Knitting with One Hand
Kari King made a short video on how to loom knit a dog sweater.
Her intention wasn’t to wow us with her ability to do this using only one hand but if you read the comments under the video you will see that she did just that.
I was doing some research on how to loom knit a dog sweater. I live in Florida and it barely ever gets cold here except for a short spell at the beginning of the year. But we have a little MinPin and they have VERY thin fur. Every year my daughter buys him a little jacket and then donates it. I have LOTS of yarn so I will make this years model.
During that search I came upon Part 1 of Kari’s 2 part series on how to loom knit a dog sweater. It so amazed me that she casually mentions that she is disabled in one arm and a leg and will only be using one of her hands as if it were an afterthought. In my mind I was thinking OMG, she is Knitting with One Hand but the video is only going to be seen by people looking for dog sweaters. This is such an inspiration and a great learning tool not just for those with disabilities but those that love them and the folks that question their capabilities.
Well I needed to get this out for others to see and share. It is a short video and she doesn’t show you how she cast-on her loom but I believe the most important lesson is clearly demonstrated, that Knitting with One Hand is possible and the knitting loom makes it easy.
Yes, I know that it is possible with other tools – but this website is about loom knitting and so that is what I focus on. If your interest are different here is a Google search of Knitting with One Hand in general : Click HERE. NOTE: If you have never loom knitted – boy you’re missing out an easy, and fun needle knitting alternative.
Some of the Comments:
Note : Apparently there had been some negative comments that have been deleted. Incredible isn’t it
Monica Calvo
Thank you so much for sharing this and for inspiring me!! You are more ABLE than I am! I can’t come up with original patterns…so thank you again!! I just shared your video with my boys and told them I never want to hear from them again that they can’t do something! Have a blessed day!
eviltoymaker
Kelly Rooney
The Video: Loom Knit a Dog Sweater
For Part Two: Click HERE
Suggested Video: Slip knot with One Hand – Click HERE
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Lovely post. I, too, am a handicap loom knitter but I mostly crochet…a lot. It took years of trying to learn how to read patterns again and to figure out how to actually do the work, how to hold the tool in my paralyzed and previously dominant right hand. This is where spasticity actually helped. At first I used that stretchy self sticking medical tape that they sometimes use to hold a cotton ball after they draw blood. I would wrap it continually around my hook until it was about 3/4″ thick. I would pry my spastic but dead hand onto it and it was nice and pliable so it took the shape of how I needed to hold it, making it comfy. After I got that part down, I learned how to do the work with my left hand while the right hand grips the hook but doesn’t move. If anyone wants to learn, my advice is to never give up and think waaay out of the box to learn how to accommodate to your own special needs. I am an 8.5 year…so far…stroke survivor and I have done some incredibly hard and beautiful items. With every project, I learn something new to improve on the next one. With loom knitting, I had to adapt to using the tool in my left hand so I either hold the loom between my knees or on good days I pry my right hand onto the loom to hold it then slide it around as needed with my left hand but the right hand holds it very tight because of the spasticity…still, I manage and do some loom knit. I am finishing up a pretty difficult crocheted afghan that is big enough for a queen size bed top…I never could crochet this well before my stroke…never give up. ❤ I would love to start a group if there were enough one handed loomers and crocheters interested!
She is absolutely amazing. I have a nerve injury in my dominant right arm and took up loom knitting because I can do it left handed. While I am not as disabled as the woman in the video, I can say that it is incredibly hard to do loom knitting one handed and she is truly inspiring. Loom knitting, especially on circle looms, gives disabled crafters a way to create and share our gifts and talents with the world.
Thanks so much for this. I had a stroke and lost use of my left arm. I love crafts. Before the stroke I used to crochet. But have discovered loom knitting 4 years ago. Absolutely love it. aIt allows me to be able to create beautiful fiber objects again. But most importantly this article gives people the courage to just find a different way to continue with something you love. It can be done!!!
I had a stroke also and lost the use of my left hand also but I want to knit do you have suggestions