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: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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.

Name: 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!

Name: 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

Name: Dorothy
Subject: washcloths
Comment: Make more dishcloths from one ball of peaches and cream by doing a S1 K1 on the knit side of any patterned dishcloth. This also gives your dishcloth a thicker texture.

Name: Jane Price
Subject: Tips
Comment: Favorite patterns are typed up on computer and I make circles to represent multiple rows. This computerized pattern is placed in a page protector then put into a 3 ring binder. When knitting and a row is complete it can be marked off using a dry erase pen. When project is complete, wipe your pattern off and your ready for the next time.

Name: Suzie in Virginia
Subject: Stitch markers
Comment: Use notebook paper hole protectors: Buy a package of colored Avery Reinforcement Labels: 320 paper rings per package - yellow, purple, red and green. Place the sticky backs of 2 rings together. Forms a stitch marker you cannot miss. Slides easily on the needle. Use one at the end of each repeat in a very long row - in a Fair Isle sweater or Norwegian pattern.

Name: Jilly
Subject: Yarn storage
Comment: When storing yarn, use small, see through, plastic stands with drawers. (you can get them at target or similar stores) The see through plastic makes it easy to see your yarn with out having to search for the right color.

Name: Cindy
Subject: a couple things
Comment: Concerning Christina's comment..."A good way of sewing together a sweater, blanket, etc. Crocheting them together is so much easier, faster, and has a stronger hold.."

An addition to this:
The best stitch to do for this is the crochet's slip stitch. It's easy to do and very strong.

Also, I said it in crochet pattern central and I'll say it here. If you have any trouble learning a stitch. Knitting for dummies.

If you plan on learning both knitting and crocheting, some craft stores carry this special edition knitting and crocheting for dummies and it includes, like, 20 or 30 stitch markers, 2 knitting needles an h hook and one other thing (I can't remember off hand) along with the book.

IT ROCKS!!!

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