Yarn Palette

Abstract

A yarn palette for use by one engaged in needlepoint, embrodiery, crewel, or like operations in which a plurality of strands of fibers are used together. A palette body, preferably transparent, has a series of openings through which individual strands are extended and then reverted back to an enlarged slot wherein they are held collectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to an accessory useful in decorative sewing operations to permit use of multiple strands of material without entanglement of the same.

2. Statment of the Prior Art

Devices to maintain integrity of individual fiber strands have heretofore been proposed. Representative patents are as follows:

Patent No. Patentee Issue Date ______________________________________ 440,812 Keats Nov. 18, 1890 613,324 Selcer Nov. 1, 1898 650,630 Chamberlain May 29, 1900 1,484,613 Carmel Feb. 19, 1924 2,582,319 Ellis Jan. 15, 1952. ______________________________________

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inexpensive and uncomplicated accessory for use by those engaged in decorative sewing operations such as crewel, embrodiery, needlepoint, or the like. These endeavors involve in some instances the use of yarns or fibers of different colors, sometimes several in number, and it is very difficult to use these sequentially or randomly without entanglement of the rolls of material. Such entanglement greatly inconveniences the person attempting to sew, and reduces the efficiency of the operation. To overcome this, the invention provides a palette body with a series of openings through which the strands may be individually extended. Additionally, a combined finger hold and collecting slot is provided which renders all strands readily available for use.

In a preferred form of the invention, the palette body is fabricated from transparent material whereby the strands on either side may be readily observed during use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a yarn palette according to this invention as used;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse cross sectional view, taken substantially on line 2--2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the palette.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawing in more detail, a yarn palette hereof is therein generally identified by reference numeral 10. The palette 10 comprises a palette body 12 of elongated substantially flat configuration and preferably formed of a lightweight transparent material. Various rigid plastics have been found desirable as a material for this.

For purposes of orientation herein, the body has an upper surface 14, and a lower surface 16, although it will be noted that the palette is reversible whereby each surface is the same. The body further has an inner side 18 and an outer side 20, and opposite ends 22, 24. A circumferential peripheral edge 26 surrounds the body portion.

Formed in the palette body adjacent the inner side 18 thereof is an elongated arcuately shaped slot 28. The slot 28 extends fully through the body from the upper surface 14 to the lower surface 16, and its side walls 30 and 32 are substantially parallel in curvature to the adjacent portion of the peripheral edge 26. Thus, a curved hold section 34 is provided between the slot and the edge. The slot serves as a collecting section for the strands and also as a finger or thumb hold.

A plurality of generally circular openings 36 are positioned in the body adjacent the outer side 20 thereof. These openings are uniformly spaced from one another and are also arranged equidistantly from the edge 26 of the body. A number sufficient to accommodate the individual strands is provided.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred manner of use is illustrated. Here it is seen that a number of strands S of yarn, each of a different color or shade is employed. The individual strands are extended through the openings 36 and then reverted around the adjacent edge 26 of the body, lying in main extent across the upper surface 14 of the palette body. The user presses with the thumb against the collected strands, depressing them slightly into the slot 28 to an extent sufficient to maintain tension on the strands. With the strands thus separated, individual ones thereof may be readily selected and withdrawn for use.

Claims

I claim:

1. A strand separator for maintaining a plurality of strands of material in orderly condition during operations involving selected employment of different strands, the strand separator comprising:

a palette body of elongated, flat form having upper and lower surfaces, inner and outer sides, and ends;

the palette body being formed of a transparent material permitting viewing of the condition of the strands on both surfaces thereof;

the palette body having a peripheral edge extending about said sides and ends;

the palette body having an elongated finger and strand collecting slot formed therein and extending therethrough from its upper surface to its lower surface, the finger and strand collecting slot being located adjacent the peripheral edge of the inner side of the body;

the palette body having a plurality of individual strand openings therein adjacent the peripheral edge of the outer side thereof, said individual strand openings extending fully through the body, and individual strands being extended through said openings and collected together at the finger and collecting slot;

the peripheral edge being curvilinear;

the finger and collecting slot being curved and being centrally located with respect to the strand openings; and

the plurality of individual strand openings being arranged in a series equidistantly spaced from the adjacent peripheral edge and uniformly spaced from one another.