Mary Ostler

Last minute commission came up the other day. I was requested to make a Niddy Noddy. Its a tool used to wind skeins of  yarn. I have made one before, but entirely turned.  The period images that are kicking around show a turned handle (usually with cross bracing) and curved boards that the yarn winds around. Since the person asking for it is a persona wonk (bless them all) I forced myself not to go turning crazy.

More images of the quick build after the jump.

Used some scrap oak I had kicking about. I have used up a large amount of my cutoff  pile so beggars cant be choosers. I would have preferred a fruit wood (or almost any wood that is close grained).

Marked the center and1″ from each end.  The end winding boards will be drill around 1″ deep so I need to be careful maintaining the right diameter  on the handle to fit the end holes snuggly.

Made a test block so I could make quick checks on fit.

The winding end boards had a 1/2″ hole drilled  1″ deep .

Checked the fit again.

Marked out the cut pattern on one board. I cut out the piece on the band saw as I wanted to get this done quickly.

I then scraped all the tool marks off the piece, and the filed the edges so that all the sharp points were gone.

I used the first piece to transfer the pattern to the other side.

One side is fixed in place with a wood dowel pin. The other side is left unfix so the niddy noddy can be stored flat.

Finished Noddy.

Noddy on its first test run. Not sure I was doing it right. The winding seemed a little awkward so I am sure I was doing it wrong.

The wool skein twisted up and ready for the dye pot.