by toogie 03 Oct 2021

Hi Cuties, look what I found! (I hope link is allowed, if not please remove and accept my apology)

Here is a link (first link) to the french knitting Carol did when she made her own rope for her bowl in Projects (second link below). I had never seen this...umm...something else I need to try.-lol-I wonder what 'thread and size thread' Carol used.... It looks like a woolen yarn here.
My husband would have to make me a 'spool' like this too...um.m..(thinking) can you hear my wheels turning in my brain-lol-Do you have one of these and if so, have you tried making rope? What thread do you use?

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by sewtired 19 Nov 2021

I did this as a child also, but I had forgotten how to get started. I guess it's true, you can find anything on the internet. Thanks for the memories.

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toogie by toogie 21 Nov 2021

I guess I was a deprived child-lol

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by pennyhal2 19 Nov 2021

Online I found a site that has multi size spools for about $7. I can't figure out what you do with the rope once you make it. Can it be stitched together like to make a sweater? My mother used to have a big one ( about 8"in diameter) that had a lot of pins and she made stocking caps one it. Don't recall how she bunched together the top with a fat tassel on top. I still have it.

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toogie by toogie 21 Nov 2021

I wouldn't think you could make a sweater but what do I know. Carol said she used it to make her bowl.

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by peafarm 08 Nov 2021

Toogie I just read this. I did this as a kid with a wooden spool and little tacks nailed in. Did not know what it was called but I made coasters and not sure what else--heck that was *(3-yrs ago. I tried teaching a couple of my grandgirls how to do this. My husband cut them a piece of wood and drilled a hole in it and then the nails. They gave up. I even bought a plastic molding with pegs in it for one granddaughter--last one I thought would craft--she gave it back to me. Now I know it is called French Knitting--I have that thing in a drawer in my sewing room. I'll be darned.

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toogie by toogie 21 Nov 2021

I had to laugh Patti when you said 'she gave it back to me'. It reminded me of my middle sister that wouldn't try to sew.

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by mops Moderator 06 Oct 2021

A few months ago I posted some knitted items. For one of them I used a cord as an alternative to using buttons.

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toogie by toogie 06 Oct 2021

Beautiful Mops! I wish I had skills like yours for knitting. Perhaps if we lived where it gets really cold this too would have been passed down to me. Last winter we had ice and snow which is rare here. It’s good it doesn’t occur all winter as cold and I aren’t friends-

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by stork 05 Oct 2021

What wonderful memories we are all living. Somewhere in a large box in the attic is my original "spool" knitter!!! Now, find time to dig it out! Tonya

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

Show us your bowl when you do!!!
I don’t have the memories because it’s new to me.

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by gerryvb 05 Oct 2021

oh yes, brings back memories from my childhood, loved to do this and so did my children....

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

I guess I was an underprivileged child!-lol

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by cfidl 04 Oct 2021

I have made hats with a knitting loom. Same technique larger loom. Looking for a link I found an adjustable one that does 2 gauges,

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

Interesting…

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by 02kar Moderator 04 Oct 2021

I can remember doing this as a child. It was fun! Sad that now we have the plastic spools so can't make this little tool. Give you handsome hubby a hug. We know he's a good man and will make you happy.

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

I told him what you said. He gets hugs often so that’s taken care of-😉-I think I still have some wooden spools.

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by mops Moderator edited 04 Oct 2021

I did it on a wooden spool with 4 nails on top like the right one in pict 1. So did my children until my Mother-iL bought them something like the illustration on the left. I used a crochet hook, easier than a needle.
And for the last 20 years or so you can buy the ones in picture 2 - it certainly works faster, but as you only have to turn the handle, it does not improve children's dexterity, Comes in very handy if you want to make miles...

I did it at the end of WO2, so any very very small remnant of knitting yarn was used, either cotton or wool.

You can also really knit it. Two double pointed needles, 4 stitches, always knit, don't purl, don't turn the work but just shove it to the right of the needle and knit. Pull it in shape when (partly) finished and you get the same cord.

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

I think the handle one would go faster! Thanks for the info

crafter2243 by crafter2243 06 Oct 2021

Your last comment about the 4 stitches on the needle is what I thought french knitting was. The homemade version, 4 nails on an empty thread spool. was my childhood entertainment. I think I had made miles of rope with it.

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by asterixsew Moderator edited 04 Oct 2021

Thanks for the link Toogie. Now have you got time to add this to your life or are you planning on extending your days?

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

I’m putting on hold. About talked myself out of the trouble-lol- Hubby just requested a quilt so I’ll be busy again with that. Still haven’t decided what to back my black and white with…so can’t finish it.

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by shirley124 04 Oct 2021

My late autistic brother used to spend hours doing French knitting. I can’t remember if any of it ever got made into anything or not. But it sure kept him amused. Hope you are feeling better. Hugs

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

Thank you Shirley I am. I’m glad your brother had something he enjoyed.

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by killiecrankie 04 Oct 2021

We did french knitting back in the 50's.Someone would nail 4 nails( something like panel pins today) into a empty wooden cotton reel.The yarn was wool probably 3 or 4ply so it would fit down the middle of the cotton reel .I think we used a straightened out bobby pin to make the stitches.
There are so many different threads or yarns available today that would be suitable.

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

It will have to wait awhile. My husband just requested a quilt for his cousin/friend.

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by crafter2243 Moderator 04 Oct 2021

Toogie you do not even know how to knit. We generally used wool like knitting yarn. For the bowl purpose I would use heavier crochet cotton. Can you get shipments from Amazon you might be able to order it from there. I can see your brain spinning

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toogie by toogie 05 Oct 2021

After our ‘visit’ this morning, I can say at least it’s my brain spinning and not my body! Hope you won’t be to sore tomorrow from your ‘tumble’ today!

crafter2243 by crafter2243 06 Oct 2021

No but I have blue eye shadow which I did not apply and it is dripping down my cheek

toogie by toogie 21 Nov 2021

Oh my!

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by graceandham edited 03 Oct 2021

Ah, Toogie, I've noticed a lot of YOUR projects start or end with Hubs. Hmm! He must really love you. Best of luck on making rope. Hmm! Now I looked at the link, and this is what I called knitting through a spool, when I was 10. My grandaddy hammered four nails into an old wooden spool and I was all set to give it a try. It is mindless to do while watching tv and works up pretty fast. You can make a ver-r-r-r-y long rope and make a coiled mat for your chair or for under a bowl or lamp.

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toogie by toogie 03 Oct 2021

I guess my grandma quilted too much and never heard of these, because I didn't see her make anything, with something like this. I guess the info missed all of us. That's one positive thing about the internet. If there is a craft to do someone, on the net, can show us how it's done.

graceandham by graceandham 04 Oct 2021

I used regular weight knitting yarn. Smaller would take forever.

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