Loose Loops

Tips and Techniques, VideosJanuary 9, 2015Comments: 33

Tighten Your Loose Loops of Yarn

Loose Loops

 

Loom knitting tends to leave a lot of loose loops especially if you knit with a large gauge loom like the Knifty Knitter or Boye. Here is an easy fix that will give you nice straight edges.

This was an issue that bothered me a lot when I first started. I sort of bumped into this solution then had to test it a few times before I felt comfortable enough to use the technique on stuff I really liked. It looks simple enough and it really is but there are times when the yarn tangles up before you reach the end.

I’ve included a short video tutorial. It’s a whole 5 minutes. Watch it until the end. Any questions or comments help you and the other person that is afraid to ask. Puts those in the comment section.

Note: This technique DOES NOT work with all cast-on. Works best with the e-Wrap cast-on. Also it will reduce the stretch on your project a bit.

There are Just a Few Steps

Loose Loops

 

Follow the picture from Top Right – Then Down – Then Left 🙂 … just playing with your head to make sure you’re awake and reading .

For a link to the stitch pattern : Click HERE

 

Double Moss Stitch

Six Steps to a Better Edge

1. Find the Working Yarn
2. Start at the Opposite End
3. Pull the First Loop – It Should Show You The Next String to Pull
4. Continue Pulling Until You Get Back to The Working Yarn
5. If Necessary Take The Knot (Slip Knot ) Off The Working Yarn
6. Pull The Last of the String

 

You’re Done !

 

 

The Video: Tighten Loose Loops

 

 

Update: 3/2015

Some people are having a hard time finding the knot that needs to be undone at the end of the project. I got a picture from a reader. See it below. I have made a circle indicating where the knot is.
The slip knot – even if it’s a loose knot will prevent that last pull. You will need to pull those two strings out to complete the last step in tightening up your loose loops. Because they “rest” under a loop if you pull them without taking them out from under those loops they will just create a tighter knot instead of allowing you to pull the working yarn.

Note: That this recommendation is made with the limits I have to visualize this project. The main point I want to make is that you need to find the slip knot. Unwind it then look for that last loop that the working yarn was feed through and pull it out.

Remember this technique DOES NOT work with all cast-on. Works best with the e-Wrap cast-on.

Hope that helps.

 

loose loops

 

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Comments: 33

  1. Sarah October 20, 2016 at 2:45 am

    Hey Denise. I need some help. I had made a hat recently and tightened the cast on stiches and didn’t realize that I tightened them too much. Now the hat will not fit without a struggle to put it on. Is there anyway I can fix this?

    • Denise Canela October 21, 2016 at 9:02 pm

      Only if you left uncut working yarn. You can undo the weave-in and stretch out the stitch back out again

  2. Tracy Burch January 27, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Denise, I am new to loom knitting and want to make a baby blanket using the tiny heart stitch. Can you recommend a good cast on stitch that doesn’t require you to tighten loose loops, and can you recommend an additional stich to use besides the e-wrap to advance the yarn? Maybe a garter stich such as you start with a cast-on, than the tiny heart stitch, than the garter stitch until you reach the desired length? Also, can you recommend a cast-off method? Thanks. PS..Love the videos, they help tremendously.

    • Denise Canela January 27, 2016 at 10:18 pm

      Which loom do you plan to use?

  3. Chris January 2, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Hi Denise. I am pretty new to this loom knitting and so far find it fun. I have made a few hats for the needy and a pair of high top slipper socks that I just love using the round looms. There are a few thing I want to try but you need a smaller gauge loom. I’ve looked in all the craft stores here and can’t find any like the oval one you use. I fine the big S loom which I do not like but nothing like what you use. Can you tell me where I can get one please?

    • Denise Canela January 5, 2016 at 9:14 pm

      Hi Chris – I use the Knitting Board Adjustable Hat Loom – you can find it on Amazon, eBay and Joanns. I also use the CinDwood looms.

  4. Doreen in NorCal November 16, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    You rock! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and talent so the rest of us can understand how to make (and fix) these projects. : D You and your techniques are the reason I can now make nice things with looms for others. I can’t begin to explain how much I appreciate you.

    • Denise Canela November 16, 2015 at 9:07 pm

      Doreen – You’ve made me one happy fool my friend. Love to hear that I have helped in any way through your loom knitting experience. Thank for taking the time to leave me this comment – you can’t imagine how much I appreciate it !

      Feedback does just that – It feeds me. 🙂

  5. Karine November 12, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Please send me the link to tighten up loose loops from a chain link cast on
    Thanks

    • Denise Canela November 12, 2015 at 9:23 pm

      Chain link cast on ? The only cast on techniques that I use when I want to tighten my loose loops are the e-Wrap or the Uwrap

  6. Wilda July 29, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    Hi Denise. The Double Moss Stitch on this page is very nice. Can you tell me what type yarn you used as it was a single strand on the green KK round loom yet it looked very nice. Was it a chunky , a bulkly or a knitting worsted weight ?

    Thank you, Wilda

    • Denise Canela July 30, 2015 at 12:42 am

      Hi Wilda – believe it not it just a worsted weight by Red Heart a Jumbo version. I think in Off White.
      Go figure – sometimes thin works 🙂

  7. Jackie April 6, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    I’m making a scarf using one side of a rectangle using 18 pegs. I am loving the way it is turning except it is curling on the sides. How do I flatten it out?

    • Denise Canela April 7, 2015 at 8:52 am

      Hi Jackie, You will need to “Block” the project when you’re finished.

  8. Sheila April 1, 2015 at 5:23 am

    Hi Denise, I am attempting newborn& toddler heàd bands using e-wrap stitch project keeps curling on ends.Spring is here thought these would be nice to send to charities @ this time. I attempted figure 8 stitch didn’t come out right. I think I am missing an important step. Can u help. The Andalusian stitch u said should be done on smaller gauge loom, any suggestions? . Would like to make a hat.Thanks have a blessed day!

    • Denise Canela April 2, 2015 at 5:23 am

      The e-wrap alone without another stitch will wrap unless you tighten the loops. Try the Garter stitch instead. Knit 1 row, Purl 1 row for the desired length. That should do the trick. About the Andalusian it works “Best” with smaller gauge looms – doesn’t mean you can’t use what ever you have on hand.
      Hugs,
      denise

  9. G.Miller February 23, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Thanks so much for this technique. I had done a long-tail cast on (e-wraps with the tail yarn and u-wraps with the working yarn) for the top of a sock, and boy was it loopy. I used your method with occasional stretching between loop tightening. and it saved my project.

    • Denise Canela February 23, 2015 at 8:08 pm

      Thanks for the Thanks and You are VERY Welcome !

  10. Dawn February 22, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    Love the tip! Going to try that next time.

  11. LP January 24, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    Dear Denise,

    I just wanted to say thank you for all your videos. I think they are all so great – clear instructions, and easy to follow. I am working on a beanie now (from your other video), and hopefully will be able to clean up my loose loops once I’m done. Also, I love your positive energy! Thank you!

    • Denise Canela January 25, 2015 at 12:10 am

      THANK YOU LP ! ! ! . Your kind words are like water to a thirsty soul… Don’t mean to be so dramatic – had a hard day. I’m so glad that my work has been helpful..
      Hugs Loomy,
      denise

  12. Teresa Matson January 11, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    Thank you! What an excellent video! I will trying this next time I need to clean an edge up! Much easier than other methods!

  13. D.A. Fox January 11, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    Thanks! So helpful as always!!

  14. Barb Malenchak January 11, 2015 at 10:42 am

    I do appreciate as to how your videos are to the point about the subject. You are very clear in your instructions . Bookmarked your site for easy access. Good Job!!

    • Denise Canela January 11, 2015 at 12:48 pm

      THANK YOU Barb ! 🙂
      Hugs …

  15. Scarlett January 10, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    Great!!! So glad you did a video, when I have someone ask about doing this technique will send them your way. Every time I have tried to video this it just doesn’t turn out. Thanks for this post!!!☺

    • Denise Canela January 11, 2015 at 1:01 pm

      HEY Scarlett … Thanks my Loomy Sista !!!!
      Hoping to get to your AWESOME Monkey Pattern SOON. I so want to share it with my readers. Man I need a 10 day week 🙂
      Lots of hugs,
      denise
      Your Biggest Fan

  16. Angie January 10, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    You’re awesome! 😀 Thank you! Now the only thing is when I use the long loom and do the figure 8 stitch….well I will figure it out, at lease I am on the right track! 😀

    Happy looming!
    Angie

  17. Raelyn Arnold January 10, 2015 at 5:46 am

    Denise,

    What was the project in the “loose loops” video? I liked the look of the stitch.

  18. Michael January 10, 2015 at 1:45 am

    Thank you Denise, You make it look so easy! I appreciate your videos very much because of the way you stay on topic and are so detailed for novices like me. So many videos have small talk about the latest movie or the results of some reality TV program, very distracting, not to mention boring. haha You are very much appreciated!

    • Denise Canela January 10, 2015 at 8:32 am

      Thanks for the Thanks !

  19. JULIA January 9, 2015 at 11:41 pm

    Thank so much for the video!

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