I was browsing the booths in Quartzsite AZ when I came to one with a sign that said 'material'. So I beelined it for the entrance.
I instantly spotted some items made on a Knifty Knitter loom. But wait...it wasn't the Provo Craft Knifty Knitter loom. The artisan had obviously taken a set of Knifty Knitter looms and copied them slavishly to make wooden looms. Personally I would much rather have them in wood for period encampments like SCA and primitive gatherings. But it gauls me to the core that this couple ripped off the KK loom designs and made it their own. They even sell the round looms in a set of four just like the plastic looms. And they have the long loom version as well.
Now I know knitting looms have been around a very long time and there are wooden ones out there. And maybe I'll get one some day. I've seen some on Youtube. But sooner or later Provocrafts is going to get wind of those guys and sue their little arses off. Ugh. So needless to say I didn't buy one. Also, wood is heavier than plastic so a little more tiring to use I am sure.
3 comments:
As an FYI...there is a small woman-owned business that claims to have invented the "long loom" design (in wood) only to be copied by a "well-known craft company." I'm not connected with them, but came across their website http://www.oldfashionedknittingboard.com when searching for information on knitting boards. There are also several companies besides Provo Craft selling plastic versions of knitting boards. If you can get a great knitting board from the couple in Quartzite, I say go for it! :)
Hi. Just as an FYI, this type of craft has been around for a long time. We used looms like this in 6th grade made of wood and nails, (I am nearly older than dirt BTW) and my Mom AND Grandma had used similar looms when they were girls. loom knitting was not invented by Provo Craft, they have simply designed a nice PLASTIC loom.
Just found your site via the HUB site and wanted to comment on this. I agree with the other two comments. Its actually Provo Craft who took an age old craft and made it up in plastic. I guess one could say that Provo Craft "ripped it off" except that its been around for ages.
Frankly, I would much rather buy from a small independent artisan than a big company. And, in this case, wood is a renewable resource whereas plastic is a petroleum by-product.
Another factor is that Provo does not stand behind their product. I bought the long set and several of the pegs fell out. I'm a couple hundred miles away from Hobby Lobby where I got the looms and also did not have the receipt. They would not do an exchange so my husband had to use marine glue to glue the pegs where they belong.
I'm planning to buy other looms, especially one for socks and am glad that I found a small company that makes them.
I'm going to do a search for the artisan in Quartzite to see what they carry.
Happy looming.
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