Loom Knitting Design | Beginning of GKK

Loom Knitting Design…Hello Blogger World!

This is my first ever official blog so let me introduce myself. My name is Kristen Mangus.  I am a registered Interior Designer in the great state of Texas!  I am a native Texan but well traveled and NO I do not own a ranch or even a horse! I have ridden them; they are amazing and beautiful animals.  I do say all that to dispel a general way of thinking that Texans are that way and rural.  I live in the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex area, home of the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers and my alma mater Texas Christian University Horned Frogs, GO FROGS!…but also studied music at Texas Wesleyan University (Hello my Alpha Xi Delta sorority sisters!)

I’m also a mom of three, two girls and now a baby boy who will be 3 months this Friday which is also my 10th wedding anniversary! I love my husband; he is my best friend. I love my kids.  They are 4, 2 and of course newborn.  Here is a picture of my son.

I describe myself as a designer who is a Crafter at heart. I’ve always loved to make things with my hands like bows or anything with a hot glue gun.  My grandmother & mother taught me the basics of sewing but it never really stuck.  Don’t get me started on how many bobbins and machines I have tried to sabotage! My Aunt taught me to crochet and finger knit when I was very young but fell out of practice.  Finger knitting actually got me into trouble at school as I could be spotted trying to knit 1 more row between exercises.  It was motivation to finish early!  Pot holder weaving and other things like plastic canvas with yarn and latch hook rugs were other fun activities. Later I made jewelry, hair bows, painted shirts and homecoming mums along with my mom to sell and earn money in junior high and high school.  In college I worked for MJ Designs in the floral departments making bows and building floral designs. So crafting seems to be in my bloodstream!

I really appreciate things that are well made by other creative people and when I think I can learn a new thing I’ll dive in.  I want to learn all I can and make something of quality that lasts and others enjoy.  If its useful, holds up well and is pretty I’ve done my job.  That goes the same for my work as an Interior Designer.  My specialty is space planning. You know, as in, where things are placed “juxtaposition” or better said related to other things in that space.  How much stuff can I fit in here that is functional & useful that flows well and is beautiful but not cluttered looking? I’m very analytical in my way of thinking about things and keep in mind how my clients live in and use their space.  Chatting with other creative and crafty people is always fun.  Learning from others is a joy!

Loom Knitting Design

So I recently discovered LOOM KNITTING. I am very excited about it! I’ve always admired handmade things as you saw above but saw knitting and crocheting as a dying art. Never seeing anyone my age attempting it in my area or that I was aware. I’d noticed recently though, with places like Etsy and fine boutiques, that hand stitched items are on the rise and have risen to the times with beauty!  I mean that things made now have a classic touch and don’t necessarily have an OLD look to them. This ain’t your grandma’s knitting! In fact there are several of my friends I’ve discovered that knit. I’ve now met many more 30-somethings that knit or crochet. So I set out to learn.  I bought a “I Taught Myself to Knit” and “….Crochet” kits on Ebay with a gift card I had. I went to the store to get yarn and what did I see?  A Knifty Knitter Loom Kit.  Knitting Loom?? What is THAT?! Um…would that be easier for a girl with mild Carpel Tunnel? It turns out it IS and it is VERY ADDICTING!

What a relaxing craft! Since that early cool day in October I have Googled and YouTubed my way through instructions and videos on how to loom knit and even have started creating my own loom knitting design patterns but books on loom knitting I haven’t seem here.  I’ve even stated selling things I’ve made with the positive responses I’ve been getting! You can find my loom knitting design projects on Facebook and currently I’m building my store on Etsy. You can follow me on here or “Like” me on Facebook. Feel free to ask questions or chat about loom knitting design. I’m also crocheting or rather still learning to do more and improve. I’d love to hear from you!

(Article updated June, 1 2015. Since this article I started my own YouTube channel on loom knitting and loom knitting design is something close to my heart.  I may not be perfect but this is still a craft.  I strive to help others find their crafty side, learn more about this fun yarnie world we have and hopefully start a  loom knitting design of their own one day if they want).