has anyone seen a hook like this?

[Little Bell]

I was wondering if anyone has seen a hook like this. I have never seen a latch hook with a ring on the end before or as long as this one. I have other latch hooks but they are the normal wooden type that you can get in stores or off the net. I picked this up years ago among some craft stuff I got at a yard sale someplace. Thankyou for your help.

latch hook 001..jpg

[PattyD]

It looks like a needle for a knitting machine, but they don't have a ring at the end. Instead, a knitting machine latch hook needle has bar near the end to guide the needle by travelling in a groove. Knitting machine needles have pretty much been the same design since the invention of sock knitting machines in the 1800s. This definitely does not look like something to be used in any hand craft.

[Judy]

I have something that looks identical, even to the little latch on the end. Now, if I could only remember what it was for. Might have been something like pulling a cord through a fabric sleeve to make a drawstring closure.

[Little Bell]

It's really fine like the hook is for the Milward shuttle is. Which would mean that it would work with really fine thread. But it's really long so you can't ware it on a chain. However I'll find use for it among some of the crafts I do. Thanks Patty D. for helping to subtract what it isn't for. Thanks Judy for letting me know I'm not a lone on having one of them.

[Sonja]

Long time ago they used such hooks to repair silk stockings and all very fine knitted things. Silk stockings were very expensive, and had to be repaired when there was a small hole in it and stitches were running down. Now they are very cheap, and nobody repairs it. But you can use it very well for tatting, like a normal hook.

[Little Bell]

Sonja,
I had the hooks for repairing stockings like you are talking. Those needles weren't that big. However I figure that you are right still, I mean that due to it's so fine. It's about 11 inches long. The other ones I had was about 2 to 3 inches long. Plus they didn't have the circles on the ends. So yes, I think you are right it's a hook for repairing fine thread things. Which is still cool cause it will be used to do tatting as well. I hope your Easter was a nice day for you. Thanks for your help figuring this out.
Blessings,
Little Bell

[PattyD]

There are a couple of answers for the long stemmed latch hook at this link: http://www.nicelady.net/2009/01/small-mysteries/

1. Used to repair silk and then nylon hose in the 1940s
2. Used to turn narrow casings or insert elastic into narrow casings.

[carolivy]

I've also seen something similar to this used to pull up zippers on the back of a lady's dress by herself...not quite sure how it works though

[Tammy]

I'm with PattyD on this one. I had one before that was made for turning the narrow casings for things like spaghetti straps.

[BlueDode]

Little Bell:

I'm with Judy and Tammy on this one: and, I have one of these. It was designed for sewing, or at least that's where I use it.

1. Use it for turning fabric tubes. When making something like fabric ties, spaghetti straps, or button loops, you need to sew a narrow tube of fabric. You sew it inside out, but need to turn it right side out to use it. Just slide the inside out tube of fabric (after sewing it) over the hook end (the big circle keeps it from sliding off the other end and provides a handle). Then, hook the hook into the seam allowance and pull the tube inside out.

2. Use it for pulling elastic or a drawstring through a casing.

Similar latch hook tools are designed for picking up dropped stitches in knitting (especially on machines) and are very handy for repairing knitting, but the ones I've seen are shorter, with plastic handles. This tool would work and be handy for long "runs" in knitted things, if its length didn't get in the way.