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: Susan
Subject: Storing Needles
Comment: A pretty way to store your knitting needles is to use a big flower vase. I have all of my knitting needles in a big wide mouth vase and they look very pretty sitting on my window sill! I also store my balls of yarn that I'm using soon in a big basket.
Knit on!

Name: Moira / Scotland
Subject: Row Counters
Comment: I find row counters very fiddly, so I bought a clicker counter from Ebay and keep it on the arm of my chair whilst knitting...less fiddly and less often forgotten I find. Happy knitting all :)

Name: Ashley
Subject: scrap yarn usage
Comment: One way to get rid of some scrap yarn and help some animals is to knit small squares, in such a size that they will be squares when folded in half. Fill it with beans and seam up the sides. Give it to your own cat, or donate then as toys to your local animal shelter.
Happy knitting and may your dropped stitches be few and far between!

Name: Alison - from Birmingham UK
Subject: Enough yarn to work a row?
Comment: Tracey gives a tip that when changing yarn, always knit to the end of the row, and start the new row with the new ball. That way there are no joins in the middle.

How do you know if you have enough yarn to complete a row?

A tip I learned somewhere, is that if you have a length of yarn equal to (or more than) 4 times the length of the row, you will have enough to complete the row.

I use this often and it seems to work.

Name: anita_napp
Subject: yarn storage
Comment: An empty pringles can is great for storing a skein in as you work with it. Simply cut a hole in the center of the lid and thread the loose end of the yarn thru it. (I always clean the can with a damp cloth first and allow to dry). With this storage solution it keeps little fingers from getting light colors dirty while you work as well.

Name: Ashley
Subject: stitch holders
Comment: Instead of buying expensive stitch holders, try a safety or kilt pin instead; a contrasting color of yarn works as well.

Name: Tracey
Subject: Neat Beginning
Comment: When knitting rib, in the second row knit into back of row gives a nice neat edge......

Name: Tracey
Subject: Joining Wool
Comment: When joining wool always knit to end of row and start new ball on the next row, that way you can tie the two ends together no joins in middle of work..

Name: Not exactly knitting help, but don't leave your yarn out ever!
Subject: left out yarn
Comment: Not exactly knitting help, but don't leave your yarn out ever! Pets (cats especially) can ingest it, and the yarn can either make them choke or once inside, wrap itself around intestines and kill your pet.

Name: sue marley
Subject: casting off
Comment: If your last stitch on your cast off line is always loose knit into the last stitch on the row underneath for an even finish

Name: 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!

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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

Name: 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.

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