PLASTIC

There are a number plastic spool knitters currently
available, such as -
Susan Bates Knitting Knobby
Clover Wonder Knitter, etc.

The quality of the plastic varies greatly
from very soft plastic that moves
like a sponge when
you push your finger into it, to a
very hard plastic of which some will
easily break when pressure is applied.

Above is a thin soft plastic spool knitter "Horse Reins

Knitting Spool", a very cheaply made toy with five
nails and is Made in Japan. (no date)

I apologize for the poor photo here - it is hard to get a
good picture when the items are in a plastic packet.
Left - Never removed from the packet is "Knitting
Spool with wool". This is an even softer plastic than
the previous spool knitter with five plastic "nails" to
work on. This would be extremely difficult to use.
The "loop lifter" is also plastic.
This is Made in Hong Kong. (no date)

Above - Strick-Prinzessin is Made in Germany by
Richard Simm & Sohne. (no date)
It has a "crown" of plastic nails which again,
is easily breakable.

These spool knitters are of a firm plastic
and were purchased from France but
are Made in China. (no date)
Above - this is a set, with ready made wool flowers,
wool embroidery charts, scissors,
spool knitter, tool, and wool.

Above - they come in a variety of colours.

Above - showing the back.

I will be showing more plastic spool knitters
in a future post.

>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<

HUMPTY

Recently, a dear friend turned some
shapes of spool knitters
that I designed. He is so clever to work out exactly what
I wanted from my rough sketches.
Below is just one of the sketches that he
worked from.
I wanted a fun shape that was easy to hold and
I decided to try an egg-shape.
I thought that making it a "Humpty" character
would be something entirely different to
other spool knitters.

So, we go from the above to this, below.

.....and, Hello!

Here I am!

A Humpty Dumpty Spool Knitter!

YELLOW HAT BRIGADE!

No, I am not referring to fire fighters!

Have you ever noticed those spool knitters with yellow hats?
There are many of them.
When I acquired my first few, I realised that the bodies were
always painted differently.
This started my quest to find another with
exactly the same painted body!
The count is almost twenty and there
are no duplicates yet.

The majority that I have found are without a box or

packaging.

Charming Group!

Height is 9cms or 3 1/2inches.

This page comes from an English publication
from the 70's. Could we assume then that
they are about 40 years old?!

Named "Knitter".
This is part of the packaging I have for
just two in my collection.
Made for ASTU STUDIOS in G.D.R.
So they are made in Germany.
(Sorry for poor photo)

This one was found in this box.

Susi - Handarbeitskasten - no
other information at all on this box.

Now, what are these? Remember, I posted about
these before here. Oh my! so many puzzles,
so many questions!
Are all of these "yellow hatted" spool knitters
made in Germany?
Does anyone have one of these in its
original box/packaging?

INVITATION

SPOOL KNITTER GROUP

I would like to let you know of a new spool knitter group
that I have started on Flickr.
It would be a great place for you to post your photos
of your own spool knitters, vintage, new or
handmade, any packaging/boxes for spool knitters,
or if you want to discuss anything to do with
spool knitters.
So, I extend an invitation for you to join in the
group to share anything about spool
knitters ....... and have FUN!

Either click on "SPOOL KNITTER GROUP"
next to Nancy's photo above, or
click on the link in the right side column under the
heading - "Interesting Sites".

Nancies Galore!

The "Knitting Nancy" population has exploded at my house!
There are vintage "Nancies", new "Nancies", and now ......
mini "Nancies"!
My most favourite spool knitter of all is the Spear's Games
Knitting Nancy (vintage) - which I don't think is any secret to you in blogland.
Below is a little mini itty bitty spool knitter in the shape
of Nancy. It arrived recently and was a huge surprise to me
when I opened up the little package. I am thrilled and very
fortunate to have been given it by a very talented woodworker!

Above - the key holder close-up. Isn't she just perfect?
Below -the very same friend also recently made these for
me.

Blank "Knitting Nancies"

Hello Everyone!
Here we are!
The new "Knitting Nancies" have finally emerged.

Below - an original Spear's Knitting Nancy.

For Lively Youngsters!

These pages are taken from an old 1945 children's
activity book called - Leisure Things for Lively Youngsters

The reason for showing these pages is the references in the text
calling this activity - french knitting, rat-tail knitting, or
"Dolly down the reel", which according to the writer,
is what this knitting is 'frequently' called - this is
the first time I have heard this and this book
is an Australian publication!

There will be newly painted spool knitters
in the next post.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hi everyone!
Just a short post for now -
it has been a while since the last post.
I am back from a short but very lovely
holiday and will now be able to finish painting the
spool knitters that I started
before Christmas.
Happy New Year to you!
See you soon!