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Nostepinne: Fiber and Woodworking
I've done a little woodworking here and there, but none in a long while. I learned in my stagecraft class in college, as well as from my Dad, and do actually own a few pieced of furniture I've made none of which have fallen apart, even after more than ten years for some. My favorite tool from college is the lathe. My friend Matt makes lovely bowls and other objects with his, and my friend and co-worker Scott makes pretty much everything possible with the one in the scene shop at work. Scott gave me a much needed refresher course (much better than what I had learned in college, in fact) and helped me with my first bit of woodworking in a long time--a nostepinne. 
When Scott asked what I wanted to make, the first explanation I gave him was "a fancy stick." An apt description, yes? This is an ingenious and very old Scandinavian tool for winding a perfect center pull ball of yarn. Mine is made out of tulip wood and includes my addition of a yarn gauge at the end of the handle.
It's hard to tell from the photo I snapped quickly at work, but that is a perfect little ball of yarn that looks like it came off a ball winder. and look at the beautiful grain on that wood! I have enough wood for a second nostepinne, so I am refining my design and will start another, maybe in January.
When Scott asked what I wanted to make, the first explanation I gave him was "a fancy stick." An apt description, yes? This is an ingenious and very old Scandinavian tool for winding a perfect center pull ball of yarn. Mine is made out of tulip wood and includes my addition of a yarn gauge at the end of the handle.
It's hard to tell from the photo I snapped quickly at work, but that is a perfect little ball of yarn that looks like it came off a ball winder. and look at the beautiful grain on that wood! I have enough wood for a second nostepinne, so I am refining my design and will start another, maybe in January.
4 comments:
well, how does it work?
I first found reference to nostepinnes on the web. One of the first explainations I found was here http://www.hatchtown.com/nostdir.html
Also you'll be thrilled to know that "fiber fool" has not only a blog post showing their use, but at the bottom of the post is a youtube video of someone winding a ball of yarn on their nostepinne.
http://blog.designedlykristi.com/?p=335
Call me oblivious, but where is the yarn gauge? Is your fancy stick a specific length, or are the ornaments at the bottom exactly an inch wide so that you can figure wraps-per-inch?
LOVE THIS!! I have a friend who makes pool cues. When he was practicing doing points he ended up with a bunch of 6" "handle ends" which he threw some mineral oil on and gave to his wife and I for mini rolling pins (for potstickers - but I digress). I now use this as a nostepinne. Not only is it cheaper, but it doesn't stretch the yarn as it winds. BEAUTIFUL WORK!
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