At a recent blogger event, I was gifted a Leisure Arts Ultimate Oval Loom Knitting Set to try - and today I get to tell you all about it, and even give one away to one lucky reader!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
First, for those not familiar with loom knitting, it's yarn crafting done on a "loom" - not a weaving loom! Knitting looms are very different - a basic description would be a plastic base with a series of pegs sticking out. You wind the yarn around those pegs in specific ways, and then lift them off with a little hook-like stitching tool. It sounds complicated, but it's actually incredibly easy! It's a wonderful craft for everyone from children to the elderly, and everyone in between. I taught my 9-year-old the basics of loom knitting in just minutes!
The Leisure Arts Ultimate Oval Loom Knitting Set includes everything you need to get started with loom knitting. There's a small loom with 54 pegs, and a large loom with 70 pegs, the stitching tool, and a step by step instruction book! What's special about these particular looms is that the pegs are smaller and closer together so that you can use light to medium weight yarns - many looms are designed with medium to chunky yarns in mind.
And the oval shape is very clever! It doesn't determine the shape of your project, but it makes the loom easier to hold, use, and store! And the book is just fantastic, with full-color instructions for loom knitting basics, as well as step-by-step instructions for mitts, socks, hats, cowls, and more!
Did you know you can make lace with loom knitting? You can! I decided to challenge myself and try loom knitted lace making for the first time. It was a little tricky at first, but the instructions in the book are great!
And here it is all done - the Lace Cowl! Not perfect, but not bad for a first lace attempt! I made it with Lion Brand Jeans yarn, and the combo is soft and cozy and pretty too!
I love loom knitting - it's very "zen." It requires no more thought than you want to give it, and you don't have to worry about counting or dropping stitches. Loom knitting is certainly a lot easier than standard knitting. And using the Oval Loom was a real joy!
You might notice the binder clip in the above photo - that was my own addition to the kit! Like most, I don't usually get a chance to finish a full project in one sitting. So I used a binder clip to hold the stitches I left off at, and the ends, in place! Since you can't use stitch markers for this purpose, putting a binder clip right over the pegs you stopped on is a great solution!
I really like the way the patterns in the book are written - when there are different sizes for the pattern, they are each in a different colored font, making it very easy to read! And there are fantastic color tutorial photos, as well as some excellent finished advice in the back. The oval shape of the loom was great for popping into my bag when I took this project out of my craft room with me, and the loom was very easy to use too!
The Leisure Arts Ultimate Oval Loom Knitting Set is recommended for ages 8 and up, and by now by Moogly! You can purchase the Ultimate Oval Loom Knitting Set directly from Leisure Arts - CLICK HERE to get the whole set for just $19.99! And don't miss the Oval Loom Knit Collection, a book filled with even more patterns to make on this fab set!
And now let’s give one away! The Leisure Arts Oval Loom Giveaway on Moogly is open to US address only and ends 4/3/17 at 12:15am Central US time. If you are on mobile and have difficulty entering, please use a desktop computer to enter. Only the email option is mandatory – all other tasks are optional, for bonus entries only. Good luck, all!
You can follow Moogly on Facebook, Twitter, G+, Pinterest, Instagram, and Tumblr! Thank you to Leisure Arts for sponsoring this giveaway!
Adrienne McCarthy
This looks like fun! And an easy way to make goods for harvest fairs, something I promised myself I'd do this year.
Kathleen Bruner
I have never been interested in loom knitting until I recently saw a large one that you can make afghans on. Do you know if you could use the large oval one and not connect in one spot to end up with a flat piece, rather than a round one. Maybe to make a baby blanket with? I do both crochet & knit already. I also sent a loom kit to a home for mentally challenged young people, and they seem to love making hats, etc. with it. 🙂
Tamara Kelly
Yes! 😀 You can do flat scarves, blankets, etc, just as you say by turning! What a wonderful thing you've done, thank you!
Jean
I would love to give this to a friend that is retired, disabled, & does not have a computer to see this. This . .would be a change from the round loom currently being used
Cheryl Estok
My mom used to crochet - just afghans - but she now says she can't focus. At 82 she has ADHD, or so she says. I wonder if something like this would help calm her mind and help her craft again.
Tamara Kelly
I think it might be worth a shot! There are lots of very simple patterns for looms like this that might be just right. 🙂 Here's an article that might have some inspiration too: http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/09/health/elderly-man-knits-hats-for-homeless-trnd/ (if I'm not mistaken, those hats in the photo look loom knit to me!)
Marcia
I actually learned how to do this as a child using a large wooden thread spool with some nails in the top.
Sandy
Would love to see and learn how to knit on loom!
Marcia
This looks like fun!
Thanks for the chance.
Marilyn
Cynthia Clark
Thanks for the chance to win. I've been wanting to learn loom knitting.
Barbara
I have one of the round loom sets and love it! It makes it so easy to use the furry and other specialty yarns.
Linda N
I've seen these at various craft shops online and in stores and wondered if they were worth investing in. Thanks for your comments and the chance to win one.