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, October 29, 2007Name: Elora

Subject: turning rows, rotated

Comment: You probably already know to use a purl row on stockinette if you plan to fold it over at some point. However, fewer patterns include instructions for what I guess I'll call turning columns. To make one, knit the stitches in one column through the back loop; this is very useful for keeping knitted pleats neatly folded.

Monday, October 29, 2007Name: Kathi H.

Subject: Stitch markers

Comment: A tip that I learned a long time ago is: when repeating a pattern (i.e. pattern stitch is multiples of 12) place a marker at the beginning/end of every repeat. You will catch an error at the time you make it not several rows later.

Monday, October 29, 2007Name: Donna

Subject: Thrifting

Comment: When I shop the thrift store, I go straight to the sweater isle. All you have to do is scan down the line and touch everything. When you find a cool sweater, check the seams underneath. If it's crocheted, you can pull it apart and then you have some good cotton or wool yarn to work with at a fraction of the price.

Saturday, October 27, 2007Name: Ruth Hesseltine

Subject: casting on stitches

Comment: When casting on stitches, I place a marker on the needle every 10 stitches to make it easier to count the total number of stitches.

Saturday, October 27, 2007Name: Mallory

Subject: joining wool

Comment: untwist a bit of the 2 ends you want to join, place them on top of each other and moisten them, then rub them together for a minute and twist them back up

Thursday, October 25, 2007Name: Susan

Subject: Storing Needles

Comment: A pretty way to store your knitting needles is to use a big flower vase. I have all of my knitting needles in a big wide mouth vase and they look very pretty sitting on my window sill! I also store my balls of yarn that I'm using soon in a big basket.
Knit on!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007Name: Moira / Scotland

Subject: Row Counters

Comment: I find row counters very fiddly, so I bought a clicker counter from Ebay and keep it on the arm of my chair whilst knitting...less fiddly and less often forgotten I find. Happy knitting all :)

Saturday, October 20, 2007Name: Ashley

Subject: scrap yarn usage

Comment: One way to get rid of some scrap yarn and help some animals is to knit small squares, in such a size that they will be squares when folded in half. Fill it with beans and seam up the sides. Give it to your own cat, or donate then as toys to your local animal shelter.
Happy knitting and may your dropped stitches be few and far between!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007Name: Alison - from Birmingham UK

Subject: Enough yarn to work a row?

Comment: Tracey gives a tip that when changing yarn, always knit to the end of the row, and start the new row with the new ball. That way there are no joins in the middle.

How do you know if you have enough yarn to complete a row?

A tip I learned somewhere, is that if you have a length of yarn equal to (or more than) 4 times the length of the row, you will have enough to complete the row.

I use this often and it seems to work.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007Name: anita_napp

Subject: yarn storage

Comment: An empty pringles can is great for storing a skein in as you work with it. Simply cut a hole in the center of the lid and thread the loose end of the yarn thru it. (I always clean the can with a damp cloth first and allow to dry). With this storage solution it keeps little fingers from getting light colors dirty while you work as well.

Monday, October 15, 2007Name: Ashley

Subject: stitch holders

Comment: Instead of buying expensive stitch holders, try a safety or kilt pin instead; a contrasting color of yarn works as well.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007Name: Tracey

Subject: Neat Beginning

Comment: When knitting rib, in the second row knit into back of row gives a nice neat edge......

Tuesday, October 09, 2007Name: Tracey

Subject: Joining Wool

Comment: When joining wool always knit to end of row and start new ball on the next row, that way you can tie the two ends together no joins in middle of work..

Monday, October 08, 2007Name: Not exactly knitting help, but don't leave your yarn out ever!

Subject: left out yarn

Comment: Not exactly knitting help, but don't leave your yarn out ever! Pets (cats especially) can ingest it, and the yarn can either make them choke or once inside, wrap itself around intestines and kill your pet.

Monday, October 08, 2007Name: sue marley

Subject: casting off

Comment: If your last stitch on your cast off line is always loose knit into the last stitch on the row underneath for an even finish

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