DESIGNS & TECHNIQUES FOR 15 COZY, CUDDLY & CLASSIC BLANKETS
Afghan Loom PROJECTS CREATIONS
DESIGNS & TECHNIQUES FOR 15 COZY, CUDDLY & CLASSIC BLANKETS
Afghan Loom PROJECTS CREATIONS
Loom-Knit Blankets Projects knit with KB Afghan Loom—knit an afghan 5 feet wide in one piece!
The KB Afghan Loom is an S-shaped loom, created to knit super-wide pieces up to 5 feet (1.5m) wide all in one piece, and yet comfortable to sit on your lap. It’s a long loom scrunched down for ease of use. This book includes detailed how-to instructions, along with 10 blanket patterns to knit with the KB Afghan Loom. The loom is great for afghans, shawls, sweaters, scarves, and so much more. You’ll find instructions here for blankets in a variety of sizes, from small baby blankets to 5-foot (1.5m)-wide super blankets for queen-size beds. The patterns are great for beginners, as well as advanced loom knitters. Unique stitch patterns are incorporated into the projects, including: cables, diamond brocade, seeded columns, flutter stitch, eyelet rib, and the special new stitch featured in the Bee Cozy Blanket (page 38). Have fun with Loom Knitting!
A F G H A N L O O M P RO J E C T S
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Contents Meet the Designers Basic Instructions Stitch Techniques
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Finishing Techniques
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Double Knitting
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PATTERNS
Simple Knit Afghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Striped Afghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Baby Stroller Blanket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Cabin Blanket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Basketweave Blanket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Bee Cozy Afghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Cabling Stairs Afghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Christening Baby Blanket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Classic Blanket with Tassels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Mermaid Tail Blanket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Little Buck Blanket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Silver Leaf Afghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Springtime Symphony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Sun-Kissed Lapghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Creating a Double-Knit Blanket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Index
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Meet the Designers This book is a collection of creations by some very talented pattern designers. They each bring unique designs that showcase the KB Afghan Loom. We hope you enjoy their wonderful creations!
Isela Phelps
Denice Johnson
Isela has been loom knitting for more than three decades. She learned to loom knit on a corker at her grandmother’s side. She is the author of various loom knitting publications, including the best-selling series Loom Knitting Primer. She lives in Utah with her husband and three children.
Denice discovered knitting looms back in 2010, fell in love with the craft, and has been loom knitting ever since. She started publishing her own designs in 2015. She is the owner and creator of Loomed Designs by Denice. She plans to continue to design accessories and wearable pieces for many years to come. Denice resides in Pennsylvania with her significant other and son.
Renita Harvey Renita Harvey taught herself to loom knit at age 13 when she received a round knitting loom as a gift. Loom knitting is her passion. She started designing patterns in 2013. Her love of being challenged and solving problems has made her grow in the field of loom knitting beyond anything she ever expected. And she finds loom knitting great therapy in dealing with health issues. Renita Harvey is a single mother of two young children and lives in historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Jenny Stark Jenny has loved fiber arts and needlework for more than 20 years. She learned to loom knit in 2007 and began writing patterns for the craft shortly after. Loom knitting has brought her much happiness and many wonderful friends. Jenny lives in Utah with her husband and four children.
Ace Beorchia Ace is a new designer with some big ideas! He wears his passions on his sleeves (sometimes literally) and loves sharing the relaxing art of loom knitting. He lives in Utah with his wife and two future loom knitters.
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AFGHAN LOOM PROJECTS
Basic Instructions Understanding Knitting Gauge Knitting gauge is the number of stitches per inch you create on your loom, and number of rows per inch as you work the length vertically. Most patterns will tell you the target gauge. You can determine gauge by knitting a small swatch (a small square of knitting, usually about 6 inches (15cm) in length, and measuring its dimensions. You may want to measure based on 4 inches (10cm) in order to come up with whole numbers. (Example: 7 sts x 9 rows = 2 inches [5cm]) When you create a swatch, you’re measuring the gauge, or how many stitches you’re getting per inch with a certain loom, stitch pattern, and yarn.
Making a Swatch
Cast on a small amount of stitches using the pattern you plan to use and the same yarn, usually about 6 inches (15cm) in length. It’s important that your swatch be measured off the loom. Keeping it on the loom can stretch it or bunch it up in places, throwing off the measurement. If you plan to block your knitting when you’ve finished the project, you should also block your swatch. You might also want to wash it, based on recommendations from the yarn. Otherwise, your measurements could be totally off. Measure somewhere in the center of the square to get the most accurate measurement possible. By knowing the gauge you will be knitting, you will be able to make adjustments to size by simply adding the
correct number of stitches for each additional inch of width, or the correct number of rows for additional length.
Reading Charts Charts are visual representations of the stitch pattern from the right side of the pattern. Many knitters prefer knitting from a chart as it allows them to see the stitch pattern ahead of time, identify areas of potential errors, and rectify them before embarking on the project. Every chart should contain a key. The key or legend helps identify the symbols. Each symbol represents a stitch or a set of stitches. Interpreting the key/legend is crucial to create the finished item. As you see the chart, you will note that it is made of tiny squares. Each square represents a stitch. Charts typically have all rows/ rounds shown; if the designer omitted the wrong side rows/rounds, the pattern will indicate this omission. On the chart, you will also see numbers on the sides. If the stitch pattern is to be worked in rows, the chart will have numbers on both the right and left side. If the stitch pattern is to be worked in the round, the chart will have numbers on the right side only. Once you know the stitch pattern’s key and whether it is worked in rows or rounds, you are ready to begin knitting from the chart.
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BASIC INSTRUCTIONS
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= purl
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LEGEND: = purl
Wrong side rows (even numbers): These are read from left to right.
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= purl = k2tog
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AFGHAN LOOM PROJECTS
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LEGEND:
= k2tog
In the round: Charts for projects in the round will only have rows labeled on the right side.
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LEGEND:
= purl
Right side rows (number for first row is on the right side): Read the chart from right to left and from bottom to top. The second row is read from left to right.
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Pattern repeats: Heavy lines in the chart indicate stitch pattern repeats. After the heavy line, the chart indicates the edge stitches that are located at the end of the row.
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS
Getting Started on the Afghan Loom The afghan loom has 198 grooved pegs. There is an arrow on the loom marking the beginning peg A, and the peg adjacent to the right is the ending peg B.
Peg A Peg B
Cast Ons
3 Work all pegs until you reach the beginning peg, peg A. Once all pegs have been wrapped, your knitting is cast on and you are ready to begin your stitch pattern.
Casting on means putting stitches on the loom.
E-Wrap Cast On 1
Begin with a slipknot and place on the last peg (or last peg to be worked), peg B.
2 Then, e-wrap (a continuous e-motion) counterclockwise around the loom.
Peg B Peg A
NOTE: Peg A and peg B are not connected. 10
AFGHAN LOOM PROJECTS
CABLING STAIRS AFGHAN
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AFGHAN LOOM PROJECTS
Simple Knit Afghan This simple afghan comes together smoothly and is a great first project for those knitters unfamiliar with the Afghan Loom or loom knitting in general. Use this pattern as a showcase for your favorite beautiful yarn color.
Row 1: Single ew st to the end of the row. Row 2: P to the end of the row. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until panel measures 60 inches (152cm) long. Remove item from the knitting loom using the Basic Bind Off method (page 17).
Fringe Option
Add fringe to the cast-on edge and to the bind-off edge of the blanket. You will need 2 skeins of yarn for fringe.
1 Wrap yarn around a box or another object that measures approx 20 inches (51cm). Wrap the entire skein of yarn. Cut strands approx 20 inches (51cm) long.
Knitting Loom: KB Afghan Loom Yarn: 1,400 yards (1280m) of bulky boucle-style yarn. (Sample uses Lion Brand Homespun in Montana Sky.) Notions: Knitting tool, measuring tape.
INSTRUCTIONS Cast on all 198 pegs.
MATERIALS & TOOLS
2 Each fringe is 2 strands of yarn. Place crochet hook into edge stitch at one end. Fold 2 strands. 3 Fold in half and with crochet hook, pull the folded loops through the edge stitch on knitting. 4 Pull the strands of yarn through the loop. This will knot the fringe onto the afghan. 5 Insert the crochet hook into next edge stitch. Proceed across the end of afghan for about onethird of the edge.
Yarn Weight:
PATTERN INFORMATION Gauge: 7 stitches x 7 rows = 2 inches (5cm) Size: 40 x 60 inches (102 x 152cm)
ABBREVIATIONS ew = e-wrap stitch p = purl stitch st(s) = stitch(es)
6 Move to the opposite edge and work back to meet the other completed fringe. The result will be extremely thick and luxurious. Work the opposite end of the afghan with the 2nd skein.
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CABLING STAIRS AFGHAN
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AFGHAN LOOM PROJECTS
CABLING STAIRS AFGHAN
INSTRUCTIONS CO 193 sts; prepare to work a flat panel. The first 5 stitches and last 5 stitches are the edge stitches. These are worked in garter stitch throughout the pattern. The first 16 rows and last 16 rows are worked in garter stitch. Row 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15: K to end of row. Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16: P to end of row. Row 17: K5, *p3, k4, p1, C4B; rep from * to last 8 sts, p3, k5. Row 18: P5, *p3, k4, p1, k4; rep from * to last 8 sts, p8. Row 19: K5, *p3, C4F, p1, k4; rep from * to last 8 sts, p3, k5. Row 20: P5, *p3, k4, p1, k4; rep from * to last 8 sts, p8. Rep rows 17–20 until item measures approx 50 inches (127cm) from cast-on edge. Rep rows 1–16 in garter stitch. Next row: K to end of row. BO with Basic Bind Off method (page 17). Weave end in (page 23). Steam block to approx 45 x 52 inches (115 x 132cm) (page 9).
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AFGHAN LOOM PROJECTS
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AFGHAN LOOM PROJECTS
CHRISTENING BABY BLANKET
INSTRUCTIONS The pattern has a garter stitch border all around: first 6 rows, last 6 rows, first 4 stitches, and last 4 stitches of each row. CO 87 sts; prepare to work a flat panel. Row 1, 3, 5: K to end. Row 2, 4, 6: P to end. Row 7: K4, *p2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk; rep from * to last 6 sts, p2, k4. Rows 8–10: P6, *k5, p2; rep from * to last 6 sts, p6. Repeat rows 7–10 (sample has 37 repeats of these rows) or until panel measures 26 inches (66cm) from cast-on edge. Repeat rows 1–6. BO with Basic Bind Off method (page 17). Weave ends in (page 23). Steam block to measurements (page 9).
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Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting $14.99
Discover how easy it is to knit a cozy, cuddly afghan. With the KB Afghan Loom and this handy guide of beautiful designs and expert how‑to, anyone can quickly and easily learn to knit a beautiful 5-foot wide afghan with no sewing. Afghan Loom Projects features 15 projects in a variety of shapes and sizes, from a whimsical mermaid blanket to a stunning super blanket for a queen-size bed. This hand‑picked collection is ideal for beginners and advanced loom knitters alike and features visually stunning and unique stitch patterns including cables, diamond brocade, seeded columns, flutter stitch, and more. With Afghan Loom Projects, any crafter can discover the fun of loom knitting while making sure everyone on their gift list has hand‑made blankets to enjoy throughout the year.