If you didn’t grow up in Germany, you may wonder “What is a Strickliesel?”Many German Girls were given their introduction to the all-important (and not always loved) concept of Handarbeit with a Strickliesel. (Handarbeit literally means hand work or handicraft, but in this instance it means needlework/sewing or embroidery). 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?
The Strickliesel, spool knitter, has been around 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’m sure the Romans didn’t paint 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 versions, like these, can weave cord (an important thing to have). Larger versions would knit thicker cords that can be braided to make rugs for warmth.
Children can use the Strickliesel cords to make crafts… or just 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 just need a spool with a wide center hole, and some nails.)
Start 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, or knitting needle, or crochet hook… you lift the bottom loop over the top loop, then off the nail. Go all the way around the spool doing this. Then wind a new layer of yarn on.
It takes time, but eventually, a knitted cord emerges from the bottom of the Stickliesel. I can’t describe for you how excited my 7 year old self was when I’d finally see it come out. 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?
There are a lot of project books available now with projects to make from the cord you made. Bracelets, 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 Sylvie pink
Schmidt Spiele 51604ALEX Toys Craft Cool Spool Knitting KitLearn 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!