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CraftSanity on TV: Spool Knitting For You And The Kids
I’ve been spool knitting up a storm this week. I love it because it’s an easy way to make knitted cording to coil into decorative trims, flowers broaches, coasters, bowls, chair pads, hats, totes, little critters and whatever else you can think of. And even though I know how to knit I-cord on two needles, I never seem to tire of my spool knitters.
This week I made a couple knitters out of cardboard tubes to teach my daughters and demonstrate the process on WZZM’s “Take Five & Company” this morning. (Scroll down for directions. Please let me know if I need to clarify anything.)
Here’s what you need to make and use your own basic spool knitter:
Toilet paper tube
4 popsicle sticks
Craft glue (I used Elmer’s all purpose glue.)
3 or 4 rubber bands
8 clothespins
Small ball of yarn
1) Glue a popsicle stick to the outside of the cardboard tube, with the top inch of the stick sticking up above the top of the tube. Use clothespins to hold the stick in place while the glue dries. Repeat this process to glue the second stick to the outside of the tube across from the first stick. Evenly space the third and four sticks opposite each other on the outside of the tube between the first and second stick. Glue in place. Use more clothespins and a few rubber bands to hold sticks in place until the glue dries.
2) To begin knitting, feed one end of yarn down through the center of the tube and hold or tape it to the side of the tube. With your other hand, wind the yarn counter clockwise around each popsicle stick peg once.
3) Begin the first round by holding the yarn in front of the first peg above the wrapped loop. Pull the bottom loop up, above the top yarn and over the peg. This will create one loop on the peg. Move on to the next peg and repeat this stitch around the circle until you cord reaches the desired length.
4) To finish the cord, cut the yarn about 6″ from your work and thread the end onto a yarn needle. Then thread the needle through each loop and before removing them from the knitter. Pull tight and knot to secure. Weave in ends.
The possibilities of what can be made with knitted cord are endless. This is is a basic flower broach that I made yesterday.
Below is a mix of handmade and store-bought spool knitters. My favorite purchased knitter is the pink Wonder Knitter by Clover (Below next to the toilet paper tube knitter.) I like it because it’s fast and super easy to use.
This is “Sally,” (left) the silly knitter I made Abby for her birthday. Almost anything with a hole through the center can be made into a knitter, so feel free to get creative with this. If you want to stick with tradition, ask grandma for an old wooden spool and pound 4 evenly spaced nails around the top and get stitching!
To find out more about Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably’s upcoming West Michigan visit, click here.
Posted: April 24th, 2009 under Spool Knitting.
Comments: 17
Comments
Comment from jen
Time: April 24, 2009, 12:22 pm
Jennifer, I read a lot of crafty posts and posts about kids – and therefore a lot of posts about crafting with kids. But this truly is one of the best crafting with kids posts I’ve read in ages.
Your idea for making your own spool knitter out of household objects is brilliant! I can’t wait to make one for my daughter and start stash busting with her!!
Keep up the great work! I am one impressed fan. -jen
Comment from Crafty Mom
Time: April 28, 2009, 8:01 am
This is SUCH a great idea! I love knitted accents on scrapbook pages and such and now I have an easy way to create the spool knitter and a fun way to introduce my daughter to yarn crafts. I remember using a spool knitter as a kid. This will be so much fun. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Comment from joanie
Time: May 6, 2009, 6:46 am
What adorable little hands holding that flower! I’m going to have to try out this tutorial as I don’t remember how to make them from childhood and my daughter has a knitter with useless directions. Thanks
Comment from Marian
Time: May 15, 2009, 12:02 am
Hi, I was thrilled to discover your post on spool knitting today. I am a collector of spool knitters and have also made my own. Though I have never made one out of a cardboard cylinder, I have found that you could also use jump rope handles, skittles, and salt and pepper shakers. Do you mind if I link to this post from my blog? cheers, Marian in Oz!
Comment from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Time: May 15, 2009, 5:46 am
Thanks for your comment, Marian. Your site is wonderful. Link away!
Comment from Marian
Time: May 15, 2009, 10:55 pm
Thanks so much Jennifer! I have it posted now on my blog.
I love your little lady spoolknitter – bead and doorknob?
cheers, Marian in Oz!
http://spoolknitter.blogspot.com
also admin for spoolknitter group on Flickr
Comment from Kim
Time: May 16, 2009, 6:27 pm
I found this post through Marian’s spool knitter blog. What a great presentation of how to make and use a spool knitter. Besides my young nephew and neice, I’ve taught some co-worker how to spool knit. Something truly for all ages.
Comment from vicky
Time: February 5, 2010, 12:55 am
hey i made the toilet paper thing but ive been searching every where to see how to make a flower and i happened to see the one you made could you please tell me how to make it ive been searching for flowers for 3 days now!
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Time: February 20, 2010, 12:35 pm
[...] mitica macchinetta per fare i cordoni, di cui avevo già scritto in tanti post e proprio ieri su Craftsanity ho trovato il tutorial per realizzarne un tipo manuale con un rotolo della carta igienica + 4 [...]
Comment from lol
Time: May 24, 2010, 11:52 pm
cool jen we shal work from it
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Time: June 21, 2010, 11:23 pm
[...] at my first year of camp. It was a big memory maker for me. So, this tutorial to make your own knitting spool?! Oh my goodness. I LOVE [...]
Comment from Valerie
Time: September 14, 2010, 8:47 am
I can make my own spool? But of course. Why didn’t I think of that?
Comment from Sara Freisberg
Time: February 26, 2011, 3:53 pm
I love this idea! I will be making these with my girls. Linking up at http://www.tangledhappy.blogspot.com next week. Thanks for sharing this!
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Time: May 27, 2011, 11:37 am
[...] craftsanity.com [...]
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Time: July 14, 2011, 11:10 am
[...] upcycled art and issues of sustainability. Plastic bag fusing, t-shirt bags, newspaper flower pots, toilet paper roll spool knitting. This last one, spool knitting, was insanely popular with the kids. I couldn’t get them to [...]
Comment from Michelle
Time: January 16, 2012, 12:37 pm
I can’t wait to try this with my kids! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Time: April 9, 2012, 8:08 pm
[...] Corkers can be purchased for around $2 – $4 each. Here’s a tutorial for how to make your own corkers pointed out in the comments below by Spark Guider/Firefly Jenny – although she suggests Duct [...]
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