In Praise of the Floss Threader-Blog Post
As we work in the studio, we often find non-weaving tools helpful in our projects. Michele’s perennial favorite is a dental floss threader. These thin flexible plastic devices were originally designed to assist in using dental floss with orthodontics and dentures and are available wherever you buy dental floss. Each floss threader has a stiff end that can function as a needle, and a fabulously flexible big eye on the other side to thread things through. Michele wants to tell you how she likes to use these lovely tools.
By Michele B.
I first encountered a floss threader as a sley hook for rigid heddles at the Long Beach Senior Center in California. The holes on those rigid heddles were REALLY small. When the hole is too small and a traditional sley hook and the yarn are too big, the floss threader comes to the rescue.
When we rethreaded the holes in the rigid heddles after warping the looms, we pulled one warp end out of a slot, put that end through the big eye of the floss threader. Then, we poked the small pointy end of the floss threader through the little hole in the heddle. Pull. Tada! The hole is now threaded!
Floss Threader Used as a Reed Hook
Don’t Get Carried Away
I will caution you that it is possible to pull a big yarn through a pretty small hole using this technique. If the yarn is TOO big and the hole TOO small, it will be hard to move the heddle as you weave. Test this by using the floss threader to thread an inch or so through the holes before you set up your entire warp. Slide the heddle back and forth. If it moves easily, all is well. If it drags or is hard to move, consider using a smaller yarn or a larger heddle.
Loading Beads onto Floss Threader
Put the Thread Through the Floss Threader
Beads on Fringe
Adding Beads to Your Yarn
Another of my favorite uses for the floss threader is for putting beads on the fringe for a scarf or shawl. Even a #11 bead fits on the pointy end of the floss threader.
When you want to add beads to your fringe:
- Load the number of beads you want for your fringe section onto the pointy end of the floss threader. You can load quite a few beads onto the threader, depending on the size of the beads.
- Pass the thread to be beaded through the big loop.
- Pull the thread through the bead(s) loaded onto the floss threader. Voila! Beads are now on the thread.
- Now you can twist or braid your fringe as you see fit.
Works for Weft Too
Have you ever wanted to weave beads into your woven fabric? You can slide beads onto your weft yarn and put the beads where you would like them to go. I used a floss threader to put beads on the weft yarn of the Dark Side of the Moon Wall Hanging when I wove the sections woven in Brooks Bouquet. I placed the beads in between the bouquets and the little bit of extra sparkle reminds me of stars twinkling in the night sky.
If you would like more information on how the Dark Side of the Moon Hanging came to light, click here.
Michele's sweater
Floss Threader Up
Floss Threader Down
Sweater Saver!
Floss threaders became a true hero when I (finally) finished knitting a cabled, wool sweater. I am particularly proud of that accomplishment! I found some very cool vintage buttons to perfectly finish off the project. But, alas, the holes in the buttons were too small for the needle that was big enough for the yarn. Could floss threaders come to the rescue?
It could! The process wasn’t quick because I had to use both a metal tapestry needle to carry the yarn through the sweater fabric and the floss threader to get the yarn through the button. To sew on the buttons:
- Secure the yarn to the sweater with a tapestry needle.
- Unthread the needle and thread the floss threader.
- Use the floss threader to pull the yarn though the holes in the buttons. Go up from the bottom then down from the top.
- Remove the floss threader and rethread the tapestry needle.
- Stitch the wool though the sweater.
- Unthread the needle and thread the floss threader.
I repeated these steps 3 or 4 times, and the buttons have stayed firmly in place. And it was finished just in time for a week of frigid weather!
But Wait, There’s More
In addition to floss threaders, there are other office supplies or other tools that all make an appearance as weaving tools in our studio.
- Rubber bands (LOTS of rubber bands)
- Potholder loopers
- Safety pins
- Funky ladder yarn
What’s your favorite non-weaving tool? We would love to hear your ideas!
I use the small clips that quilters use in too many ways to count.