What is this thing?

[Antiquarian]

Over at the IOLI forum there is this mystery tool. Do any of you have ideas or even know what it is?

http://api.ning.com/files/L4f0BOPUmx...nknowntool.jpg

[Sonja]

Winding bobbins?

[IdahoCanuck]

Interesting...... Never seen anything like it before.

[RandaGray]

was there a post or anything that went with it? I understand the bobbin part, but the other things are confusing... It looks like thread is wound off the side of one of them. ????

[Ireneho]

Maybe somebody is trying to invent Knit-Tat. A new way to knit and tat at the same time! :P

[Antiquarian]

This photo was sent to The Lace Museum site with the question "Is this for lacemaking?" that's it.

[stringydogs]

My 2 cents: The bobbin is supply, the arrow with a spring is to control tension and the last arrow?? I don't know another use for it than thread work of some sort. But, it would be ungainly to tat with. Perhaps it is for knitting or crochet? Those are the other needleworks that tension is so important for.

[Elfiona]

Never seen it for crochet work. I do agree that the device is for tensioning.

[IdahoCanuck]

I'm wondering if it is only pieces/parts of some larger contraption..... Like maybe they fit into something else. Similar to if you handed a sewing machine bobbin to someone who had never seen a sewing machine and then asked them what it was.

[Antiquarian]

I agree about it possibly missing parts. thought You can see that the one wedge has indents for a thumb/holding, but I keep trying to figure out how to use that end have the thread go through the tension and well I can't. ie the thread is on the tatting shuttle as you move it, but here the thread is feeding from the other direction. It's going to drive me nuts. *LAUGH*