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Yarn End Weaver
The Yarn End Weaver is a handy tool. This tool can be placed up through a
few stitches to where short, loose threads are sticking out. The loop on
the end weaver will grasp the loose yarn or thread and pull it through
enough stitches to keep the loose ends permanently in the project. If you
have yarns and threads that are too short for threading a needle
to stitch in, the end
weaver is the answer. The end weaver is great for crochet, knitting,
weaving and other crafts that require loose thread ends to be worked into
the project. I use the end weaver for loose ends on worsted, sport
weight and other types of thick and thin fibers. The metal loop is strong enough to work
with heavy and fine yarns. It will not work on thin threads such as
machine sewing thread. It will work on size #8 pearl
cotton. I use a variety of
fibers for pin weaving and keep my end weaver tool nearby to finish the
short ends. The end weaver has a cap to protect the metal loop. If you
find the cap opening is too tight to
easily fit on the end weaver, use some
fine sanding paper to sand the inside opening of the cap so it will fit
easily onto the end weaver. The end weaver is a
must have for fiber people; I keep one on my work table and one in with my
other tools for travel.
The Needle Safe
This is a handy little case that will keep
you from losing needles. Sharps, beading, tapestry, embroidery, sewing
any other type needle will set in place for the next time you need
them. Your twisted wire needles will no longer end out looking like pretzels, wrapped up in your long pile carpet,
tangled in your pet's hair, or stuck in one of your family's feet;
speaking from experience here. Each case
side has a magnet base which holds all the needles in place. Each time
you finish using a needle, set it back down on the needle safe until you
need it again. Needle Safe is 4 1/2"
(11.5cm) long by 2 1/4" (5.8cm) wide, and 5/8"
(1.5cm) depth.
The needle safe will hold both short and
long needles, including long twisted wire needles, 4"
size 0000 steel knitting needles and thick tapestry needles for weaving
thick yarn. I keep mine on my work table and
close it when I am not using it. It is great for travel too.
Do not put your needle safe near your computer or in close proximity of
anyone wearing a pacemaker. Keep this in mind for any item
containing magnets.
Hairpin Lace Tool
Here is a great, versatile tool! Hairpin lace has been in existence
since the mid-1800's, the first tool being an actual hairpin. The
hairpins were made with a thin rod, bent smoothly at the center, and each
side of the rod being equal in length. A crocheter must have been
inspired while putting her hair up. This hairpin lace
tool is contemporary with two main sections, one for each end, and short
pins set between them. The component pieces fit together smoothly
and can easily be separated for storage. The tool components will
also fit in a small bag for travel. When the tool is put together,
it is 7 3/8" (18.8cm) long and 3 3/4"(9.5cm) wide. You need to know how to slip
stitch and single crochet to make hairpin lace on this tool. Lace
can be made for attachment to garments and embellishment, pillows and
other home decor. Best of all, collar necklaces (Egyptian style),
boas and shawls can easily be created with various fibers including
eyelash and bobble yarns. Beads can be added to any item along with
fibers using this tool. There are 9 slots to set the 3 pins in on
both ends, allowing for thin to thick lace pieces, depending on which
slots you set the pins in. You can make one lace piece, then add on
and make another piece for the length of the original lace piece, using
slip stitch and continue until you have a wide piece. I have made a boa, collar and an extended boa, much like a shawl. It
was great fun. I am very impressed with this tool; it has become a
necessity in my tool bag. I keep my hairpin lace tool in a two
section plastic zippered bag; the pins are in one zippered side and the
two tool sections in the other.
Micro Crimper
This crimper was
developed after the standard size crimper had been on the market for
various flex wires. Wire such as SoftFlex .014 and SoftTouch .010
are much easier to crimp with the smaller crimper and small crimp beads are
available for a better fit. If you are crimping multiple
strands of the thin wire, then the 2mm crimp beads may work best. If
you are crimping one or a few wire strands, the smaller 1.5mm crimp beads
may work best. This crimper has a nice hand grip and is easy to use.
Wax Stick
This wax stick is a dream to work
with. The bees wax in fabric and craft stores is usually very hard
and difficult to get on your thread without little clumps of dry wax
getting into your bead holes and clogging them up. This wax stick is
made of bees wax and is very soft. When you rub your thread across
the wax stick, there is no wax clumping or clogging of bead holes, and it
will go smoothly onto your thread. Silamide thread is already
pre-waxed; however, if you are making beaded beads or other beaded items
that require beads hold together for a 3-dimensional effect, you can add
this wax to the Silamide or other thread requiring wax. This
wax stick is about the size of a lipstick and is easy to pack in with your
craft supplies. I use this wax stick to make polyhedron beads.
My wrists are not strong enough to pull the beads taut and the wax stick
makes all the difference for me.
Wonder Knitter
This tool is great. I have a
collection of knitting tools I have purchased over the years and the
Wonder Knitter is my favorite. You can use thread, yarn or wire and
you can add beads while knitting. There are two interchangeable
wheels for making more than one thickness of braid. One wheel has
6-pins and the other has 3-pins. You just pull one wheel off and
clip the other on. You can make 4, 5 and 6 strand braids on the
6-pin wheel. You can make 2 and 3 strand braids on the 3-pin wheel.
You will have great versatility using the Wonder Knitter. Most
knitting tools have a long needle shape to pick up the fiber and move it
over the pins; the wonder Knitter has a long pink curved needle
that is sculpted to easily push the fiber over the pins. The pins on
the Wonder Knitter have a recessed area running the length of the pin,
making it easier for the needle to move the fiber over the pin.
The knitter body is a transparent pink, making it easy to see the braid as
you make it. The knitter can be set down on a table and it will
strand straight up. There is an opening on one side of the knitter
body which allows you to put the fiber through it so you can set the
knitter upright when you are not using it. There is a fiber guide
that allows you to advance the fiber as you work. You work a few
pins and then use the fiber guide to advance the fiber which rotates the
wheel around. The needle sets down through a little slot on the side
of the knitter when not in use. Braids can be combined to form
larger multiple strand braids and worn as a belts, scarves and boas;
stitched together to make a larger piece; slip stitched together to make
scarves; wire can be run up through the center after the braid is finished
to create freeform items and a single braid makes a great hatband,
bracelet, necklace and embellishment to wearables. Children will
love this tool and want to help you make the braids. The fiber
should not be pulled too tightly as you make them or it will be difficult
to move the fiber over the pins. I like this tool better than the
ones that do not require manual movement of fiber over the pins.
I keep my Wonder Knitter stored in a plastic zippered bag when I am not
using it.
Bead Spinner
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