Bodkins, Awls, and Prickers Turned in
Various Woods, Ivory(Old), and Bone
Leather workers, basket makers, wood
workers, and several others vocations required the use
of an awl, pricker, and etc., but did you know the
needleworkers used them also? They were called bodkins
(English) and stilettos (Italian.) I turned most of these
bodkins from pictures I have seen in old books. These
bodkins were used to pierce a small hole in cloth or
lace so as a knitting needle or other tool could be
used without damaging the threads of the delicate cloth.
Then a lace edge could be weaved,
knitted, or crochet to it.
A FEW BODKINS FROM BONE AND IVORY
The long needle ones were used as seperaters and
stacking pins.
The strong shorter ones are used for
pricking the bobbin patterns used in bobbin (pillow)
lace.
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