Corking, also called a knitting knobby or spool knitting is used to make tubes of knitted cord that can be sewn together for mats, coasters and crafts. Difficulty Level: Average

Here's How: Push the yarn through the centre hole from the top to the bottom, leaving a 4 - 6" tail. Hold the corker (spool knitter) in your left hand and wrap the yarn around the first peg of the corker, from left to right (counterclockwise). Turn the corker 1/4 turn (clockwise) and wrap the yarn around the next peg. Repeat with the 3rd and 4th pegs. Give the yarn a slight tug on the tail, to tighten the loops into place. Wrap the yarn around the first peg again and hold it in place with your left hand. With your right hand, using the needle provided in the corker kit, or a croche hook, lift the first loop on the peg, over the second loop and drop it off the peg. This forms a knitted stitch. Turn the corker 1/4 turn clockwise and wrap the yarn around the second peg. Lift the bottom loop on the second peg, over the top yarn, forming the next knitted stitch. Give a slight tug on the tail of the yarn, and repeat the above steps working your way around the pegs until you have knitted the length of cord required. To cast off, break the yarn and pull it through each stitch on the pegs. Remove the loops from the pegs and pull the yarn tight to secure.

Tips: The cord can be used for belts, straps or sewn into mats, coasters and even hats. Try using different yarns, wools, cottons or raffia.