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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Strawberry Booties |
        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: louine Subject: wooden needles Comment: I love knitting with wooden kneedles but sometimes the yarn just doesn't move well on them so I spray an old tee shirt with spray wax such as Pledge and then wipe the kneedles with the shirt. If the wooden kneedles begin to feel sticky for any reason, I rub them with 0000 steel wool. Name: Ellen Subject: Handy Tools Comment: I always have a crochet hook in my knitting bag. A crochet hook with a shaft slightly smaller than the size of the knitting stitch makes picking up dropped stitches so easy. No need to rip out rows to make the repairs. In an emergency, straighten the end of a paper clip that has only one loop. Then use the smaller loop as a hook while holding it by the larger loop. Name: Carrie Subject: Keeping track of rows Comment: To keep track of your rows without using any extra tools, first, make a copy of your pattern. Then poke a small hole through the paper next to each completed row. Name: mmadams Subject: picking up stiches Comment: When picking up stitches (because the pattern tells you to or because you had to rip somethin out) use a size 1 or 2 needle. You won't stretch out your knit fabric- and it's a little easier to get into tight spaces Name: Barb Subject: No pain! Comment: For anyone with neck, shoulder or hand problems, try using circular needles for everything. Knit back and forth as you would with straight needles. The weight of your project will be supported in your lap, rather than your wrists, etc. holding it up on those long needles. Name: Katie Subject: Row Counting Comment: In addition to using a spool counter to keep track of how many rows I've completed, I always cast on to the needle with the spool counter. That way if that needle is in my right hand I know I'm on an odd row (which comes in handy if, like me, you sometimes forget to change the number between rows!) I don't own any markers either, so I use some small scraps of a different coloured wool as markers. I'm knitting a large scarf (100 st accross) out of feathered yarn, so I've used plain wool every 20 st as markers to prevent unwanted increases or decreases. Name: JUDY Subject: Markers Comment: My favorite markers are the small rubber bands for ponytails--very inexpensive!! Many of them come in bright colors. I've also used the rubber bands for braces on smaller needles. Name: iveenstra Subject: keeping track of your patterns Comment: i am a person who *used to* easily lose track of where i left off in my knitting pattern(s). especially when i take my knitting with me on my outtings. ***my solution: i use a "CRIBBAGE BOARD". each time i complete a row, i move the peg. the cribbage board is great for multiple projects (3 at a time) for those who have a few projects on the go; red representing one project, white another project, and blue (you get the idea). the most efficient cribbage board, happens also to be the most econimical coming in at under $10.oo. (if you don't already have one). the plastic foldable model, commonly offers a place for playing cards, which in turn is a great place to keep a small note pad and pencil for jotting down where you left off when its time to put the pegs away and pack up. (ie; r/16:red-16th row). ***and of course, you could play cribbage now and again, when you find yourself in a circle of friends who just want to change the day. multi-purpose, portable and practicle. happy knitting... Name: sally Subject: keeping up with pattern Comment: I always make a photocopy of the pattern I am working with. This way I can make notes, underline the size I am working with, mark particular rows that might have a different annotation etc. Also always keep a notebook handy. Name: sally Subject: bobbles Comment: when making bobbles, after you have got back to the one stitch on the right hand needles, bring the yarn towards you, slip this stitch to left hand needle, take yarn to back and slip st back onto right hand needles, now pull tight, this ensures that your bobble will not slip to the back as they are want to do. Name: Ruth Lepp Subject: making cables without a cable holder Comment: I love to make fisherman sweaters, and do a lot of knitting on the bus, I found a way not to always be dropping my cable needle: don't use one! Say you are ready to make a cable twist in a cable 6 stitches across. Simply knit those 6 stitches a bit loosely, then slide them off your right-hand needle. Now scoop up stitches 1-2-3 on your left needle, and scoop up stitches 4-5-6 on the right needle. Then transfer stitches 1-2-3 from the left needle to the right. All you have done is rearrange the order in which the stitches sit on your right-hand needle, and you have a cable twist. Don't be afraid to slip the 6 stitches off the needle "into mid-air" -- as long as you keep your needles close together, nothing will unravel. Name: Helen Subject: Avoiding ladders w/ 3 needles Comment: I got this hint from an other web site. When knitting in the round w/ double point needles, mark the beginning of the row and with each round work the last few stiches off the next needle for all three needles. It will eliminate the "ladders" that form due between the needles. I made several mittens this winter using this hint and it works very well. Name: Laurie Subject: yarn knotting or tangling Comment: I was having issues with yarn taking off across the room when using 2 or 3 stands of different types. So I bought 5 heavy marble paper towel holders and I slide the individual yarn on each like a large bobbin and it keeps them from going across the room. Name: Lindsey Subject: Storage Comment: I was tired of my yarn getting tangled up. So I bought an 8 oz. rubbermaid drink cup with a lid and a pop off spout. It's light weight and protects the yarn. For longer skeins, I got a 2 quart drink pitcher from a dollar store. Either way is a cheap solution from frustration. Name: Shirley Subject: Storage Comment: If you like to keep your knitting tools within reach, try using florist's foam (the green stuff that comes in brick shapes). You can pick it up at department stores for very low cost. Poke in your knitting needles, hooks, sewing needles, pencils, and even your gauge measure and they all stay within reach. No more searching between your sofa cushions for lost items! Select a Page << Prev 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 Next >> Share your own hints by filling in the form below... |
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