What is it? Here’s a question for you. What is the easiest way to make eye popping embellishments for everything from home decor projects to fashion accessories? Also throw in the ability to make stunning jewelry, elegant scarves, clever hats, attractive belts, beautiful throw rugs, cute coasters, decorative place mats with matching table runners and so much more. Oh, one more thing, make sure the process is incredibly simple and has unlimited creative potential. The answer? I-cords of course. That’s right, those woven cords of yarn we made as children. Remember having the old wooden spools with four rounded metal pegs protruding from one end? By threading yarn up through the center and then wrapping the yarn around the pegs we could maneuver bottom loops over top loops. As a result we were able to form some very cool woven strands. Today these resulting knitted i-cords are undeniably attractive and have almost unlimited applications. Fashion accessories, home decor objects, jewelry (complete with beads if desired), toys, purse handles, decorative shapes, the list goes on and on. But there is only so much we can do with that old style knitter. Now with the aid of the clever folks at Clover we have two new tools that take us to the next level of i-cord creativity. The French Knitter and Wonder Knitter are designed to accommodate both developing knitting mediums and emerging creative technique.
What does it do?– The Clover French Knitter and Wonder Knitter are amazing tools that allows us to easily knit i-cords with an almost unlimited variety of yarns, cords, ribbons, or strips of fabric.
French Knitter – The French Knitter is a very handy creative tool designed to help us produce i-cords to match any creative vision. It comes complete with a comfortable handle that can be held securely and without undue fatigue. The diameter of the interior cylinder is large enough to accommodate an extensive array of fibers ranging from monofilament threads to fine yarns to ribbons or even to leather cords. It also enables the application of beads. The French Knitter is provided with three separate knitting heads with either four, five or six pegs. Changing knitting heads allows us to select the shape, stitch size and diameter of the i-cord needed for any specific project. The last component of the French Knitter is the pick. This well designed tool allows us to manipulate our knitted loops easily and precisely, making quick work supporting our creative effort.
Wonder Knitter – The Wonder Knitter handle is shaped to make it comfortable to hold in our hand for those long knitting sessions. The large interior core allows us to use knitting mediums from very fine to really bulky materials including the attachment of beads or other decorative items. The handle is also fitted with a handy yarn guide mounted on the side that feeds the yarn onto the knitting heads and allows you to apply tension during the knitting process. The rotary wheel articulates with the handle and allows you to turn the knitting head with the flick of a finger. The Wonder knitter is supplied with two interchangeable rotating heads, one with three pegs and one with six pegs. This allows us to adjust the diameter, stitch size and appearance of our final knitted product. Lastly a pick is supplied that is designed to enhance our ability to easily engage each formed loop and manipulate them into place. Easy is good.
How do I share it?– One of the coolest aspects of either the French Knitter or the Wonder Knitter is that they are actually fun to work with. Additionally their use is easily mastered, our projects work up fast and they allow us to produce an amazing spectrum of creative expression. It’s something that can be used by knitters of any age or skill level and is a great introduction to knitting for kids. A “Friendship Bracelet” class is a natural way to garner the interest of the younger set of knitters. Displays showing the variety of applications of i-cords to fashion, crafts, home decor and jewelry is a natural way to garner the interest of the not-so-younger set of knitters. Put one out with some yarn and let your friends play with it. Creating with the French Knitter and the Wonder Knitter is infectious. Everyone will want one.
