When it comes to fiber crafting, most of us are familiar with the usual suspects—knitting needles, crochet hooks, and weaving looms. But beyond these essentials lies a world of lesser-known tools that can elevate your crafting game, simplify tricky techniques, or just make the process more enjoyable. Let's explore some of these hidden gems of the fiber arts toolbox—tools you might not know you need until you try them.
Tunisian Crochet Hook
Unlike regular crochet hooks, a Tunisian crochet hook is longer—often similar in length to a knitting needle—or has a flexible cord attached, allowing it to hold multiple stitches at once. This is essential for the Tunisian method, where stitches are picked up across a row and then worked off in a return pass.
Cable Needle
A short, often curved or double-pointed knitting needle used to temporarily hold stitches when creating cable patterns in knitting. When you work a cable, you cross a set of stitches over another, and the cable needle keeps the held stitches secure while you knit the others. Once the crossing is complete, you knit the held stitches back onto your main needles, forming the twisted, rope-like design typical of cables.
Niddy Noddy
A niddy noddy is a tool used by spinners and yarn makers to wind freshly spun yarn into neat, organized skeins. By wrapping the yarn around the arms in a specific pattern, you can measure the length of the yarn and keep it tangle-free for washing, dyeing, or storage.
Swift
A yarn swift is a handy tool used to hold a skein of yarn in place while it’s being wound into a ball. It spins freely as you pull the yarn, preventing tangles and making the process much faster and easier. Yarn swifts are often adjustable and can be clamped to a table for stability.
Turkish Spindle
A type of drop spindle used for spinning yarn by hand. It has a unique cross-arm design that not only spins yarn efficiently but also creates a neat, center-pull ball as you go. Once you're done spinning, you can simply slide the arms out and your yarn is ready to use—no rewinding needed.
Lucet Fork
A lucet fork is a simple, handheld tool used to make strong, square cords from yarn or thread. It has two prongs and dates back to Viking and medieval times. By looping the yarn in a specific way around the prongs, you can create decorative cords perfect for drawstrings, trims, or craft projects.
Pompom Maker
When you need a custom pompom for your beanie, start by opening the two arms and wrapping yarn evenly around each side. Once both sides are full, close the arms and use sharp scissors to cut along the groove between them. Then, tie a tight piece of yarn through the center groove to secure the strands. Open the arms, pull the tool apart, and fluff your finished pompom!
