Flower Looms
Article by KarensVariety.com

Flower looms are a simple way of making many different types of flowers which you can use singly or join together to to make clothes and accessories or to decorate.

The most common looms are round plastic with one or two sets of pegs, one set on the outer edge and one around the middle. You simply wind yarn around the pegs of the loom and then stitch through the yarns on the loom to tie together. Slip the flower off the loom when it is completed. Some looms have pegs which stand up on the base and some have pegs which stick out the side edges of the base. This latter type has a button to push to retract the pegs so your flower slips off.

There are many varieties and brands; Ronco, Prym, Knifty Knitter, Studio Twelve, Crazy Daisy wheel. The looms come in different sizes so you can make large or small flowers. Larger looms have double sets of pegs. You can use the outer set of pegs only or both the outer and inner set of pegs. There are looms with interchangeable pegs so you can create your own design.

You can make your own loom if you are handy. Take a piece of wood the size you wish your completed flower and tack in small nails. Use the nails without heads so you can easily slip your flowers off when you are done.

Flower looms are most commonly used with yarn to create clothing, linens, and just about anything you can imagine. Join the completed flowers with a crochet hook or sew together.

Try different materials; chunky or thin yarn, fluffy or variegated yarn, thread, ribbon, string, wire or straw in different colours. Add beads as you make your flower. Cut the loops and brush to make a fringe edge. Make a crocheted edge around the flower ends. Use the flowers to decorate packages, summer hats, purses, scarves, and other accessories.
 

Each loom you purchase comes with a set of instructions. The basics are the same for all. There are 12 outer pegs each numbered. You begin by placing your yarn between peg 1 and 12, carry the wool across the loom and place around the bottom peg 7 on the left, then carry up on the right of peg 7, across the loom to the top of peg 12. Continue the same way clockwise until you have yarn wound around each peg.

Once your yarn is wound around all the pegs, you must sew the centre before removing the flower from the pegs. Wind your yarn around the inner edge of each peg one by one, then repeat between each the yarn on each peg. Tie the beginning end and finishing end and slip your flower off the pegs.

Begin practising using the outer pegs only, then try using both inner and outer pegs. There are many variations you can try, double yarn around each peg, use different yarns and colours for inner and outer pegs. Then have fun being creative.

For ideas and patterns see these vintage books with flower loom patterns.