Today, I thought… I should use that pattern to make a shuttle!

Then I remembered that I had a piece of an old ruler from my husband’s Dad in the studio.

I don’t know what he used the other half for, but I am pleased as can be to have this half!

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I traced the pattern onto the ruler.

Because I promised my friend, William, that I wouldn’t use power tools until my eye is completely healed, I used simple hand tools.

My eye is really not there yet, so power tools are definitely off limits for me still.

But, I can’t stay out of the workshop, because it is such a pleasure, even when I feel wonky/wobbly.

Luckily, we have hand tools.

I have a fret saw that I just love- it’s great for fine cuts like the ones needed for this shuttle.

• I bought mine at Lee Valley tools. Fret saws are surprisingly cheap, and do a fab job. Great value for money!

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I clamped the ruler to the bench to make sawing easier.  So, add a spring clamp or two to your ‘must have’ list of tools.

And, I drilled a couple of holes so I could put the blade into the area that I needed to cut out.  A small hand drill is also a ‘must have’.

AND…. A set of small files in a selection of shapes, are essential!  I use them all the time for shaping in my woodworking.

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

After the shaping is done with files, I need to polish with sandpaper. Sandpaper is good, but I like sanding sponges more.

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

As I was working on this weaving shuttle, I thought… Duh! Why didn’t I do this ages ago?

I was struck by how similar the netting style weaving shuttle is to the tatting shuttles that I make (even though the inspiration for the tatting shuttles came from a totally different direction- amazing how things converge, isn’t it?)

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I just love this shuttle!

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I load the shuttle so that there is thread on both sides of the shuttle.  (By the way, the rainbow band behind the shuttle is an inkle band that I wove years ago. )

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Mmmm… it weaves like a dream.

I asked my daughter-in-law and daughter if they would like me to make them one each (they are both weavers), and they both said, YES!

Luckily, I have exactly enough of Dad’s ruler left to make them each a shuttle…. how perfect is that?

Post from: Hankering for Yarn