What is this?

Along with a few very thin crochet hooks, this item on the far right of the picture was also found in an estate. It appears to be made from some kind of bone. What is it?

That’s probably some kind of shuttle for weaving, Veronika, because my mother had things like that, too.

Best regards, Inge

It’s completely smooth all around—how does the thread stay attached to it?

There’s that groove at the bottom—that’s where the thread was wrapped around and tied in a knot, as my mother once explained to me. But I’m not sure if that’s really how it was.

Best regards, Inge

You can use it to make holes in fabric without damaging the fabric.
A cobbler calls this tool an awl… they need something like that too.
A goldsmith today uses a similar tool, a transchier needle…

but that’s just my opinion
Best wishes 

Of course, I’ve been Googling it—on eBay, there are listings for “antique crochet hooks” made of ivory, and this kind of thing is always included. But what exactly it’s used for is never mentioned.

Perhaps it was used to make holes in fabric that was to be edged with crochet. It would go well as part of a set with thin crochet hooks.

I agree with Claudia. I think a friend of mine—who sadly has passed away—also had something like this for her beautiful crocheted trims.

Yeah, that makes sense—my mom used to crochet around handkerchiefs, also with those very thin hooks. But I don’t remember anything like this at all.

Later on, you could buy handkerchiefs with pre-punched holes. I remember crocheting around them in needlework class at school. (That was over 60 years ago.) But back in the era when those “antique” crochet hooks were made, such industrially mass-produced handkerchiefs probably didn’t exist yet. 

My grandma had one of those in her little basket too.... 
It was actually for “drilling” holes in fabric for handkerchief edgings, but also for those decorative pillows on the bed and for tablecloths.... 
How lovely that you discovered such a little treasure. 
Grandma always kept the crochet hook that could be put together in her handbag: “you never know when you might get caught on something somewhere, so it’s wise to have it with you” 😊 

I also inherited crochet hooks like these from my mother-in-law. I still think the handles are really elegant. 
I also find this pretty wooden spike elegant, and it looks quite handy too.

Thanks to all of you for participating—I found this really interesting; you never stop learning.
And yes, those crochet hooks with covers are actually quite practical—I haven’t seen them in ages.