Tag Archives: hand weaving

March 2, 2026 · 10:33 pm

Days 6 and 7 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms-Upcycling bowls into spool knitters

Day 6 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms-Upcycling thrift shop bowls into spool knitters

I have been working on a whole bunch of things for
#100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms all at once and have gotten all out of order on doing posts.

Back on Day 6 of #the100dayproject2026 I started working on a series of posts about upcycling to make spool knitters.

Last summer, when I was talking with my brother Jonathan (@distinctivewoodworking) about co-creating different sizes and shapes of spool knitters, I mentioned that I often make larger than what people usually expect spool knitters to be by upcycling thrift shop bowls.

He and his son, Kieran turn a LOT of gorgeous bowls on the lathe.

Sometimes, there are ‘oops’ and a bowl goes boink and gets tossed into the firewood box.

Jonathan said: Do you want some of those to make into spool knitters?

YES yes yes, I shrieked.

So I showed him how I take an unloved bowl from the thrift shop

and sand off the varnish (because usually, the varnish on thrift shop bowls is in tough shape).

And, I drill a big hole in the base, then 6, 7 or 8 holes for pegs,

Then I glue in pegs and I draw & burn on it, paint it, varnish it and Voila!

Start spool knitting with it!

I remembered to take pics of the process with the first bowl, but doh, completely forgot to do that with the second one.

Hurrah for upcycling! I’ll be posting lots more about upcyling things to make spool knitters.

And, yes, lots of posts about what you can make with spool knitters. As I said to Jonathan today:

Context and content! Spool knitters are just shelf warmers if they don’t have a good project or 10 to inspire people to pick them up and start creating with them! So… yes…. lots of projects will be unfolding as I trundle forward with #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms

Day 7 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms-Upcycling one of a kind bowls into spool knitters

For the #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, Jonathan sent me a box of spool knitter blanks and some bowls that were damaged when he and his son Kieran turned them on the lathe.

A Paduak pot pourri bowl has been singing to me since I opened the box, and finally, today, I drilled a hole in the base that is larger than the rip out, then 7 holes for the pegs, and did a little sanding and glued in pegs.

I was utterly gobsmacked by how freaking gorgeous it is, and there is no way that I am going to I draw or burn on it! I put a light coat of walnut oil on it, so I have to let it dry over night before I can start spool knitting with it!

I tore over to the computer and fired off a ‘WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE’ message to Jonathan to tell him how I am absolutely swooning over this glorious spool knitter. Wow. Just wow….

I also informed Jonathan that he is a bad influence, because the two of us just keep whipping up more and more ideas and I can barely keep up! I love feeling inspired! and #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms is definitely doing that for me!

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Filed under eco crafts & green projects, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, the 100 day project

Tagged as #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, #littlelooms, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitter #spoolknitters #littlelooms #spoollknitting #woodworking #the100dayproject2026 #the100dayproject #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms @noreen.cronefindlay @distinctivewoodworking, #spoolknitters, #the100dayproject, #the100dayproject2026, #woodworking, @distinctivewoodworking, @noreen.cronefindlay, crafts, hand weaving, knit, knitting, Noreen Crone-Findlay, yarn

February 25, 2026 · 6:47 pm

Days 4 and 3 and 2 of 100 days of spoolknitters and little looms

Days 4 and 3 and 2 of #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms

For this year’s 100 Day Project, I am co-creating with my brother, Jonathan (@distinctivewoodworking) and his son, Kieran.

They are turning the parts for small looms and spool knitters on the lathe, and I am doing all kinds of things with the wonderful wooden elements.

We are calling it: #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms

I am posting it here and on IG @noreen.cronefindlay

Here’s where I am at on Day 4 and working backwards to Day 2:

Oooh… painting! Here are a couple of little spool knitters and the beginnings of a little loom that I painted today.

Day 3 was frustrating:

The rheostatic pyrography machine that my lovely husband built me more than 35 years ago went kaput.

Oh no! my Luvie had to rebuild it for me so I could carry on burning the drawings into the spool knitters and little looms.

I spent Day 2 of the project working on getting a LOT of holes drilled and then fine tuning the insides of 17 small spool knitters in preparation for tapping in and gluing the nails into the holes.

Doesn’t sound like much hard work, but really, it is.

Then it was time to start drawing. Yay!

I am having so much fun…. 🙂

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Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, the 100 day project

Tagged as #100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, #fibreart, #fibreartist, #littlelooms, #smalllooms, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitters, #spoolknitters #littlelooms #smalllooms#woodworking#fibreart#fibreartist#fibreartistsofinsta#100daysofspoolknittersandlittlelooms, #the100dayproject2026, #woodworking, @distinctivewoodworking, @noreen.cronefindlay, hand weaving, hand woven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving

February 22, 2026 · 10:32 pm

The 100 Day Project 2026- Co-creating spool knitters and small looms with my brother and nephew

In June of 2025, my brother (Jonathan Crone -an awesome woodworker- https://www.instagram.com/distinctivewoodworking/ and I started talking about making spool knitters and small looms together.

We live in different cities and provinces so we’ve been sending each other tons of drawings, photos & “What if messages”. Hurrah for the miracle of the interwebs!

Jonathan and his son, Kieran have been turning lots of wonderful things on the lathe.

Jonathan shipped me a small but heavy box of treasures in January.

AND.

The courier managed to loose the box! EEK!

Eventually they found it & delivered it.

Whew!

Our spool knitting/small loom adventure is in gear now!

I am excited about it, but a little anxious, thinking- oh my word-can I handle doing #the100dayproject right now? (Living with chronic illness and other commitments and life in these turbulent times. oh my).

Well, fingers crossed-

Here’s Day 1 of Two Crones and One Crone-Findlay Making Spool Knitters and Small Looms Together Across Many Miles.

Not a snappy title for my100 day project- but if I come up with a catchy title, I’ll post it.

I am so inspired & really excited about these co-creations.

Here are a couple of pics of the box, with the packing paper and some bags of bits and pieces pulled out already.

Sorry, the pics don’t show how much amazing stuff there is for me to make magic with.

All shall be revealed over the next 100 days!

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Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, Simple Little Things That Make Me Happy, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, the 100 day project

Tagged as #fibreart, #fibreartist, #littlelooms, #smalllooms, #spoolknitter, #spoolknitters, #the100dayproject, #woodworking, #yegartist, #yegarts, hand weaving, hand woven, handwoven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving

January 12, 2026 · 3:27 pm

Oracle of Stillness-Ancient Grandmother- Keeper of the Hearth

Ancient Grandmother -Keeper of the Hearth

It’s not necessary to have been a mother to grow into the energy of being Grandmother.

The Grandmother energy holds clearly, deeply, and sometimes, ferociously on to the essential work of protecting, nourishing and nurturing the innocence inside herself, and in all of the chicks that gather under her powerful wings.

Ancient Grandmother energy is the Keeper of the Heart and Hearth and her role in the world is key and oh so very very full of meaning.

Honor her in yourself and in those who spread their branches in the Tree of Life. Listen for her stories and songs and her silence. Then join in singing them with her, or at least, hum along….

❤

I’m posting all the images from the Oracle of Stillness here on www.tottietalkscrafts.com

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Filed under band loom, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, mixed media weaving, narrow band weaving, Oracle of Stillness: Weaving Coherence in the Chaos series of Woven Women mixed media weaving, Woven Women tapestries and woven works

Tagged as #abarts, #albertaartist, #albertaarts, #canadianartist, #canadianarts, #edmontonartist, #fiberarts, #fibrearts, #grandmother, #grandmotherwisdom, #healing, #lacemaking, #meditation, #mixedmedia, #mixedmediaweaving, #narrowbandweaving, #oracleofstillness, #smallloomweaving, #tapestry, #tapestryweaving, #wovenwomenbynoreencronefindlay, #YEG, #yegartist, #yegarts, hand weaving, hand woven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving

December 6, 2025 · 6:25 am

The Oracle of Stillness- She is in the Spaces Between

In music, the rests- the places and spaces between the notes give life and meaning to the notes.

Those still points embody grace, promise, potential, respite and oh so much more.

What a great metaphor for embracing contemplation, meditation and moments of sweet, healing, lovely silence!

This Woven Woman from my mixed media series: Oracle of Stillness is “She is in the Spaces Between”

a celebration of sacred quiet, restful moments and tender, healing silence.

I’m posting all the images from the Oracle of Stillness here on www.tottietalkscrafts.com

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Filed under Dreams and dreamwork, lace making, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, mixed media weaving, Oracle of Stillness: Weaving Coherence in the Chaos series of Woven Women mixed media weaving, Teneriffe lace, weaving & handwoven, Woven Women tapestries and woven works

Tagged as #abarts, #albertaartist, #albertaarts, #canadianartist, #canadianarts, #edmontonartist, #fiberarts, #fibrearts, #healing, #lacemaking, #meditation, #mixedmedia, #mixedmediaweaving, #music, #oracleofstillness, #quiet, #smallloomweaving, #wovenwomenbynoreencronefindlay, #YEG, #yegartist, #yegarts, hand weaving, hand woven, handwoven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving

December 5, 2025 · 12:17 pm

The Oracle of Stillness- Renewal

Our close companion, the moon, is especially close when she is a Super Moon.

Last night the clouds swathed her in silken swirls and so we couldn’t see her, but oh yes, we still feel her presence. ‘

She pulls the tides of our oceans and inner waters and asks: Are you ready to change like I do?

This Woven Woman from my mixed media series: Oracle of Stillness is an homage to our friend the Full Moon. She is “Renewal”.

I’m posting all the images from the Oracle of Stillness here on www.tottietalkscrafts.com

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Filed under band loom, frame loom weaving, lace making, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, mixed media weaving, narrow band weaving, Oracle of Stillness: Weaving Coherence in the Chaos series of Woven Women mixed media weaving, pin loom, tatting, Teneriffe lace, weaving & handwoven, Woven Women tapestries and woven works

Tagged as #abarts, #albertaartist, #albertaarts, #canadianartist, #canadianarts, #edmontonartist, #fiberarts, #fibrearts, #fullmoon, #lacemaking, #mixedmedia, #mixedmediaweaving, #moon, #narrowbandweaving, #oracleofstillness, #renewal, #smallloomweaving, #supermoon, #wovenwomenbynoreencronefindlay, #YEG, #yegartist, #yegarts, hand weaving, hand woven, handwoven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving

December 3, 2025 · 9:50 am

Oracle of Stillness- The Guide Who is Just Where She is Needed

Ugh… the other night I had a horrible dream in which I got lost and couldn’t find my way home. I got more and more upset, and then, whew, a gentle guide showed up and reminded me that when a dream has gone wrong, for goodness sake, WAKE UP!

So, I did and I felt really comforted by going and gazing at this Woven Woman from my mixed media series: Oracle of Stillness. She is “The Guide Who is Just Where She is Needed”.

There are times when we are dreaming and also times when we are awake when we feel lost and distressed. Thank goodness for the Guides who show up to clear the path for us!

I’m posting all the images from the Oracle of Stillness here on www.tottietalkscrafts.com

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Filed under Dreams and dreamwork, lace making, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, mixed media weaving, narrow band weaving, Oracle of Stillness: Weaving Coherence in the Chaos series of Woven Women mixed media weaving, personal stuff, tatting, Teneriffe lace, weaving & handwoven, Woven Women tapestries and woven works

Tagged as #abarts, #albertaartist, #albertaarts, #dreamguides, #dreamimagery, #edmontonartist, #fiberarts, #fibrearts, #goddess, #lacemaking, #mixedmedia, #mixedmediaweaving, #narrowbandweaving, #oracleofstillness, #smallloomweaving, #wovenwomenbynoreencronefindlay, #YEG, #yegartist, #yegarts, hand weaving, hand woven, handwoven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving

December 1, 2025 · 12:31 pm

The Oracle of Stillness- Cherishing

Cherishing is one of those ‘And’ experiences, isn’t it?

We love AND we cherish.

We hold someone or something close in our hearts

AND we are delicate in that holding close… not crushing or extinguishing, just the lightest touch or not touching at all….

AND then… a blessing

AND, sometimes, but not always, a release.

Like joy, cherishing is a bridge of paradoxes that brings the breath and the spaces between to life.

This mixed media Woven Woman for the Oracle of Stillness series is “Cherishing”.

She is one of 3 of my mixed media tapestries from the “Oracle of Stillness” series that are part of the fundraising Christmas/Celebration of Joy show at Harcourt House: Artorama

I’m posting all the images from the Oracle of Stillness here on www.tottietalkscrafts.com

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Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, mixed media weaving, narrow band weaving, Oracle of Stillness: Weaving Coherence in the Chaos series of Woven Women mixed media weaving, tatting, Teneriffe lace, weaving & handwoven, Woven Women tapestries and woven works

Tagged as #albertaartist, #artorama, #cherishing, #edmontonartist, #fiberarts, #fibrearts, #harcourthousegallery, #mixedmedia, #mixedmediaweaving, #narrowbandweaving, #oracleofstillness, #smallloomweaving, #tapestry, #wovenwomenbynoreencronefindlay, #YEG, #yegartist, #yegarts, hand weaving, hand woven, handwoven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving

November 30, 2025 · 10:09 am

The Oracle of Stillness- Calm unfolds in a whisper

Living in a time of chaos is a rough ride.

The turbulence, drama, trauma and din is like standing in front of a huge screen that has the shock waves slamming across it.

When those harsh shocklines threaten to overwhelm,

it’s time to hit the pause button and take a deep breath….

Listen for a gentle whisper that slides in and starts softening and smoothing those sharp peaks and valleys

into curves and waves that lift and carry us,

one breath, one pause, another breath, another pause-

a gift from the Heart of Stillness that bring moments of clarity, calm and coherence.

That’s what this mixed media Woven Woman for the Oracle of Stillness series is all about.

She is: “Calm Unfolds in a Whisper”.

She is one of 3 of my mixed media tapestries from the “Oracle of Stillness” series that are part of the fundraising Christmas/Celebration of Joy show at Harcourt House: Artorama

I’m posting all the images from the Oracle of Stillness here on www.tottietalkscrafts.com

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Filed under lace making, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, mixed media weaving, narrow band weaving, Oracle of Stillness: Weaving Coherence in the Chaos series of Woven Women mixed media weaving, tatting, Teneriffe lace, weaving & handwoven, Woven Women tapestries and woven works

Tagged as #abarts, #albertaartist, #artorama, #calmunfoldsinawhisper, #edmontonartist, #fiberarts, #fibrearts, #goddess, #harcourthousegallery, #mixedmedia, #mixedmediaweaving, #narrowbandweaving, #oracleofstillness, #smallloomweaving, #tapestry, #tapestryweaving, #wovenwomenbynoreencronefindlay, #YEG, #yegartist, #yegarts, hand weaving, hand woven, handwoven, Noreen Crone-Findlay, small loom weaving, weaving