Leafy Sea Dragon Scarf

I have been loom knitting about a year now.  I have made lots of hats.  Most loomers get started with hats and scarves.  I have made my fair share for sure.  I have made a resolution to learn more about the different stitches and techniques.  I have not tried new patterns because I didn't know how to read a pattern, didn't understand pattern terms and phrases, and I didn't have anyone locally that I could learn from.  So I have joined a few Facebook groups and watched.

One of my biggest pet peeves in the Facebook groups are the people who don't want to share how to's.  When I have asked questions in the past, some have gotten rather snippy with me.  I don't really sell the things I make so I am not trying to steal profits from them.  I just wanted to know how things are done.  I have sold a few things, but I usually just give things away or ask for people to buy the yarn.  I am a beginner.  I learn new techniques with every project.  I am not a professional.

The other problem I have on those sites are the know-it-all knitters who swoop in the criticize other people's work in a very negative way.  Those are the people who think that by making other people look bad it makes them look smarter and better.  Asking for help should not be painful

As I am a very visual learner, I wanted to start documenting my progress to reinforce it.  And if someone else can learn by my trial, and I am sure many failures, that would be great.  I like to blog.  I have Fibromyalgia and really bad arthritis in my spine and hands.  I like doing things to take my mind off the pain, loom knitting falls into that category.  I thought blogging about it might help, too.

That being said, I have chosen the Leafy Sea Dragon Scarf as my next pattern.  You can find the pattern here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leafy-sea-dragon-scarf .  I get a lot of ideas from Ravelry.  I use other sites, too.  I will post a link to those sites

This is the first project that I am totally reading the pattern to make.  I am not watching a video on You Tube to follow along.  This is a big step for me.  Yay Me! 

The materials:

My Martha Stewart Loom or MS loom, knitting tool, crochet hook, stitch markers, and 2 skeins of yarn.  I will not need all of the second ball, but I may make it longer than the pattern calls for.  I used I Love this Yarn brand in peacock color.

For stitch markers that do not need to be moved during knitting, I use small rubber bands.  I had lots of the ones I use to pull up my Yorkie's hair out of his eyes.  It the marker is staying in the same place, I find that this is the perfect size, it doesn't weigh down my loom, and if I lose it, I am not out big money.  I have some stitch markers that can be opened and moved around, but these stay put so I use the bands.
My loom tool is one that came from my looms.  There is a pencil grip on it that I placed on there to help with the callouses I was getting on my fingers.
This pattern called for 24 pegs.  I did not have to put the extra pieces together on the MS loom.  But I did because it is easier for me to hold.  (Arthritis, remember)  The pink pegs are just holding the joints together.  There are 24 pegs in between the pink pegs on the side I am using.  You can use any loom with 24 pegs, including round looms.  The closer the pegs, the smaller the gauge.  Use what you are comfortable with.

Here is a picture of the work in progress(WIP)

The pattern calls for a yarn that is striped and repeats in a long pattern.  This is one that repeats in a shorter pattern.  But I like a lot of texture.  I think this scarf would look good in the yarns that make the rugby style or Harry Potter style scarves, too.  But if you follow the link for the pattern, you will see the different examples from other people's finished projects.

When I finish, I will post pictures and any tips or notes that I have!

Happy Looming,

Jules 12/29/13