Spool Knitting

One of the first crafts that I remember doing as a child was spool knitting. I would make all kinds of long strings. I think I remember making rugs for my dolls and pot holders for my mom. Wish I could remember more but my mom isn't here to help me anymore. Can't remember much more about it as that was over 50 years ago. I had forgotten all about spool knitting through the years. What brought it to mind again again was when I was trying to think of what crafts my granddaughter might like. I think she could come up with some really cool things to do with the finished strands. We had already tried beading, embroidery, and plastic canvas.

The image is from the public domain.

This would be a great project for mom or grandma to have quality time with either sex of children.

Spool knitting is for all ages. In each one of these videos, the children are showing you how to do it. So, if you are afraid to give it a try, follow their instructions so that you too can learn to spool knit.

I Didn't Know There Were So Many

As I was doing research on what videos were available to show you how to do the spool knitting, I saw some versions that I had never seen before. I mean they went from the small normal ones with nails (which I used when I was a child) to great big huge ones for making netting. I never realized they had taken spool knitting to such lengths. I didn't realize that there were so many nail variations either. I have retrieved videos for each type of spool knitting so you can see what the differences are. I also have one on creating a necklace using the spool knitter and wire. There were some videos with children showing you how to spool knit (see above). This goes to show you that spool knitting is fairly easy to do. You just have to get your rhythm.

You can use almost any type of thread or rope that will go through the middle of the spool. If the material you want to use is thicker than the knitter you have, you need to get a spool or something round to make a knitter large enough to handle your material of choice. Either through video or article, I will show you various ways to make the spool knitters. I think these people have been wonderfully inventive in some of these spool knitters.

Photo appears courtesy of "Creative Commons by DreamsInBloom"

I have tried regular knitting and spool knitting and spool knitting wins by a huge margin. I kept dropping stitches when I was doing regular knitting and having to chase down the lost thread or have a big glaring flaw in my finished piece.

By the way, Men Do knitting, too.

This picture is taken from the public domain. It's copyright has expired.

By Noreen Crone-Findlay

While looking at Noreen's site, I found some wonder things to do with the spool knit ropes. She embellishes shawls that she designs. She has some incredible dolls and toys that she makes with them, like the one in the picture. She also has some projects that you could do. I really did fall in love with all the beautiful things she did with spool knitting.

The picture of the Spooligarumi Doll is copyrighted and used with the permission of Noreen Crone-Findlay

I love making my own crafting tools. Here are some wonderful links on how to make your own spool knitters.

Some sites are foreign sites so you might want to use Google Translate to translate them for you. Remember you can either put the website link or some words in there to translate.

Here are some cool ways to make your own spool knitter. You will be helping the environment by recycling materials to make these knitters.

The links here will show you how to use your knitter. Items you can make will be in a later module.

Here are just a few Youtube videos to help you learn how to spool knit. Just go to Youtube and search for spool knitting, French knitting, corking (of course, with this one, you will get other types of corking than just the knitting), or tricotin to find more videos. Not sure what else it would be called.

You don't have to be a member of Squidoo to take this poll. I want opinions from everyone.

I have shown you how to make your own knitter and given you instructions on how to use them. Now, I am going to give you some links to what you can make with your knitter.

Some sites are foreign sites so you might want to use Google Translate to translate them for you. Remember you can either put the website link or some words in there to translate.

I did not realize that spool knitters came in such a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are utilitarian and others are very decorative. Have a look and see all the wonder.

I would also like to know if you are teaching the younger generation so that this lovely craft does not get lost.