<p>Apparently these devices are called &quot;daisy wheels&quot; or &quot;daisy knitters&quot;. They were a novelty in the 1930s (usually made of metal) and had a short revival in the 1970s and 80s (usually made of plastic). The plastic variety was sold under the brand name &quot;knit wit&quot; and another brand name for the metal tools was &quot;crazy daisy winder&quot;.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/B2rz2.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/B2rz2.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>There are similar (modern plastic) tools that have removable pegs instead of retractable spokes that are called &quot;flower looms&quot; or &quot;bloom loom&quot;.</p>
<p>I stumbled upon the identification of the tool and an example of what to do with it in <a href="https://youtu.be/_ULRYpvAnm8" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this Youtube video by Retro Claude</a>.</p>
<p>Here's a vintage daisy knitter with the original instruction manual with some example patterns provided by the <a href="https://timdc.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/5A72B944-96FE-4365-B99C-487699106873" rel="nofollow noreferrer">South Canterbury Museum</a>:<br />
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/BjAavm.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/BjAavm.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br />
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/x6we8.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/x6we8.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>You're supposed to create a number of individual daisies with it and then connect them by sewing or crocheting the edged together to form an object like a cardigan or afghan.</p>
<p>Here's a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/129515983/1930s-daisy-top-made-using-daisy-knitter" rel="nofollow noreferrer">vintage PDF pattern on etsy</a> for a sweater that includes these daisies:<br />
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/SwA7n.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/SwA7n.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>The actual techniqe and idea seems to be much older and possibly originated in / around Teneriffe. Here's a link to a <a href="https://archive.org/details/cu31924058822986/page/n7/mode/2up" rel="nofollow noreferrer">free 1904 book</a> that explains many different styles of Teneriffe lace.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-28T15:06:07.867Z
Great answer, Elmy!
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-27T10:54:45.847Z
2022-11-09T18:46:58.930Z
2022-11-09T18:46:58.930Z
Elmy
<p>It's a weaving device and may have a specific name. Even though I've had one in hand, I am unable to find an appropriately specific term.</p>
<p>The threads for weaving (often for lace) are wrapped in a specific pattern on the pins and the crossing threads are woven in alternating patterns along the radial threads.</p>
<p>Once the pattern is completed, the pins are retracted, allowing the work to be removed. Many of these completed items are then stitched into a larger piece, such as doily or tablecloth.</p>
<p>Our makerspace has had a few weavers pass through and this device is common among the varied weavers.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-08-16T21:10:55.283Z
Thanks. Follows what I was imagining it being used for.
Chris Voydanoff
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-08-16T19:51:20.243Z
2022-08-16T19:51:20.243Z
fred_dot_u
<p>Do the pins retract when the bottom of the handle is twisted?  If so, They are POM POM makers...</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-15T15:57:05.347Z
They do, it says so in the question. But don't you think they're too large for that purpose?
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-15T17:32:39.777Z
No, they're for "biggies" on a stocken cap.
Joel Huebner
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-16T19:29:29.917Z
Don't pom poms normally have cut ends rather than loops? I was under the impression that even if a tool like this would be used (didn't think the symmetry was required during construction)), it would be just cut off the tool; retracting pins wouldn't be necessary.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-15T15:00:31.820Z
2022-09-15T15:00:31.820Z
Joel Huebner
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/IoHmg.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/IoHmg.jpg" alt="enter image pldescription here" /></a>
Plastic with metal spokes that extend and contract when handle is turned</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-06T14:59:00.893Z
Hi Chris, be sure to check the check-mark for the answer that helped you out the most. Thanks!
Joachim
<tool-identification>
What is this craft tool used for?
Chris Voydanoff
# What is this craft tool used for?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-08-16)

[![enter image pldescription here](https://i.sstatic.net/IoHmg.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/IoHmg.jpg)
Plastic with metal spokes that extend and contract when handle is turned

**Tags:** tool-identification

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Hi Chris, be sure to check the check-mark for the answer that helped you out the most. Thanks!  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-09-27. Score: 6

Apparently these devices are called "daisy wheels" or "daisy knitters". They were a novelty in the 1930s (usually made of metal) and had a short revival in the 1970s and 80s (usually made of plastic). The plastic variety was sold under the brand name "knit wit" and another brand name for the metal tools was "crazy daisy winder".

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/B2rz2.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/B2rz2.jpg)

There are similar (modern plastic) tools that have removable pegs instead of retractable spokes that are called "flower looms" or "bloom loom".

I stumbled upon the identification of the tool and an example of what to do with it in [this Youtube video by Retro Claude](https://youtu.be/_ULRYpvAnm8).

Here's a vintage daisy knitter with the original instruction manual with some example patterns provided by the [South Canterbury Museum](https://timdc.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/5A72B944-96FE-4365-B99C-487699106873):  
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/BjAavm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/BjAavm.jpg)  
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/x6we8.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/x6we8.jpg)

You're supposed to create a number of individual daisies with it and then connect them by sewing or crocheting the edged together to form an object like a cardigan or afghan.

Here's a [vintage PDF pattern on etsy](https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/129515983/1930s-daisy-top-made-using-daisy-knitter) for a sweater that includes these daisies:  
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/SwA7n.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/SwA7n.jpg)

The actual techniqe and idea seems to be much older and possibly originated in / around Teneriffe. Here's a link to a [free 1904 book](https://archive.org/details/cu31924058822986/page/n7/mode/2up) that explains many different styles of Teneriffe lace.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Great answer, username_2!  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-08-16. Score: 5

It's a weaving device and may have a specific name. Even though I've had one in hand, I am unable to find an appropriately specific term.

The threads for weaving (often for lace) are wrapped in a specific pattern on the pins and the crossing threads are woven in alternating patterns along the radial threads.

Once the pattern is completed, the pins are retracted, allowing the work to be removed. Many of these completed items are then stitched into a larger piece, such as doily or tablecloth.

Our makerspace has had a few weavers pass through and this device is common among the varied weavers.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks. Follows what I was imagining it being used for.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2022-09-15. Score: 0

Do the pins retract when the bottom of the handle is twisted? If so, They are POM POM makers...

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: They do, it says so in the question. But don't you think they're too large for that purpose?  
> **username_4**: No, they're for "biggies" on a stocken cap.  
> **username_5**: Don't pom poms normally have cut ends rather than loops? I was under the impression that even if a tool like this would be used (didn't think the symmetry was required during construction)), it would be just cut off the tool; retracting pins wouldn't be necessary.  

---

