Couch Soup logo

Loom Knitting: A Unique Way to Break the Power of the Scroll of Doom

by: 
hello world!
Shana Martin
| March 13, 2022
hello world!

With just a few taps on a smartphone or a tablet, a person has access to a myriad of websites, all containing a plethora of information from around the world. However, it is important to step back and take a break from social media or one might start doom scrolling, which can be detrimental to a person’s overall well-being. May I suggest a hobby? A hobby that is portable, requires no batteries/USB charger, and can be done indoors as well as out? A hobby that I could use to embrace my inner geek while I’m still unplugged? Doom scrolling will have met its match once you pick up loom knitting!

Knitting loom

For those who have yet to know the joy of colored strings, or you are a dedicated crocheter or needle knitter, here’s a definition of loom knitting:

“A knitting loom is set up with a bunch of pegs on a frame, evenly spaced – onto these you ‘knit.’ The round knitting looms can be used for hats and even socks – here’s a set similar to the one we have. The rectangular ones can be used for scarves and blankets.”

Set of looms

This “definition” makes my hobby sound so boring and unappealing. But the history of loom knitting can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians! I just discovered this history thanks to one of the ladies in the Facebook group GoodKnitKisses Loom Knit & Craft Club where I am a member. That prompted me to look for more information, and I dived into the chronology of loom knitting.

Knitting looms come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are even flexible! The 2 most common types of looms, which you can find at most major craft stores, are long rectangles or circular. The marketing focus is toward children as a beginner’s knitting tool, complete with the bright color scheme. 

The looms are typically sold as a set, with a loom hook, a plastic yarn needle, and basic instructions for something like a hat and tube scarf. You perform the first knitting step, the “cast on,” by wrapping the yarn around each peg in a “Cursive E” looping pattern all the way around the loom. Here’s a tutorial for a loom knit hat with a visual breakdown of the first cast on step:

A lady from church bought me my first loom set as a birthday gift. I didn’t care that the company marketed the set to kids, I was finally going to be able to make something with my own hands! Being physically disabled, so much of living your life from day to day requires help from others, and sometimes that can become frustrating. So when an opportunity comes along that allows me to create something all on my own, it’s very empowering!  

Knitting with a circle loom
This is me working on a hat-scarf combo… a harff? a skhat?

When I’d take my projects with me whether it was a Harry Potter “house scarf” with matching fingerless gloves or mermaid doll the responses would be mixed. Some would say, “I am really glad you found something that helps you be creative!” While others would say, “That’s not real knitting, it’s a children’s toy!” I was even told I was “cheating”!

If you’re thinking it sounds too simple like it’s “cheating,” I say watch this inspirational video at real-fix.com. After this, I doubt you’ll still call loom knitting “cheating.”

Plus, you can create so much more than just generic scarves and blankets!  I’ve used my friends’ Hogwarts house colors from Harry Potter to knit them scarves, mittens, and even tiny octopuses with hats! Here are some of my creations using my knitting looms that I made for my fellow Couch Soup members:

Photos of knitting projects: a Gryffindor octopus, a colorful owl, and a Slytherin scarf and gloves.
A few projects that were gifts for friends among our Couch Soup members: Maria Kinnun’s cat Kitwin with a Gryffindor octopus, Stef Watson’s owl, and Charlotte Merritt’s Slytherin scarf and gloves

To see other things I’ve made, check out my Facebook page, The Sea Purl

Now go out, get yourself a “gall darn” ball of yarn, and try loom knitting for yourself! And always remember “creating” is inclusive, not exclusive.

Have you tried loom knitting before? Do you love the yarn arts as much as I do?

Hey fellow nerds! Before you dive back into that gaming session or start your next binge-watch, here’s the deal with Couch Soup: we’re a completely independent pop culture site run by genuine fans who get just as hyped as you do about the latest games, comics, movies, and TV shows. No corporate overlords, no AI-generated content, just real people who know their Metroid from their Mass Effect.

Unlike the big corporate sites, we don’t chase clicks or stir up drama. Sure, we might have some hot takes (looking at you, controversial season finale), but they come from a place of genuine passion and respect for the creators and fandoms we cover.

Want to support what we do and join what we think is the coolest community of pop culture enthusiasts on the internet? Check out our supporter tiers – each packed with perks that’ll level up your fandom experience. Every contribution helps keep us independent and lets us keep nerding out with you!

Thanks for being part of our quest – now, back to our regularly scheduled geekery!
Drew Lewis,
Editor-in-chief
Membership
Monthly
Yearly
Members Only Newsletter
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Ability to Comment on Articles
Unlocked
Access to Couchsoup Community
Circle Forum
SIGN UP
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Annual Membership
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Annual Membership
Annual Membership
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Annual Membership
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Annual Membership
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN

About the Author

  • Shana Martin

    Shana is originally from Findlay, Ohio, and currently resides in Largo in Central Florida. She proclaims that in life she “always has the BEST seat in the house!” Being diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy from birth has not stopped her from living life to the fullest. Her poetry has been published in 6 different collections. She loves Renaissance Festivals and any film that has copious amounts of sword fighting. She’s also addicted to yarn and chocolate!

Share This

6 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Luis Reza
Member
2 years ago

Great article!!! I didn’t even know what loom knitting was. Now I gotta know that this is how you made the octopus and the owl!? Awesome read, Shana!

Charlotte Merritt
2 years ago

That scarf and glove set got me through our negative temps this winter. Thank you!!

Maria Kinnun
Member
2 years ago

My cats love your Octopi!! Great article Shana

Comments are for members only. Sign up here to become a member for free.

Get our Newsletter!

Featured

Dream Sequence: A Nightmarish Little Horror Podcast for Halloween

Dream Sequence gave me insomnia. Is there something in my dreams that’s out to get me? This nightmarish narrative from Blumhouse, Realm, and iHeart Radio is the perfect horror podcast to close out the spooky season
by Iain McParlandNovember 2, 2024
1 2 3 849

Read more

Nerfing the Male Ego: Interview with Alyssa Dykstra, Creator of Threads and Thistles Inventory

In the second installment of Erika Aundawyn's “Women in Gaming'' series, she interviews Alyssa Dykstra, creator of "Threads and Thistles Inventory.'' They discuss Alyssa's small business journey, online harassment, and the interview's title topic: Nerfing the Male Ego.
by Erika AundawynAugust 2, 2022 

Why That One Moment in Loki Meant So Much

The Loki series plants a seed for greater bisexual/pansexual visibility, and Stef W shares what that means to her after nearly three decades of misunderstandings.
1 2 3 24
© 2024 CouchSoup, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Terms of Service | Privacy
© 2024 CouchSoup, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Manage Cookie Settings chevron-down