What is a Knitting Board?

A Knitting Board, also referred to as a long loom, knitting rake, or frame, is a hand knitting tool that creates a double knit, a two sided fabric that is complete on both sides. This is great when working with afghan or other items where you want to see the design on both sides. No curling edges that need blocking.

What is double knit? Does it have to be bulky?

The thickness of the fabric depends on several options. First is the yarn that is being used, and then how you set the spacers on the knitting board. It can also be very open weave and cool, but it is 2 interlocked layers.

Does it take twice as much yarn as single knit?

It requires approximately 1.5 times the yarn used to single knit the same item.

What size Knitting Board is best to use? How do I choose?

If you are making scarves, small baby items, home decor, the 10" Knitting Board is a great size. But if you want to make sweaters, coats, shawls, hats, afghans or slippers, the 18" or the 28" Knitting Board may be the best choice. If you were mainly working on afghans in one piece, the 38" Knitting Board would be great. However if you are just interested in making narrow scarves and want a tighter knit, the Tadpole would work very well.

Can you create shapes on the board or just straight pieces?

You can do most anything as far as shaping your pieces as you would with needle knitting thru the process of increase and decrease and a variety of stitch processes. These are usually explained in the pattern.

What is the space measurement between pegs?

3/8" between the Knitting Board needles and 5/16" between the sock loom pegs.

What does it mean by "adjustable spacers"?

The wood squares that separate your 2 boards have 3 different settings. Your board will arrive with the smallest setting of 1/2". These wood spacers can be removed and turned around to affect the other 2 settings creating a wider space between the 2 boards. You will need to use the longer bolts that came with your board for these wider settings.

Why is one side of my knitting tight and other loose?

This is very easy to correct. When you hook your stitches over, be sure to work from one end towards the center of the knitting, and then switch to the other end and knit towards the center. Be sure to loop over all the stitches. Do the same thing to the other board. Be sure to vary the spot that you change direction so that you do not create loose stitches in center. The center does not need to be exact so vary it with each new row.

What is the best yarn for the Knitting Boards?

Many yarns and types work great on the Knitting Board. But it is preferable to use a single ply or a yarn where the plies do not separate easily. All weights will work and create many different effects in the knitting. If you are not following a pattern with the suggested yarn or a close match, you may want to do a test swatch of your yarn to be sure you will get the desired finished look for your knitting.

What can I make with the Sock Loom?

Of course you can make any size sock, up to a men's large sock. Baby/preemie hats, and small little tubular projects. But you can also single knit with the Sock Loom, as you would with a circular loom. Wrap around the pegs twice and then hook over. But don't continue all the way around loom. Simply knit until the stitch before your first peg and then reverse your knitting so that the first and the last peg are never attached.

What are the extenders used for?

The extenders are a fun way to use your knitting board as a weaving loom. You simply remove the regular wood spacers and insert the extenders and attach with wing nuts. Instructions are available on this website under How-to section and new patterns are being developed.

How do you make afghans wider than the board that you are using?

Whenever you use your spacers at a wider setting like 1" or 1-1/2", the 2 rows of pins will be farther apart. This means that your stitches will be wider and larger. This can create a more open weave knit or if done with a thick yarn, it will create a wider piece of knit as it comes out of the knitting board.

What is the purpose of the needle covers?

They can be placed over the needles of the knitting board. This is especially important when you are working on a project and need to set it aside. The cover will prevent the knitting from getting hung up on the needles and snagging.

Can you use yarn other than what is suggested in a pattern?

Yes, but different weights and textures will change the look and size of the knitting. Try to choose a yarn of similar loftiness and thickness. If in doubt, do a test swatch.

Can I learn to do various stitches like cables and rib?

You can do many stitches on the board and they are demonstrated on the How-to section of this site, and also on the DVDs and Basic Knitting Board Book.

Can I use your Patterns on other Knitting Boards or looms?

The spacing is important in patterns. If the spacing between the pins and the boards is the same then the pattern will work on your other loom. Also be sure that the loom has the needed amount of pins to complete the project.

What about other sock loom patterns?

There are many great sources for patterns available. Patterns are usually written for specific looms and there are many differences in looms created by the various manufacturers. You want to check the spacing between the pegs and the spacing of the pegs to the edge of the loom. If these measurements are equal and there are enough pegs to complete your sock, then the patterns can be used on your sock loom.

Can I use the patterns that I have from my needle knitting, and can they be converted to the knitting board?

Yes, you can. This subject has been covered very well in our discussion groups and that would be a wonderful source of direction for you. But basically, you will use the needle pattern for the shape of the piece and the style. You will want to use stitches and techniques learned for the knitting board. So, you may want to be very familiar with patterns terminology of needle knitting as well as fairly experience with your knitting board.

How wide can I make a knitted piece on the Knitting Board?

The width is determined by the adjustable spacer and the type of yarn you are using. If you open up the spacer to 1" on your Knitting Board and use stretchy yarn you can get a piece much wider than the loom you are working with. For example on the 28" Knitting Board you can get a piece 45" wide by opening up the loom to 1" spacing.

Do you ship to other countries? Do you have distributors in those countries or do I need to order at this site?

We do ship to all countries, but as we develop our international distribution chain, we hope that you will utilize them. In this way, you can save a lot of shipping cost, taxes, and duty to get your purchases to your location. A list will be available soon. You can also contact us for the name and contact info of these distribution centers.

Why don't you have discount coupons?

We do from time to time, but not ongoing. When a special promotion or coupon or contest is being offered, we will contact our customers by email and also announce this in our blog on this site. Be sure we have your correct email address.

What is your return policy? What if I have a problem with something that was ordered?

We have a very liberal return policy. If you receive your item and after giving it a good effort, find that it does not work for you, just return it. Be sure it is sent well protected and enclose your purchase info. Like name and address and where purchased. You will receive the purchase price less the cost of shipping.

If you receive the wrong item or your item is damaged, just let us know. We will gladly replace with correct item and send you postage for the return. If you just want to return it, you will get full purchase price plus your shipping cost.

If you receive your order and decide you should have ordered something different, you can return the merchandise, in new condition. You will pay the return postage, and we will give your credit towards the new item.

Do you guarantee your products?

We stand behind them 100%. See the return policy above.

Do you have a customer service phone number if I have a question about a pattern or how to use my products?

We have a great discussion groups that have a wealth of information offered by Knitting Board knitters, loom knitters, sock loom knitters from all over the world. You will love all the help with products and patterns that you can gain from these great knitters.

Join the discussion group at Yahoo Groups and go to Knittingboards. You can upload your photos of your knitting projects and brag a bit and ask questions, and see what everyone else is working on. Lots of great knitters there! If you still have a question about an order, or idea to share, just send an email to pat@knittingboard.com.