An easy way to knit, without needles!!!

Many people who’ve seen my knitted scarves and hats often ask how I made them and why I chose loom knitting over crochet or needle knitting. Loom knitting is such a fun and easy way to get into knitting, especially if traditional needles aren’t your thing. Even if you become advanced, you can make the jump to needles, but I never saw the need—I love the looms.

While I was homeless in New York, I used to spend time shopping at Woolworth, a store with a ton of useful, practical, and sometimes quirky items at affordable prices. One day, I stumbled upon a knitting set with plastic gadgets called knitting looms instead of the usual needles, along with some yarn. I bought the set and took it back to my place in New Jersey. It was in the toy department, but it was definitely not for children or anyone expecting instant results. After reading the poorly written directions and a few starts and restarts, I got the hang of knitting and purling and created my first scarf with the bright pink and turquoise yarn included in the set. Within a few days of wearing it, it was stolen from me after I took it off and sat it in the seat next to me on the subway. One moment it was in the seat and the next it was gone, lesson learned and I hope the person who took it appreciated it's warmth and extreme itchiness.

A recreation of my first knitted scarf, complete with the mistakes I made when I first learned.

I knitted a few scarves and hats with the set, using the cheap yarn I found at Woolworth—sometimes itchy, sometimes smooth and comfortable. Loom knitting became a fun and useful skill for me and helped pass time during long nights when I had nothing to do. I would start working on a scarf when the sun went down and by the time it rose, I had another scarf finished.

A Typical Loom Knitting Set

If you’re looking for a great yarn to start with, some go for Red Heart Super Saver because of the color choices and price point but I highly recommend Red Heart With Love it is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for comfort as they work. It’s super soft, comes in tons of vibrant colors, and is perfect for making cozy scarves, hats, and blankets. Plus, it’s machine washable, which is always a win. The best part? You don’t need to be a pro to get started. With a knitting loom and a skein of yarn, you can create beautiful, even stitches with minimal effort.

The Wonder Woman scarf I knitted a few years ago.

Speaking of looms, if you’re in the market for one, eBay is a great place to find knitting loom sets. You can score some awesome deals on both new and used looms. Whether you need a simple round loom for hats or a long loom for blankets, eBay has got you covered. Just make sure to check the seller’s ratings and reviews to ensure you’re getting a good quality product. It’s also a good idea to look for sets that include different sizes of looms, so you have the flexibility to tackle various projects. I highly recommend purchasing a set of long looms, perfect for scarves and blankets as well as a set of round looms which are the most versatile as you can create round projects such as hats but also flat panels for blankets and also scarves. Knifty Knitter was once the gold standard but Provocraft discontinued the line and companies such as Boye and Simplicity began making looms that were similar. You can also find them in stores such as Michaels branded Loops and Threads and Yarnology by Hobby Lobby but the no name brands are just as functional and do the exact same thing, no need to spend a lot on them. A few years back, I reviewed the Martha Stewart Knit and Weave Kit. I hated it at first, but it eventually grew on me. It does take a bit more effort to use, but it’s super convenient since it comes with pieces you can assemble into whatever loom you need.

Martha Stewart Knit and Weave Kit

If you’re looking for more yarn options, Lion Brand has some great recommendations. Their Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn is perfect for loom knitting. It’s a super bulky yarn that works up quickly and provides excellent stitch definition and texture. Another great option is the I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby. It’s incredibly soft and comes in a variety of beautiful colors, making it perfect for any project you have in mind.

For those who need a little direction or ideas for knitting creations, I recommend checking out some "Loom Knitting Primer" by Isela Phelps as well as "Loom Knitting for Beginners" by Jennifer Finn. I love the fact that you don't need to count stitches or pay much attention to what you are doing. It's easy enough that you can watch television, listen to music or even an audiobook while you knit.

Overall, loom knitting is a fun and rewarding hobby and you may find that you are able to sell some of your creations to people who, like yourself, love handmade creations. It’s perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike, offering a relaxing way to create beautiful handmade items that are functional and very useful. And with the convenience of purchasing loom sets on eBay and exploring yarn options from Lion Brand and Hobby Lobby, you can easily find everything you need to get started. So grab some yarn, find a comfy spot, and start loom knitting your next masterpiece!

If you're not interested in creating your own but would to purchase a hand knitted scarf, hat or both from me, let me know and I can create something for you, while not cheap, I do try and stay reasonable with my prices.

My Thoughts of Cra-Z-Art Shimmer 'n Sparkle Cra-Z-Knitz Ultimate Designer Knitting Station

During the Christmas season of 2014, I spotted this loom knitting set at both Wal-Mart and Toys R Us. Given that I already own over 20 different knitting looms, I couldn't really justify spending $30 on the set. However, the lap desk that the looms fit into intrigued me. I even considered buying a plastic lap desk from Hobby Lobby and retrofitting it for my existing looms, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.
Cra-Z-Art, the company behind the set, is the same one I knew as RoseArt when I was a kid. I wasn't a fan of RoseArt crayons, and Cra-Z-Art's crayons are no different—they don't match the quality of Crayola or Sargent's. However, I've used other products from Cra-Z-Art that I enjoyed, so I figured this loom set could be hit or miss. Even with a 40% or 50% off coupon, I still couldn't justify the cost.
A member of the GoodKnitKisses Facebook group mentioned that this set was listed on for $5.95 under Warehouse Deals. The listing stated it was used and the box was damaged, but at less than $6, it wouldn't be a huge loss if it turned out to be a dud. As an Amazon Prime member, I get free 2-day shipping on most items, so I ordered the loom set. Two days later, it arrived on my doorstep.
When I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised to find it in good condition, never opened and showing no signs of damage other than slightly dented corners from shop wear. The set was indeed new. There was more to it than I realized—the "bonus" item was a spool loom, also known as a French knitter. My excitement for the loom desk turned to disappointment when I realized it was designed to sit on a table or solid surface rather than being used as a lap desk.
The set includes two standard knitting looms: one round loom for hats and items knitted in the round, and a small "long" loom, also known as a rack loom, for flat paneled items. The molded plastic has a thin and glossy feel to it. I've read some reviews claiming it is flimsy plastic, but honestly, this is a mass-produced loom set marketed to children. It's not designed for professional or serious projects like Knifty Knitter or Martha Stewart looms. The knobs on the tops of the looms are smaller than I'd prefer, but again, this isn't meant to be a travel or on-the-go set. The looms are completely functional. The loom hook is really cool and fits my hand perfectly, unlike the standard ones that come with Darice, Yarnology, Knifty Knitter, or Boye looms.
In addition to the spool loom, the set includes four small skeins of brightly colored acrylic yarn. The yarn feels softer than Red Heart Super Saver or the acrylic yarns usually included in kids' kits. The downside is that each skein doesn't provide enough yarn for more than just a hat in each color. No problem, though—the included colors appear to match up with those available from any yarn retailer or can at least be coordinated.
My overall thoughts on this set? I'd say it's worth the original price if intended as a gift for a young child who wants to loom knit or a beginner. The yarn is fun to work with, the loom hook/tool is better than most, and the spool knitter made me feel like I got a great value. The knitting desk/storage mount is possibly the weakest link of the set, but it looks cute when all put together. One improvement I would have liked to see is a way to spin the looms as you work, instead of having to turn the entire desk/mount around.
Definitely a set to keep on hand if you have kids interested in crafting—it's fun and functional. And for those who love sharing their crafting enthusiasm, any recommendations or little gifts related to knitting are always welcome and appreciated!