Years ago, German girls were introduced to the all-important (and not always loved) concept of Handarbeit with a Strickliesel. (Handarbeit literally means handwork or handicraft, but in this instance, it means needlework/sewing or embroidery). What is a Strickliesel? These sweetly painted spool looms taught the basics of knitting by turning a simple piece of yarn into a knitted cord. Luckily, these adorable looms were fun to use. And you can’t imagine the thrill I got from seeing the cord emerging from the end of my Strickliesel!
What is a Strickliesel?
A version of the Strickliesel, also known as a spool knitter, has been in use for thousands of years. Archaeological digs have found them dating back to the Roman Times! Of course, today’s Strickliesel look a bit different. I wonder now if the Romans painted theirs to look like little ladies or mushrooms. The modern Strickliesel was introduced in 1926 by the Nuremberg game company JW Spear. It is as much a toy as it is a practical tool. Small Strickliesel, like these, could weave simple cords from yarn. Larger versions would knit thicker cords that could be braided to make rugs for warmth.
Children can use the Strickliesel cords to make crafts or compete to see who can make the longest cord.
Loom Knitters are larger versions of the Strickliesel. They produce wider tubes to use as scarves or even sweaters.
Today people collect Strickliesels because they come in so many cute variations!
How does a Strickliesel Work?
A Strickliesel is a round spool, mostly made from wood, a few inches long and just wide enough to comfortably fit in a child’s hand. On top, there are nails or hooks evenly spaced around the edge, and the center is hollow, like a tube.
It’s not difficult to make your own. You need a spool or hollow tube with a wide center hole and some nails.
Start weaving by dropping the end of the yarn down the tube. Some people use a needle to help it through. You begin “knitting” by winding yarn in a loop around each peg individually. Do this around every peg. Then you go around again. Now for the fun part! Using a hook, knitting needle, or crochet hook, you lift the bottom loop over the top loop and then off of the nail. Go all the way around the spool, removing the whole layer, and then wind on a new layer of yarn.
It takes time, but eventually, a knitted cord emerges from the bottom of the Stickliesel. There really is something incredibly satisfying about seeing the woven cord emerge from the bottom of the spool. PROGRESS!!! After that, it became much more exciting. I would get in contests with my sister or cousin about who could make the longest cord.
What Can You Do With the Cords?
And then you have a cord.
What do you DO with the cords?
I admit, we weren’t that creative, and just used them for bracelets or “cat’s cradle” games. Fortunately, there are plenty of books filled with crafts and projects to make from the cord. Bracelets, woven animals, cute shapes, you can even braid them together to make scarves! The larger knitting loom can be used to make doll clothes and more.
Where Can you Buy a Strickliesel?
New Strickliesel are made from wood or plastic, and often come with instructions and tips for what to do with the finished cord.
Strickliesel
4Pcs Spool Knitter, DIY Knitting Spool Household DIY Knitting Blister Card Bee Rope Accessory Winding Tool Doll Maker Carfts Knitter Doll Loom Maker Craft Tool for Starter BeginnerKnit Spool Loom Mushroom Shaped Knitter Wood Mini Knitted Knitting Weaving Tool for DIY Tube Scarf Strap RedMilisten French Knitter Handy Knitting Spool with Needle Wood Yarn Wool Knitting Tool Doll Knitting Carfts Supplies2 Sets Diy Hand-Painted Pattern Hand Tool Wood Knitting Tool, French Knitter Spool, Wooden Knitting Doll, for Crafting and Beginners
HJ Garden 1 Set Double-Head DIY Knitting Tool Knit Spool Loom Set Knitting Yarn Wool Rope Hook, Pink
Learn to Loom Knit for Your Dolls: A Kid’s Guide to Loom Knitting for Dolls
Strickliesel Project Books
You have the Strickliesel, you’ve made the long rope… now what can you DO with it? Here are some really cute ideas!
You can even immediately download the patterns from Spooligarumi! There are even some ideas for older kids…
Easy-to-Make Spool Knit Animals: Simple and Charming Projects to Make With Spool Knitting! (Craft Box)Das Strickliesel-Buch: Kleine Projekte ruckzuck gestrickt (German Edition)Spool Knit Jewelry: Make Beautiful Bracelets, Anklets, and RingsDas Strickliesel BuchDie Strickliesel neu entdeckt. Lustige Ideen für den Strickschlauch.Strickliesel-Spaß mit Lissi und LukasSpooligarumi- Cute and Easy Spool knitted Dolls and Toys PDF Pattern book by Noreen Crone-Findlay
How to Knit Fashionable Scarves on Circle Looms: New Techniques for Knitting 12 Stylish Designs
Spool Knitting Wire to Make Jewelry
You don’t just have to use yarn… you can knit wire to make some interesting jewelry pieces.
Spool Knit JewelrySpool Knit Jewelry Book Kit
See How to Use a Strickliesel
In German (but simple to understand)
Loved my strickliesel! I’ll have to check if my Mom still has it so my granddaughter can learn!
Summer is here… time to keep the kids busy….
I had a striekliesel when I lived in Germany. I would like to get one.
I think I called it stopsel
Hello, I remember it well, too, but we just used a wooden left over thread spool, asked my dad to put in four nails spaced evenly, and begged for yarn leftovers. Voila, I was ready. It took me a while to recall the beginning of the application. Now it’s lovely to see all the pretty Strickliesel dolls available.
yes! That’s how it was once done. Maybe too few people have wooden thread spools now?
Lovely article!
thank you!