Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 10/12/2004

Question
Dear Barbara,
Not sure if this is a sewing tool ! My grandmother left me her sewing things - mostly crochet hooks, knitting needles and bobbins (for lace). Mixed in amongst them all is an item whose use I have not been able to identify.
It is a small thin brass rod about 5 cm long with a brass ball on each end about the size of a pea. It has its own small leather purse. Apart from being English and dating from before 1950, I cannot say more about it.
Any idea ?

Answer
Hello Julia.  How very nice that you have your grandmother's sewing items.  Crochet hooks, knitting needles and bobbins are collectible, but their values are not very high in today's market unless they are made of bone or ivory or have some kind of uniqueness to them (carvings, inset jewels, etc.).  Without seeing a picture of the item you describe, I am going to venture a guess that it is a glove darner.  You might search the internet on glove darner to see if you can find a picture that comes close to the item you have.  Good luck with your search.  Barb