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!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009Name: RaeJean Fournet

Subject: Needle Storage

Comment: I was struggling with how to store my circular and double pointed needles as they are not marked with the size like straight needles. I picked up a small coupon (or check) organizer and labeled the individual tabs with the needle size. This organizer has a flap that closes over the top keeping the needles secure in their individual pouches.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009Name: Celtic Lady

Subject: Casting On Loosely

Comment: My cast-on rows were always too tight. I finally thought to use needles a size or two larger for just the cast-on row. This was my "well, duh" moment! Happy Knitting!

Saturday, November 28, 2009Name: Alethea

Subject: Keeping track of rows

Comment: When I knit a stitch with alot of rows in it, I write what row I am on, on a sticky pad. This is a little risky in my case, though, because I've got a sister who likes to change it and mess me up. So if you have a sister who is like mine, be sure to keep it out of her hands!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009Name: lynn

Subject: button holes

Comment: when knitting baby jackets if you have "novelty" buttons don't make button holes, sew poppers on the button bands and sew the buttons on the outside "for show"

Wednesday, November 18, 2009Name: Kathy

Subject: Knitting Pattern

Comment: I just made a throw with the pattern being having 28 rows. I typed the pattern on to a piece of card stock and cut it down to fit my row counter. Example: Row 1-3 Knit, Row 4 K2P2, Row 5 Knit, Rows 6-24 repeat rows 4&5, Rows 25-27 Knit, Row 28 purl. I always had my pattern at my finger tips.

Monday, November 16, 2009Name: Beckie

Subject: Stitch Holder

Comment: I've found that crochet hooks are great for holding stitches. They make it easier to pull your work on and off of needles and there are no issues with tension.

Monday, November 16, 2009Name: indian goddess

Subject: felting knitting

Comment: if u knit up a couple of different yarns in ur pattern, it will look really colorful, of course. but, if u use a couple of mixed yarns, (yarns that have different colors mixed into one thread), it will look really cool. After u felt it, the soft fuzzy look will look like a swirly rainbow. Try it out!

Sunday, November 15, 2009Name: Thelma

Subject: sewing

Comment: When sewing projects together, I rub my needle with a piece of dryer sheet or even one you have used. This keeps the needle sliding through easy. I use this method for wool and material.
Hope this helps you too.

Friday, November 13, 2009Name: Linda

Subject: long-tail rescue

Comment: I like to leave long tails for seaming but they get in the way. Now I wind them on bread ties (not the twists) or embroidery floss cards.

Friday, November 13, 2009Name: Linda

Subject: storing DPN

Comment: The plastic canisters that Crystal Lite mixes come in are ideal for storing dbl pointed needles. Label washes off and can write size on the lid.

Friday, November 13, 2009Name: Linda

Subject: finding the pattern

Comment: If you're like me, you have tons of knitting books/magazines. The patterns I know I want to do later, I write on an index card the description of pattern & the title of Book/magazine & issue. Now finding that pattern is a snap.

Thursday, November 12, 2009Name: Linda

Subject: storage of needles.

Comment: My needles were everywhere until I got them organized. They are now stored in one of those shoe organizers that hang over a door. It has 22 pockets, is see-thru, and can be easily marked R/T size.

Thursday, November 12, 2009Name: Linda

Subject: patterns

Comment: My eyesight is poor so I enlarge my patterns which also allow me to write notes, keep track of rows by marking them off & keep it manageable.

Friday, November 06, 2009Name: Kathryn

Subject: Neat edges

Comment: A little trick my grandmother taught me: slip the first stitch of every row rather than knitting it. If your row begins with a pearl stitch, bring the wool to the front before slipping the stitch.
This makes for much smoother edges, which helps when creating flat seams. You can even use it in cables.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009Name: Barb

Subject: Counting rows

Comment: I went to Staples and bought one of those counters that are used for inventories. It works well and keeps an accurate count of your rows. It works wonderfully.

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