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Such a thing exists as a wicking needle! Also, candle wick is traditionally measured by thread count, so you can determine what you have and order something suitable larger. A 15 thread wick for example is also written as a 3x5. Three woven strands of 5 fibres.

Larger diameter candles can take a larger wick without developing bad habits- and a bigger wick will give a larger flame as long as the airflow through the lantern is enough. If restricted the mixture becomes too rich and sooting occurs. So source or make candles with a wick of greater thread...

Another subject entirely really, but that flies in the face of what seems like the current policy- childcare=employment, get everybody working to fund childcare so they can go to work. Erm? A boost to the economy, granted, but the knock on social effects will likely cost more in the long term.

Sounds like a typical ill thought out knee jerk- yet another layer of hassle and complication for the law-abiders while failing to have any impact on criminals. As you point out @GreyCat, more effort to buy a knife legally. However, a notable feature of criminals is that they don't obey the law...

A bit of both. A lot of what was written about traditional crafts during the late 1960s-70s revival was borderline at best, and plagiarised and regurgitated in books almost to the extent now seen with online blogs. A lot of it was just plain wrong- hearsay, poorly memories, craftsmen...

Take a lot of his statements with a pinch of salt though, not the most accurate on the subject of rural life and crafts! He was an endearing fellow though.

It's the time of year for my annual read of 'Winter Holiday' by Arthur Ransome, because it was set this time of year. One of the best children' books ever written. Sledging, skating, firelighting, Primus stoves, cooking over open fires, astronomy, hurricane lamps, signalling, knots, making...

In simplistic terms, a piece of wood containing the centre pith will almost always split. Carve from wood in the round- splits on drying. Split the piece of wood into two and carve that- much less chance of splitting.

@TLM Put simply, solid polyurethane is incredibly durable and long lasting, the polyurethane suspension bushes on my car have done 15 years service and are as new. Foamed polyurethane used in footwear degrades quickly in a normal environment- the foaming makes it porus and allows light and air...

@Stew Pressure cooking works fine. I use whichever method is most convenient- pressure cooker, stovetop in winter, or thermal cooker (modern day haybox). 'Bone broth' has a reputation as a bit of a health fad- but it's likely as old as boiling meat. Through history meat would have been boiled...

A quick online search containing 'broth' and 'collagen' will bring up thousands of articles and recipes. The only downside of the stuff is the long stewing time means it is high in histamine, so go carefully if you have histamine issues.

Any connective tissue. Chicken feet are great!

There are various farms/butcheries who sell online and deliver who offer bones. You generally have to spend a big chunk of money or pay a hefty delivery fee though. I've bought bones before from Coombe Farm and Gazegill (I only eat organic/grass fed meat) as part of much larger orders. Best of...

Good for you, learning the skills, practicing the skills while treading as lightly as possible. This thread is a reminder I haven't lit a bow drill fire in a while, it's a great time to try out the damp timber method discussed here while everything is damp and freezing!

No, if you read my post you'll learn that I have used them myself on occasion, and didn't suggest their use was avoided altogether. My aim was to educate those who are ignorant that they are an important part or a rare inverts' life cycle in some part of the country, hence my gently worded...

Without wanting to come over all 'bushcraft police', many people aren't aware King Alfred's cakes are often inhabited by pupating invertebrates trying to live out their lifecycle. In the south and east of England the scarce Platyrhinus resinosus relies on them for food. I know somebody who...

I had the great fortune to learn from the rather amazing Jessie Watson Brown at a festival years ago. That prompted a couple of years of collecting various spindle and hearth woods and trying all possible combinations. My favourite was a spindle tree spindle, with an ivy hearth. But only...

I've owned one for a year, against my better judgement. It's a tool, a small portable computer which has come in handy when out and about. I don't take it out and fiddle with it in spare time (whatever that is!). I don't compulsively check it. It is on aeroplane mode unless I am using it. It is...

Jumps to £1.55 for a few peas or beans! ;) It's not exactly for life in all cases, for some veg you need a lot of space and a lot of plants to get enough genetic diversity to get viable seed. Other stuff is simple and it's no effort to save seed. Peas for example mostly self-pollinate and it's...

Interesting idea! I can't be much use, although I grow a lot it's a few restricted types due to a currently restricted diet. I mostly save my own and top up/occasionally try something new from the Real Seed Catalogue. I'd suggest the biggest issue would be postage costs, given that the value...