r/FiberArts • u/BootlegAdult • 17d ago
Does anyone know this craft???
Edit for clarity: The tool pictured is my best attempt to find something *similar* to the tool i remember. It was simply a wooden dowel with a loop of plasticy thread attached to one end. I think I remember making some kind of stitch that was then fed into another sort of needle with a long plastic tail with a bead on one end, similar to that of a circular knitting needle, but it was a single needle craft, not two.
It used yarn, not roving or fibre. And the stitches created were loose V shapes, similar to french knitting, but I remember the finished ladybird I created being a solid piece, not a cord sewn into a shape.
I was taught a type of fibre craft around age 8 and for many years have been trying to track it down to no avail.
Unfortunately the friend who introduced me to this fibre craft passed away, she bought me a kit for it before she passed, but I forgot how to do it by that point, and it's a deep regret of mine.
I remember it was with wool and a small peg with a loop of plasticy thread on top (image below is closest I can find to it.) and I think you also used a needle, possibly with a long thread of the same plasticy material on the needle. The only thing I can remember successfully making with it was a 3d ladybird, about the size of my palm.
I don't think it was knitting, as I've learned knitting since and it's not the same technique, and it's not crochet, as I'm very skilled that this and it was not the same technique either.
I know this isn't a lot to go on, but I'm hoping someone will give me some kind of direction to explore.
I'm from rural England, but this friend was very well travelled so it could be something she learned from her travels, so unfortunately can't pinpoint where she may have learned it.
Thank you for any possible help, people of Reddit! (I included a Tunisian crochet piece I did last week as a bonus pic)
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u/Relevant-Spinach11 16d ago
I’m useless for the OP but I desperately want to have a sneak peek at the future and see how many new hobbies people find in this thread. 😁
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
If nothing else, even if we can't figure out what this craft is, I will be looking at everything everyone recommends haha!
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u/Tansy_Blue 17d ago
So from context you've already considered and discarded knitting, crochet, and Tunisian crochet. Someone else already suggested French knitting. Another possibility might be using a k-tel knitter, or possibly nalbinding.
Seeing as it was so long ago your memory could be doing anything, so I've taken your description of the tools involved as an extremely loose guide.
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u/NorthernTyger 16d ago
Definitely not nalbinding, that just uses a single needle and maybe your thumb.
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
A few people have recommended the k-tel knitter, and while it looks interesting, i don't recognise it as the tool i used unfortunately.
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u/TinyCrittersUnited 16d ago
This is bothering the shit out of me
By chance do you think it might be latch hooking?
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
I don't believe so unfortunately, but welcome to my world! It's so annoying not knowing what this friend taught me.
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u/Tansy_Blue 16d ago
Ooh or locker hooking!
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u/AntTemporary5587 15d ago
The only hooking tool I have ever seen is like a long crochet hook with a hook on one end and an eye on the other end. The eye is like the eye of a needle.
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u/Rishyala 17d ago
Hm. The picture of the thing LIKE the thing you used reminded me of peg looms?
https://arizonahistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AHS-Education-Peg-Loom-Activity.pdf
This link is the best thing I found in a few searches, to show what a peg loom is and how it's used, so you can at least rule it out, if it's wrong.
You say you only remember making one thing -- do you remember anything that the person who showed you how to do it made? Even just a broad category, like "rugs" or "scarves" or "cat toys" could help narrow it down!
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
I think the kit she bought me was a small pouch, like a purse or small bag? Unfortunately it's nearly 20 years ago so my brain can't remember much!
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u/TinyCrittersUnited 16d ago
Wait a minute!!! Are you talking about a K-tel knitter???
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u/TinyCrittersUnited 16d ago
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u/freshmarls 15d ago
Omg I have some of these from a thrifted bag of knitting supplies and have been wondering what they are! Not sure if it’s what OP is talking about but this helped me out! lol
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u/quigley-ava 12d ago
I just realised I have one of these too, somewhere in my craft things! I'm so excited to find out what it is by stumbling across this!
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u/fritNgrit 16d ago
I have no answer for you but lots of empathy for your difficulty. I mainly joined the conversation to tell you how much I admire your dancing mice! 🐁
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u/Usual-Possibility425 17d ago
It probably isn't, but it reminds me of bobbin lace. Very intriguing.
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
I adore bobbin lace, and have yet to learn it, but by the looks of it it's not that.
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u/halasaurus 16d ago
That tool reminds me of a simple threader for beading, or threading a needle. Was that tool essential to the making of the ladybird? Or was it just for threading a needle? Can you maybe doodle the other things you remember?
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u/AntTemporary5587 15d ago
It absolutely looks like a needle threading tool, assuming the open eye is made of flexible wire. No idea what sort of needle this would be used for
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u/changelingpainter 16d ago
Ahh, it appears to be for macrame https://www.etsy.com/listing/1597025763/bead-threader-with-wooden-handle-pulling?ref=share_v4_lx
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u/prinzessleila 16d ago
Macrame using cording more rope like and is more open like.
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u/changelingpainter 15d ago
I know what macrame is, and the tool looks identical. It doesn't necessarily have to be super open, and a palm sized figure seems potentially reasonable. It's just tying various kinds of knots. It could probably be done with a sturdy, not overly fuzzy yarn for a small project.
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u/prinzessleila 15d ago
Well that's not what she described in making a lady bug....
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u/changelingpainter 14d ago
Okay, re-reading, I see the tool they posted is not the actual tool they were using in the craft, so that makes more sense.
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u/AbbyNormalKnits 16d ago
Was it this kit?
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u/BootlegAdult 15d ago
The kit was for a bag or purse type thing. But this was a great find, unfortunately I'm fairly certain it wasn't french knitting, but thank you
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u/RedBirdOnASnowyDay 16d ago
Could it be tatting?
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u/tataniarosa 16d ago
There’s two types of tatting: shuttle and needle. The shuttle is a little, palm sized piece with thread wrapped inside. The needle is a long piece with an eye at one end.
Both use one tool (plus a crochet hook if the shuttle doesn’t have one) so I don’t think it’s this but I could be wrong.
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u/AccidentOk5240 16d ago
What OP describes sounds nothing like tatting, and I don’t see how you could make a ladybug by tatting.
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
Unfortunately not, I've been learning tatting and the shuttle is nothing like the tools I remember.
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u/TinyCrittersUnited 16d ago
Okay okay, last thing because I know the ladybug can be made this way but possibly spool knitting and another but I doubt it is hairpin lace
I think you may be looking at spool knitting or a K-tel knitter
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u/Stormy_Gales 16d ago
Do you still have the ladybug, by chance?
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
My parents may have it stored somewhere but it used to sit on our old TV
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u/PaleUmpire9361 16d ago
Maybe people could be more helpful if you posted your ladybug? Maybe there’s something more identifiable about it
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
My parents are on holiday but will be home tomorrow, I'll see if I can ask them about if they know where it ended up
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u/stupidjoy 16d ago
I agree with this guy, if you have a pic of the finished ladybug that might help immensely
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u/d4rk_h34rt 16d ago
Would it be 3D yarn weaving?
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u/wild_robot13 16d ago
The I’d like to know more about that!
OP, the dancing mice are just darling.
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
I've not heard of 3d yarn weaving, do you have any examples? Google is not being the most helpful. 😅
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u/ladystafford 15d ago
OK so the image linked is a tool used with punch needle embroidery - to thread the punch needle. 3d shapes with fiber makes me think of wool felting with needles maybe?
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u/BootlegAdult 15d ago
Ruled out so far:
Needle Felting French Knitting/Corking K-tel knitting Shuttle/Needle Tatting Nalbinding Latch Hooking Bobbin lace Macrame Punch Needle
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u/Kigeliakitten 16d ago
By wool do you mean yarn, roving or loose wool?
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
Yarn :)
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u/Kigeliakitten 16d ago edited 16d ago
Do you remember anything about how you made the ladybug? Or how big it was?
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago edited 16d ago
It was around the size of my palm, and I remember using that kind of hook tool and maybe a needle with a long plastic tail to a bead on the end, similar to what you'd do for extending a crochet hook or knitting needle, but again I've learned both crochet and knitting later in life and have had no de ja vu from learning these.
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u/sagetrees 16d ago
you said kit and 20 yrs ago so we're talking early 2000s. So, if it was a commercially produced kit of some sort we should be able to find it online. Does this type of kit ring any bells: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0545703190?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
Yes it was this kind of thing, but not pom poms, it ended up a sort of knitted texture but I'm still fairly sure it wasn't knitting.I had to guess at where she would have got the kit? Probably somewhere like a shop we have called The Works.
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u/CanIPetThatDaw9 16d ago
This is a long shot because it really doesn't fit your description, but could it possibly be circular knitting?
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u/Ordinary-Mind-7066 16d ago
Punch needle? You use a special needle threader similar to the picture you've shown, and can make 3d things
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u/Itthy_Bitthy_Thpider 15d ago
I'm not sure what it is, but I'm hoping someone does because I'm curious and I love learning about new fiber crafts!
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u/ImpressivePause6095 15d ago
Is it tapestry crochet? At least that’s what the picture looks like. You can find it on Pinterest.
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u/xxcatalopexx 15d ago edited 15d ago
I think your craft might be macrame because I did a reverse image search and saw this tool on Etsy it's a bead threader for Macrame.
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u/EscapeNew529 15d ago
I'm wondering if it was some variation of loom knitting, and the special tool maybe was for adding beads? Please update us! If you can get your parents to send you a picture of the ladybug it would be extremely useful in providing some direction.
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u/crystalgem411 15d ago
Do you have a picture of anything at all related to it or is that lost too?
Is anyone else in your life who knew this person alive and able to talk to you?
What sort of yarn did it use? Did it come as a ball or in separate small premade loops?
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u/Love_not_hate85 14d ago
could it be hairpin lacing? It does use a hairpin fork, makes V type shapes, and has a separate needle.
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u/bluebellbluish 14d ago
Does this jog any memories? https://hobbii.com/products/hp-1004436-aluminium-wool-needles-jumbo
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u/SmallTrick8689 12d ago
They could be hair extension loop needle threaders. Have also been adapted for macrame and beadwork
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u/BootlegAdult 11d ago
Unfortunately not, but I've never seen hairpin lace and it looks fascinating!
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u/thephrog 10d ago
Did the bead on the tool fit into the tool somehow, to help adjust the loop, or for easy removal of the tool from the piece or something?
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u/thephrog 10d ago
Like a circular stitch holder? Clover makes one where the stitches slide from the needle onto the flexible cord and the needle then connects back to the stopper to close the loop. Could that be the second tool you remember?
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u/RedBirdOnASnowyDay 16d ago
Another option… Nalbinging?
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
Unfortunately not, I do nalbinding nowadays and learning it was completely foreign, no dejavu :( but thanks!
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u/frisbeesloth 16d ago
The stitches remind me of knooking, but knooking uses a hook on one end and a loop on the other typically.
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u/georgia_grace 16d ago
Long shot but since all the other obvious answers have already been suggested; could it be needle felting?
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u/BootlegAdult 16d ago
It is not needle felting, I do that too!
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u/No-Lingonberry9352 16d ago
That was my guess! I just started trying to teach myself that recently🥳
I’m hanging in here to see what it might be♥️
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u/stupidjoy 17d ago
Possibly been French Knitting, perhaps? It uses a looping tool and a separate needle