These brightly coloured objects were once used by knitters to help them to knit faster. They were made by seamen in their spare time, a product of their rope splicing skills. They gradually came to be replaced by leather knitting belts at the beginning of the 20th century. Largest 38.5 x 4cm.

The narrow end of the knitting sheath was tucked into the right side of the knitter's skirt or apron, and the knitting needle was inserted into the open end among the quills. This freed up the knitter's right hand, and enabled them to knit much faster.

Such things were once made from a bundle of straw simply bound with twine. These were used in the same fashion and were called 'wisps', wisp being the word for loose straw.