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!

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Name: ty
Subject: binding off
Comment: One way to keep the last stitch of the cast off edge from getting loopy is to slip the first stitch of the row directly preceding the bind off row, and when you get to the last bound off stitch, it won't stick out.

Name: Luisa
Subject: Storage
Comment: I like to store my yarn in a big 'curver' pirate chest. But, it was bought about 12 years ago, so I don't know if they still make them. Also, the plastic stacking boxes work quite well, but when you go in, you don't get the feeling that you are looking for your private stash

On a completely unrelated note, I reccommend the Bumper Book Of Knitting, from WHSmith's. It has 2 or 3 stitch patterns per month in its year of stitches, and many patterns

Name: Tish
Subject: Straps for tops
Comment: If you want to jazz up a knitted tube top or if you just want to save time knitting your top, just use ribbon to replace the straps (satin ribbons look pretty).

Name: Faye
Subject: markers
Comment: When you need markers and don't have any just get a drinking straw and snip pieces off of it to use as a marker. Cheap and easy to find.

Name: Roisin/Ireland
Subject: bag handles
Comment: Instead of buying expensive bag handles for knitted bags I discovered cheap wooden rings (the kind that tapestry rings are made from) 9inch and 6inch at my local craft shop which I cover using a chunky wool. I cast on about 5 stitches and knit the length of the ring. The handles are much more interesting!

Name: Catherine from Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia
Subject: Storing Small Projects
Comment: I find that fancy cardboard wine tubes are a wonderful and thrifty solution for storing smaller projects (drop a soap bar in to make your yarn smell wonderful and insect proof). The tubes are very stylish, although I have been asked on several occasions why I like to carry wine bottles with me all the time! ;)

Name: Catherine from Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia
Subject: Storing Large Projects/Yarn Stashes
Comment: I save large plastic bags that my big bed quilts/pillows etc came in. They are very good quality and have snaps at the openings and transparent.

Name: Erin
Subject: Traveling with your project
Comment: Instead of buying an $8-$10 yarn carrier/holder I use a $1 pitcher. I usually try to find some with a divet or two in the lid (to hold the row counter, tapestry needle, foldable scissors...etc...) and a handle that I can wrap yarn around to hold my needles/hook/loom tool (one that is concave or has 'divet' in it, instead of straight or convex)

Name: Pat
Subject: storing Yarn
Comment: Be careful of the vacuum bags. I stored some yarn in them and when I took the yarn out it had crushed the yarn.

Name: allison from lautrdale new florida
Subject: storage
Comment: if you get the needles that connect with the plastic wire when you are done you can just slip the knots onto the wire and nothing will happen. so when you pick them back up all you have to do is slip it back on the needle and start. then you wont have to worry about the knots falling off the bottom off the needle

Name: Melodie
Subject: yarn storage
Comment: Greetings. I read this idea somewhere and have tried it. When you store your yarn, however you do, put a sheet of fabric softener in with it (I use Bounce). Your yarn will come out of storage smelling fresh!

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

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