How To Convert Needle Knit Patterns to Looms
Instructions on Converting Patterns
Needle knit patterns differ from loom knitted patterns. In loom knitted patterns, the right side of the fabric is always facing the knitter. In needle knitting, the right side gets flipped every other row as the knitter changes the needle from one hand to another.
When needle knitters want a smooth stockinette stitch on the right side of the fabric, the needle knitter must combine a row of knits and a row of purls to achieve the stockinette stitch look on the right side of the item.
Loom knitters: We have to knit every single row.
If a needle knitter knits every single row, they achieve what is known as a Garter Stitch (1 row has the knit stitch and the next row has purls).
Loom knitters on the other hand to achieve the Garter Stitch, we must knit the first row then purl the next row.
Typically, the first row is a right side row, and the second one is a wrong side row, which leads to the following:
1. Leave all the odd rows as they are 2. Change all the even number rows to the opposite stitch, if they have Knits, change them to purls, if they have purls change them to knits.
However, if the first row is a wrong side row, you will do the following:
1. Change the odd side rows 2. Leave all the even rows as they are
If you are translating a circular panel onto the looms, do the following: 1. Follow the pattern exactly—do not change anything.
Instructions to Read a Chart
Flat Panels 1. Read the chart starting at the bottom right on the first row 2. Second row starts at bottom left
All odd rows start from right to left All even rows start from left to right
Circular Knitting
1. Read the chart starting at bottom right. 2. All other rows start at the right side.
Converting Pattern Stitches When converting Stitch Patterns, they usually have what is called the pattern stitch number. Some Stitch Patterns look as follows:
Multiple of 6 + 3.
The stitch pattern consists of 6 stitches, and 3 edge stitches.
What does it mean for loom knitters:
When flat panel knitting: It means to cast on a stitch multiple of 6 (12, 18, 24, etc), then add 3 stitches to the number (for a total of 15, 21, 27, etc.).
When circular knitting: Only knit the multiple, omit the number after the “+” sign.
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