Product Review: Knifty Knitter Loom

[smeddley]

Okay, so even though I felt... dirty buying it, I decided I had to give it a try. A few weeks ago I'd run into a girl at the library who was using one, and I talked to her about it. She said she was also a knitter (and had been for many years) and the loom was far faster and easier. And you know me, with my stash of yarn, I could use something to quickly knit up a bunch of scarves, right? Right. So I bought one (luckily with a 50% off coupon, so I only spent $3.50-ish on it). And you know what? Either she sucks as a knitter, or I simply cannot grasp using the loom, because it's a pain in the ass.

First off, it's a three-step process. You have to loop the yarn around the pegs (and keep the tension such that it doesn't slip off, not as easy as it sounds), then you use the little pick to flip the bottom loop over the top loop (which is difficult because the end of it kept getting stuck in the crevice, and it's really easy to accidentally nudge the top loop off, especially if it's too tight), and finally, you have to press all the loops down so you can put the next row on top. This, if you ask me, takes a lot longer than just knitting it. Plus the loom is really unwieldy - much more so than two little sticks!

So it's harder and, for me, takes more time. You'd think that'd be bad enough. But there's one final nail in the coffin. I think what it produces looks like crap. In theory it should just be a stockinette stitch, but the pegs are too small and the spacing too great - so you end up with ribs of knitting and very holey spaces in between. Perhaps, if you worked it after you were done 'knitting' it would even out, but that adds yet another step to the process. Three strikes, it's out.

I can see one possible use for this - for kids. If their hands are too small to manipulate needles this might be a neat compromise. And with a bulky, non-fuzzy yard it would be easy to work with. Other than that, I advise just learning to knit. It's easier, faster, and more versatile.

Now that I've trashed it... anyone want a loom?

Comments

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

Well, I want a loom, but not that sort. I really REALLY need to get you a picture of the loom my mum makes blankets with. Srsly. And pictures of the blankets. We've not been able to find anotehr loom like it ANYWHERE ever. This one was handmade, we know that for a fact.

It's a wooden frame, 4"x4", with nails as the loop part, bunches of them on each side. I can't believe I forgot my camera AGAIN. We'd love to have another one ... sigh.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a weaving loom, which is a whole other story! I had a little plastic once when I was a kid, make potholders out of the stretchy loops on it. They still sell them at Wal-Mart, and I bought some loops to play with but never did talk myself into buying the loom.

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

It is a weaving loom, but it's loads nicer than those plastic things. Plus, I think the one mum has has more loop parts. I don't really know how to explain it ...

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

The plastic ones do tend to be a little... easy to break. And for yarn you would want the pegs closer together. It sounds like it would be easy enough to make a new one, though. All you need is some wood, a saw, and some nails! And the measurements, of course. Easy Peasy!

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

This is done old-school -- joined wood in the corners. I love it.

I suppose ...

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Dove-tailed or biscuit? I wish I had enough yard (uh, and money) to have a woodshop. But there's no way I'm giving up my garage - parking in there is too nice, especially when it's raining, or in the winter...

The best I could do would be mitered and nailed (or doweled).

So, does she weave squares and then sew them together to make blankets?

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

I have no idea. I don't know that much about woodwork ...

Yeah, that's what she does. Baby blankets, mostly, though she's made two lap blankets now and is experimenting in making one that is sort of patterned ... a UT blanket. Orange and white. Sigh.

But they're really very very pretty. I think you'd like them.

[clare-dragonfly.livejournal.com]

I used looms a couple of years ago, before I actually got the hang of knitting. You really have to either double-strand or use bulky yarn with them--that's something I learned fast (possibly by reading the instructions). And I think it makes more of a garter stitch than stockinette. I do prefer real knitting now that I get it.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I tried it with a fairly bulky yarn, but I still had problems with it. Funny, I'm not coordinated enough to use a loom, but I can knit with needles! o.O

The way I was doing it (which could be wrong, I only glanced at the instructions) it was a stockinette stitch - part of what I didn't like about it was I couldn't really purl (again, unless there was a direction I missed) so no ribbing or patterns.

[mmmontserrat.livejournal.com]

May cost you more than $3.50 three and a half bucks to mail the sucker right? Maybe you should gift it to someone you don't have to send it to? just a thought...of course maybe it'll only cost you $1.40 about a buck and a half. Then maybe if the person were very very cool it would be worth it!

Thanks for the review though! Now I know not to get tempted into buying one! Because actually I've sneakily naughtily sinningly considered buying one too! And not even on sale~

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm nice that way. Though I may find someone around here I can sucker into taking it give it to.

Honestly, I wouldn't waste your money (even on sale!). If you can knit with needles you already know how to do something far more versitile that looks way better in the end!

[mmmontserrat.livejournal.com]

Do you guys have freecycle out there? It's the craziest thing here. Between what I get and give on that. Man...

Also, do you guys have that bicycle coalition thingy...what is it called? when cyclists take over the streets? Mass Attack? Mars Attack. dammit what is it called again?

i know other cities have it. i should go to sleep. my brain she is fried like oysters tonight. or chicken. or ok nighty night.

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

ha ha!! The only knitting I've ever done is on the dear knifty knitter. Not that style loom however, but the basic round ones. It kept me occupied during a long, and stressful soccer season once. I have such complete A.D.D. when it comes to it though, I made hordes of baby hats but could barely stand to finish an adult size one. I liked the instant gratification of having something done within an hour or so.

I have a bunch of bookmarks on how to do different stitches using the loom, but I never did get that into it to really try them myself.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I think I'll stick to me needles, since I learned that way first, anyhow. It really is easier once you learn, and oh so much more versitile! Plus, I think it's easier to carry around. But yeah, I'm with you on the ADD, it's tough for me to stay inspired through a long project. I have a blanket I've been, uh, 'knitting' since 1998... :/

[dynastic-queen.livejournal.com]

That thing looks scary. A three-step process just to produce stockinette? I'll keep my needles, thanks.

But I have to admire you for trying. :)

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, I heard 'faster' and that got me all excited, so I had to try it. Damn me for being so instant gratification! And, honestly, I started knitting some of the yarn I was trying on that crazy contraption on real needles, and it look a bajillion times better!

[icecat.livejournal.com]

I'm confused about the process. I think you need to post pictures of you using the loom. :D

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I think you need to invite me over to your house, provide some snackage, and I'll show you in person. Perhaps even conveniently leaving it there...

[icecat.livejournal.com]

Oh, I could do the first two, perhaps even the first three! but i'm trying to learn a rib stitch on the two pointy needles, so you'd have to take it back with you, haha. :D

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

K1, P1? I'm doing a scarf right now that's K2, P2 because I think it lays better, and makes it a little fluffier. :D Yay, another knitter! :D