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: MARGARET
Subject: needles
Comment: When you are not using you knitting needles, either put a cork on the pointed end or a piece of foam.
That will stop the holes in your bag or if the children go near them.

Name: Winifred
Subject: Sweater cuff
Comment: When knitting the cuff of a sweater use one size smaller than the pattern asks for and you will get a nice neat fitting cuff. Also these row counters that you slide on to your knitting needle can move if you hold your needle under your arm I thread mine through a length of wool and hang it round my neck this is within easy reach and the rows never get moved accidently

Name: Mirriam
Subject: Where to put row counter
Comment: I use a yarn needle to thread one of those small row counters that's meant to go on a needle onto the tail from my cast-on instead. That way the counter isn't weighing down one needle making it feel "off balance". This also works well if you're using circular needles or a set of double-pointed needles.

Name: Connie
Subject: organizers
Comment: Don't throw away those cosmetics bags and totes you receive when purchasing make up at department store cosmetics counters. I use the smaller bags to hold all my small items like row counters, cable needles, ruler, stitch markers, pens, etc. I use the larger tote bags to carry the projects when I travel. Some of the bags even have small pockets inside to hold hand sanitizer, hand lotion, etc.

Name: chris
Subject: patterns
Comment: A little tip for when you do have patterns with different sizes in brackets. I first go through the pattern and for the one size I use a high lighter and high light every size in a different color, then at the top of the pattern I put the color and then right the size beside the color it was highlighted in. This way you can follow the pattern a lot easier. Also instead of a row counter which I just started knitting and knew nothing about these, I just used a counter that men use for golf, works great.

Name: Josiane Young
Subject: Knitting needles
Comment: When not using knitting needles, put elastic bands around each pair

Name: Jude
Subject: keeping track of charts
Comment: When I'm knitting from charts I enlarge them, then use a magnetic board and long rectangular magnet to keep track of rows. You can pick up small A4 "magnetic whiteboards" from larger stationery shops and they're really cheap - a lot cheaper than a special craft one I bought once then lost! Keeps the pattern clear for re-use too.

Name: Winifred from Scotland
Subject: cable needle
Comment: When you can't find your cable needle you can substitute a cocktail stick it works a treat.

Name: Winifred from Scotland
Subject: stuffing
Comment: I keep all my bits of wool I cut of when my product is finished. Its amazing how quickly it mounts up. I use this when I need to stuff knitted toys or anything. Its also easy to wash and dry.

Name: Winifred from Scotland
Subject: Where to put cable needle
Comment: I made a knitted square and stuffed it with wool and made a chain and attached it to the square. I made it long enough to hang round my neck so when I am not using the needle I stick it in the pad and its within reach for me when I come to the next batch of stitches to cable. You never lose the needle.

Name: Max (i am a girl maxine)
Subject: knitting
Comment: i like having recycled stuff and all that so i thought why not use a shopping bag to knit with... so I took a plastic shopping bag tore it into strips and knitted my own reusable shopping bag!! cool!

Name: orla mc elwee
Subject: toy stuffing
Comment: for cheep toy stuffing i use the insides of old pillows or cushions that i have washed before hand

Name: Mary
Subject: Notebook of Tips
Comment: I have learned so many tips & tricks from reading all these wonderful ideas but I'm afraid that I'll forget some of them when I really need them. Soooo, I opened a page in Word Processor and just copy/paste all the tips that I want to remember. When I get a full page I print it out & keep it in my notebook with all my patterns.

Name: Alexis
Subject: Aromatherapy Your Yarn
Comment: I keep my yarn in a king size, clear plastic, zip top comforter bag inside a steamer trunk. To make my yarn smell good (because comforting scents are part of relaxing) I bought a few bars of artisan soap on Etsy and tucked them into the yarn trunk.

Name: Audrie
Subject: Odd bits of wool
Comment: I travel a lot with my husband so I always bring some knitting with me. I have found that I have many small balls of yarn in my bag, so I started to knit them together. I cast on 100 stitches and knit...adding another ball when one runs out. When it gets too large to handle I cast off and start another piece. I have just joined four large pieces into a very colorful afghan. Reuse, Recycle !!

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