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, March 02, 2009Name: Lynn

Subject: counting rows

Comment: Take a piece of notebook or typing paper, number it for how many rows (or pattern repeats) you are going to do, lay it on the couch next to you. Each time you finish a row, use your (empty)needle point to poke a hole through that row number. Saves time and is accurate! I make a chart on the computer and print it out so I have lots of row-counts for pattern repetitions - saves time in the long run from having to hand-number repeated sheets :)

Monday, March 02, 2009Name: Heather

Subject: Sleeve Adjustments

Comment: If you've knit the sleeves too long or short or the cuffs too tight or loose, unpick the sleeve seam, cut the the sleeve from where it needs adjustment, and knit down. If it's a plain knit, you won't notice. Depending on the pattern, you might be able to work it from the top down, but, more likely, you'll have to change to something else. Best way to look at it is as a design opportunity (grin.)
How do I know this: well, I'm an XL, and, designers have decided that XL people are all 6'2". When I'm autoknitting, I sometimes forget to measure the sleeves and just keep going.

Saturday, February 28, 2009Name: Betsy

Subject: Patterns

Comment: I slip my patterns into plastic page protector sleeves. You can also use sticky notes to mark your place. I have 3 ring binders with tabs marking different types of patterns, ie. baby blankets, kids clothing, afghans etc. You can just slip the pages back into the binder when done using them and they are always ready and in place when you want to reuse a pattern.

Thursday, February 26, 2009Name: D

Subject: scissor alternative

Comment: Instead of carrying scissors with me, I keep a pair of small pet nail clippers in my kit. Nice and sharp and no more holes pokes in baggies and airplane friendly =) Happy knitting

Thursday, February 26, 2009Name: Susan in Ireland

Subject: Protecting Patterns

Comment: I use a cheap laminator to protect my patterns as my two year old kept drawing on my patterns or ripping them. They are durable and if I need to make notes I just pop a post-it note on the laminated pattern. Once hole-punched they can also be neatly stored in a ring binder.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009Name: Mary Lou

Subject: Storing dp needles

Comment: I knit a strip about 4-5 inches wide. Change colors about every 1 1/2 to two inches at least 9 times. you slide your dp needles in using a different color for each size.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009Name: Sandra

Subject: row counters

Comment: Just put Susan Bates Row Counter in your address bar. You can order as many counters as you want. They are only about $3.75 each. I wouldn't be without one when using a pattern that has odd rows.

Saturday, February 21, 2009Name: Pamela Atencio

Subject: Re: stitch markers

Comment: When I need stich markers I use colorful straws. I just nip them in small circles and store them on a divided compartment per color. They usually fit up to a size 10US needle. Have fun

Thursday, February 19, 2009Name: cathy

Subject: even edges

Comment: I always knit the last stitch even if it calls for a purl and my edges come out nicely

Monday, February 16, 2009Name: arlene from Brooklyn

Subject: first line

Comment: I always make a slip knot after I have cast on the first stitch. the yarn doesn't have any leeway when you begin to work and it keeps its shape.

Saturday, February 14, 2009Name: barbara

Subject: pre wound skein

Comment: Pre round skeins can be kept neat down to the last yard of yarn by winding a rubber band around the paper label that is left on the skein. Depending on the size of the skein is the size of the rubber band. This is much more economical than buying yarn "bras".

Friday, February 13, 2009Name: Sue

Subject: yarn storage

Comment: I buy clear plastic shoe boxes at the dollar store for storing my yarn. I then label them and then I can tell at a glance what box is which. I also have a box that holds my "extras". This works for me.

Friday, February 13, 2009Name: Dawn

Subject: Stitch Markers

Comment: When I was knitting a complicated sweater that had many cables and other stitches, I put a marker in between each repeat of the pattern stitch. For the different cross stitches, I used a highlighter pen to color code each cross a different color. Printing off a copy of the chart allows me to color in the row with a highlighter and that lets me know what row I am working on in the chart.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009Name: Susan in Arkansas

Subject: "unkrinkling" used yarn

Comment: I don't remember where I read it... but it works great! When unraveling something to reuse the yarn, wind it loosely around your "elbow to hand"... tie it loosely in 6-8 places with junk yarn and then soak it in a lukewarm Woolite bath for 5-10 minutes. Dry it by laying it on towels... and swap out the towels as they are wet. The krinkly yarn "unkrinkles" beautifully.
It only took about 2 days for a whole skein to dry.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009Name: Kristine

Subject: Don't loose the small stuff

Comment: To keep from loosing all my small items, markers, point protectors, safety pins, etc. I use pill cases. I use a day of the week one for home and a small 2 compartment one for on the go!

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