This is from Britain from a group of tools from  the 1800’s

It was sold with  wooden needles, bone crochet hooks & 2 pointy small tools-stilettos 

Have no idea what this could be..  The etchings are darkened with a reddish

color &  2 vaguely resemble hearts or a squid    

It would be the perfect size to hold a variety of different colored threads

but  that is only speculation on this mystery vintage tool- probably made for 

his sweetheart

I have never had  strong hands  In fact, I fail (!) the child grip strength tools when my hospital has health fairs..I still hold my pen in a funny way because my fingers grew tired when I was learning how to write

 Purling was such a challenge  I did not do well with it as a child of nine when taught the American Throw method Even with knit stitches, I had to poke the end of the needle each stitch to move it up making a red sore finger after any knitting so I put aside knitting 

Fast forward 40 years and I saw a friend knit continental. I  KNEW  I could do it She taught me and it was true.  I did  learn  TIme  went by and I took another lesson and the teacher said my purls were made crossed and that I did not do the stitch correctly  ( not my friend’s fault  - I just did not understand the lesson) The new teacher in her  30 minute lesson-taught me the RIGHT way (sigh) to do the purl and it was harder 

Too sad ! Then I read about Norwegian purl thinking .”OH, That is the name of the easy way I did it ..”

Nope — nice but not it

 Then I saw Annie M’s site and thought – “There it is (!!!!) and she is famous…  so I am not a DUMBOLINA ..”   ( haha)

I went back to it but this time understanding the part about the leading leg of the stitch   ahhhh  Now I know 3 ways to purl and can use all  It is SUCH a relief!!

If my weak hands can do it- anyone can!

Here is a video that will open doors for the easy/lazy purl whose other name 

is COMBINATION purl ( that is the name of the video)

Annie M unvented it and gave it legitimacy and unraveled how to make it work

and called it the Combination knitting  

   www.knittinghelp.com/videos/purl-stitch

Thanks to the knitting help site  They are FABULOUS

Look to the right  under  blog roll for  videos &  links for more info..

Imagine knitting with a size  50 needle- now think of that in wood (solid wood)  Those needles are 9 ounces!! The knitter from the past who used these must have been very strong or very tired!!

 Reusing something from the past  is so very satisfying sometimes –especially when it is so very practical.  Looking high  and low over time I have slowly added to my beehive yarn holder collection  I use them all the time on smaller projects and they protect the yarn from the wild attacks from my bored animals who lack real victims for their hunting need  They work in tantem- my long haired grey cat knocks a yarn ball & project off the table  . I know now to  listen for the growl from my shaggy dogboy – which means he has spread yarn all over the floor  and the cat has now joined him in the attack  My older, calmer cat- by this time has come in the room sniffing  out the hunt    The poor yarn ball is hopelessly tangled and spread 20 feet in all directions

Did I mention linen really tangles in an unfriendly way?  Anyway… I am very grateful for these holders as they contain the smaller projects in a quaint old timey manner

By using the combination purl stitch-then seed stitch just FLIES

It is soooo much easier than the purling that I did before  I think it is 

good to know more than one or two types of purl  I am working on the

Norweigen  purl to add to my English and Continental and now 

combination purl stitches

(annie M was right  It is easier-   Thanks ANNIE !  )

 Combination purl :       www.anniemodesitt.com/purl.html

Norwegian purl:      www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBWX3hJorjM

(Pattern below)
A surprising transformation

a mundane  chore ( counter clean up )

turns itself to

……..–indulging yourself..

when  one makes exactly the right tool for that act.

Turning the an act

from a  mindless chore- —       to one in which one lives in the moment

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The lazy purl makes it easy and the seed stitch is perfect for absorbing water!

YARN:  Brown Sheep Cotton  Fleece  ( 80% cotton – 20% wool)

or any worsted   100% cotton ,  or  tripled linen or cotton/linen.

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Gauge    16 stitches   24  rows  in 4 inches        13″ x 15″

Cast on :   52  on size 10  needles  14″( to allow for mighty shrinkage)

(I used  cable cast on)

Seed stitch all the way

row 1     *K1, P1*

row 2  * P1 ,  K1 *        alternate rows one and two

or   CO  51 * K1 P1  K1*  repeat each row

Knit for   15 “‘   then   bind off

( or knit ’til the end of the skein if you want it longer  )

NOTE: wind into ball first ( learn from my error!)

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/gulfcoastgal/not-the-paper-towel-kitchen-towel

gulfcoastgal

Check this site for more on this easy purl method!  ( combination knitting)

oops corrected!

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