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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Pretty Woven Look Afghan and Rug |
        Interested in crochet? Visit our sister site: Crochet Pattern Central  | Tips 'n TricksDo 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! Name: Winifred from Scotland Subject: casting off Comment: When asked to cast off loosely it can sometimes be difficult, not if you use a needle two sizes bigger than the one you are using, and it gives you a nice finish Name: Allie Subject: Tension Comment: Tension is a problem for me, but I found out by accident if I leave my yarn ball in the basket (or my purse, etc) on the floor beside me it creates the perfect tension. It's a good cheat for a beginner knitter... Name: Maureen Subject: Knitting Comment: When coming to the end of a ball of wool and you are not sure if it will knit another row stretch out stitches on your pin and if your wool will stretch over four times you have enough for another row. It always works for me. Name: MARGARET Subject: needles Comment: When you are not using you knitting needles, either put a cork on the pointed end or a piece of foam. That will stop the holes in your bag or if the children go near them. Name: Winifred Subject: Sweater cuff Comment: When knitting the cuff of a sweater use one size smaller than the pattern asks for and you will get a nice neat fitting cuff. Also these row counters that you slide on to your knitting needle can move if you hold your needle under your arm I thread mine through a length of wool and hang it round my neck this is within easy reach and the rows never get moved accidently Name: Mirriam Subject: Where to put row counter Comment: I use a yarn needle to thread one of those small row counters that's meant to go on a needle onto the tail from my cast-on instead. That way the counter isn't weighing down one needle making it feel "off balance". This also works well if you're using circular needles or a set of double-pointed needles. Name: Connie Subject: organizers Comment: Don't throw away those cosmetics bags and totes you receive when purchasing make up at department store cosmetics counters. I use the smaller bags to hold all my small items like row counters, cable needles, ruler, stitch markers, pens, etc. I use the larger tote bags to carry the projects when I travel. Some of the bags even have small pockets inside to hold hand sanitizer, hand lotion, etc. Name: chris Subject: patterns Comment: A little tip for when you do have patterns with different sizes in brackets. I first go through the pattern and for the one size I use a high lighter and high light every size in a different color, then at the top of the pattern I put the color and then right the size beside the color it was highlighted in. This way you can follow the pattern a lot easier. Also instead of a row counter which I just started knitting and knew nothing about these, I just used a counter that men use for golf, works great. Name: Josiane Young Subject: Knitting needles Comment: When not using knitting needles, put elastic bands around each pair Name: Jude Subject: keeping track of charts Comment: When I'm knitting from charts I enlarge them, then use a magnetic board and long rectangular magnet to keep track of rows. You can pick up small A4 "magnetic whiteboards" from larger stationery shops and they're really cheap - a lot cheaper than a special craft one I bought once then lost! Keeps the pattern clear for re-use too. Name: Winifred from Scotland Subject: cable needle Comment: When you can't find your cable needle you can substitute a cocktail stick it works a treat. Name: Winifred from Scotland Subject: stuffing Comment: I keep all my bits of wool I cut of when my product is finished. Its amazing how quickly it mounts up. I use this when I need to stuff knitted toys or anything. Its also easy to wash and dry. Name: Winifred from Scotland Subject: Where to put cable needle Comment: I made a knitted square and stuffed it with wool and made a chain and attached it to the square. I made it long enough to hang round my neck so when I am not using the needle I stick it in the pad and its within reach for me when I come to the next batch of stitches to cable. You never lose the needle. Name: Max (i am a girl maxine) Subject: knitting Comment: i like having recycled stuff and all that so i thought why not use a shopping bag to knit with... so I took a plastic shopping bag tore it into strips and knitted my own reusable shopping bag!! cool! Name: orla mc elwee Subject: toy stuffing Comment: for cheep toy stuffing i use the insides of old pillows or cushions that i have washed before hand Select a Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Next >> Share your own hints by filling in the form below... |
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