Monday, October 25, 2010

It’s hip to be square

Some of you may remember the classic potholder loom you had when you were a kid. I had one and for a long time, it was my favorite thing to play with. I loved making potholders and when I had several done, I went door-to-door in my neighborhood selling them and taking orders for others. So much more fun than selling girl scout cookies ~ I had created these designs on my own and every door I knocked on was a sale.

So when a blogging pal came up with the idea of making her own little looms, I was first in line to put my order in.

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Unfortunately, when it came I was swamped with much to do and my little loom sat quietly waiting for the day I would open it up and be transported back to my childhood. Last weekend, I did just that and followed the instructions, putting the bottom row on the loom and then starting at the center with my weaving.

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It wasn’t until this weekend that I had some time to finish it, though. I recommend good lighting, starting at the center and keeping your rows tight. The instructions are perfect and there are a couple of color combination samples.

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The Hip to Be Square Loom comes with a beautifully made 9” balsam wood frame and enough looper strands to make 8 potholders. There’s also a metal hook as well as a crochet hook included.

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I think this will be a great gift for the creative child in your life ~ whether they are six or sixty.

I’m feeling very retro right now, playing with mine. So watch out world!

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The completed potholder is much larger (and thicker) than the ones I remember from my childhood. Mine hangs proudly in my kitchen, ready for my husband to use the next time he makes me dinner. Ha!

I may even make more and donate them to the Secret Santa Shop at school next month. I love the colors.

Respectfully submitted,

45 comments:

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Break out the paint by number set and the Lite Brite and you have yourself hours, maybe even days, of retro entertainment and fun!

What a great gift idea and even nicer to donate the end results.

Dawn said...

Oh What Fun!!!!
I have never seen this "contraption" before...I would like one!!!!
You can now got potholder-crazy....love the colors:))))

Have a wonderful new week!!

JacksDad said...

My aunt used to make those all the time, but she did hers without a loom!!!

abb said...

Man! That brings back all kinds of memories! And you did a splendiferous job, missy!

TexWisGirl said...

Very cool! I did the "knitted" scarves on the longer loom set-up. And I loved Chesapeake Bay Woman's idea of throwing in the paint-by-number and Lite Brite for even more fun! And how about the candle-making kit! Thanks for the memories!

maillady said...

i too love those. how do i get one? where do you get more loopy things when your 8 pot holders are done?

Unknown said...

I remember those looms from when I was a kid. For some reason the looms disappeared after being passed down from one kid to another but we were still finding stray loops years later.

Donna S. said...

I've seen these on crazyasaloom. They look so fun!!

alphabet soup said...

That pot holder is just superb - and the colours are fabulous. I'm just catching up on reading your blog - I'm delighted to see Blackie gracing your blog and damn it!! I missed the quiz last Friday.

Oh well, there'll be another Friday - I hope....
Ms Soup

Hilary said...

Wow, thanks for the post......your pictures are awesome.......and you did a great job!!!
Refills ARE available from www.crazyasaloom.com

Mental P Mama said...

Ahhhh the memories....

mrs mediocrity said...

Oh my, I want one! I used to make those when I was a girl, also. The colors you used are so incredible. I bet you made all eight this weekend didn't you?

ELK said...

that is a blast from childhood..great idea and the colors are wonderful

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Very cool, Kate. I think I'll go check out her site. I'm planning a "Mama's helper" kitchen-themed gift for my elder granddaughter this year. This would be perfect for that! Hope you have a great week.
xoxo
Donna

tj said...

...lol...I remember those! You know, I even have one still in my potholder drawer... :o)

...I love the colors you chose in yours - great choices and very pretty! Sweet loom too!

...Blessings...

Snap said...

Fun, fun, fun!!! And what great colors!

Jill of All Trades said...

So very cool and I do love the colors. I made many of these as a child. A funny story. The Hubby's brother used to rub dirt all over his little brother, The Hubby and make him go door to door to sell potholder like these.

Kathryn Dyche said...

Looks like fun.

Jen at Cabin Fever said...

Oh my god. I used to have one of these. My great grandmother gave one to me for Christmas one year and I hated the thing. I never really got the hang of it and just ended up using the cloth loops for hair scrunchies!

Ellen said...

Reminds me of going to the local playground as a kid and making pot holders at craft time. What a flashback!

judi/Gmj said...

great memories of good times. thanks

Cloudia said...

yeah, that seems cool!


Aloha from Honolulu

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beth said...

ohhhhh the bright memories you just brought back to me....

we owned more of these than any one family should with 3 girls....

i wonder what mom did with all of our pot holders ?

Candis said...

LOL, that's awesome ... :D Definitely brings back memories!

I LOVE the colours. So bright and cheery.

GailO said...

When we were young my sister and I spent many, many hours making and selling these potholders too...I bought a loom for my children but ended up making most of the potholders myself:) They are the best to use...which reminds me that mine are getting pretty old:) I love the loom you got and the colors of the loops are beautful!!!

Eileen said...

As a child, I loved mine and always bought one for each of my girls. The colors on your potholder are so pretty! Enjoy!!!

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Oh my, I remember making those! I think my granddaughter might enjoy one of these!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I just ordered one of Hilary's jeans rugs... I love her "stuff"!... and I also have two of her dishtowels, which are wonderfully thick and absorbent and pretty to boot!

You did a fine job with your potholder, I wonder if I could do the same (no patience, you know)

Marilyn said...

better than having square hips!!!!!
:) :) :)

Nurse Nancy said...

Everyone in my family got these for Christmas presents....do you think they would pass as an appropriate gift now? :)

Meg McCormick said...

Next thing you know, you'll be latch-hooking rugs! I love this - just my speed. By the way, I dug out my knitting needles and bought a bright yellow skein of yarn and am reteaching myself how to knit and purl. Just over and over till it feels natural and the gauge is more predictable. I'm thinking... scarf.

Daryl said...

I was never into potholder weaver .. I was more into day dreaming ..

Lili said...

Oh Kate, that is beautiful! That is just the sort of activity that brings me much joy too. In fact, our granddaughter and I made these together a couple years ago during one of our week long visits. ~Lili

Anonymous said...

Some crafts just never go out of style. These look like fun. Haven't made one since waaaay long ago in another century.

Di

The JR said...

I luv the bright colors. Cool. We never did one of those growing up.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I have never heard of this kind of loom before Kate - love your choice of colours.

Deb said...

oh my gosh....I made those 2...one of my favorite things from childhood....I love yours...

Country Gal said...

Paint by numbers and lite bright that sounds great , I remember those days ! Great post and craft ! Have a great day !

Mary said...

Omigosh yes, I remember!!! This one is lovely -- such beautiful colors!

cottage farm villa said...

you brought back so many memories with this post!! loved my loom .... what a pretty potholder you made ~ the colors are buteeful!!

Christie - Fine Lines said...

LOVE your colors!! I also love these woven pot holders -- they last forever. I had 2 that a 2nd grade student made me a few years ago. When they finally wore out (after 2 or 3 years!!) I had to have more and went out and bought one of the kids looms (I think at Michael's Craft Store) and made my own. Now I replace them regularly,but I really think I'll get cords like yours next time. The vibrancy of the colors is amazing!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I loved making these when I was a kid...brings back such good memories!!!

Unknown said...

I think my mom is still finding those loops around the house. I loved making those when I was younger. Once I even got brave and made four that I hooked together to make a large trivet. Thanks for bringing back the memories!

Dawn Gross said...

I recently got a potholder loom like the one I had when I was a kid. So much fun! Your loops look nicer ... mine are made of polyester?

Found your blog through Pioneer Woman. Lovely pictures!

Annette Whipple said...

Today I was reminded of this post from long ago and had to check it out. Question for you...do you buy your loops from them, too, or can you purchase any? I am thinking Meghan may like this for her 7th birthday, but am a bit hesitant to buy it if the loops are hard to come by...I'd love any of your thoughts!

Hugs for you this windy day. Enjoy your company!