How to Make a Wood Knitting Loom

There are many reasons to learn to knit using a loom instead of traditional knitting needles. Looms are known to be easy to learn on even if you have no knitting skills, and some "needle knitters" end up switching to loom knitting because it is faster and easier on your finger joints. Regardless of your reasoning for taking up loom knitting there is no real reason to purchase your loom. They are easy and inexpensive to make at home from scrap wood and nails.

Things You'll Need

• 1 board, 2 inches by 2 inches, approximately 12 inches long
• Ruler
• Pencil
• 12 to 50 nails
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Decide on a gauge. Gauge is the term knitters use to describe the size of their stitches. If you are not familiar with gauges take a look at the resource listed below. In traditional knitting, gauge is determined primarily by what size needles you are knitting on, but with loom knitting it is determined by the spacing of the pegs on the loom. This is why it is important that you decide what gauge you want before beginning to make your loom.

2. Measure and mark the nail locations on the 2-by-2. Measure 1/4 inch from the edge of the 2-by-2 and place your first pencil mark there. If you decided on a standard gauge for worsted weight yarn, continue placing a mark every 1/2 inch. If you decided on a finer gauge or plan to knit with a lighter yarn, place your marks 1/4 inch apart, and if you chose a larger gauge or are planing to knit with a heavier or chunky yarn, place your marks every 5/8 inch.

3. Hammer nails in place. Hammer one nail at each increment that you marked. These nails will serve as the pegs on your knitting loom.

Tips & Warnings

• The increments given in step two are guidelines only. Knitting is a textile art, so do not be afraid to be creative and experiment with gauge.

• Reusing old nails of various sizes is fine, but avoid rusty nails. The rust could snag on delicate yarn or cause discoloration.

References

• Loom Knitting Help: Making Your Own Loom

Resources

• Earth Guild: Understanding Kitting Gauge