French Knitting

[David_JAFO]

hello,
Aye there's variations on how to French Knit. I liked the idea of a cotton reel, as this was compact, gave a tighter weave, & may have multi usefulness in Bushcraft.
Regards
David

We were teaching the kids at school how to do this last year, although we used our fingers rather than a cotton reel to make quite a large weave which was then plaited together with two other lengths to make a scarf

[David_JAFO]

hello,
Sorry about double post reply on subject. I have to share these images of a French knitting mushroom & needle. Absolutely beautifully handcrafted from Cedar wood. Bushcraft friend sent the images over today.
Regards
David

[janso]

Beautiful images there David; I remember it being called corking as well. A large enough cork stopper with a hole drilled through. I think that's a cracking idea for another useful pastime by the fire - might have to invest time into that. Like you say, using paracord, twine or natural cordage as a yarn would be different and produce varying results.
I vaguely remember making a mug coaster a long, long, long time ago using this method of knitting! I'm surprised it hasn't had a resurgence as well with that loom band craze taken so well!

[David_JAFO]

hello,
I was thinking along similar lines Janso. Aye we used a cork stopper, wooden cotton reel too. Living in the sticks (countryside) at the time we did a school project on How We Used To Live *BBC did a programme on such in the 1970's. Anyway spun our own wool from local farms & picked loose wool off barbed wire fences where the sheep were either scratching themselves or brushed against, whilst camping/foraging & then bagged it, processed, & made our own cotton thread etc.. I recall some was used in natural wool knitting with needles too.
Regards
David

Beautiful images there David; I remember it being called corking as well. A large enough cork stopper with a hole drilled through. I think that's a cracking idea for another useful pastime by the fire - might have to invest time into that. Like you say, using paracord, twine or natural cordage as a yarn would be different and produce varying results. I vaguely remember making a mug coaster a long, long, long time ago using this method of knitting! I'm surprised it hasn't had a resurgence as well with that loom band craze taken so well!