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Conversational Threads

How to finger crochet a round cord?

fibernicky | Posted in General Discussion on

Can anyone describe the technique for finger crocheting to make round cord?  The article index says there was an article in the premier issue of THREADS, but since that is out of print, does anyone know how to do this?   It is a simple method of knotting a string that is folded in half to form a symmetrical round cord, useful for many purposes, such as shoelaces, decorative ties, etc.  Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  1. FrancesC | | #1

    The first issue is the only one I don't have so I can't refer to it for you. However, I immediately thought of a toy I had as a child which "knitted" a round cord using nails on top of a cylindrical shape like a North American type thread spool. Surely you can still buy such toys and if not, you could make one with an empty spool. For all I know, this is a recognized craft and someone makes such a device. Does anyone know of such a thing?

    FrancesC

    1. FrancesC | | #2

      I very briefly Googled this and apparently it is called spool knitting (what a descriptive name!). I didn't look very far because I have to go off and do something else, but maybe such a device would do what you want. FrancesC

  2. Elisabeth | | #3

    Yes, with doing a looping thing on two hands at the same time. I have done that before but I cannot remember how right now. My daughter has the book that would be the most likely source for looking it up so I can't do that now unfortunately. I know someone here on the forum knows where to find instructions though!

  3. liselaure | | #4

    Hello,

    Here are scans from a more than 100 year old French book (it must in public domain now) of the D.M.C Library, "Encyclopédie des ouvrages de dames" by Thérèse de Dillmont. I think it's what you are looking for. I have spent countless hours with this book during my childhood and finger crocheted many cords. I used to prefer to make them two-colored.

    Lise-Laure

    P.S. I don't succeed to attach my scans to this post. I have no idea why; I did it several times in the past. If you mail me your email address, I'll send them to you.

    1. needle | | #6

      Maybe if it is P.D. now, Threads would be kind enough to include it in the next magazine. I used to take a very long  string of yarn, (4 times as long as you need,) and fold it in half, then half again. Then put the loop end, through the end of you electric beater, ( or around a door handle), and twist it until you can't twist any more. Then take it off and hold both ends and it winds up on itself. We used to do that for baby bonnets. You will need to knot both ends. I sew one end on to the bonnet, and just let the tying end make  a little tassel. Rather hard to make sense of this in writing , you need to be shown.   Good luck . I would love to know the other one though, . my email is [email protected]    Aftr the be, there is a under score which the line has blanked out. Thanks   Needle

      1. User avater
        paddyscar | | #7

        Ok, I'll confess, we used to do this (in grade school) with a wooden thread spool (OK, 1959) and a bobby pin, I was stunned when I saw it made out of plastic and selling for $19.99 (circa 1980).

        Tap 4 finishing nails into the top of a thread spool, visualize a square forming from the positioning of the four nails.

        Take the beginning of your ball of yarn and pass it through the centre hole of the thread spool, so that you have a tail hanging out from the bottom of the spool. 

        To start: Where the yarn comes out the top of the spool, wrap the yarn around the outside of the four nails two times - so that you have something that looks like a boxing ring.

        Take a bobby pin, crochet hook, bodkin (anything that will allow you to pick up the yarn) :

        At the point closest to where the yarn comes up through the spool and around the first nail - lift up the bottom yarn and pass it over top of the second yarn, which makes a loop around the nail.  Do that all the on each of the four nails.  That is your first round made. 

        For your next and all succeeding rounds -You put your yarn around the four nails again making your boxing ring.  Lift up the loop made in your first round and pass it over top of your yarn, again leaving a loop on the nail.

        You only go in one direction - around and around and around.   Leave yourself about 10" of yarn free to finish off, when your cord is the length you want.

        To finish off:  Wrap your yarn around the outside of the first nail, pass the loop over the yarn, and pull the yarn through the loop.  Repeat with the other 3 nails and tie off the end.  Thread the yarn tail on each end into a large eyed needle and thread into the centre of the cord to hide your tail.

        I could do some digital pics, but don't know how to post them on this site.

        Frances

        1. needle | | #8

          Yes I remember doing that in the back seat of the car, when my Mom & dad and I would go for a drive.~~Jeepers even then , I had to have something in my hand to do or I was bored~!!  I'm still the same. Then remember with these knit cords, I would sew them together to make a little mat for my doll house. We didn't need a lot to entertain us did we??...and we were contented with the simple things.  needle

  4. katina | | #5

    I've looked it up for you - it's one of the tips in the premier issue.  There's a brief text and an illustration.  I'm not sure about copyright, etc, so it's best I don't post it here. I can send it to your email address though, if you like.

  5. FrancesC | | #9

    I just found this site which looks very useful for spool knitting.

    http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/knittingnancys.html

    And somewhere buried in the site is an article on finger knitting.

    FrancesC

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