I am always interested in seemingly esoteric needle arts tools. Naturally, when a reference to Grant’s One Needle Looper came up in a Yahoo group; of course I had to go google. Nothing except an old eBay Auction.
Okay, on to the usual second source for “IT”, aka/ eBAY and nothing except some closed auctions and one picture, at least not for several months, then POOF, suddenly results in my automatic searches. Here is what it looks like:
However, in the last few weeks, quite a few have turned up and as importantly some instructions and patterns. (Happily original not copies)
All of the patterns and such give only the following company Information
The Grant Company
4149 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago IL 60641
The Copyrights are mostly dated between 1969 to 1970, so they must have been at that address for at least ten years, but the location is apparently now a building which has been converted to Condos.
The US Patent No is 3,228,212 and was issued in 1966 to Angela Huber of Germany. There is a later patent, 3,979,929 for what seems to be for the technique, issued to Angeline Lapi of Sprakers NY; assignee The Raymond Lee Organization
TH tells me that he learned a very similiar techniques from a book on Knotting (but has not yet found the book to show me )
Although obviously the patent protections may have expired, my “project” for The Grant’s Looper is to track down whomever currently holds the Copyright to the patterns with a goal to obtaining permission to place them in the public domain.
When time allows, I will add some details about the Pattern Leaflets found so far.
I would welcome any information you care to add as comments or by email to:
Wheat
thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up something new
I bought my K-Tel knitter back around 1970 in Utica, NY. I’ve made afghans for everyone in my family. It’s easy to do the ripple stitch as well as straight panels. I’ve also made several hat and scarf sets and used them as gifts. I wouldn’t trade my knitters for anything in the world. I recently made my second baby blanket as a gift and crocheted around the edges to finish off the project with a flare!
i sent for this never got no anwser i need this had mine for years and broke it please send me another and will pay let me know please my mom gave me mine thank you
This is site is informational not a e-commerce store. I am not selling any more of mine as they are no loner made that I know of. SOrry
I have a friend that is moving, and she brought me a box of sewing thread. In the box I found a K Tel Knitter. I didn’t know what it was so I went to the computer. I found your instructions on using it, thank you for the instructions. My problem is the stitch adjuster will not move. I can turn it if I use the nut crackers for grip. but I can’t move it up as shown in your instructions. Do you have a solution?
Perhaps it is “dirty” and a good soak in Dawn and then a thorough rinsing and drying will help. The only other suggestions is to clean it and then “work it” until the action smooths
Sorry not to be more helpful
I have recently misplaced my k-tel knitter. Do you know where I can pick one up for a reasonable price?
The new version of the k-tel knitter, is now called Fauxchet. It has one needle in the front, and two in the back…(thread guides.) But basically, it works the same.
Good luck!
Thanks for sharing this – looks like machine knitting transfer tool used as the Grant’s Looper.
Interesting reinvention – Thanks for sharing
I had the K-Tel Knitters, used them, made hundreds of items, then lost one. So I began to make them out of wooden dowels! I have both the large and small now, they don’t have the lower guide loop, nor the adjustable ring on the needle, but I am so used to using them I don’t need them any more. I sand the tools and use fine grit steel wool to make them as smooth as the plastic that they were originally made of. and if I break one, I just make another.
I have a Imra-loop tool that was given to me as a gift back in 1971. I am an avid crochet person so never really used it much. Over the years, many moves later I found it buried in my old sewing box. I didn’t have the box or the instructions so tossed it in my hook box. Today I pulled it out and my husband asked what the heck it was. I couldn’t remember how to use it so off to Google search I went. I was glad to find you and many other people who have this tool. I am now going to learn how to make something with it.
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I can’t figure out how to use it. Could you make a video or something to show me how to make it knit.
Looking for a looping needle where can I find one with oatterns
Looking for looping needle and patterns where can I find one
I have both the Ktel Knitter & Imra Loop tool. I have been making afghans since the late 1970’s with them and would not trade them for the world.
I recently got a K tel looper and a Imra Looper in a sewing basket I bought at an auction. I am in need of the instructions so I can try them. I do not see them on this web site. Are they available anywhere?
I would like to buy a Grants Looping One Needle Looper can you help me? Thank you.
I ordered this looper in 1968. and would like to acquire another because I cannot find the looper which I feel was lost when I moved. I have a number of original patterns which I never did do, but would like to make at this time. I am searching for a needle.
I use these. Other names; KTel Knitter and Imra Knitter (I think). I also use an Aunt Lydia’s Punch Tool. I make afghans with them.
to the best of my knowledge they are no longer made – so haunting ebay, etc seems to be the only source.