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Ultimate Oval Loom Knitting Set by Leisure Arts Review

In my last blog post, I reported that I have re-discovered loom knitting– Ultimate Oval Loom knitting to be exact.

A few months ago, Leisure Arts sent me their new “Ultimate Oval Loom” to use and write a review. Because of their request, I have developed a new appreciation for loom knitting.

 Ultimate Oval Loom Knitting Set (# 47833) is from Leisure Arts and retails for $19.99.

Ultimate Oval Loom Set

Leisure Arts’ online description of the loom is:
“The Innovative Oval Loom Knitting Set contains two looms which are shaped for easy handling and let you use the most popular yarns in light or medium weights. Learn the basics of loom knitting while you create fabulous fashions and expand your loom collection to do small-gauge projects! In the Ultimate Oval Loom Knitting Set for Beginners from Leisure Arts, you’ll receive looms in two sizes (with 54 and 70 pegs), a stitching tool, and a 48-page Beginner’s Guide with clear photos and friendly step-by-step instructions. Projects include Basic Beanie, Striped Beanie, Fingerless Mitts, Family Tube Socks, Twisted Garter Hat, Twisted Garter Scarf, and Lace Cowl. Free technique videos are available at LeisureArts.com. Recommended for ages 8 and up.”

Knitting on the Ultimate Oval Loom

I decided to knit the Lace Cowl featured in the Beginner’s Guide that comes with the set.  I used the oval 70-peg loom and my hand-dyed alpaca yarn.

ToolsCasting on

 

Because I was knitting in my spare time,  I completed the cowl within a week.  I used the following techniques: E-wrap cast on, E-wrap knit stitch, knit 2 together, yarn over, and simple bind off.
Below is the cowl  before blocking. Sorry,  the color does not show correctly..

Unblocked Lace Cowl
Unblocked Lace Cowl

The cowl after blocking but still on the blocking mat.

Blocked
Blocked Lace Cowl

The completed and blocked cowl.

Lace Cowl
Lace Cowl

The Review

The Oval Loom  is very comfortable to hold and knit around. Because the pegs are spaced 1/2″ apart versus 5/8″, Leisure Arts  designed The Ultimate Oval Loom  for worsted weight and lighter yarns.

In addition to the lace cowl, I also played around with knitted fabric using the knit and purl stitches for stockinette, ribbing, and garter. I was pleased with the results.

Because other looms I have used had the wider peg spacing,  I had to use double strands for projects. Being able to use a single strand really makes knitting a breeze on the Oval Loom.

My left hand has been giving me problems with strength, mobility, and pain on movement. Now, I can knit most of the same items I would normally knit with needles. Because the oval shape is less cumbersome than the round or rectangle looms,  I could knit on Ultimate Oval Loom without aggravating my left hand. Also, having two sizes of looms, gives you the ability to make a wide range of projects.

In conclusion, I  recommend that anyone interested in loom knitting give the Ultimate Oval Loom Knitting Set by Leisure Arts a knit.  Thank you, Leisure Arts, for reintroducing me to loom knitting.

 

The Ultimate Oval Loom 3

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Lace Yarn and Super Fine Yarn Cateogies

Lace Yarn, Super FIne Yarn

Super Fine Yarn  Category 1, Super Fine Yarn includes sock, fingering and baby yarns.  The yarns knit at 27-32 stitches over 4 inches on US Size 1-3 needles. The yarn thicknesses in this category can very.  Just the term sock weight can include fingering weight yarn as well as DK or sport weight yarn.  Some German yarns state that they are 6-fache which is more of a DK or sport weight.

Lace YarnLace yarn includes 10-COUNT crochet thread and cobweb-like yarns. This yarn knits at 33-40 stitches over 4 inches on US Size 000-1 needles.
The lightest weight of yarn is used to make lace, doilies and other delicate items.

This is the last blog in this series.

Yarn Weight Icons

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jumbo yarn weight

YarnStandards.com

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Fine Yarn and Light Yarn Categories

Yarn Categories 2 and 3

Fine yarn and Light yarn are some of my favorite yarns.

Light YarnYarn Category 3

DK  (double knitting) weight and light worsted yarns fall into this category. These light yarns are just a little bit thicker than fine yarns and a tiny bit thinner than medium yarns.

Light yarn knits at 21-24 stitches per 4 inches on US Size 5-7 needles.

Fine YarnYarn Category 2

Sport and baby yarns fall in this category.

Fine yarn knits at 23-26 stitches per 4 inches on US Size 3-5 needles.

Fine Yarn and Light Yarn Uses

Sport weight yarn and DK (double knitting) weight yarn are often viewed as interchangeable but sport weight yarn is slightly thinner and lighter.

Both Fine yarn and Light yarn are used for socks, slippers, mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, shawls, wraps, cardigans, sweaters, baby items and other accessories.

 

Next blog, we will discuss the final two Categories:   1, Super Fine and 0, Lace.

 

Yarn Weight Icons

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jumbo yarn weight

YarnStandards.com

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Medium Yarn Category 4

Medium Yarn

Medium Yarn 4

The Medium Yarn category includes worsted, afghan, and aran weight yarns.  Knit gauge for 4 inches of stockinette is 16-20 stitches on US 7-9 needles.

Worsted weight yarn is wonderful for knitting sweaters, scarves, mittens, leg warmers and afghans. Aran and worsted are sometimes used interchangeably but Aran yarns tend to be slightly heavier than worsted yarns.

Yarn brands that are usually found in Category 4:

Cascade Yarns 220 and Superwash 220, Plymouth Encore or Galway, Berroco Ultra Alpaca and Vintage, Ella Rae Classic, Noro Silk Garden just to name a few.

Next blog, we will discuss Categories 3, Light,  and 2, Fine.

 

Yarn Weight Icons

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jumbo yarn weight

 

 

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Bulky Yarn is Category 5

Bulky Yarn Category 5

Bulky Yarn or Chunky Weight Yarn 5

Bulky yarn will help you knit hats, heavy sweaters, jackets, afghans/throws, scarves and other specialty items quickly.  Category 5 yarns are about twice the diameter of worsted weight yarn.  This yarn works great when Category 6 and 7 yarns are too heavy for your project.

If you are just learning to knit or crochet,  this yarn is great for your first projects because the stitches are easy to see and you get fast results.

Yarn types in this category are often made from wool, mohair, acrylic or wool/synthetic blends.

Knit gauge in stockinette is 12-15 stitches in 4 inches on US Size 7-9 knitting needles.

Biggo Yarn

Knit Picks Biggo Yarn is a Bulky Yarn and is a great knit for blankets, cowls, and mittens.

 

Next blog, we will discuss Category 4, Medium.

Yarn Weight Icons

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jumbo yarn weight

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Did You Know There is a New Yarn Weight Category?

 

 

Yes, it’s true.  There is a new yarn weight category and it is:       7 Jumbo yarn weight

Category 6, Super Bulky,  had to adjust to make room for Category 7, Jumbo.  Super Bulky (Bulky/Roving) was gauged at knitting 6-11 stitches over 4 inches of stockinette with size US 11 needles and larger.  Now, Super Bulky is gauged at knitting 7-11 stitches over 4 inches of stockinette with size US 11-17 needles.

The new Category 7, Jumbo (Jumbo/Roving), is gauged at 6 stitches over 4 inches of stockinette with size US 17 and larger needles.

Why this new category?  Knitters and yarn designers started using and creating yarn for arm knitting. Curious about arm knitting, check out this  book on Arm Knitting.

Craft Yarn Council thought a new category was necessary to help knitters understand the type of fabric these Jumbo yarns create.

Jumbo yarns make quick work of hats and other fun projects.  SWTC Dream Big is a Jumbo yarn.

Super Bulky yarns also make quick work of hats, cowls, shrugs and scarves.  Encore Mega is a Super Bulky yarn.

These pictures are of hats made with Dream Big and with Encore Mega for your comparison of how the knitted fabric looks.Click on the image for the pattern.

Encore Mega Hat
Encore Mega Hat
Dream Big Hat
Dream Big Hat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please leave any comments or questions below.

Next blog, we will discuss Category 5, Bulky.

Yarn Weight Icons

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jumbo yarn weight

 

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