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, September 03, 2007Name: anne

Subject: winding balls

Comment: If you forget to have the knitting store wind a ball of yarn. put the yarn on the back of a chair. it is easier than having someone hold it

Sunday, September 02, 2007Name: Maggie

Subject: Worn out bamboos

Comment: If you've worn off the size on your bamboo needles, the next time you're near a needle gauge, take note and write the U.S. size in Sharpie and then coat it with clear nail polish.

Sunday, August 26, 2007Name: Gabby

Subject: needle stoppers

Comment: To keep my project on the needles I use foam beads that children string got them at the dollar store and they work great. Like all the ideas.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007Name: marina c

Subject: count your stiches

Comment: if you are new to knitting, every once in a while count your stitches. make sure if you cast on 15 for example, make sure you still have 15 stitches.

Monday, August 20, 2007Name: lonnie

Subject: circular needles

Comment: An easy to keep circular needles and double pointed needles is to put them in quart size zip lock bags and write the size of the needle on the bag. Then put all the quart size bags in one gallon size bag and you have all your needles together and neatly organized.

Friday, August 10, 2007Name: Chantal

Subject: keeping track

Comment: If you're a new knitter and some of you're projects (like scarfs) seem to get larger as you go. Count each needle after you're done knitting to make sure you have the same amount every time. It really helps!

Monday, August 06, 2007Name: Jaye

Subject: Sleeves

Comment: When I'm making sleeves I cast-on both sleeves on the same needle at the same time, each sleeve from it's own ball of yarn. That way my sleeves match exactly. Another benefit is that I don't get bored while making the second sleeve.

Saturday, August 04, 2007Name: kels

Subject: tip

Comment: if your needles are going everywhere, and you're on a budget and can't run right out and get one of those handy zippered needle-binder things, then take empty card board paper towel rows and staple one end shut, and you can store your needles in there. if you can't fit all of them in there, you can do it to many paper towel rolls and attach them together with ribbon, or tape. it's also fun to decorate them.

Friday, August 03, 2007Name: Hannah

Subject: Following Patterns

Comment: When I first started knitted (only 2 years ago!) patterns terrifed me. BUT, I photocopy the pattern and then use a pen to *strike* through each stitch and row. This REALLY helps! Escpecially when just starting out. I even did not need to use stitch markers because I always could tell where I was by the looking at the last stitch I wrote a line through!! Since it is only a copy, when you're done, toss it!

Thursday, August 02, 2007Name: kyndra

Subject: stash and project bags

Comment: tip #1:
you know those clear plastic zippered bags that bedsheet sets are sold in? don't throw them out! use them to store the materials for a current project, or a bunch of skeins/hanks that are going to be used for a future project. they are great for keeping stuff together in one place, and since they're clear, you don't even have to open them up to see their contents.

tip #2:
if you're going color work and need to keep several balls separate, use ziplock bags. i've seen plastic bags sold specifically for this purpose priced at $5-10 each! ridiculous. just punch a little hole in the bag (and- if the plastic tears easily- on each side, put a one of those hole reinforcer stickers that are used on 3-hole punched papers) through which the yarn can go. or just don't close the 'zipper' all the way, and pull the yarn through the small opening, instead. this keeps each ball of yarn isolated and tangle-free!

tip #3:
for sock knitters who use dpns, it can sometimes get a little confusing to keep track of how you've numbered your needles- especially if you're a beginner. there's a cheap, easy, and permanent way to keep track of your needles. on the end of each needle, use a fine-tipped marker to draw rings. for example, on needle 1, i draw one ring around the tip. for needle 2, i draw 2 rings, and so on. then coat the tips with clear nail polish so that the marker won't wear off or smudge over time (it's best to use a permanent marker that doesn't have ink that bleeds out). i've marked up every set of my dpns in this fashion- each five-needle set has needles 'numbered' 1-4, and a spare needle. this way, your needles are always ready to go, and you don't have to go searching for tip protectors or colored elastics to differentiate between the needles.

Monday, July 30, 2007Name: jenny

Subject: your first projects

Comment: When you first start knitting, you may be baffled at all of the things to think about. Chose an easy project such as a basic scarf, or a simple baby bib. You can Knit!!!!

Monday, July 30, 2007Name: Bambi

Subject: Tool Box

Comment: When my daughter bought a large mechanic's tool box, it came with a free small plastic tool box. It has an upper tray with small compartments that opens separately from the bottom. The top tray holds stitch holders, markers, weaving needles and there is a long compartment that will hold crochet hooks and double points. The lower bottom compartment holds the skein of yarn and the small project I am working on. (I mainly knit Teddybears and their ski sweaters and stocking caps)The tool box has a carrying handle and is easy to carry wherever I go. Keeps everything contained and is much easier for me than a floppy plastic bag.

Sunday, July 29, 2007Name: Anna

Subject: Scarf Knitting

Comment: I knit many scarves at a time. I use needles size 12 to 20 and always knit at least 4 yarns of various plys and textures together, eg. ribbon, mohair, feather and a very thick plain yarn. To make it interesting I make my own patterns and use the double wind around the stitch, then next row drop the yarn and the pattern looks fantastic with all the colours and textures being displayed. I use all four yarns mixed together to make the fringes. Happy knitting. Anna

Saturday, July 28, 2007Name: Christine

Subject: storage

Comment: wine racks make neat storage for wool and looks great too.

Saturday, July 28, 2007Name: Christine

Subject: needles

Comment: If you don't have the right size regular needle but the right size dp needle just stick a cork on the end of the dp.

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