Sternli translates to little star in Swiss German, and you can see why it was called this.  On this tool you can make tiny stars!  Often I use them amongst my work to represent daisies, they are a great addition to your Swiss Flowers. I usually use a split straw for making them but you can use straw thread (or in fact other threads too)
The top circle can move up and down the pins, I make the stars when the circle is near the top of the tool and when I want to get the stars off I slide the circle down the tool which brings the pins slightly closer together so easier to take the star off.
 
Base Diam. 5cm  Height 12.5cm