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, September 28, 2007Name: Deborah Castelli

Subject: Elegant knitting tote

Comment: When looking for something elegant to store (read: hide from husband) your knitting in - head to JoAnn's, Michael's, JC Penny's - or any department store that sells the currently fashionable "heavy cardboard" decorator boxes. They now have a wide variety of styles with handles. I buy them on sale and use them in my family room to hide my knitting "in plain sight".
Meaning: it's there (and looking elegant) but you can't SEE it!

Thursday, September 27, 2007Name: theresa

Subject: storage

Comment: I ask/beg for holiday tins to keep miscellaneous fiberarts notions in. Some are tall and perfect for single points. Some are small and perfect for beaded stitch markers. Pill organizers are great for plastic stitch markers. They aren't very expensive and come in a wide range of sizes. I use a small am/pm one in my sock knitting tote to hold a few markers and coiless pins.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007Name: Beverly

Subject: Bargains

Comment: I'm constantly looking for discounted excellent quality yarns. From thrift stores to bargain baskets at the yarn stores. Sometimes it's only one skein but I'll buy it and when I get home I store my finds with other "like" colored yarns. That way when I am in the mood to make a project that calls for several different textures but similar colors, I've got a good selection.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007Name: GypsyLady

Subject: keeping track of which row you're on

Comment: I used a different colour needle in the round, it tells me I finished the row and on next one. Great for patterns. Using straight needles I do the same and it is easier to keep track of dec. inc. and knit row or purl if you're new to the craft

Wednesday, September 19, 2007Name: Beth

Subject: hook containers and clothespins

Comment: My daughter discovered that my steel hooks fit in the plastic container that her mini M&M's came in. She then put the hook she uses for her knitting loom on another one. It keeps the hooks from disappearing in the project. With larger hooks, G and above, I use a clothespin to keep the hook in the last stitch when I'm not working on the project.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007Name: Gabrielle

Subject: Yarn You Didn't Know You Had

Comment: We all have an sweater that we don't wear because we don't like the way it fits, it's too loose, or too tight or out of style or just isn't flattering. Give the yarn a second chance to be something wonderful by ripping (unravelling) the sweater and using the yarn for something else! I've got a large blanket with cheery yellow yarn that I love that's about to be reincarnated into another blanket with a pattern I actually like!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007Name: Silvia Castillo

Subject: Stitch Markers

Comment: The other day I didn't find my stitch markers, and since necessity is the mother of invention, I ended up using twisties instead. Worked fine!

Monday, September 17, 2007Name: Therese

Subject: sleeves from the cap down

Comment: If you're not sure whether you have enough yarns for both sleeves, start from the cap down reversing the shaping from the pattern. By doing this you can also make adjustment to the length of sleeves.

Monday, September 10, 2007Name: isabella

Subject: storage

Comment: if you want to take your knitting around get an old backpack or messenger bag and shove some things in there

Monday, September 10, 2007Name: Joanne

Subject: left over yarn

Comment: In the past when completing a project I had all these small to medium balls of different ply and color of yarn. Didn't want to throw them out (cardinal sin) so I started an afgan which is single crochet (only stitch I know) I've been at this for about 15 yrs. My afgan is very thick and looks a little Aztec...........good way to use up little bits and pieces and add to your collection of afgans.

Monday, September 10, 2007Name: Joanne

Subject: storing knitting needles

Comment: I use the large empty container of Quaker Oats..........

Saturday, September 08, 2007Name: Bridget Bytheway

Subject: Cast off stitches too tight

Comment: If your cast off edge is always too tight, use a needle 2 sizes bigger to cast off.

Great tips from everyone!

Saturday, September 08, 2007Name: karen

Subject: wool

Comment: i like to knit with chunkey wool, as i find it easy and fast to work with.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007Name: Ruth in Chile

Subject: Cast on

Comment: We are taught a little different as the ways you show. Many times kids love one sweater or else, so I cast with 2 strands that goes below the needles,so it gives an extra strength on the edges. I use also 2 needles to cast, then I take out one, the cast on is much more easy to knit.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007Name: Claudia

Subject: storage

Comment: I use those little spacemakers for pencils to store things like dpns, crochet hooks and stitch holders and an old mint can (altoids for example) for stitch markers

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