Spool Knitting - How to Spool Knit

People have been spool knitting for generations!

This is a fun, easy craft for people of all ages, from 4 to 99.

Our instructional video and written instruction will show you how to use a spool knitter to make a basic knitted cord. Spool knitting is also known as corking and French knitting. The spool knitter is sometimes referred to as a Knitting Nancy or French Knitter.

Many things can be made with the knitted cord including mats, coasters, flowers, rugs, Christmas ornaments, bracelets, jewelry, bookmarks to name a few items.

Do you need project ideas on what to make with a spool knitting cord?  Our Spool Knitting Tutorials and Projects page has many free projects and helpful tutorials.

Watch this video and read on for a step-by-step photo tutorial on how to spool knit.

INSTRUCTIONS for spool knitting

STEP 1: THREAD YARN through spool knitter

Begin by inserting the end of the yarn through the center of the spool knitter, from the top to the bottom, until the yarn comes out the bottom.  You want the tail of yarn which is coming out the bottom about 3 or 4 inches long.

STEP 2: CAST ON stitches

To cast on stitches, hold the spool knitter with one hand and you will begin wrapping the yarn around the pegs or nails in a clockwise direction with the other hand. 

To do this, hold the tail of the yarn at the bottom of the spool knitter securely and place the working yarn between two pegs.  Then, wrap the yarn in the front of the left peg and bring the yarn clockwise around the peg.  Pull the yarn over to the next peg and wrap around clockwise.  Continue wrapping the yarn clockwise around all the pegs.

STEP 3: KNITTING THE CORD

After wrapping the yarn around all the pegs, place the yarn in front of the next peg, just above the loop.  With the pick or hook, lift the bottom loop up and pass it over the peg. The stitch will pass to the center of the spool knitter.  Move counterclockwise making a stitch at each peg.  

As you make stitches, pull the bottom yarn tail down to tighten the stitches and pull the cord through the middle of the spool knitter. 

Continue making the cord until it is the desired length.

STEP 4: CAST OFF

Lift the loop on the last stitch you made, and place the loop on the peg to its left.  This peg now has two loops in it.

To cast off, with the pick or hook, lift the bottom loop and pass it up and over the peg.  If you have a 4 peg spool knitter, you now should have only three pegs with loops and one peg without a loop.  

Continue transferring the loop on one peg to the left, lift the bottom loop and pass it up and over the peg until you have the last peg with only one loop.

STEP 5: TYING OFF YARN

Cut the yarn leaving about a 4 or 5-inch tail.  Carefully remove the last loop off the peg.  With a crochet hook, insert it into the loop, wrap yarn tail around the hook and draw it through the loop.  Pull the yarn tightly to knot the loop.

STEP 6: WEAVING TAILS

To weave the tails into the center of the knitted cord, thread the yarn onto a tapestry needle and weaving it into the center.

We have several videos of projects to do with your Spool Knitter. 

• Spool Knitted Headband Video
• Spool Knitted Bow Video
• Make a Spool Knitted Jump Rope for your 18" Doll Video
• Make a Spool Knitted Dollhouse Rug for your 18" Doll Video
• Spool Knitted Bookmark Tutorial
• Spool Knitted Rug Tutorial
• Spool Knitted Shoelaces Video
• Spool Knitted Candy Cane Ornament Video
• Spool Knitted Breast Cancer Awareness