nice baby size.

To try to take out the 'crease' in the middle from using the long looms I single crocheted 7 rounds (using two strands of Lion Brand's Pound of Love yarn) for the border, and then I washed it in Tide Free and rinsed twice (for the baby) and dried it. (all according to the directions on the yarn) It is still visible, but I think the recipient won't notice, since they won't know exactly what caused it. Here is the final picture:

I forgot to single crochet three times in each corner on this blanket, so the corners are rounded instead of square. I'm still working on my crocheting skills!

Here is a close-up picture of the stitches so you can see the texture and the difference in the crease. It isn't so noticeable on the garter stitch portion, so I guess that is always an option if you don't like the crease- do the whole blanket in garter stitch (purl one row, knit one row (or ewrap)

Happy Looming! Chris9ty :)

Creasing in Baby Blankets on Long Blue Loom

I've created a couple baby blankets for my friend's showers recently, and have noticed that when I take them off the loom they show the turning pegs with a crease in the center of the blanket- these stitches seem looser and wider then the others. I know a few people have asked how what to do about it, so here's my solution:

The crease seemed to disappear before the shower, by stretching it out- by pulling along side the crease- so the yarn is pulled toward the other stitches. I also single crochet around the edge several times so the handling of the blanket also seems to flatten it out more.

I just finished one (as you can see in the picture) and plan to wash it (according to the Lion's Brand Pound of Love yarn directions) and rinse it twice for the babies. I'll see if that helps too.

Good Luck and Happy Looming! :)

Christy :)

Blue Long Loom Baby Blanket Finished!

This was my first project on my Long Blue Knifty Knitter Loom. I’ve always wanted to make a blanket sized for a baby and this loom was perfect for that! The Lion Brand Pound of Love Yarn is so soft. I used two strands of pastel blue to do the main part of the with a border of garter stitch (8 rows on the bottom and top and knit one row, purl one row), and purling 4 stitches on each side of the blanket every other row. The rest is the ewrap stitch. After I cast off, I single crocheted a border around the whole thing in blue for 3 rounds, white for 3 rounds, and then blue for the final three. I finished just in time for a friend of the family’s baby shower. She loved it and I know it will be well-loved.

I know I have met a lot of new Loomers online who want to make baby blankets. (They are great gifts for newborns and quick to make) Here is a breakdown of the basic baby blanket pattern:

This is knitted as a flat panel.

I used rubberbands (hair ties) to mark the last four pegs on each end of the loom. And I added a different marker to the last peg on the purl row- so I would remember to always Knit the last stitch to create a nice edge (selvedge)

Crochet Cast-on

*Knit one row, Purl next row (the entire row except the last stitch K) *repeat 3 more times.

**Then Knit entire row

Next Purl first 4 stitches, Knit to the last 4 (I ewrap) and Purl next 3 stitches, K last stitch ** repeat until desired length is reached.

Then- *Knit one row, Purl next row (the entire row except the last stitch K) *repeat 3 more times.

Cast Off in a Flat panel method (I crochet a stitch between each stitch)

Then single crochet a border around the blanket in each ladder or stitch on the edge- repeat as many times as desired.

Happy Looming! :)