I call it 'Corking', I know some people call it 'French Knitting', others call it 'Knitting Nancy' or 'Knitting Dollies'. This was the first 'yarn craft' that I learned as a child. I was quite small too maybe five years old. It is a great winter craft for kids, particularly competitive siblings. I 'Corked' miles of this stuff as a kid. I used to have races with my cousins to see who could get theirs the longest. They grew so long we had to braid them to stop them from getting tangled. I do not think I have ever seen anything actually made out of corking. I think I was trying to make a rug for the living room! I have always been good at 'biting off more than I could chew'. At the 'Weaving, Spinning and Dyeing Guild' on Saturday these little 'Corking dollies, looms or whatever you call them had been made by one of the members they were sold for the grand total of 20p. Mine used to be made out of an empty wooden cotton reel with tacks in. Now wooden cotton reels are pretty tricky to come by. I have used 'mass produced' Corking thingamejigs and they do not work well in my opinion, the plastic ones in particular are terrible. I taught Euan how to 'Cork' tonight. At first he was all flustered and crabby about it but very quickly he got the hang of it. He has now been sitting quietly 'corking' for an hour. He is busy making a coaster. He keeps measuring and rolling it up and is very impressed with his progress. He has his colours all planned out.
He wants it big enough for the mug to fit on and all the colours to show around the edge. He is already talking about breaking 'World Records' for 'Corking' and going into business with me, him corking and me sewing it up.
He has suggested a Yard Sale once every couple of weeks selling our 'Corking' makes. In the current economic climate this really could be worth a try. I may get him his own Etsy Store.
If you have children you need to keep quiet you could do worse than get them 'Corking' there is a good tutorial
Here.
Oh no! I am getting delusions of grandeur again. Look at this beautiful
French Knitted Bag Designed by Debbie Tomkies.
Debbie has a Blog
Hue and Dye and is the proprietor for
DT Craft and Design a 'must have a look' for hand dyers. I did not know 'corking' could be turned into anything so beautiful. I will place an order with Euan!
