The Family Circle Wonder Loom: My Story and Tips for Successful Heirloom Projects-Part 1: Hello Eva!

February 8, 2024

family-circle-wonder-loom-crochet-blanket

Family Circle Magazine was a United States publication covering homemaking, recipes, and health. It was in circulation from 1932 until the end of 2019. Have you ever heard about the Family Circle Wonder Loom? Some people may have the template in their craft drawer and might be looking for help on what to do with it or its history. This article is the first part of a featured series that will include my story about the Wonder Loom and the tools to help you finish an heirloom project successfully. The Wonder Loom article had been marketed as a “Sensational Mini-Loom” that was “Fun! Easy! New!” in the Family Circle magazine on April 7, 1981. In reality, it is a cardstock template. The article showcased multiple ideas with patterns, including a striking cap and scarf, a dog coat of many colors, an afghan, potholders, and more!

When I was 20, I bought a magazine with a pattern for making a Wonder Loom Baby Blanket. However, I didn’t use the pattern until 1989, when I decided to make it for my newborn niece, Melina Whitney. She loved the blanket and carried it everywhere, eventually leading to the crochet chain stitching coming apart. To fix it, * I “frogged” the original crochet border and chain stitching that connected the loom squares. After that, I crocheted multiple rounds of chain stitches around the squares to reconnect everything. I gave it a new border using Fun Fur® by Lion Brand, which I recently learned is discontinued. (Notice from Lion Brand: DISCONTINUED: This yarn is no longer available; however, we make this information available as a courtesy to those who still have the yarn.)

*To “Frog” is a term used in the knitting and crochet communities to mean undoing a project. I kept the cardboard templates I had created from the original loom pattern and a piece of cardboard with woven yarn to remember what I had done. Unfortunately, I lost the magazine itself over time. Now, the blanket is an heirloom that Melina Whitney can pass down to her children.

I was able to restore the original blanket by fixing the crochet chain that connects the woven squares.

The soft fluffy border was added during restoration using Fun Fur® Yarn by Lion Brand.

In 2016, I received the fantastic news that I would be a grandmother. I was overjoyed and decided to create something special for my grandchild. So, I started working on a baby blanket using an old wonder loom and cardboard templates. I had made a similar blanket before, so I relied on my memory to guide me through the process. My sister, Lori, and I had been discussing the issue of the Family Circle magazine cover that we both remember vividly. We are sure one of us has it hidden in a box filled with old treasures in the garage. During one of our conversations, I told my sister that I had searched the internet for the loom pattern featured on the cover but couldn’t find it. Lori texted me shortly after that conversation to say she saw it on Amazon. With those words, I immediately went to Amazon and ordered the April 7, 1981 issue of Family Circle that contained the pattern “Bound Inside.”

I adjusted the blanket pattern for toddlers to adults, but please be aware that it has loops in which tiny infant fingers might get tangled. Yet, toddlers and children of all ages seem to love the feel of these blankets! I have made a few modifications to the blankets I create using the wonder loom pattern. I use more loom squares to add durability and make it toddler-proof. This term refers to the blankets designed to withstand the wear and tear that comes with young children and are considered durable enough for toddlers to use without breaking easily.

Etsy Wonder Loom Pattern Digital Download Click Here

I crocheted a rabbit amigurumi and used the granny square pattern to make the attached mini-blanket. I also made a matching beanie and baby booties.

The original pattern had a front and back side, meaning you could see where I tied the squares, and it looked unfinished to me. To create a more robust blanket, I crocheted two squares together, with their wrong sides facing each other and the right side facing outward. Adding extra squares to a quilt adds weight, texture, and a “Puff” effect. Puff quilts became a popular fad in the 70s and are making a comeback in popularity. There are now crochet versions, too. You make a puff quilt by stuffing each block with fiberfill before finishing it, which gives it a puffy appearance. Puff quilts are also known as biscuit or bubble quilts. In making Eva’s blanket, I used the granny stitch to connect the loom squares instead of the original chain stitch instructions, and I also used the granny stitch for the border. I have included links at the end of this article that I referred to when necessary.

My husband Brian and I now have three wonderful grandchildren – Sisters Eva (7), Lilly (2), and their newborn cousin Zeke. Each has a unique heirloom blanket I made using the 1981 Wonder Loom Baby Blanket pattern.

Cheers and Best Wishes!