DIY Rainbow Loom Band

It has been awarded the toy of the year 2014, people’s choice award, activity of the year award, educational toy of the year and many other awards and nominations.  It is both a popular past time and a source of income for many.  The Rainbow Loom Band or Loom Band is this generation’s version of the friendship bracelet which is as ancient as the Mayans.  Now, it is currently the craze not only for crafters but also for children and adult alike.

According to Wikipedia, the Rainbow Loom Band was created by Cheong Choon Ng, a Malaysian immigrant of Chinese descent who came to the United States in 1991 to attend the Wichita State University where he earned a graduate degree of mechanical engineering.  He was employed as a crash-test engineer for Nissan Motor Company in 2010 when he conceived the idea of a toy loom for rubber-band crafting while watching his young daughters make rubber-band jewelry. His prototype, which he called Twistz Bandz, used a wooden board, pushpins, and dental hooks.  Encouraged by his family to market the product commercially, he invested $10,000 and found a factory in China to manufacture the parts, which he and his wife assembled in their home in June 2011.  Ng renamed his product after discovering an elastic hair band on the market named Twist Band.  His brother and niece came up with the name Rainbow Loom.

How is the Rainbow Loom Band made?  Using a Rainbow Loom, a peg-like board measuring about 2 inches in width and 8 inches in length, colored rubber bands are pulled and looped by means of a plastic crochet hook.  The resulting loops can be made into different shapes and into bracelets.  The Rainbow Loom kit, which can be bought online or from different stores include The Rainbow Loom, the plastic crochet hook, some rubber bands and a C-shaped or S-shaped fasteners to lock the band. 

But how can we do a Rainbow Loom Band without the kit?  When I was small, we used to play with rubber bands, tied them together to create a long tie or garter and use it for crossing over or jumping over it.  The same principle is used in creating a Loom Band.  First, you will need a peg.  If you do not have the kit, then use the two-pronged mobile charger as your peg.  See below.

 Then, place one band on the two prongs while twisting it like #8.  Add another band this time do not twist.  Add one more band, making it three bands. 

  

Next, get a hook or just use your fingers to grab the bottom band from the outside, do this both side,  and place it over the top band.  Place another band on top and do the same again until you finish the desired length of your bracelet.

   

To lock the bracelet, you will need a C-lock or S-lock.  Hold on to the end of your bracelet.  Grabs your C-clip and attach the end of the bracelet.  Then, attach the other end of the bracelet.  Now you have your Rainbow Loom Band. 

    

Alternatively, you can use two fingers as pegs but be very careful not to keep the bands on for long, otherwise you might get sore fingers.  Enjoy!