As kids we used to hammer 4 small nails into a cotton reel to form 4 corners of a square around the hole. attached a line of cotton wool to the pins and through the hole and by continuously using a "sewing process" we would produce a rope-like length of cotton wool. Any reminders please?
Thanks to each of you for responding. Didn't realise that this kid's craft was being used on the other side of the pond too all those years ago. Showed your feedback to my sister and we both remenisced about the winter nights we sat beside the fire with our brothers and sisters using these simple tools. I'm now going to pass this info on to one of my grand-daughters and, who knows, maybe she might get some of the pleasures that you and i had as kids too? many thanks.
Those were the days! It's hard to find a wooden spool anymore,but now they make plastic spool knitters. I've seen them at Walmart. I use a crochet hook now, but in the "olden days" we used a bent horseshoe nail. Maybe that's tied in to the Horse Range name. I started a scatter rug years ago and have never finished it. It was a good way to use up odd bits of leftover yarn.
All you have to do is do a search for how to use a "Spool Knitter" and you will find instructions and how to make one from a spool from thread. Here is one I just found by using this method. It shows a store bought knitter, but this can adapt to any spool knitter . Hope this helps you.
The knifty knitter sets that they sell in craft store and your local wal-marts are similar but not so restricted in what you can make. I taught a young 6 yr old how to make a snow hat in no time. www.kniftyknitter.com I think is the website.
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Request: Wooden Spool and Nails Instructions
Archived on 11/06/2008
A friend of mine saw me making a bracelet. So she started telling me about another craft. She doesn't know how to start it or what it's called. First you hammer in 4 or 5 nails into a wooden spool (evenly spread out) and you have 5 strings. You knot the strings and put that part through the hole in the middle of the spool. Then you are supposed to wrap the other end of the strings around the nails in some sort of pattern and pull the string that's through the hole to make it tight. That's all I know. Would anyone happen to know what the pattern to wrap the strings around the nails is?
Answers:
RE: Wooden Spool and Nails Instructions
The technique you are referring to is called "spool knitting". There is a bigger version known as "rake knitting".
A site that gives simple instructions for the particular craft you are wanting information on can be found at
http://www.sweaterscapes.com/spool.htm
Also, if you type either "spool knitting" or "rake knitting" into a search engine you will find additional sites. (08/31/2005)
By Denise
RE: Wooden Spool and Nails Instructions
Go to HGTV - Carol Duvall Show - episode cds1235
It shows you how to do a beaded strand but you could do a plain one too. When I was a kid (a million years ago) we used to do this with string or yarn and make useless trivets & potholders etc. We called it horse reins... now they have made it into something special. I love it. Anita (08/31/2005)
By GraNita
RE: Wooden Spool and Nails Instructions
When I was a little girl we used to use what you are explaining. We would wait until our mom had an empty spool from thread & then our dad would nail in 4 evenly spaced nails. We would then take some yarn & knot the beginning of it & let it fall through the hole of the spool. Then you make a loop of yarn around each of the 4 nails & this is the important part GET A CROCHET HOOK preferably a small one & bring the yarn using the crochet hook over & under each loop. Depending on how long a piece you "do" will determine what you can make with it. I used to make little rugs for my dollhouse & potholders for my mom for a Christmas surprise.
Good luck & thanks for bringing back the memories. (09/19/2005)
I used to do the spool knitting when I was little. For my 5th birthday, I actually got a kit with the spool, 5 or 6 little balls of different color yarn and a small crochet needle. It was called a "Horse Range" set...why, I haven't the slightest clue. But now that I'm a Grandma, I wanted to try and find some instructions so I can teach my granddaughter. (11/27/2005)
