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: 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!

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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!

Name: 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.

Name: 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!!!!

Name: 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.

Name: 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

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

Name: 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.

Name: pommy
Subject: yarn dying
Comment: This morning, I tried to use the water color that we use in painting. I soak the yarn in the bowl and pull the water in the bowl. Stir it. I use white left over yarn to dye. It is cheaper. When I squeeze the water out from dyed yarn and I hanged them on aluminum cloth-liner. Today, It is sunny. When they dry, I tied them together and roll them on the bobbin. I used the paper in the tissue paper. They are different from the expensive yarns in the craft store a little bit. Because I dye it by myself. Any one can use my technique. It is money-saving too.

Name: silvia de castillo
Subject: knitting needles
Comment: Two for one. When buying incense sticks, look for the very long ones. The boxes or cans make excellent containers for your knitting needles.

Name: Teri
Subject: Following Your Pattern
Comment: My knitting teacher taught me to keep track of my knitting project by making an index card for each row of a pattern and as you complete each line of a pattern you turn the card over. That way you always know which row of the project you are on. Example: Row 1 (RS): K2, * yo, k5, k3 tog, k5, yo, k1, rep from * to last st, end k1. Row 2: K1, p to last st, end k1. Rows 3 and 4: Knit. Rep these 4 rows for Pat St. For each Row, you have an index card with this specific info on it. That's how I kept track of my first scarf when I started knitting 20 years ago and you know, it worked. If you don't have index cards on hand, use anything you can put in a pile and turn over as you finish a row. Good luck!

Name: leia
Subject: casting off
Comment: when your casting off to make it easier you can use a crochet hook

Name: EP
Subject: Keeping scarves from curling
Comment: Work a border of 3-5 garter stitch stitches around your pattern, sl 1 purlwise, knit one more on the reverse side. the edges will not curl

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