My daughter has a French Knitting ‘doll’ and has made many lengths of French knit but we’ve not really been sure what to do with it all. She’s been using it for dolls and toys etc but I went searching through Pinterest (as you know I do) and came up with these little beauties. I think I might have to grab it off her for a few projects for myself.
I sell the above French Knitting Tool which includes the crochet hook and yarn needle. You can get yours here. I provide free shipping worldwide.
If, like me, you love to craft, reuse, recycle and make do with items from around your house, I’d love to share more ideas with you. You can subscribe to my mailing list here and be the first to hear about new projects and other great ideas I find for using up the things in our home that may otherwise end up as landfill. Together we can help save the environment, one baby step at a time.
Don’t forget to order your French Knitting Tool here. Comes in two different styles.
LOVE the collection, Anne! I have some of those round looms and a straight one and was looking for more ideas 🙂 Pinning this !
Wow! You found a lot!! Looks like a fun and easy way to get started.
Some nice stuff there Ann…I did do a bit of that at school though but never did anything with it!
Gosh there are some amazing things in there, I stopped encouraging french knitting because I couldn't work out what to do with it all. Looks like that problem is now solved, thanks for sharing
I have not done french knitting since I was a kid! I used to do it all the time but I can not think of what we did with it except make dolls scarves LOL
Some great ideas there Anne! I'm putting a sewing kit together for Olive this Xmas and planned to include a knitting doll. Especially love the headband idea!!
Di x
We used a cotton reel with nails, until someone gave us a fancy Knitting Nancy… used to love French knitting, but I'm not sure what we ever did with the very, very long chains we made. Love that octopus, even though it has far more than 8 legs.
I never knew this was called French knitting, Anne! I've always called it spool knitting! Great round-up!
This is so clever, my daughter has french knitting kit but I don't think she really knows what to do with it. I'll have to show her this post.
Love the Christmas Tree idea. I love the way it comes our of the tube so even. My son brought one home from school and was really into it for a while.
I will remember this for when my daughter does the same.
Carolyn
Am thinking of lots of ideas for xmas decorations not least as a braid to hang all the those felt hearts and red pompoms along that I have been making.
Wow! I had never really thought you could do anything with it except for making the biggest ball of string ever! There are some ace ideas here and my 7 year olds just getting into it and loves the flowers and headband. Thanks for this!
I just got a small knitting spool and want to see all that I can do with it. Glad to find this post!
Oh, I also featured this post over on my blog at http://www.rockstarknitters.com/2014/04/french-spool-knitting.html. Thanks!
Have just stumbled on this post – it's great – as was just thinking about re-igniting this childhood delight – who knew you could do so much.
Hi Crafters and Knitters
Just wanted to say the chain or cord made on a French knitting doll aka knitting Nancy is called i-cord. The ‘i’ unflatteringly stands for idiot. If you search I cord projects you can find many more projects. The cord can be made on two double pointed needles if you want more range of cord sizes. You vary thickness by casting on more stitches up to six nd no fewer than three. I like making branches to apleque onto cushions blankets etc add knitted or fabric leaves to complete the effect.
Thanks very much for the advice Simon. I appreciate it.
Anne
I love French knitting. I have a spool but I did not know I had it. I have some done on it. I have to do a rug. There is to much done. Next time WIll make them smaller.
Thank you
Adrienne
You’re very welcome Adrienne!
Anne xx
I used to do French knitting or tomboy stitch with my Year 3 class every year. A good way to use the finished product …. I threaded a wooden coat hanger through the “tube” of wool and this became the Christmas present for parents each year. Some children could manage working with double wool and this gave a better coverage over the hanger. It was easier to get the hanger through if you put slicky tape on the end of the hanger to help it slip through. A very useful present for both Mum & Dad. Often kids chose to use the colours of their Father’s football team.
Hi Nanette! Thanks so much for your comment. I love that idea of using it for coat hangers. I might get my daughter to make a few up for herself in her favourite colours. She’s right into crochet at the moment but still partial to French knitting. Thanks again!
Anne xx
This great site, I’ve just bought a knitting Nancy as I remember doing it as a child on cold winter nights sat by the fire, but now I simply couldn’t remember how to start it off then there what do do with it when finished, now I know, what brilliant ideas, it would be lovely put in a book so I could buy it though because at 68 I have a head like a sieve. I can’t wait to see what I make now from your lovely ideas, thank you so much for sharing
Oh, I’m so glad Val. I’m 52 and already have a head like a sieve so there’s no hope for me! lol Thanks for letting me know. Glad I could help.
Anne xx
Bonjour .
Merci pour votre accueil. Je fais beaucoup de choses aussi avec de la récupération, c’est génial on va pouvoir échanger nos idées. Merci beaucoup pour votre générosité. Valérie
Bonjour! Merci beaucoup!
Anne xx
Thank u madam for sharing with is all the thing we can do with French knitting. I never knew there where so much one can do. Will definately try it today. Thanks again.
Pls madam I want to find out how you where able to knit on an hair band. Thank u
Hi, thank you for getting in touch and thank you for your kind words. Sorry that the link to the hair band didn’t work. I did find this Youtube clip that shows you how to cover a hair band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu4E6qPVfRI I hope it helps. Best of luck!
Anne xx
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