Tips 'n Tricks

Do you have a helpful hint or handy trick that will make any aspect of knitting easier? Share it! Post ideas on scrap yarn usages, stitch markers, color changing, maintaining your sanity while following a difficult pattern, etc. There is most probably someone out there that will benefit from your help. Need ideas yourself? Read others' comments--we all live and learn!

Monday, May 01, 2006Name: Leslee

Subject: Stitch Markers

Comment: Rubber gaskets used for small engine repair make great stitch/place markers. They move well on needles (rounded edges), are durable and cheap! My DH gave me some once when I lost a stitch marker and they were wonderful to work with. Hardware stores and hardware sections of discount stores sell packages of assorted sizes for $1 or $2. The only drawback is that they are normally black so they don't show up well when working with black yarn.

Friday, April 28, 2006Name: Chelsea

Subject: Point protectors

Comment: I use binder clips on the ends of my needles to keep my work from falling off.

Saturday, April 22, 2006Name: Josie

Subject: Double Point Needle Stoppers

Comment: While working on a Tam (hat) with Double Pointed Needles, at forty eight stitches per needle of worsted yarn, I was getting quite frustrated with dropped stitches, so I grabbed the nearest thing sitting on my desk, which happened to be a bit of an eraser. For my 3.25 MM size needles I cut up several mechanical pencil erasers.
Better to take the time to transfer 'eraser stoppers' from tip to tip, than to dig out a fuzzy lost stitch.

Friday, April 21, 2006Name: Purdy

Subject: Cardigans and button holes

Comment: If your new to makeing cardigans with button holes, make a baby size one first to learn how its done, then you dont have to unpick so much if you go wrong.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006Name: Sarah

Subject: Point Protectors

Comment: I once got a pair of knitting needles that didn't have any "stoppers" at the end to stop stitches from falling off. To solve my problem, I got some rubber bands and put them on the ends. They stay on great(probally because the needles are metal)and work like a charm. This also works on the pointed end as a point protector or to make DPN's into short single point needles.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006Name: Libby

Subject: sticky notes

Comment: I keep a pad of sticky notes in my knitting bag to mark my place in the pattern and also have room to mark how many rows I've finished or any notes that I need to make.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006Name: Lauri Jane

Subject: Markers

Comment: I thought my marker suggestion was good, but I think the coloured drinking straws beats mine!!

I use small coloured paperclips that I got in box for a pound... the different colours come in handy when making a complex pattern (marking for increases, decreases etc - colour coding saves time by stopping you having to refer repeatedly back to the written pattern) They also come in handy as little stitch holders when you've finished with them!

Tuesday, April 18, 2006Name: Cathy

Subject: Stitch holders

Comment: Double-pointed needles make great stitch holders for larger pieces; you can even use the same gauge needle. Don't forget to put a stopper on each end!

Thursday, April 13, 2006Name: Suzanne Marie

Subject: knitting bag

Comment: I bought a cheap makeup bag at the drug store that has several zippered compartments and see-thru pouches, etc. It's great for all those extras - point protectors, placemarkers, crochet needle, etc. I can slide it under my easy chair and it's always within reach!

Wednesday, April 12, 2006Name: Laura

Subject: following patterns

Comment: everybody gets confused when following patterns,(i do anyway),so heres 2 ways i find most helpful....

1)put the page you're on into a plastic wallet and use highlighters to highlight the stuff you've done. That way you dont ruin the pattern and u can get the highlighter off with a damp cloth.

2)use pencil to lightly draw a line over the bits of the pattern you have done. That way you can rub it out when you're finished with the pattern

Xxx-happy-knitting-xxX

Saturday, April 01, 2006Name: A-a

Subject: keeping cats out of your yarn

Comment: I have 9 cats and they love to play with my yarn while knitting. To solve the problem, my husband bought me a sewing stand at an antique store. I keep my ball of yarn in it with just the strand I'm using coming out. Because the tops are slanted, they don't like to jump on it (it opens at both sides at the top). I keep the lids closed (the lids aren't heavy enough to put much tension on the yarn) but you could work with them open. There's also a handle so I can carry my knitting from room to room.

Friday, March 31, 2006Name: laura

Subject: money saving

Comment: If you're strapped for cash why not ask one of your fellow knitting pals to do a swap with your old stuff and theirs? I did and we both found that we both had what the other had been looking for!!!

Friday, March 31, 2006Name: Laura

Subject: young knitters tips

Comment: Im only twelve at the moment (nearly thirteen!), but i adore knitting and i have a few ideas for you;
1) If you're bored of being stuck on your own with the knitting arrange some of your knitting pals to come over and so you can all have loads of fun!
2)Don't use everybody elses patterns all the time- invent your own, you'd be suprised
AND FINALLY....
3)do a pattern swap with your friends because you'll all find something perfect i promise xxx happy knitting

Thursday, March 30, 2006Name: Margie

Subject: small gadgets

Comment: Instead of misplacing small items (stitch markers, that extra dp needle, sewing needle, row counter, etc.) keep a small, open-at-the-top box next to your knitting.

I put small things there and don't have to hunt for them.

Margie

Wednesday, March 15, 2006Name: Carole

Subject: Following a pattern with many rows

Comment: When making a baby blanket or the like that has many and multiple rows, I copy the directions onto index cards. As I finish a row I just slip it in back of the pile. I also use a counter to make sure I am following the correct row. It takes a few minutes to write this all down, but save much more time and makes everyting very portable

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