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!

Sunday, April 22, 2007Name: jo

Subject: storing yarn

Comment: I use an over the door shoe holder that has 24 pockets to keep my yarn in. I copy the pattern and fold it up and put it and the yarn I need in a pocket. When I'm ready to start a new project I go to my closet door and chose a new project. It is also a great incentive when you look at all the yarn every day.

Thursday, April 12, 2007Name: Sherry

Subject: sock cast on

Comment: Using a long-tail cast on, cast on twice the number of stitches called for in your pattern. Row 1, K 2 Tog around and then continue the ribbing as called for in the pattern. This makes a good elastic edge for socks, especially for children.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007Name: TJ

Subject: Knitting notes

Comment: I use a small journal to keep my knitting patterns in. It fits easily in my knitting bag (which goes with me literally everywhere). I write out the pattern in pen, row by row. Then use pencil to mark lightly which row I'm on, most especially when I have to set the project down for a bit. Then, I can simply erase the mark without erasing the pattern, and I don't have a whole sheaf of papers or a large notebook that won't fit in my bag.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007Name: sissyshame

Subject: knitting baby booties

Comment: When knitting baby booties I knit both of the pair on the same needles at the same time, just use 2 balls of yarn and work one row at a time from each. When some patterns call for turning your work without finishing a row, just work that bootie and when you are finally able to finish the row catch the other bootie up. I have found that this saves time and makes the booties exactly the same.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007Name: Cathy

Subject: projects

Comment: I keep a project at home for TV time, and a simple, no-thought project in the car for doctor's appointments (currently a Dr. Who scarf--3 feet done, another 7 feet to go). Lately I've added another car project for grabbing and going (a hat). I keep this one in an Apple Computer store drawstring bag. Then, while at the mall waiting for my husband in the Apple store, I can knit away! (I'm a knitter, not a shopper). Our obsessions are a perfect match!

Monday, April 09, 2007Name: Karen

Subject: What to do with yarn

Comment: I store my yarn in one of those plastic storage bins that can be bought at Walmart or Kmart. The good part is you can buy any size depending on how much yarn you have. I have one and I store it on a shelf on the bottom of my TV stand. When I need yarn, I just pull the container out.

Sunday, April 08, 2007Name: Jilly

Subject: knitting on a deadline

Comment: If you're knitting on a deadline (eg. finish xmas presents on xmas eve) do not panic. If you're stressed, take breaks every row or two to read or do something else.

Sunday, April 08, 2007Name: Sand

Subject: Keeping up with your pattern

Comment: I just use a post-it notepad. I take a post-it, place under the line of pattern and go to work. when I'm through with that line, I remove the post-it, place it under the next line, etc.. When that post-it loses it's stickiness, I grab another one.

Sunday, April 08, 2007Name: Sand

Subject: Storing Yarn and work

Comment: Everybody gets those plastic grocery bags. Instead of throwing them away, use them to store your yarn and work. Just drop in your pattern, needles, and yarn, tie a loose knot in the bag's handles, and take it away. When you get ready to knit, untie, grab your pattern and needles, pull your working end of yarn out. retie the bag handles and go to work. The bag will keep your yarn from rolling all over.

Sunday, April 08, 2007Name: Sand

Subject: storing yarn

Comment: No matter what size skein or ball, you can always find a zip top storage bag it will fit into. Then to use by unzipping the top, use a safety pin to block the top from shutting, and knit or crochet away! When you are through or have to stop, just remove the safety pin, place your work into that bag or another, and put back in your bag.

Sunday, April 08, 2007Name: Janet

Subject: needles

Comment: I never use straight needles- too cumbersome. Use circular needles for all your straight knitting, pour boiling water over to get kinks out.

Friday, April 06, 2007Name: Jilly

Subject: Another way to store yarn

Comment: I think I've posted on this before-another way to store yarn is on a metal bin shelf (used in bathrooms or laundry rooms) I got mine for about $25 at target.

Thursday, April 05, 2007Name: Julie

Subject: Keeping track of where you are on a chart

Comment: I find that following charts and remembering where I am can be a challenge! To make it easier, I photocopy the chart (and enlarge if necessary) and place it on a metal cookie pan. Then, I use a large flat magnet, like the kind local businesses give out to their customers, to mark where I am in the pattern, row by row. This is great because the magnet won't move when I have to put my work down, and the pan provides a place to put everything, including my work.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007Name: Baillee

Subject: Needle-holding

Comment: Regarding some of the posts about how you hold your needles, I hold mine with left needle vertical, but my best friend does the opposite, like Alison. We argue playfully about who's right and who's wrong, but when we try to do it each other way, neither of us can. Don't worry about holding it right, if it works for you and it's comfortable, I don't see why it would affect the quality of your knitting!

Friday, March 16, 2007Name: Kathryn Beach

Subject: knitting lace and other difficult patterns

Comment: I use Post-It sticky notes to mark my place on a printed pattern. It's particularly helpful if I have to jump up to answer the phone, take a break to fix a meal, or sleep. Darn those interruptions!

I share more hints here: http://free-knitting-patterns.com

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