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!

Saturday, October 31, 2009Name: sarah

Subject: wrapping it around

Comment: if u find it hard to catch the stitch and to wrap it around then give the stitch a little tug and pull it out to the side and then wrap it around push it down and out through the hole

Tuesday, October 27, 2009Name: Sky

Subject: Handy Hint. =)

Comment: I found that it is most easy to knit things I like. For instance, I always look up how to knit fun socks, or cute little cats. And I keep all of my patterns in a knifty binder that I carry with me everywhere. =D

Also, the flat stitch, I made up my own and it looks exactly like the real flat stitch, so when you want to make something, but you don't know how, you can figure it out! =))))))

Monday, October 26, 2009Name: katherine

Subject: keepting knitting tangle free

Comment: I recently picked up knitting again, i have the good fortune of having my aunt teach me patterns and super tips. I keep my knitting in an old tote, that you can just take as it where ever you are going, since i don't work from paper patterns, i don't need anything in it except for my needles and wool.
Also a friend made me a needle organizer, which is basically a square piece of cloth with various pockets so that you can put your needles in it and just roll it up and store it.
I always count my stitches once i finish a row to see that its coming out correctly its tedious, but worth the effort at the end of the day.

Monday, October 19, 2009Name: Nicole

Subject: Storing or keeping your cat out of your yarn

Comment: My mom actually came up with this idea and it works for keeping the cat out of my yarn while I'm knitting. The bed sheets that come in the zip plastic bags come in handy (not only for storing your bed sheets if you can get them back in there) when you're knitting. I have a king size bed sheet bag that holds two skeins (made into a ball), knitting needles, the pattern you are using, and whatever else you're using. Also it helps keep the ball of yarn from rolling away as I am knitting, and little to no hair too. It's not fashionable or hides the knitting materials but since it's clear you can see how much yarn you have left. I would recommend trying it out.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009Name: Kristin Dewey

Subject: yarn tip

Comment: To keep your yarn in a container while working on a project, use a clean plastic gallon milk jug. Cut it in half horizontally below the handle, and sew the two pieces together in a zig zag pattern. This will make it adjustable, and will accommodate not only the small yarn balls, but the really large super saver yarns.

Friday, October 02, 2009Name: mer

Subject: working with cables

Comment: When you are making cables, look at what your work looks like after you complete one repeat of the pattern. You can count the number of rows between the twists quite easily. I find this observation method works well for me, much better than trying to keep track of which pattern row I am on.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009Name: Knitting Boy

Subject: Needle Storage

Comment: If you make the Alphabet Ball (it's in the Pattern Directory under toys) It will make a good pincushion. With a little creativity you can make numbers instead of letters, and store your needles accordingly.

Saturday, September 26, 2009Name: judy

Subject: proper tension

Comment: when learning to knit- my instructor told me to keep my yarn on the floor ( you can put in plastic bag to keep clean) and your tension will always be the same- does not matter where you are. It works perfectly.

Thursday, September 24, 2009Name: Pamela

Subject: Keeping wool clean

Comment: 1. I start a ball of wool from the middle/centre, this way when you pull the ball will not roll. Good if you have cats.
2. I keep the ball of wool I am using in a clear plastic bag. Always stays clean, even white.

Thursday, September 24, 2009Name: Jeanette

Subject: To keep needles moving well

Comment: Instead of using wax or polish for your needles, run them through your hair as if you have an itch and wish to scratch. This way you use the natural oils in your hair that will not damage natural fibers of wool or silk.

Thursday, September 24, 2009Name: morgan

Subject: holders

Comment: I found if u r starting a new project and r looking 4 someplace 2 store it an empty plastic baby wipe container works wonders!

Thursday, September 24, 2009Name: Zia

Subject: creating patterns

Comment: if you make a pattern You would need to experiment with it before posting it on a blog or in a book or sharing it with anyone.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009Name: Charlotte

Subject: Binding Off

Comment: bind off the last two stitches together so you don't get that loose stitch at the end of your work.

Sunday, September 13, 2009Name: Judi

Subject: needle organizers

Comment: I keep each size of my round needles in a plastic bag that seals. Then I keep them in a bin by number. It's a great way to always have what you need when you need it and not be rummaging to find the right size!

Tuesday, September 08, 2009Name: Barbara

Subject: knitting with color or complex patterns

Comment: I have found that it is easier for me to work with a color chart or a complex pattern if I can "snip" and paste it into MSW Paint. That way I can use the paint brush to cross out the rows I have done, or use a contrasting color to indicate how I want to alter a chart. You can also invert horizontally, vertically, etc. When I'm working fair isle across a reasonable number of stitches, I actually create the entire row in PAINT, then cross out as I knit a section. I find this to be invaluable. Try it!

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