Overview:
This 1909 guide, “Spool Knitting,” by Mary A. McCormack, provides detailed instructions for creating various items using a simple spool knitter and yarn. It is written for children, encouraging their creativity and self-sufficiency by teaching them to make toys, clothing, and even household items. The book assumes a basic understanding of sewing and offers clear illustrations for each project.
The guide covers a wide range of projects, from simple toys like round webs and baby balls to more complex items like doll coats and children’s hoods. Each project is broken down into steps, and the author provides helpful tips for achieving the best results. The book emphasizes the potential of this craft for both enjoyment and practical use.
Key Findings:
- Spool knitting is a simple and accessible craft for children: The guide focuses on making this technique easy for young learners.
- There are endless possibilities for spool knitting: The book emphasizes the potential for creating a variety of items, both for play and everyday use.
- Spool knitting was a popular activity for children in the early 1900s: The guide reflects the widespread appeal of this craft at the time.
Learning:
- Basic Spool Knitting Techniques: The reader will learn how to create round and flat webs using a spool knitter and yarn.
- Round Web: This technique involves creating a continuous loop of yarn by wrapping it around two posts on the knitter.
- Flat Web: This technique involves creating a flat piece of fabric by knitting back and forth between two posts.
- Sewing Techniques: The book assumes some basic sewing knowledge and offers instructions for sewing the knitted pieces together.
- Creative Project Design: The guide provides a wide range of projects, ranging from simple toys to more complex clothing items. The reader will learn how to adapt and modify the instructions to create their own designs.
Historical Context:
This book was published in 1909, a time of significant social and technological change. The early 20th century saw a rise in industrialization and a shift toward more standardized and mass-produced goods. This guide, however, emphasizes the importance of handcrafted items and encourages children to develop their own skills and creativity.
Facts:
- Spool knitting is a simple and easy craft: The guide is written for children, making it accessible to beginners.
- Toy knitting was a popular activity in the early 1900s: The book reflects the widespread appeal of this craft for children at the time.
- Spool knitters are made of wood: The guide provides instructions for making a knitter, suggesting wood as the primary material.
- Different types of posts can be used: The guide suggests using pins, staples, or wire nails as posts on the knitter.
- Four-post knitters are used for thicker cords: The author notes the use of four-post knitters for projects that require sturdier yarn.
- Spool knitting requires specific amounts of yarn for each project: The guide gives specific measurements of yarn needed for each item.
- Round web requires more yarn than flat web: The guide states that it requires more yarn to create a yard of round web than a yard of flat web.
- Circular mats are created by coiling and sewing round web: The guide explains the process of coiling and sewing round web to create a circular mat.
- Baby balls can be filled with tissue paper or cotton: The guide suggests filling baby balls with stuffing to create a soft and enjoyable toy.
- Doll muffs can be made with round web: The guide provides instructions for creating a small muff for a doll using round web.
- Collarettes are knitted with round web and can be made with multiple colors: The guide offers instructions for knitting a collarette, a type of collar, for a doll.
- Tam O’ Shanter caps are made with round web and require narrowing for the head opening: The guide details the process of creating a Tam O’ Shanter cap with round web.
- Baby rattles are made with a ring, spokes, and bells: The guide provides instructions for making a rattle, emphasizing the use of a ring as the foundation.
- Toboggan caps are made with flat web and require sewing into a rectangular shape: The guide explains the process of sewing flat web into a cap shape for a toboggan cap.
- Child’s slippers are made with round web and require sewing onto soles: The guide outlines the steps for creating slippers using round web and attaching them to pre-made soles.
- Small mittens are made with flat web and require a thumb piece: The guide details the process of creating mittens for a child using flat web.
- Doll’s hoods can be made with round web and require a cord and tassel for tie-strings: The guide provides instructions for making a hood for a doll using round web.
- Doll’s coats can be made with either round or flat web: The guide offers the flexibility of using either round or flat web for creating a doll’s coat.
- Bootees are made with round web and require sewing into an elliptical shape for the sole: The guide explains the process of creating bootees for a baby using round web.
- Knitting cotton is a strong material used for items that require durability: The guide introduces knitting cotton as a material for projects that require strength.
Statistics:
- Seven yards of yarn are needed to make one yard of round web on a two-post knitter: This highlights the yarn requirements for a particular knitting technique.
- Eleven yards of yarn are needed to make one yard of flat web on a two-post knitter: This emphasizes the difference in yarn usage between round and flat webs.
- Two and a half yards of round web are needed for a five-inch circular mat: This provides a specific measurement for a specific project.
- Twelve pieces of flat web, each three inches long, are needed for a baby ball: This demonstrates the use of multiple pieces of web to create a project.
- Three yards of round web are needed for a doll’s muff: This indicates the yarn required for a specific project.
- Five yards of round web are needed for a collarette: This provides a specific measurement for a project.
- Eighty-four inches of flat web are needed for a toboggan cap: This highlights the yarn required for a particular cap.
- Two and a half yards of round web are needed for each child’s bath slipper: This illustrates the yarn requirements for a specific item.
- Sixty inches of flat web are needed for each small mitten: This provides a specific measurement for a mitten.
- Four and a half feet of round web are needed for a cord to connect the mittens: This demonstrates the specific length needed for a connecting cord.
- Two yards of round web are needed for a doll’s hood: This provides a measurement for a hood project.
- Five and a half yards of flat web are needed for a doll’s sweater: This highlights the yarn needed for a sweater.
- One and a half yards of round or flat web are needed for each wristlet: This indicates the yarn needed for a specific project.
- Five and a half yards of flat web are needed for a doll’s hammock: This provides a specific measurement for a hammock.
- Nine yards of white knitting cotton are needed for a ten by twelve inch washcloth: This highlights the yarn needed for a specific household item.
- Thirty yards of knitting cotton are needed for a school bag: This provides a measurement for a specific bag.
- Two yards of flat web or three yards of round web are needed for a chimney cleaner: This highlights the yarn requirements for a specific item.
- Fourteen yards of knitting cotton make one yard of web on a four-post knitter: This provides a specific measurement for knitting on a four-post knitter.
Terms:
- Knitter: A tool used for spool knitting, typically made of wood with posts.
- Round Web: A continuous loop of yarn created by wrapping it around the posts of a knitter.
- Flat Web: A flat piece of fabric created by knitting back and forth between the posts of a knitter.
- Worsted: A type of yarn used for knitting and crocheting.
- Pompon: A fluffy ball of yarn used as decoration.
- Tassel: A decorative ornament consisting of a bunch of threads hanging from a knot.
- Rosette: A decorative arrangement of ribbon or yarn, often resembling a flower.
- Placket: An opening in a garment, such as a skirt, used for fastening or access.
- Scollop: A curved edge or indentation, often found on the edge of fabric.
- Blanket stitch: A type of stitch used for finishing the edges of fabric.
Examples:
- Circular Mat: A circular mat is made by coiling and sewing round web together, creating a flat and decorative piece.
- Baby Ball: A baby ball is created by filling a ball of coiled and sewn round web with tissue paper or cotton.
- Doll’s Muff: A doll’s muff is made by sewing round web into a rectangular shape and then joining the ends to create a cozy accessory.
- Collarette: A collarette is knitted with round web and features a gradual widening at the back to create a loose and decorative collar for a doll.
- Tam O’ Shanter Cap: A Tam O’ Shanter cap is created by sewing round web into a circular crown and then adding a side piece to form the hat.
- Baby’s Rattle: A baby rattle is made with a ring wrapped in yarn and attached spokes, often with bells for noise.
- Toboggan Cap: A toboggan cap is made by sewing flat web into a rectangular shape and then joining the ends to create a warm hat.
- Child’s Bath or Bedroom Slippers: Slippers are created by sewing round web onto a sole and shaping the upper part of the slipper.
- Small Mittens: Small mittens are made by sewing flat web into a cylindrical shape and adding a thumb piece.
- Doll’s Hood: A doll’s hood is made with round web and features a circular crown and a side piece that covers the doll’s head.
Conclusion:
“Spool Knitting” provides a delightful and informative guide to this simple yet versatile craft. The author not only teaches basic techniques but also encourages creativity through a variety of projects. This book offers a glimpse into a simpler time when children were empowered to create their own toys and clothes, fostering a sense of self-reliance and imagination. The detailed instructions and clear illustrations make this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of spool knitting.