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!

Friday, January 04, 2008Name: Crista

Subject: DIY Stitch Holder

Comment: When I first started knitting I didn't know to buy stitch holders and I had an unfinished scarf after running out of yarn, so I took a wire clothes hanger and unfastened it at the top, slid my stitches through, and then twisted it back to close it until I had a chance to go buy one.

Friday, January 04, 2008Name: Mother

Subject: Mitten Thumbs

Comment: When knitting mittens in the round I find it easier to knit my thumb increases on a fourth needle. It makes keeping track so much easier.
ENJOY

Wednesday, December 26, 2007Name: Josofina

Subject: Neat edges

Comment: To get very neat edges to your knitting, always SLIP the first stitch off the needle purlways, and always KNIT into the back of the last stitch on the row.

Sunday, December 23, 2007Name: abs

Subject: none

Comment: the best and easiest decrease is knit 2 together (k2tog) and purl 2 together (p2tog).

Sunday, December 23, 2007Name: zlata ehrenstein

Subject: hobby

Comment: Your comments and hints are as valuable as ever. I learned much from them. I use knitting as a tranquilizer in the evening to unload after a long day. Also, in the middle of spring cleaning, when the work look like it is never going to get done, I always have some piece that I am working on.

I find it really helps to like the piece I chose to do. I look forward to finishing it.

Saturday, December 22, 2007Name: Sam

Subject: Yarn Stitch Holders?

Comment: I, personally, cannot use yarn as a stitch holder. Five rows later it ends up knitted into the project. A great alternative (if you don't want to go to Wal*Mart and get a pack for like...$1) are the small elastic bands used for hair. You can get a pack of several hundred for about a dollar, and they feel DRASTICALLY different, making it MUCH harder to knit them in.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007Name: Alison - from Birmingham UK

Subject: New techniques

Comment: When trying new techniques eg figure of 8 cast on, first practise using waste yarn, preferably in a light colour, and double knit (or thicker), on fairly large needles.

This is much easier than trying the technique for the first time in a thin dark-coloured yarn, on fine needles (as I discovered). It's also easier to see the result.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007Name: Angela

Subject: Clean Patterns

Comment: This is a cross-stitch trick I use for knitting patterns. especially cable patterns) After I photocopy the pattern to preserve the original, I use a light green coloring pencil to mark off what I've done. It allows the pattern to show through the coloring and doesn't make a mess of your hands or your knitting.

Monday, December 10, 2007Name: melissa

Subject: stitch markers

Comment: i was knitting this hat on circular needles and i needed something to mark the beginning of the row, so i just used the barrette i had put in my hair to clip back my sidebangs. just clip it in the stitch and knit away! god bless and happy knitting!

Sunday, December 09, 2007Name: Betty Graham, Sweden

Subject: gauge/tension

Comment: If you are a loose knitter, or the back of stocking stitch shows groups of 2 rows, try a smaller needle for the purl rather than the plain. It took years before I read that most of us knit purl stitches more loosely.

Sunday, December 09, 2007Name: Anna

Subject: Stuffing

Comment: Hi, I was in need of large quantities of stuffing, and couldn't believe the price so bought a cheap pillow and hey I now have enough stuffing for lots of projects!! Happy knitting.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007Name: Sophie

Subject: Pearl

Comment: To do pearl just put your needle behind instead of in front your other needle.Then....Hey Presto!! You've just made a pearl stitch!

Saturday, December 01, 2007Name: carol ferguson

Subject: storing needles, marking rows.

Comment: I use a tubular document holder, similar to a pringle tube, to store my needles in it is great. Also I have had row markers that I find sometimes fall out especially when using mohair or shimmer wool so I use a plastic curtain hook, it is great and doesn't fall out.

Thursday, November 29, 2007Name: Ashley (and my cat, Schroeder!)

Subject: bamboo needles

Comment: For your cat's safety (and the safety of your nice bamboo needles!), keep them away from your cat; I notice mine has a tendency to chew on my needles, and if they get ahold of your bamboo needles, the wood will splinter and makes it hard for the stitches to slip nicely. Happy knitting!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007Name: Charyl

Subject: Cables

Comment: I use bamboo double pointed needles to do my cables - so much easier! Am a big bamboo needle fan anyway - have replaced almost of my needles. Word of caution tho, if you are a tight knitter, stitches can be difficult to slide off.
Happy Knitting!

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