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: Marrie
Subject: pencils
Comment: If you need a place to put your pencils, problem solved! Get an old can, and decorate it with a cover you knit specially for that reason. If you want, you can also add other things to the can, such as sowing on buttons, zippers, ribbons, and other things special to you, to customize your pencil holder.

Name: Brenda
Subject: Picking up stitches
Comment: When I cast on sts for the right front of a cardigan I leave a long tail. When I pick up stitches for the front band, I start with the tail and add a new ball in the center of pick up row. Doing this creates a straight edge at the bottom and instead of two ends to weave in - there are none.

Name: Brenda
Subject: Right Band
Comment: This tip is for a cardigan with a collar. Right band, right side facing, bind off row. When I complete the bind off and have one stitch left on the needle, I do not fasten off. Insert a crochet hook into the single stitch and make a crochet chain along the top edge. This creates a square corner and a neat top edge. Also there are no tails to weave in. Normally there would be two - tail from fastening off and second tail when you added new yarn to pick up stitches for the collar.

Name: Sunmoonglow
Subject: Notions Bag
Comment: I always have about 10 projects in the works, and like to grab one as I leave the house. Invariably, I would not have scissors, needle gauge, stitch markers, tapestry needle, or some other necessity. I have a freebie cosmetic size bag, clear plastic with all notions in it. I simply grab a project, and put it in a tote bag along with the notions bag. Problem solved. Never without the necessities!

Name: Winifred from Scotland
Subject: knitting bag
Comment: I use a large shopping type bag with pockets on th outside, but they can be on the inside also. I use this like a mans tool box, all my knitting accessories I keep in the pockets and there is enough room on the inside to keep the wool and pins I am working on, I have everythingh on hand, and never take them out of that bag so I always have all my knitting things together.

Name: Laurel
Subject: Organizing Internet Printed Patterns
Comment: I've been knitting for over 40 years, but just recently started printing patterns off the internet. I bought some 1 1/2", 3-ring binders and some 8 1/2"x11" plastic sleeves from the office supply store, and store my printed patterns this way. I labeled the outside of each book i.e."Womans", "Children", "Afghans", etc. so I know what's in each binder. When I want to use a pattern, I just take that plastic sleeve out of the book. That way, and the pattern stays nice and neat.

Name: GrammaJanice
Subject: Row/pattern markers
Comment: When following a pattern, use a hair clip to mark the row ~ the type that snap open and closed (shaped like an exclamation mark). Also great to mark a knit row. For instance is you have to knit six inches, mark at three then check by doubling the work instead of remeasuring each time. They don't snag the yarn either and can be used to secure yarn ends! :-)

Name: GrammaJanice
Subject: Matching sleeve length
Comment: When knitting identical pieces such as sleeves, I do them at the same time with two balls of yarn. In this way, I am sure they are the same length...and there will only be two. This was learned after I made three sleeves for one sweater!!!

Name: kshama deodhar
Subject: knitting needles
Comment: you can use corrogated box card sheet to keep your knitting needles safe. insert one needle from one side and other from other side. this keeps the numbers of them visible and also the points of them are safe to carry. even they remain smooth.

Name: Penny Cole
Subject: Shoulder Seams
Comment: When finishing a sweater (without lots of textures and patterns) don't cast off the shoulder seams as patterns often say. Put the stitches on holders and graft the two shoulder seams together. This gives a much flatter and smoother shoulder seam.

Name: Mr Rose Bunce
Subject: Lace Shawls
Comment: In 3 years i have knitted 30 plus shawls. My tip, save all your bits as they are useful for the invisible casting on you will need to do if, like me, you enjoy knitting with NO SEAMS.

Name: Marie
Subject: Knitting Tip
Comment: Never put your knitting down partway through a row as it will leave a hole in your knitting overall.

Name: Winifred from Scotland
Subject: casting off
Comment: When asked to cast off loosely it can sometimes be difficult, not if you use a needle two sizes bigger than the one you are using, and it gives you a nice finish

Name: Allie
Subject: Tension
Comment: Tension is a problem for me, but I found out by accident if I leave my yarn ball in the basket (or my purse, etc) on the floor beside me it creates the perfect tension. It's a good cheat for a beginner knitter...

Name: Maureen
Subject: Knitting
Comment: When coming to the end of a ball of wool and you are not sure if it will knit another row stretch out stitches on your pin and if your wool will stretch over four times you have enough for another row. It always works for me.

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