laying tool

I find the kind that fits on your finger awkward because of the way it extends out beyond my finger. But that's probably just me.

But I don't think you need to buy a tool. Do you knit? Do you have a small (size 8 or smaller) straight needle? A long bodkin would work, too.

Elizabeth

A very large tapestry needle works well too: you can embed its eye-end in a large bead to provide a 'handle' to stop it sliding through your fingers.

Some folks use the "trolley needle" - 2 kinds. One is attached to a band like an adjustable ring, with the opening to the back of your finger, and the needle spot soldered on the inside of the part that fits under the pad. If you don't wear any kind of glasses, just be wary about scratching your face unconsciously. The other kind, IIRC, by Grip-it, is a thimble type with the needle also attached - which comes in sizes. Maybe $8-$10.

scroll down - you'll see itFor their "first" laying tool, we carry a large bone needle - it's about thesize of perhaps a 16, meant to be put in little etuis or the like - butworks really well, has a good, smooth point, and I just tie a ribbonthrough the eye (they cost $2 where I am). Or, you can use a really largetapestry needle - I still have an 18 tapestry needle on a ribbon attached tomy doo-lolly threader. Moving up - the "Best Laying Tool" which is a piece of lightweight metal, honed very smoothly and sharply. Stays in its case except when I'm using it. Can be substituted for a Japanese Tekobari - though this is shorter. Shay Pendray distributes these, and recommends them - I've had one for about

8 years. About $17.

this link on Tanya Berlin's site has BLTs, Rosewood Stietto (which can beused as a laying tool) and the carved shawl pin/laying tools - take a look,scroll down. Large variety of wooden carved laying tools - find one that is comfortable to your hand, and mostly people love the look, and warmth of the wood feel (like those of us who use wooden knitting needles). Prices anywhere from about $20-$50 - depending on design, wood, carving. IIRC, Victoria of years ago made some handcarved ones that were sold via Dianne's web site.

Zecca - folks with the clay magnets - also do laying tools - long metal thin rods (not flimsy thin) with interesting sculpture handles (not my favorite - like the look, not the feel, and I find the point a bit too bulky for silks

- though I do have one). Those are also, IIRC, about $35 more or less.

we have some really cool looking carved bone "shawl pin or laying tool"things - forget who makes them - they're in the mid range of length, veryantique or very modern looking - ivories and browns in color - modest point,they come packaged on a card, in plastic - and run about $10.>

LOL - and that's just fine. However, for some stitches - the difference seen between laid stitches, and not, can be quite something. Not so much for straight XS (though of course that depends on thread, size, etc), but in more complicated stitches, or those with long runs of thread. For a lot of the modern, kind of abstract or geometric canvaswork, or counted thread, and some of the threads/ribbons used - a laying tool & patience is pretty much a necessity. Donna can attest to my fits of muttering as I complete the woven interiors in Neon Rays which are then surrounded by Jessicas - on a piece called "Gayle" by Orna Willis. I've taught this class, and there is no way to do these without a laying tool (a small needle sub just didn't quite work) and after doing just a few, the class all told me that our next "fun" summer class could not involve Neon Rays, or much weaving.

I use a laying tool a lot, but, then again, I usually stitch 2-handed, with some kind of a stand, or if it's canvas - with the working area off the table. But I don't use a trolley - I've tried, and I'm not comfortable on my finger, and personally don't find the point tapered enough for some of the work.

Good luck and I'm sure you'll enjoy your class.

Ellice

Not just you - we agree on something. It kind of hurt my finger and felt awkward.

Good idea, though I think you'd likely need more like a 5 or less to have the tip not too bulky.

Ellice

For me the very best laying tool is an old tapestry needle. It came from an inexpensive package of odd needles that would be used for upholstering. This one is about 2 or 3" with a big eye and the shaft of the needle is slightly curved and flat. It has a sharp point which makes it useful as a "frogger" too.

I put a tassel through the eye and I keep it in the scissors holder on my table.

Lucille

I have one of the ones that fit on your finger. I can't use it because I forget I have it stuck to me and try to scratch my head or something! Good thing I wear glasses -- could have put an eye out a few times! I have a HUGE plastic embroidery needle that I use most of the time

-- cheap and works nicely, too. I also have several very lovely laying tools made especially for that purpose. I don't use them because I'm afraid I will misplace them....... Mostly, I use my little finger and then the needle that I am doing the stitching with. This works great (I stitch with very long lengths of fiber) until you get right to the end. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

I usually use a large tapestry needle. The ones sold for seaming knitted sweaters together work well. You don't want a crewel needle, as the point is quite sharp, and it's easy to pierce a thread when you don't want to. I do have an actual laying tool, but I can't find it at the moment (the workroom is in a state of disarry, as I'm reassembling it in a different room), hence the use of a tapestry needle.

That's true, but the smooth surface you get from properly laid threads is kind of the point of stitching with silk.

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com WIP: Poppies (Art-Stitch), two knitted tops, Oriental Butterfly Most recently Finished: Floral Sampler, Insect Sampler

Can I ask....... How does one use a laying tool ? I've seen a few sites with pictures of beautiful wooden tools, but I've never seen anyone actually using one. TIA .

Here are a couple site that will explain how to use a laying tool.

or

Thanks everyone for the advice. The only LNS within affordable driving distance didn't have any trolley needles in stock nor did the big box stores. Before going the mail order route, I'll try to borrow one to see how much trouble it might be plus I've got some fat, blunt needles that I can use for practise.

I was being facetious, given the prissy, persnickety tone of comments in another thread (insert appropriate emoticons here)

Ahh ! All is clear, now. Many thanks !

Good links. Just chiming in (we've been off-line since Friday - little power adapter for router problem that Verizon had to send a replacement)

A key point with using a laying tool - well, a couple of key points - IME.

1 - Don't stroke the thread back and forth - especially with silk, as that will cause it to fuzz. Do go in the direction with the thread entering the fabric. (that said, there will be times when you must repeat the stroke, or play with some strands) 2 - Don't be impatient and pull the tip out too soon, or jerk around with it. 3 - practce, and you'll get relaxed, comfy using one.

There are gorgeous tools out there, and I confess to having a couple of them, but I make sure that they're comfortable in my hand. And I really do use the most basic ones - a lot. And, you have to be careful with the wooden ones, as they will break your heart - a little - when the tip splits/splinters when you just press down at the wrong angle with too much force, or it gets jabbed into something....

Oh - 4 - sometimes your technique has to adapt for a specific thread or ribbon. When I was teaching the Neon Rays lattice weaving, it worked best for people to hold back about 1/4 - 1/2" of the ribbon flat to the surface - where it had come up, and then after most of the thread was through the down, to move the laying tool forward smoothly as the ribbon was drawn down through the canvas for that final bit. If the laying tool was pulled out too soon - the darn stuff could still twist. We also had to use the tool at a 45 degree angle pointing out and under the laid ribbon we were weaving under - to lift it and get the weave started - then put the tool into the position on the weaving ribbon .

Generally, I teach as I was taught, and work the move the tool forward with the thread when you're in that final drawing of the thread thru the fabric - perhaps just when you're about 1/2" off the surface. Maybe less. But, it works like a charm.

Happy stitchin' ellice