Recently, a jewelry maker contacted me and asked me if I could make her some industrial strength spool knitters so she could spool knit wire for her jewelry making.
I went for a rummage through our stash and found a wonderful old piece of wood. It looked like it was an old handle off some kind of tool that had seen heavy and hard use. It was worn smooth but ripply and looked quite organic.
We inherited it from my husband’s Dad more than 10 years ago.
I cut some pieces off it and used them to make these 4 and 6 peg spool knitters.
Yipes! Is that wood hard! Drilling the holes and hammering the nails in was intense .
whew…. My tendons were screaming for mercy.
I love the way they feel…. the old wood is smooth and textured from having been worn by years of use- it’s quite alive!
The whole collaborative process is so inspiring to me. I just love it when someone says to me –
‘Can you think of a way of doing this or that….. ?’
Sometimes, I am not interested in making the new thing
(for instance, we just don’t want to make wooden potholder looms anymore….sorry)
But, lots of times, I am intrigued by the ‘Can you make a this or that’ question and end up in the workshop having a wonderful time!
This was definitely one of those times. I love working with wire, and do a lot with it. So, I am really glad that Vickey inspired me to make some super strong spool knitters for wire.
Just think. That old, old piece of wood out in the workshop would still be laying there, just waiting to come to life if Vickey hadn’t emailed me…..
This kind of thing makes me celebrate the joys of the internet.
Someone has a thought and sends a note to someone else a thousand miles away. Then, that person goes and finds a piece of the past and brings it to life in a new way. And that recycled, re-created, upcycled treasure goes off to the first person who creates all manner of magic with it.
Now, that’s creativity in action!
(image source: photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay. Copyright, not to be used without permission)
Tottie Talks Crafts Blog 
Wow, what a cool story. Like you, Noreen, I love when someone asks if I can think of a way to create “x” or “y”. It is soooo inspirational … and frequently results in a unique work of art.
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Thanks so much, Eileen!
I love it when inspiration comes in such neat ways- it really is fun, isn’t it?
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I am wonder if it is possible to make multiple wire braids as in spool knitting. I wanted to make a small size tube using from six to twelve different colours of thin gage insulated wire. Is there a simple way to do this? Thanks for any help or direction you might have. Regards Moray James.
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