Aurora

I think it might be a loopturner.

firebird

My grandmother used one of these to repair runs in nylon stockings during WWII. She was paid quite well as nylons were expensive. I remember watching my mother use it as well to do the same. We have sure gotten spoiled with pantyhose being so inexpensive to buy. Wish I had my mother's tool, just for memories.

Johanna Fritz

I think a button up tool would not need a spring. The picture attached is what I found online...all similar with no spring. It might be rug hooking or a really fancy shoe button up. Even the fancy silver ones didn't have a spring - only a hook. Hmmm?

tlcquiltnut

I doesn't look sturdy enough for a latch hook does it? I agree with the knitters here....cool to see it as an antique. Interesting.... :)
That's a button hook alright...I still use the one I have..as I have some buttons on a pair of boots ....

okiepastor

To pick up stitches that are dropped--my aunt had one--at least that is what she used it for....

lynnie

looks like a loop turner i have about 3 of em

Carol J.

Since it is so short and so fine, I would guess it was used with a stocking knitting machine. They were very popular 100 years ago and worked like other knitting machines we see today but it worked in the round. I had two knitting machines over the years and one used a finer hook like this with fingering yarn.

This type of hook works well on fine yarn knitting when you lost a stitch and have inches to bring it back up.

The principle behind this is the same as the rug hooks made for using cut pieces of yarn to make a hooked rug.

Carol J.

ufoqueen

It looks somewhat like plate hangars my mother had, for the back of a plate you want to hang. The spring extends to the size of the plate.

ergranny46

I have a hook like that but it has a wooden handle, It's called a latch hook. I used it to make this latch hook rug.

Iamquilter

No it's not a knitting machine needle.