Spool knitting by Angie This is a very old craft that can be used to make many items – from lanyards, flowers and keyrings, to hats. Children often find it engaging, but it is be an easy and relaxing hobby for anyone. And once learned, the technique can be applied to similar forms of knitting. Also known as corking, French knitting (English knitting in France), or mushroom knitting, at its simplest, this craft uses a basic wood or plastic spool, with a hole down the centre and an array of pins on the top. Lucets, which were invented by the Vikings, are the historical origin of this kind of knitting. They are made of wood and have two arm-like horns. They are used to make strong, flat braid. Spool knitters make round braid. The working technique is the same. Spools knitters can be made of old wooden cotton thread reels with four nails hammered into the top. Round-headed finishing nails or cotter pins can also be used. The centre channel should be sanded or filed, so that the yarn doesn't catch. A large wooden bead, with one end cut down slightly, can also be used. Several toy and craft companies make plastic or wood knitters. They usually have between three and six pins and come equipped with a knitting tool, usually made of metal. Larger versions of knitters, with dozens of pins, are made of plastic or wood, either round, rectangular or in an “S” shape, and are called loom knitters. The knitting technique is the same for all and they're used to make circular or longer items, such as scarves, sweaters and afghans. Instructions for spool knitting Acquire or make a knitting spool. If you're making one, find a long steel nail to use as a needle. A metal cable knitting needle also works, or you may cut down an old knitting needle to about 4- 5 inches long. The needle end should be bluntly pointed (so that it doesn't damage the spool) and be made of metal or hardwood, as it will have to take a lot of force while knitting. Plastic needles will not last long. Materials suitable for regular spool knitting include worsted, sport or baby weight yarns (wool, acrylic or cotton), string, crochet cotton, or thin woven cord. Yarns which cannot be used include nubbly/bouchlé, eyelash, loop, ribbon, chenille, or similar fancy yarns, because they catch and separate while working them and are difficult to lift over the pins. Although many instructions recommend knitting counter-clockwise, it can be done in either direction. Right-handers may find it easier to work clockwise and hold the working yarn with the left hand, as with crocheting. 1) Make a slip knot in the end of the yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches (15 cm). Place the loop over one of the pins. Tie a knot in the tail end. 2) Pass the yarn tail down through the middle of the spool and pull it out the bottom - or you can do this after you have completed the first round. 3) Pick any loop and circle the yarn around it. If you wish to work clockwise, the yarn is wound on counter-clockwise, the reverse if you wish to work counter-clockwise. Hold the yarn across the back of the pin, away from you, and loop it from the far side of the pin towards you. Move the yarn to the next peg and do the same, until all the pegs have yarn loops. You will have a series of loops with an 'X' behind the pins. 4) Now pass the yarn in front of the first peg, above the loop and hold it taut but not too tight. Use the needle to lift the lower loop over yarn and over the pin. One stitch made. Continue around in a clockwise direction (or counter-clockwise). If you have not yet pulled your loose end through the middle, do so. 5) Continue knitting until you have the amount of corking you wish for your project. 6) Every so often, you will need to pull down the tail to keep the work taut on the pins. 7) To change colours, simple make a slip stitch in the new yarn, loop it above an existing loop on a pin, lift the old loop over it and continue working the new yarn as before. Tuck the loose end of the new yarn into the centre hole. This will hide the loose end. 8) Casting off. Knit one stitch as usual. Take the loop just done and move it to the next peg. Knit the next stitch, then move that stitch to the next peg. Continue until you have one loop left. Cut your yarn, then remove the last loop from the peg and thread the loose yarn end through the loop and pull tightly. Weave in and knot the tail so that it doesn't unravel. 9) To make a hat or any item that requires rows of corking, use a yarn needle and whip- stitch the lines of corking together. (Above right) Knitting spool, needle, yarn and corking (Above left) Cotton yarn hat made by whip-stitching together a long length of corking in a spiral fashion..