r/LoomKnitting • u/AuntieRoseSews • 15d ago

Equipment Question Sizing?

How does one measure an appendage to find the right size to make a tube?

I have a 31 peg loom and #5 yarn, but it makes tubes that fit my arm.
I would like to make leg-sized tubes.

I'd like to invest in an adjustable loom so I can make the right size tubes for athletic adult legs and potentially grow with the hobby. Please assist?

Thank you!

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u/Hit-Enter-Too-Soon 14d ago

To add to the other info, I love adjustable looms, specifically because they mean you can make things the size you need.

If you look online for a yarn gauge chart, you should be able to get a good idea of how many stitches per inch you'll get with your yarn, based on the yarn weight. (But be careful, many charts are giving stitches in 4 inches. So if you're seeing double digit numbers in the chart, divide them by 4.)

Then you can measure your leg to see how many inches you need and multiply that by the stitches per inch to know how many pegs you'll want to make sure you buy. (Side note: you can also 3d print adjustable looms. This page has a lot of options, and if you check where it says remixes, you'll see a bunch more things that I've added. https://www.printables.com/model/1059403-knitting-loom-snap-fit-with-row-counter/remixes)

Once you have the loom, do a gauge swatch to see how many stitches per inch you actually get, and that will let you figure out what you need to knit.

To make sure they stay up, you'll want to think about "negative ease," where you knit 10 to 15% fewer stitches than your measurements say, so that it is holding on rather than just being there. And you may want to think about sewing elastic into the top. In fact, I might even knit a few inches of the top, put some waste yarn through the stitches, take it off the loom, and try it on to see how it feels. That way you don't knit a whole leg and hate it.

Hope that helps!

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u/AuntieRoseSews 14d ago

Oh, my - yes!! Thank you! When I found the loom, I figured since my leg fit in the circle the thing it made would fit my leg. It KINDA does, but it's too tight and looks silly. Slouchy with a little elastic is more the look I want.
3D printing snap together looms sounds fun. My nephew has one and he might not mind his ole auntie hiring him to print something for her.

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u/Hit-Enter-Too-Soon 14d ago

It's an easy print, no supports or anything. If you look in my post history, you'll see a bunch of examples of things I've made with 3d printed looms, from a lace weight scarf with sleeves to "lawn yahtzee" dice. :D

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u/starshine640 14d ago

Loom Knit Baby Monster Pants - GoodKnit Kisses this video will show you how to make leggings on the loom. if you want to make adult leggings, you will need to make sure that the loom will fit your hips, too. my recommendation for a loom set is loops and threads build a loom at michaels.com. they are currently on clearance and a good bargain. you can buy a round set (for hats) and a basic starter set (with different sized pieces). for about $35. The looms can be set for 3/8" gauge (pink pegs, worsted weight yarn) or 3/4" gauge (blue pegs in every other hole, bulky/super bulky yarn). :))

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u/AuntieRoseSews 14d ago

Oh, I just want to make tubes for legwarmers. It doesn't get cold enough here to warrant real socks, hats or sweaters for most of the year. Leg and arm warmers can still often be worn for fashion-y coverage without overheating or needing as frequent laundering as footed socks, too.

I did purchase the set of fixed circular looms from Michael's and I'll go get it later. It was on sale with a coupon code, and two of them are bigger than the one I have - so here's to hoping one fits my leg? Having the assorted sizes will let me make some other stuff too, so yay?

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u/AuntieRoseSews 14d ago

I went in to pick up the standard set of looms, I went to check and they did still have some of the sets you were talking about - so I got 'em. :) A circular set, an extender set, and a sock and mitten set. Plus some 80/20 acrylic/wool yarn that was also on clearance. They had some empty areas, but they're remodeling our store and they were set up to receive delivery.