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!

Thursday, January 26, 2012Name: Charly

Subject: Bamboo Needles

Comment: One of my cousins gave me this tip. She told me that if a little part of one of your bamboo needles (whether its the bamboo circular needles or bamboo double pointed needles) breaks you can take a nail file and re shape it so it looks normal (or back to normal). It doesn't have to be perfect just usable

Wednesday, January 25, 2012Name: Joann

Subject: following patterns

Comment: I use index cards to keep track of what row I am working on. If you are doing a piece with several different patterns in each row, write out a card for each row, then just flip it over after you finish that row and you never lose your spot
example
row 1 could have 10 stitches of one pattern 10 of another and so on they may not all go the same amount of rows so if one pattern is 4 rows and the next is 10 rows you would have ten index cards. write out every stitch for the row

Sunday, January 22, 2012Name: Knit Wit

Subject: Buying Cheap Yarn

Comment: The dollar store has good yarn that is cheap, but be aware that it might have many snapped ends. I have also found that you need to buy lots of yarn each time. They do not have many shipments of the same yarn.

BEWARE........

Saturday, January 21, 2012Name: Barb

Subject: knitting in the round with double point needles

Comment: Here's a trick I learned the hard way:
When you are knitting in the round and have knitted off all the stitches on a needle, let that emptied needle drop into your hand, rather than grabbing it and pulling. If you try to grab it, the chances are that sooner or later you will pull out a wrong needle, one that is holding live stitches. And there you'll be, trying to pick up a whole bunch of stitches and (if you're like me) using some colorful language. Instead, just let gravity select the empty needle for you, pick it up, and keep knitting.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012Name: Beverly Perry

Subject: knitting patterns keeping track of rows

Comment: I use recipe cards and write each row on a card flip cards for each row.

Thursday, January 12, 2012Name: jojo

Subject: sewing up seams

Comment: I've found that when I sew up different seams sometimes it's easier to keep the two together. When one sews with a sewing machine, they use pins. Well, that doesn't always work with knitting. I use safety pins instead. It keeps the two pieces together so that I don't sew up more on one end than on the other.

Also, a friend of mine gave me an idea. She said that she knows someone who knits with the weather. If it's sunny she knits two yellow rows. If it's rainy, two blue, and so on.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012Name: Jeanine

Subject: Tracking your pattern

Comment: When I have a pattern that requires me to check off each row or when I write out a complicated pattern I put it in a sheet protector. I then put this on a clipboard for stability and mark off each row finished with a dry erase marker. Not only does this keep you on track but you can easily erase repeated patterns and write the number of repeats on the sheet. Then you can use the sheet protector for your next pattern without marking up your pattern.

Monday, January 09, 2012Name: Cynthia

Subject: Patterns put on graph paper

Comment: I write my patterns out on graph paper, especially for Aran patterns where you have several different patterns in a row. The instructions usually say work row 1 of pattern 1 then row 1 of pattern 2 and row one of pattern 3. Place markers between each pattern and also on the graph paper. When you come to the end of a pattern on the graph paper you should be at a marker in your work. If not you have made an error in that space. Now go on to row 2 of pattern 1 etc. I get very accurate results. I have been able to do panels all in one instead of sewing them together later. A right twist on two edge stitches on right side will make it appear as to be stitched together uniformly done.

Sunday, January 08, 2012Name: Minnasnowtan

Subject: Easy and cheap project holder

Comment: I purchase plastic 2 quart beverage pitchers (for small to medium-sized projects) at dollar stores and place my yarn inside, feeding the working end through the opening for the pour spout and snap the lid back on. A gallon-sized pitcher works great for larger projects.
When I need to set the project aside, I simply pop off the top and place the worked piece in with the yarn. I place the pattern sheets, any stitch markers and holders needed for the project inside as well.
My projects stay clean, the yarn feeds freely, stored projects never drop stitches, everything I need is in one place, and because the pitchers are transparent, I can easily see what each one contains.

Sunday, January 08, 2012Name: Cynthia

Subject: A new skein in the midst of the project

Comment: When coming to the end of a skein and you are going to a new skein of the same color hold a small amount against the previous yarn for a couple of stitches. You will have two or three stitches with both yarns but it is in there secure and you won't have any ends to worry about at the end of the project. This can be done anywhere in the project and not have to do it on the end of a row, with left over yarn from the previous skein, and no bulky knots.

Thursday, January 05, 2012Name: elouisa

Subject: neat edges

Comment: To make a neat edge which is easy to sew up, always knit into the back of the last stitch on the needle and purl into the first stitch of each row.

Thursday, January 05, 2012Name: Angie's Kneedle Works

Subject: Pattern for using up those yarn ends that pile up over the years

Comment: Knitting pattern- Triangles and Strips.
Start with a multiple of 10.
Row 1: K across all stitches on needle, turn.
Row 2: K to last stitch, leave last stitch on left needle, turn.
Row 3: K back across, turn.
Row 4: K across to second to last stitch, leave 2 stitches on left needle, turn.
Row 5: K back across, turn.
Row 6: K across to third from last stitch, leave 3 stitches on left needle, turn.
Row 7: K back across, turn.
Continue on leaving off one stitch more for every second row until you have formed a triangle and your needle carries one stitch for every second row on an angle down one side.
Next row: K down angle, making sure you have the same number of stitches you started with.
Optional, change colours.
Row 1: K 1, turn.
Row 2: K 1, turn.
Row 3: K 2, turn.
Row 4: K 2, turn.
Row 5: K 3, turn.
Row 6: K 3, turn.
Row 7: K 4, turn.
Row 8: K 4, turn.
Continue picking up one stitch for every second row until you knit across all stitches on needle.
Optional, change colours.
Start over from beginning.
Forms a square out of two triangles. If you continue on the squares will form a strip. Sew strips together to form a blanket. Great for using up all those ends you've collected over the years, if you keep your squares small, ten or twenty stitches.

Thursday, January 05, 2012Name: knitter

Subject: scraps of yarn

Comment: little tiny balls of yarn always bug me,so I use them to make hackey sacs!!! they are simple you just knit 2 small squares and sew 3 sides together. Next you get small seeds (like bird feed) and put them in pantyhose and put it in the sac and lastly you sew the last side together and you have a great gift!!!!!

Wednesday, January 04, 2012Name: Angie

Subject: keeping patterns clean and crease free

Comment: I keep my patterns in a ring binder folder in the clear plastic sleeves. One page to each sleeve. there is no need to remove the patterns from sleeve when using them.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012Name: Charly

Subject: Reduce reuse recycle

Comment: One thing i like to do is write patterns on the back of paper that i printed. So instead of printing off patterns re use paper that has a blank side

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