Loom knitting is also referred to as French knitting, reel knitting, spool knitting, box knitting, rake knitting, ring knitting, bung knitting, frame knitting etc Loom knitting is an historic art that has recently found an revival. Knitting today is highly popular worldwide. And the resurgence of knitting looms in the world of knitting has given all knitters a cause to grin.
Looms were used extensively in the medieval age in countries like Britain, France, Germany and many other places in Europe. People used the technique of loom knitting to knit bags, purses, tasseled caps, petticoats, shawls, hammocks, curtains, nets, petticoats etc. A common belief is that guild apprentices knit carpets for their masters on frame boards i.e, knitting looms.
Knitting looms can be separated in to three primary types- the round loom, the rake loom and the knitting board. The round loom is not necessarily round. It could be a square, rectangle, an oval or even diamond-shaped. All pegs of this loom are required to be continuous without any specific starting or stopping point. The distance between the pegs of this loom limits its gauge. A lot of distance implies a lot of gauge.
There is not a lot difference between the round loom and the rake. However, the rake, second type of knitting loom, has continuous pegs which have a beginning and a finishing point. Again, the gauge of the pegs in this loom is controlled by the space between them. Only flat knitting can be done on this type of knitting loom.
A knitting board is a loom with two twin rakes. These parallel rakes are used to knit across the loom. A double knit fabric can be produced with the help of a knitting board. The gauge of this type of loom is established by two factors- the space between its pegs and the length between its rakes. A wider gauge is made by a larger space between either of the two.
Loom knitting is helped by the various devices on a knitting loom. The knitting looms that have single rows of pegs are called single rakes, while those having double rows of pegs are called double rakes. Knitting fabrics that have a distinctive right and wrong side can be created with single rakes. A double fabric with both right sides can be created with the help of double rakes.
The purpose pegs serve in loom knitting is same as the purpose needles serve in hand or machine knitting. Every peg in a loom is like a knitting needle which is employed to create assorted designs and stitches on a loom. Gauge is the space between the pegs of a loom. It is this standard of measurement that decides the size of the stitches that can be produced, as also the thickness of yarn that would work the best for a particular loom.
Loom knitting has not only caused a comeback but also is gaining popularity. It is easy to learn and the knitting looms are simple to use. Those who have given up crochet and needle knitting owing to arthritis, wrist bone tunnel syndrome or other such ailments can enjoy loom knitting alternatively. It does not involve use of needles and is very user friendly.
The trend of loom knitting is taking the world by storm and is sure enough causing a lot good to the world of knitting.
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