SEASONS GREETINGS!

These fabulous spoolknitters - Santa and Mrs Claus -
 were painted by Janet Sorel of A Fool for Spool

on Etsy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

SAME SHAPE

These spool knitters were purchased in Australia.
All are similar shape - the spool knitter at right is
hand-painted from a blank the same as the blank
at left.
Interesting to see some different looks from
the one shape.

Spool Knitters Unite!

If anyone would like to see more spool knitters, then
you are welcome to visit the Spool Knitter Group
in Flickr.
The link is in the right hand column of my blog.
Anyone who would love to collect, or already collects
Spool Knitters is welcome to join in the fun.
It is interesting to see the many varied types and
different characters of spool knitters that
are around - vintage, new or handmade.
There are many of our members' spool
knitters to see.
Apart from myself, there is another
spool knitter artist, who is creating many fabulous
one-of-kind painted spool knitters.
Noreen of Crone-Findlay is the very talented
artist of whom I am talking
about and you will also find the website - Crone-Findlay -
in the right hand column of my blog.
Noreen is also a member of the Spool Knitter
Group.
If you are another artist, I would love to hear
from you and would also love to see your work.
Also, if you would care to join in any discussions or
make any comments, then please do.
I am aiming to find out as much as I can about
these charming figures and any information
you are able to contribute would be
greatly appreciated.

(Above and below - would you believe,
spool knitter shaped key holders!)

NEW TRICOTINS

Recently, a very generous friend made me some fabulous tricotins
(french spool knitters), based on the ones from the pages of
Marie Claire Idees No. 62 Septembre 2006.

Due to a very busy schedule I have just managed
to paint two so far.

Here is one original (below) between the newly turned tricotins.

I chose these two to paint first. They are rare tricotins
especially here in Australia, and so because of that
I decided to keep the traditional look of these
just as they are found in the magazine.

I have been very lucky to find one original and here it
is again with the two newly painted tricotins.


Here are some tricotins featured in the magazine - Marie
Claire Idees.

The next three tricotins will be posted as soon as they are finished.

EYE CANDY!

Due to a very busy schedule this week,
this is a very short post.
Just a little something for the eye!
These are spool knitters from France where they are called
tricotins. The faces are somewhat childish
which leads me to believe that they were produced
in a cottage industry, where everyone painted them
professional or not.
Do you see a pattern here?
The three on the left I would believe to be painted by one worker.
The three in the middle I believe to be painted by another worker.
The green (white apron) and the red (yellow apron) another worker.
And the fellow on the end, another worker.
Would you agree with me?

I am currently involved in much crafting and painting, so I hope to have
something special to show you within the week!

HOME MADE SPOOLIES!

Being the crazy collector that I am, I have to have a regular fix of spoolies, so, what better way than to make your own!

I have a large collection of sewing bits and pieces, so it wasn't hard to find empty wooden cotton reels/spools.


Here are a selection of spools, although they are a little small, but I continued on regardless and asked Chris (dear husband) to cut and nail some parts for me. I have decided to leave the labels on.

After sorting and glueing together, we now have the above line-up.


And here are three so far - I will add the next three as soon as they are completed.
Fiddly work with the smallest - pirate, being just 2 inches (5cms) tall, the granny about the same size, and the gentleman, at 3 inches (7cms). .....stay tuned!

..and here they are... these are smaller than 2 inches and I am not too happy with how they look ..... patchwork girl, young knave, and king. If there is a next time, I will be looking for larger samples.