The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Fleecewife on June 07, 2014, 06:35:47 pm
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Has anyone tried a modern sock loom?
Looks as if it's worked just like the dollies (or nails in a cotton reel) we used as kids, to make a long tail, but bigger.
Someone, and I can't find the email, was asking where to get their Herdwick fleeces spun to make yarn for a scarf, and I suggested socks. They are daunting for a beginner knitter, but I wondered if one of these would be any use.
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I haven't tried one but know someone who bought one. She couldn't get on with it although I'm not sure why.
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I bought one the other week and I haven't been able to get on with it either. I've given up for the moment after three rows. Not sure I'm doing in right. The instructions that came with it were quite good to start off with but then petered out somewhat. I guess it's another case of looking it up on You Tube.
Oh - thank god for the internet.
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I bought one when Lidl had them in. I've no idea where it is but I know where my sets of needles are :roflanim: I will probably end up making something other than socks if I ever remember where I put it.
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I thought they look like those French knitting dolls in which case it would be very slow to do. I'm sure knitting with needles is quicker than French knitting. It would interesting to see something made on one though.
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Yes MGWM - even though I don't knit socks, I got the impression the the loom was going to be slower.
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It looks very slow, and unnecessarily complicated! And how do you adjust for size? I use 80 stitches in the round for my socks with 2mm needles, and that's only a size 8... It also looks very lose, which means that the socks won't be very durable: the tighter and finer the knit, the longer they (usually) last. I think I'll stick to my 5 needles!
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I think they look unnecessarily complicated and slow too.
What about knitting bags, they can be very easy, a just a long rectangle, sewn into a pocket and then felted - easy to do as not doing it to a particular size. There are some very simple slipper patterns, felted and non-felted, much simpler than socks.
Rav is a great source of patterns.
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I wasn't thinking of them for me - I love knitting socks - but wondered if they would be good for someone who doesn't knit - 5 needles bring terror to the heart of a non-knitter ;D).
There are different sizes, but I think the general opinion anyway seems to be not worth using :knit: Ah well.
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from a novice-ish knitters point of view, it looks great fun. i might get one. iv only knitted on 3 needles and never tried socks, only done hat an scarves so far.
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from a novice-ish knitters point of view, it looks great fun. i might get one. iv only knitted on 3 needles and never tried socks, only done hat an scarves so far.
Oh good - let us know how it works out :knit:
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Just bought one online - thanks for the link! I do knit socks on needles, but it usually doesn't look right at the heel - I always end up with too big a holes at the seam which I then have to sew together! Be interesting to try this out. It also looks so easy, my OH might be able to 'knit' his own blimmin socks! :roflanim:
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I've given up knitting OH socks. He never wears the ones I knit for him as it is. He said they are probably difficult to wash, but thats my problem.
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Just bought one online - thanks for the link! I do knit socks on needles, but it usually doesn't look right at the heel - I always end up with too big a holes at the seam which I then have to sew together! Be interesting to try this out. It also looks so easy, my OH might. Beatle to 'knit' his own blimmin socks! :roflanim:
Let us know how you get on with sizing them, please! I'd really like to know. As you say, it might be fun for somebody who doesn't normally knit socks.
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I've given up knitting OH socks. He never wears the ones I knit for him as it is. He said they are probably difficult to wash, but thats my problem.
I must admit that for socks I use the "proper", commercially produced sock yarn: 75% wool, 25% plastic. Provided you buy the stuff that says "machine washable" on the label, that's just what they are.
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Just bought one online - thanks for the link! I do knit socks on needles, but it usually doesn't look right at the heel - I always end up with too big a holes at the seam which I then have to sew together! Be interesting to try this out. It also looks so easy, my OH might. Beatle to 'knit' his own blimmin socks! :roflanim:
Let us know how you get on with sizing them, please! I'd really like to know. As you say, it might be fun for somebody who doesn't normally knit socks.
They have different sizes (or stitch number, I guess). I have bought the large size which is for sizes 6-11. The sock pattern I am currently doing on needles is the same sizes, and you just adjust the foot length.
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If you're getting 'holes' doing the heel, try a fish lips heel (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fish-lips-kiss-heel). I've been knitting socks for quite some time, but this heel, combined with the 'German short rows' method (good YouTube videos on how to do it) of doing the 'yarn over/wrap stitch/double stitch' is now my default heel, as it is so simple and so neat and tidy.
I spoke about it at WSD Guild the other day and no-had heard of it, or German short rows, but they're both simple, excellent techniques.
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combined with the 'German short rows' method
Never heard that term before - and I've been German all my life, and knitting for almost as long! :D
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They're probably the standard way you do the double stitch for short rows then - maybe they're just called this in England :)
this (http://youtu.be/P6n561SMZXQ) technique
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combined with the 'German short rows' method
I have learnt the term "verkürzte Reihen" for the heel, I suppose that would translate into "shortened rows". Not got time to look at the video link, but I also use 5 needles for socks!
Never heard that term before - and I've been German all my life, and knitting for almost as long! :D
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Oh yes, I use 5 needles for socks and prefer 'short row' heels.
This was just a different technique I came across for doing the 'double stitch' as you turn at the end of each short row. It's quick and neat-looking, is all.