Comments (3)

By Mom Unplugged, December 14, 2007 12:29 pm

I had one of these as a child and just loved it. Even my mother had one as a child! My daughter has had one since the age of six and enjoys hers too.

This easy-to-use knitting contraption lets children simply knit long “snakes” that can be coiled and sewn together to make any number of projects.

There is something so calming and zen-like about knitting and this is a great way to introduce this calming activity to your children. Plus you the parent can also experience peace of mind because, although there are less-expensive plastic versions of this out there, this one is made of wood in Germany by well-respected European toy-maker .

I have also found that it makes a wonderful travel activity since it is very small, light, and easily packable in a carry-on toy/activity bag. It would fit in a Christmas stocking too!

Are the “snakes” piling up with no purpose? Then here is also a link to a great book that has lots of fun and easy craft ideas for using all these little “snakes.”

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By Mom Unplugged, November 23, 2007 6:54 pm

For my sister’s recent birthday, my oldest daughter worked very hard to make Auntie the gift of a potholder for her tea kettle.

Do you remember those potholder looms with the cotton loops? I do! I used to love making potholders. My poor mother was overrun with potholders. Well, apparently potholder-love does not skip a generation since my 7 year-old seems to be as fascinated with her loom as I was with mine.

Unfortunately for my mother, I didn’t realize as a child that there are other things that can be made with these little woven squares besides potholders! The instructions to our loom suggest sewing them together to make a placemat or doll rug, a treasure box or tissue holder, even a purse or a doll sleeping bag. The possibilities are endless.

You might be able to find these little kits at hobby stores, but since we have no hobby stores here, I found ours on Amazon. It is a good one since the frame is made of sturdy metal rather than plastic (ours is by Harrisville Designs). It came with a long metal hook, a crochet hook, enough colorful 100% cotton loops to make several potholders (you can buy wool loops too), and complete instructions. I’ll be sure to provide links to several different kits at the bottom of my post.

Those of you who are more ambitious and “crafty” than I, might be interested to learn that these little looms can apparently also be used with yarn. You can weave yarn squares for afghans, vests, or other projects. See this link for more information on how to do this.

Wondering how to remove it from the loom? Read my post: Removing a Potholder From a Loom.

Comments (4)

By Mom Unplugged, September 21, 2007 10:54 am

NOTE: If you are looking for instructions for removing a potholder from the loom, see my post: How to Remove a Potholder From a Loom.
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(Sorry for the bad joke in the title, but I simply couldn’t resist.)

Crafts make a great alternative to TV. TV-free kids have time for lots and lots of arts and crafts!Yesterday was my sister’s birthday (Happy Birthday!!) and my oldest daughter worked very hard to make Auntie the gift of a potholder for her tea kettle.

Do you remember those potholder looms with the cotton loops? I do! I used to love making potholders. My poor mother was overrun with potholders. Well, apparently potholder-love does not skip a generation since my 7 year-old seems to be as fascinated with her loom as I was with mine.

Unfortunately for my mother, I didn’t realize as a child that there are other things that can be made with these little woven squares besides potholders! The instructions to our loom suggest sewing them together to make a placemat or doll rug, a treasure box or tissue holder, even a purse or a doll sleeping bag. The possibilities are endless.

You might be able to find these little kits at hobby stores, but since we have no hobby stores here, I found ours on Amazon. It is a good one since the frame is made of sturdy metal rather than plastic (ours is by Harrisville Designs). It came with a long metal hook, a crochet hook, enough colorful 100% cotton loops to make several potholders (you can buy wool loops too), and complete instructions. I’ll be sure to provide links to several different kits at the bottom of my post.

Those of you who are more ambitious and “crafty” than I, might be interested to learn that these little looms can apparently also be used with yarn. You can weave yarn squares for afghans, vests, or other projects. See this link for more information on how to do this.

Here are a few photos:

The completed potholder still on the loom.

Removal from the loom - a delicate process!

The finished potholder with loop for hanging!

Comments (2)

By Mom Unplugged, April 22, 2007 8:51 pm

I wish I had invented these.

We discovered Wikki Stix when we were staying at a hotel in San Diego. They gave them out in the restaurant instead of crayons. My kids (3 and 5 at the time) thought they were WAY more cool than crayons and a coloring place mat.

What a simple idea! They are simply bits of colored string covered with a wax coating thick enough for them to bend and stay in position! Like a candle wick, hence the name I suppose. Kids can make all kinds of things with them.

We use them in restaurants, the car, my purse, anywhere that an instant emergency diversion might be needed. They also make great stocking-stuffers. Santa brought some this past Christmas. Available in primary and neon colors.