Hand Make Sock Knitting Loom

I love knitting in the round but could not find a way to knit a decent sock on the looms available at local craft stores.  Usually the smallest one available to make baby hats or bulky mittens just wouldn't do what I wanted. So then I found the Letter D. It seemed to be perfect for what I had in mind.   The best part of round looms is that you can put it down and pick it up any time, and you can do this craft even if you never knitted before.  Its easier to regulate the tension on the loom than it is on straight or double point needles when your a beginner. No counting stitches as you cast on.  (Unless you want to)  Both having their advantages in that traditional knitting can be faster for experienced knitters with other pattern options such as fancier stitch patterns, but you can do some things such as a simple cable, or special wraps on the round knitter.

This is mainly about crafting already available materials into a handy knitter.  Your only limited by your imagination, truly fits this situation. I added an additional feature making the peg (nails in this case) removable so you can add or subtract pegs as needed.
I will add more content as I try various things with my knitter. 
Discussions on Craftcycle Natural Crafting.  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Craftcycle-NaturalCrafts

Step 1: Letters Make Nifty Looms

I happened upon some wooden letters in a discount bin and thought how they might make a great sock loom.  I first considered the letter O but none were available, so D was my second choice.  I did decide to pick up a P and Q for other tests with peg size and size of opening for various projects in mind.

Comments

[sunflowergal]

Neat idea. I've tried knitting, but prefer crochet. I have not tried loom knittig though. That might be more appealing.

I too like the idea of using letters for a loom.

Life is busy right now, so it may be awhile before I post my next instructible.

Thanks for stopping by.

[NaturalCrafter]

I found a heart made of braided chord. So thought this would be a great opportunity to use the four pin French knitting to make knitted chord and make something decorative out of it.

[porcupinemamma]

That sounds very cool! Any chance you might have a picture? Would love to see it!

[sunflowergal]

Sounds like fun. I'm looking forward to seeing it. :o)

[NaturalCrafter]

Glad you liked the made by hand, hand knitter. I am currently crocheting a hat for chemo patients. So I love to crochet also just for fun. Sometimes you just have to have the right moment to create an instructables, so don't force it.
I have one started but not finished. If I push it, I know it won't be the way I want it.

[doxiemama]

this is a good idea to come up from the underside. So you don't make your pegs permenant? Aren't the nails sharp.....I mean don't you scrap or poke yourself? And do you snag the yarn at all on the points....some look like they might snag it by not being smooth.

[porcupinemamma]

I nail the nails "heads up" -works just fine. Great Instructable oh Creative One :0)

[mlee52]

Did you ever do an O? what about the P and the Q?

[mlee52]

I'm floored. Good work!!

[doxiemama]

cool idea

[ninjatails]

Oh my. What kind of yarn is that?! I must have it.

[ScotDeerie]

How big is that D from top to bottom? Congrats on thinking out of the box on this one!

[Jeffwho]

Right now I'm trying to learn how to knit socks on dp needles and have never used a loom but I think this is a wonderful and inventive way to construct your own using found materials, thank you.

[chakrates]

Did you try the letter O? If so, do you like it better or worse? How about P?

[amethysteria]

I really like this tutorial! I love to knit socks in the round on a large circular using magic loop, but might give this a try and then take the idea to my guild for them to see!

[NaturalCrafter]

I have never tried magic loop, so we both have something new to try. If you do, I would love to see your knitter.

[sandyL]

Great instructable! I have lusted after circular knitting machines, they are very pricey antiques and far out of my budget. I can knit circular but socks take such a long time. I really want to try this out. I have been spinning alpaca and it would make great socks!

[NaturalCrafter]

I really enjoyed making socks this way. I am going to try long Johns next just because I am not happy with the quality in the store are either too thin or hunters type are too heavy. It will be one of my near future quests.

[NaturalCrafter]

I am working on a variation with another Letter D to see if it makes a difference in the over all design. Can't wait to try the Q also.

[recyclegrandma]

You can count on my vote after May 1st. I marked it on the calendar!!

[NaturalCrafter]

Thanks for your support.

[recyclegrandma]

What a great imagination!! I'll look at these wooden letters in craft shops with a different perspective now.
This would be a fun way to introduce knitting to a young person.
If you buy two 'D's', you could knit both socks at the same time.
When I'm using up small amounts of leftover wool, I sometimes cast on the stitches using two sets of needles (of course!) and knit both mitts at the same time and often from both ends of the ball to be sure I don't use too much on one mitt.

[NaturalCrafter]

I entered the maker bot challenge. Please vote for me. I have many projects that could use this tool.

[NaturalCrafter]

What a great idea! I just love knitting socks. I did get two more Letter D but am working on a variant so I can get it to expand up to my thigh and make Long Johns for winter. I love wearing them under my pants in the winter but each year I have purchased some, they get thinner and cheaper material. Only if you happen to look into a hunters catalog will you find the heavy duty ones and sometimes these are too thick or itchy. By having control over the knit and the fiber, I can make something nice and warm and wearable.

[Madrigorne]

I almost think you could do it by putting an outer row of pegs and then adding them into your rows as a deviation zigzag of two or 3 outer pegs for every 1 inner peg at the point where your knee bends, it will look a lot odd until you take it off the loom, or it may not even work, but it would be fun to see how it turns out...

Imma need a really big D...

[recyclegrandma]

I never thought of knitting my own Long Johns. I have half a dozen pairs mostly from thrift shops but I didn't see any in those shops this past winter. Couldn't get through an Alberta winter without them!!

[scoochmaroo]

I'd love to see how you transform your tube into a sock? Does it have a toe and heel or is it just a tube when it's done?

[NaturalCrafter]

I updated my photos. I was so excited about finishing my first sock and that it fit very well. I still have another to go but set it aside to get my photos done. If you can, please be the first to rate my project.

[NaturalCrafter]

That is coming soon. I have photos of the heel and the longer length, but thought an instructional about making the sock would make a great add on. Thanks..I am going to add photos of the drill bit and segmenting off the sections here. So its not final. Hope you will rate my instructional.

[SWV1787]

I tried the french knitting but never was very good at it mostly because I always kept my line pulled too taught... Nice instructible I like the idea of using the letter as the loom it makes it almost customized for people if you use the letter their name starts with.

[NaturalCrafter]

I like your idea, as I have obtained several shapes that I thought would work as knitters. The Straighter ones like L for instance would make good straight knitters for making panels. I thought of using C but then the knitting would fall to the outside of the letter making it a bit trickier to handle, but would give you 2xs the C around and back for your tube. Maybe a pant leg?