There is no wind beneath my wings
Our weaving mathematical equation for today: Sails - Wind = Me.
Yes, the wind was taken out of my sails today….
During my visit to Tamarack…the centre highlighting the best of West Virginia craftspeople…I purchased a cool little lap loom in the old-fashioned wooden toys area. ‘How nifty!’ I thought, and immediately began to experiment with this tiny treasure. I was certainly feeling a connection to my pioneering forebears. So what was this that I held in my hands?
I googled the term lap loom. Nothing looked like the toy sitting in my lap. Peg loom? Nope. ‘How curious!’ I mused. Ah well, I couldn’t tell whether it was knitting or weaving, but it produced a double-thickness-cool-loopy-chain-mail-like scarf.
It was all quite simple…wrap the yarn in a figure-eight around the pegs. Repeat once again. Draw the bottom loop over the top loop and continue to do this as the ‘woven’ portion drops through the middle of the loom.
I found it all quite relaxing as I could chat with my parents and yet feel like I was getting back into the feel of fibre.
As I fell into a sort of reverie pondering all of the lovely colour combinations that could be made with a wonderfully simple open-double-weave using this time honoured wooden tool. I set it aside, however, so my mom and I could make a quick trip to the craft store. And what did I see?
Cheap, plastic loopy knitter. Ack!
Okay, so I’m not totally devastated and am still chuffed with the results from my little wooden beauty. And ya know, I’m thinking that I may just be able to take it on the plane!
very cool new lap loom. much cooler that the gross plastic ones which probably wouldn’t be allowed on the plane they are so gicky. but the wooden one is quite nice and the loopy “material” is very lovely. especially in that color. have fun!
27 Jul 2007 at 5:48 am
I love the yarn you are using for that
27 Jul 2007 at 8:46 am
Lovely colour! Look at http://frameknitting.com/ for inspiration and instructions.
27 Jul 2007 at 11:29 am
Plastic is just so wrong! The wooden frame looks neat though.
28 Jul 2007 at 6:48 am
I’ve always been intrigued with those little looms but have never actually boughten one. I like what you’re doing on yours however. If I ever need something new to learn, this will be it!
30 Jul 2007 at 11:59 am
The last episode of the Craftypod was all about Loom Knitting: http://www.craftypod.com/?p=211
There’s links there to an online loom knitting magazine and things - I’ll be really interested to take a look at yours when you’re back.
31 Jul 2007 at 8:51 pm
that loom brings back childhood memories…I remember receiving a wooden peg loom for my 6th or 7th birthday, it was approx. 12″ wide…and made my very own scarf
01 Aug 2007 at 3:51 pm
Very nice loom. i like the fact that it has no little nobs at the top to hinder progress.
Have you seen Isela’s blog? She’s all over the loom knitting.
http://isela.typepad.com/
02 Aug 2007 at 12:58 am