They can stretch and stretch and stretch. Not so good.

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

So, I use a couple of techniques to get around that problem.

Spool knitting with 2 interlocking colors works well.

Another way  to make a spool knitted handle that doesn’t stretch

is to spool knit over a stabilizing core of non stretchy yarn or cord.

I have been working on a bag that I have woven on the Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom.

I decided that I wanted to spool knit the handle and have the handle become the sides and bottom of the bag, too.

To make handles like this, you need to make a loop that is the desired length of the handle plus the measurement of the sides and lower part of the bag. Having a continuous loop for the handles and outside of the bag gives a really nice finish to a bag.

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I used 2 strands of Lily Sugar’n Cream in black and one of my larger 6 peg spool knitted cords.

I spool knitted 86 inches.   Then, I cut 2 strands of parachute style cord that are each 180 inches long.

I folded them in half and put a large safety pin through the fold. Before I took the spool knitting off the spool knitter, I slid the safety pin into the spool knitting, drawing the parachute cords through the spool knitting:

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I folded the ends of the parachute cord through the loops, and then used duct tape to secure the ends:

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

When the ends were secured, forming a big loop, I slipped the ends of the spool knitted cord together. I stitched the ends to each other.

And, now, it was a spool knitted loop that would not stretch.

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

And then, I pinned the loop around the  back panel of the bag.  I stitched the loop to the back of the bag:

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

And then pinned and stitched the front of the bag to the spool knitted cord:

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

The Butterfly fairy on the front of the bag ended up with a few changes.  I included 2 tatted fairies in the butterfly wings, too.

Here is the bag that I made using the Lily Speed-O-Weave loom, spool knitting, vintage flower looms, crochet, tatting and hand sewing.

Lots and lots of techniques in a fun new bag:

photo and project by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

While it is still in the pre-publication stage, I really can’t talk about it in detail. But… oh boy…. once my publisher releases details, I’ll be happily yakking about it!

Can’t talk about the book, ‘cept to say that I am busting my chops on it, but I CAN tell you about the red butterfly shawl that I am tatting and crocheting.

I am just about finished tatting the small flowers that are filling in lots of spaces between the butterflies…..

And, soon I’ll be connecting the dots…. well, no, not the dots… the flowers and the butterflies!

Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay 

Post from: Hankering for Yarn