Several years ago we told Craft Corner readers about the Knifty Knitter, a tool designed for nonknitters, and since that time the ubiquitous loom has gained quite a following.
Demonstrations on how to use the product are offered at most area craft stores on a regular basis, and the process is so simple that just about anyone can manage to turn out an impressive finished product.
While browsing through the yarn section recently, we came upon a new tool (made by the same company) that looked interesting: a double ended gadget for knitting tubes in two sizes.
We bought one, settled once again on the deck (is this stretch of weather great, or what?) and got busy knitting.
The process is the same as for the larger Knifty Knitters so it goes very quickly. In about an hour’s time, we had a five-stitch tube nearly two yards long, and the eight-stitch version (which makes a thicker tube) goes almost as fast.
You can use the tubes for a variety of projects: belts, skinny scarves, purse handles and so on; and you can use up some of those partial skeins that have been collecting in your yarn stash.
And you needn’t limit yourself to yarn. Smooth twine, satin cord, crochet thread and think fabric strips work as well. The only materials that have given us problems are some of the specialty yarns, particularly those with fluffies, fringes and feathers, or those that are loosely spun (which makes the fibers separate easily).
For our samples, we decided to use some of our yarn leftovers to make a small area rug, and some of our favorite satin cord – in rainbow colors – to make a coaster set.
To make our rug, we knitted long tubes in coordinating colors and put them together as you would an old-fashioned braided rug.
We made our rug round instead of oval, and the photograph shows it at about 18 inches in diameter. When we finish, it will be several times as large, but we felt that the smaller size would be adequate to show here in the column.
When you make the tubes for your rug, if you decide to make one, leave the beginning and ending tails of yarn quite long so that you can use them to sew the tubes together. Be sure to also save some of the same yarn for sewing as the ends may not reach all the way.
Begin by curling a tube on itself and stitching it together on one side – which will be the back or hidden side – to form a circle, adding more tubes until the rug is the size you desire. You can also attach a ball fringe or other edging if you choose.
Use either five- or eight-stitch tubes to make your rug, but we found the five-stitch tubes easier to work with.
Be sure to use a long, heavy needle to make sewing the tubes together as easy as possible.
To make our coaster set, we made five-stitch tubes for the individual coasters and used the eight-stitch end of the tool to make tubes for the pitcher-sized coaster.
The procedure for making the coasters is the same as for the rug, but on a smaller scale.
Finishing is a bit different in that we added a piece of felt to the bottom of each coaster, both to hold them together and to better capture moisture. You might also use very thin cork circles as a backing.
We decided on felt so that it could be sewn on rather than glued, which will hold up better as a moisture catcher.
Again, you can add decorative edging of some kind if you wish, but we left ours plain because of the intense colors.
What you’ll need
* Knitted tube tool
* Yarn, cord or other material of your choice
* Long needle and yarn or thread to sew tubes together
Readers’ recommendations
We’ve gotten some great tips from our readers about classes, instructors and local shops that cater to crafters.
If you’ve taken a class that you particularly enjoyed and would like to recommend it – or a favorite instructor – to other Craft Corner readers, send us the information and we’ll check it out.
You can e-mail the information to jrocoffin@aol.com; mail to Jonetta Coffin, c/o Herald Features, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206; or call 425-238-4985 and leave a message for a call back.
Be sure to include your name and a phone number or e-mail address so that we can speak with you about your recommendation.
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