Category Archives: gifts & easy to make gifts & presents

March 29, 2026 · 12:36 pm

Links- How To Use Spool Knitted or Lucet Cord

Day 35 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms- Lots of Links for How To Use Spool Knitted or Lucet Cord

Spool knitting and using lucets to make lovely cord is relaxing, meditative, contemplative and just plain fun. But, people often ask me: What do you do with all those cords after you’ve made them?

Here’s a list of useful links to videos that I have made about ways of using spool knitted and luceted cord. (Lucets are flat 2 peg spool knitters))

Go to my Etsy shop to buy pdf patterns for fun spool knitted projects:

http://NCroneFindlay.etsy.com

Tutorials and links are nested here: https://tottietalkscrafts.com/

Video Tutorials:

How to add buttons, beads and charms to Lucet or 2 peg spool knitted Cord:

If you are going to use this technique to add embellishments to spool knitted cord, you will need to use the 2 peg spool knitting technique:

How to add buttons, beads, found objects and charms:

Button closures

Celtic knots and interlaces

Shoe laces

Celtic Interlace Hearts

Lucet cord or 2 peg spool knitted butterfly:

How to attach lucet or 2 peg spool knitted cord to garments:

I will be adding more tutorials to this list.

How to weave a ‘Flower of Life’ motif on the Lily Speed O Weave Loom using spool knitted cord:

How to adapt a 4 nail spool knitter so you can spool knit a 5 nail cord on it:

How to cast off spool knitting:

Spool knitting with 4 nails/pegs:

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Filed under eco crafts & green projects, free pattern, gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, Lucet, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, the 100 day project

Tagged as #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, #howtouselucetcord, #howtousespoolknittedcord, #howtousespoolknitting, #lucetcord, #spoolknittedcord, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitters, #spoolknitting, #the100dayproject, #the100dayproject2026, #tottietalkscrafts #designprocess, #whattodowithspoolknittedcord, #yarn, #yarncrafts, @noreen.cronefindlay, Noreen Crone-Findlay

March 17, 2026 · 1:00 pm

Day 24 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms- Well Well Well Spool Knitted Dolls

I designed the Well Well Well Spool Knitted Dolls as a wish that everyone, everywhere, would feel well, and that our precious planet would feel well, and that anyone who makes these dolls will feel well, and happy, and safe and hopeful and live in peace, and equanimity.

As I made them, I asked myself: What does JOY look like today? What does peace and safety look like today? What does this doll want me to know? How can this doll feel like hope or sweetness today?

I invite the doll makers to play with drawing their own unique, one of a kind faces for their Well Well Well dolls and have made a video tutorial to help them do this.

I hope that these joyful, playful, happy dolls will bring all good things to the people who make them, and if the Well Well Well dolls are meant as a gift that they will bring love, light, laughter and hope to those who receive them.

The pattern includes links to 3 video tutorials for how to make your own larger spool knitters as well as videos on how to spool knit in the round, and how to spool knit flat panels as well as spool knitting 2 peg/nail cords.

The pattern has complete step by step instructions for making the Well Well Well Spool Knitted Dolls with yarn and with fabric strips too.

The pattern is available in my etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4473549156/pdf-pattern-for-spool-knitted-well-well

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Tagged as #dollmaker, #dollmaking, #handmadedoll, #handmadedolls, #spoolknitteddolls, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitter #spoolknitters #littlelooms #spoollknitting #woodworking #the100dayproject2026 #the100dayproject #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms @noreen.cronefindlay @distinctivewoodworking, #spoolknitters, #spoolknittingdolls, #the100dayproject, #the100dayproject2026, #wellwellwellspoolknitteddolls, @noreen.cronefindlay, Noreen Crone-Findlay, yarn, Yarn Crafts

March 16, 2026 · 5:28 pm

Day 23 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms- A video tutorial for making a tiny upcycled sketchbook and easy ways of drawing simple faces in it

I made a video tutorial that shows how to make an upcycled tiny sketch book and then how to draw simple faces in it as an ongoing daily practice.

That’s because I am going to be releasing a new pattern tomorrow for wonderful spool knitted dolls and I want people to be able to draw unique, one of a kind faces for their dolls.

I have found that using tiny upcycled sketchbooks to practice drawing faces is a lot like practising a musical instrument.

Daily drawing is the way to build creative stepping stones.

A little bit at a time, all the time.

Large gorgeous sketchbooks with expensive paper can be really hard to work with, but tiny ones that fit in a pocket and are humble paper make for carefree drawing.

And that’s what you want for these new dolls.

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Filed under doll & dolls & dollmaking & doll making, drawing, eco crafts & green projects, free pattern, gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, the 100 day project

Tagged as #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, #drawingfaces, #spoolknitteddolls, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitters, #the100dayproject, #the100dayproject2026, #tinyupcycledsketchbook, @noreen.cronefindlay, Noreen Crone-Findlay

March 14, 2026 · 1:05 pm

Day 21 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms- How to make a spool knitter from upcycled cardboard and bamboo skewers

For Day 21 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms- I made a video tutorial showing how to make a spool knitter from upcycled cardboard and bamboo skewers, finished with papier mache whimsy.

It’s a lovely and sturdy little spool knitter that is a delight to work with. For more information, please go to http://www.tottietalkscrafts.com

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Tagged as #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, #howtomakeaspoolknitter, #papiermache, #spoolknittechnique, #spoolknitted, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitters, #spoolknittingtechniques, #the100dayproject, #the100dayproject2026, #upcycle, #upcycling, @noreen.cronefindlay, Noreen Crone-Findlay, Yarn Crafts

March 4, 2026 · 6:10 pm

Day 11 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms-Upcycling plastic bottles into spool knitters-The Storyteller Spool knitter

In my Day 9 post, I showed how I upcycled a sturdy cardboard tube into a spool knitter that I love as it’s an Homage to Jane Austen.
At the same time that I was making the Jane Austen spool knitter, I was experimenting with upcyling a plastic bottle to see if I could make a reasonable spool knitter with it for my #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms.

The bottle has to be fairly sturdy, so I chose an empty vitamin bottle.

I wanted to see if the sharpened end of 7 lolly pop sticks would work as the pegs.

They are okay, but I prefer the blunt ends, so I won’t use the sharp ends as pegs again.

I marked off 1 1/2 inches(4 cm) at the end of each.

Next- I put 3 rubber bands onto the bottle and one at a time, I slipped a lollypop stick into them

and hot glued them to the bottle.

Then, layers of papier mache,

and decorative paper – I love that I found a delightful image of a storyteller with some bouncy kids and also a few goddess images, a few hippos and some almost invisible elephants.

Now mod podge to seal.

I had cut a too small hole in the end of the bottle, so I carefully cut the excess plastic away

and the Storyteller spool knitter works just fine!

Happy upcycling! and happy spool knitting 🙂 ❤

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Tagged as #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, #crafts, #howtomakeaspoolknitter, #littlelooms, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitters, #spoollknitting, #the100dayproject, #the100dayproject2026, #upcycling, @noreen.cronefindlay, Noreen Crone-Findlay, yarn, Yarn Crafts

February 28, 2026 · 9:47 pm

Day 5 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms-what are you doing? she asked

Hmm, someone messaged me asking me what I was doing with my 100 day project andwhy?

Well, first- I have adored spool knitting since I was a little girl.

Spool knitters feel innocent and sweet and oh, my word! Those feelings are desperately needed nowadays!

And, second: Some Family stuff: My nephew, Kieran is autistic and is really good at doing woodwork with his Dad, my brother, Jonathan. (@distinctivewoodworking) who carefully mentors him with the lathe.

So, bringing those elements together: We decided to co-create some nifty stuff, and it’s kind of challenging but inspiring & wonderful, too!

(BTW I’m working on tutorials on how to make upcycled spool knitters, too, because that feels important).

I’m having a blast designing vunderbar goodies for spool knitters & exploring intriguing small looms!

The 1st spool knitter in this series is my wish for us all:

May you be well

May you live in Peace.

May you be happy,

May you be safe

I find her very comforting

Of course, this project is also about making stuff with spool knitters.

These Simple Tiny Spool Knitted Angels are quick & easy. I love them.

The pdf pattern is in my etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/48409301/pdf-pattern-for-tiny-spool-knitted-angel

So, here’s to joy, and to 100 days of spool knitters and spool knitting and little looms and to all good things!

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Filed under angel dolls, doll & dolls & dollmaking & doll making, gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, the 100 day project

Tagged as #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, #littlelooms, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitters, #spoolknitting, #the100dayproject, #the100dayproject2026, #woodworking, angel doll, angel dolls, doll making, Noreen Crone-Findlay, weaving

November 12, 2025 · 7:03 pm

A tiny miniature Comfort Bear to weave on the Kindness Loom

A while ago, a friend asked me to mail her a Comfort Bear.

That inspired me to design a tiny teeny flat- but not TOO flat- Comfort Bear that could be easily mailed in an envelope.

It took me quite a few months to work through to the perfect woven Tiny Kindness Loom Comfort Bear.

And because I love Panda Bears, I also had to do a tiny Panda Bear,

and a Blue Bear of Happiness, too.

And a Polar Bear-

They are indeed very, very small- they are only about 1 1/2 inches (3.75 cm) tall and fit happily into a card to be mailed to a friend.

You can weave up a whole handful of them and carry them all in a mint tin in your pocket so that you can give one to anyone who needs a little TLC.

They are small but mighty, as they say to people: “You matter! May this little Comfort Bear bring you delight and make your day happier!”.

They are a joy to weave and to give and receive!

The PDF pattern for the Woven Tiny Kindness Loom Comfort Bears in on my etsy shop at

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4403905607/pdf-pattern-for-miniature-woven-comfort

Happy Weaving! May they bring you joy!

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Filed under blessing bear, comfort bear, gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, KINDNESS LOOM AND PROJECTS, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, teddy bear, weaving & handwoven, Weaving Kindness Project by Noreen Crone-Findlay

Tagged as #comfortweaving, #kindnessloomcomfortbear, #miniaturecomfortbear, #miniatureteddybear, #miniatureweaving, #weavingcomfort, #weavingkindnessprojectbynoreencronefindlay, #wovencomfortbear, doll making, hand weaving, hand woven, handwoven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving

June 2, 2025 · 4:35 pm

Tiny Kindness Angels to Make on the Kindness Loom

When I was a little girl, I adored one of my grandmother’s best friends, Mrs Wall, who was kindness incarnate. She was the perfect Granny, exuding comfort, sanctuary, and gentleness. She taught me crafts from her childhood, which made them a precious legacy. I was thrilled when she taught me how to make ‘Yarn Babies’.

When I was designing Tiny Angels for the Weaving Kindness Project, I decided that they needed to be made using wrapping and stitching and not weaving as an homage to darling Mrs Wall, and all the kind people who make the world a better place.

Happily, I have figured out how to use the ‘Yarn Baby’ technique on the Kindness loom.

I am thrilled with these Tiny Angels.

They’re less than 2 inches (5 cm) tall with my signature ‘Hugging Arms’.

I’ve designed two variations- one with a skirt and one with legs. Their wings are shaped like the infinity symbol.

It’s so soothing to make small things that bring a feeling of connection and community.

Making small Kindness treasures to bring comfort and hope can be incredibly healing.

That’s what the Tiny Kindness Angels are all about. I hope that you’ll make lots of them as gifts of compassion and kindness for yourself and for the people in your life.

We are all in this together, and are not alone on our journey. May we all, like Mrs Wall, but each in our own way- weave a legacy of kindness, compassion, generosity and healing love.

The link to buy the pdf pattern for the Tiny Kindness Angels is:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4314662495/tiny-angel-dolls-to-make-on-the-kindness?

All the links for the Weaving Kindness Project by Noreen Crone-Findlay are at:

ALL THE LINKS FOR THE WEAVING KINDNESS LOOM AND PROJECTS BY NOREEN CRONE-FINDLAY

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Filed under angel dolls, doll & dolls & dollmaking & doll making, gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, KINDNESS LOOM AND PROJECTS, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, Weaving Kindness Project by Noreen Crone-Findlay

Tagged as angel dolls, doll making, dolls, how to make angel dolls, kindness loom, Noreen Crone-Findlay, tiny kindness angel dolls, tiny kindness angels, tiny kindness dolls, weaving kindness, weaving kindness project

April 21, 2025 · 1:13 pm

A new version of the Kindness Loom

I have designed a 2nd way of making the small Kindness Loom for the Weaving Kindness Project.

The link to order the 2 PDFs of Step by Step Instructions for making both of the Kindness Looms is: LINK

The first PDF shows how to make a Kindness Loom using pins to weave on

and the 2nd PDF shows how to make a Kindness Loom with mat board and cribbage pegs .

Both versions of the Kindness loom work equally well for all the projects I have designed for the Weaving Kindness Project.

The Weaving Kindness Project is about weaving small tokens of caring, kindness, comfort, wishes for good luck, sweet peace and blessings!

To see photos of the Kindness projects that I have designed to weave on the Kindness Pin Loom and links to order the PDF instructions for making them, please go to:

https://tottietalkscrafts.com/2025/02/23/all-the-links-for-the-kindness-loom-and-projects-by-noreen-crone-findlay/

Happy Weaving! ❤

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Filed under eco crafts & green projects, gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, KINDNESS LOOM AND PROJECTS, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, weaving & handwoven, Weaving Kindness Project by Noreen Crone-Findlay

Tagged as hand weaving, hand woven, handwoven, kindness loom, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving, weaving kindness, weaving kindness project

April 10, 2025 · 6:21 pm

Tiny Birds of Hope and more for the Weaving Kindness Project

In Springtime, we watch for the return of the migrating birds with anticipation and delight.

I have been hard at work, designing and weaving Tiny Birds of Hope (and other good things) on the Kindness Loom. These tiny birds are very small- in fact they fit into a chicken’s eggshell.

You can order the PDF instructions from my etsy shop at this L I N K

Here’s a closer look at the flock:

In celebration of Springtime, there is the Tiny Chick.

And in hopes of Peace, there is the Dove of Peace and Harmony:

Since life is a dance between the Birds of Sorrow and the Blue Birds of Happiness… here they are:

And speaking of the dance, we all need to dance as wildly as we can manage at times, so here’s a little Flamingo with awkward legs to trip along in a small, but hopeful dance:

Pigeons have a lot to teach us about unexpected beauty (look closely at their iridescence!) and their clever persistence.

And, on a personal note, my daughter’s beloved Quaker Parrot was almost 25 years old when she crossed the Rainbow Bridge a couple of weeks ago. So, it was really important to me to weave my daughter and grandson each a Comfort Tiny Quaker Parrot in homage to and memory of a dear little Feather Friend that we all loved so much! (yes, I did shed tears in the weavings of this Tiny Feather Friend)…

Feel free to weave up Tiny Birds of Hope in homage to your favorite birds, real or imaginary. The Tiny Birds of Hope can hold things in their Hugging Wings or hang out on the end of your pen or pencil or on a houseplant or in a pocket and give you a hug whenever you need one.

Happy Weaving!

The Tiny Birds of Hope are part of my Weaving Kindness Project that is all about saying to yourself and to everyone in your life:

“You matter! I wish you well! Take and give care!”

May the Weaving Kindness project be like a lovely cup of tea ,that brings refreshment and healing and restoration to all concerned. Hugs all round!!!!

All the links for the Weaving Kindness Project are at:

https://tottietalkscrafts.com/2025/02/23/all-the-links-for-the-kindness-loom-and-projects-by-noreen-crone-findlay/

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Filed under gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, KINDNESS LOOM AND PROJECTS, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, pin loom, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, weaving & handwoven, Weaving Kindness Project by Noreen Crone-Findlay

Tagged as birds, hand weaving, hand woven, how to weave birds, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, tiny woven birds, weaving, weaving kindness, weaving kindness project, woven birds