How to Make a Spool for Jewelry
Although many people think of a corker, knitting knobby or Knitting Nancy as an old-fashioned toy, it's actually a useful tool for making jewelry. A vast variety of wire, cord, beaded and gemstone necklaces, bracelets and earrings can be made by French knitting these materials on a spool. As a crafter, you have much more control and versatility when you make your own tools. Making them in multiple sizes gives you even more creative freedom.
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Instructions
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Remove any remaining thread and labels from the spool.
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Find the star lines on the top of the spool. Use them as guides and, with a pencil, mark four dots so that they form a square around the center hole at about 1/4 inch away from it. Be sure that your square is even.
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Hammer one nail about half-way down into each dot. Make sure that they are all the same height and nailed firmly into the spool.
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Tips & Warnings
Thin nails with small heads, like those used for hanging pictures, work best.
Leave about 3/8 inch of nail sticking out of the spool.
Create jewelry spools of various sizes to do a variety of projects. Make some with only two and three pegs.
Look for wooden thread spools in antique shops, craft supply stores and yard sales.
Watch your fingers; don't hammer them.
Hammer the nails down straight and slowly. Hammering too hard or at an angle may split the spool.
Some wooden spools don't have star lines. If yours doesn't, use a ruler when forming your square.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit sewing spool image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
