A knit picker is a tiny latchhook used to repair or improve fabrics, usually there was a length of cord, on one end was a small loop with a fine pin hanging with the head through a hole in the loop(so it could be replaced if it should get bent or broken)

On the other end of the cord was the latch hook, and both pin and hook fitted into a holder. The holder had a ring for a chain to secure it, through which the cord also passed so the tools could not be left behind.

By using these tools faults in the weaving were minimised, so increasing its value, but it was painstaking work.

I just recently worked on a length of seersucker which had several bad faults where long loops of the weft had been woven in. By using a latch hook from my knitting machine and a quilting pin I managed to draw out the excess and then work it along the weft to the selvage, and then close the gap in the weft with the pin.

If left unheld weaving yarn will spiral on itself so it is essential that it is held under light tension all the time.

I sing a song with the verse

My bobbins all out, my ends all down
The duffers in the alley and I can't get round
CHORUS
Hard times at the mill, Ma love
Hard times at the mill.

Which I should probably ammend to 'doffer'? Or as duffer is someone who is a rather dim no hoper is it actually the same word?

I assume it is the same root as to doff one's cap - the doffer's task is removing the full bobbins of spun thread and replacing them with empty ones?

Anne