|
|
| Featured Pattern of the Week: Luscious Little Pumpkin |
        Interested in crochet? Visit our sister site: Crochet Pattern Central  | Tips 'n TricksDo 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! Name: Rachel Subject: knitting cables Comment: I am only 11 years old so I can't go out and buy a cable needle whenever I want. Instead I use a crochet/afghan hook, small doll rod, or even, if I am knitting outside and don't feel like going and getting one of those, a stick right off the ground; it really works! Name: Debbie Subject: Storage Comment: I use old prescription bottles for storing stitch markers & point protectors. The caps screw on nice & tight and they're not floating all around my knitting bag! Name: Clare Subject: Cable Needle Storage Comment: While knitting cables, I keep the needle pushed through my jumper (if it's wool) - easy access and I don't lose it! Name: Pamela Subject: First row Comment: 2 ways to get firmer looking starting rows.(1)As you begin adding stitches knit inbetween each stitch (rather than into the stitch). (2)As you knit the first row knit into the back of the stitch. The knitting sits flat & firm. Enjoy! Name: Jen Subject: Knitting Needle Holder Comment: I made myself the best knitting needle holder when I was 15. I'm now in my mid-thirties and I still have it and love it. If you have an old pair of jeans that you no longer fit into, cut one of the legs, sew one end shut. For those who know how to sew, you can add a flap and button on the other side. Go nuts and decorate with dazzler gels, etc. It holds all the needles I've gathered over the years and my first knitting book and reminds me of how creative I was when I was a teenager! Name: Josephine Subject: Printing Patterns Comment: I'm only 11, so I cant exactly go out and buy myself a bunch of knitting pattern books or even drive myself to the library. Therefore I have to look up almost all of my patterns on the internet, or write them myself. It was very uncomfortable to knit in a cold computer chair, especially in winter. I now have taken to printing out the patterns I want (when they're in PDF Files it makes it easier) and organizing them in a file cabinet in my room. You can also use an accordion folder. I organize mine in alphabetical order, but any other way works. Now I can still knit on the couch! Name: Georganna Subject: keeping stiches Comment: when you need to put your project away, you can put rubberbands on the needles. This keeps your stiches from sliding off. Name: Alethea Subject: storing yarn Comment: Hi! When I began knitting, I started building up a yarn stash. It was fine for a few years, but then it started getting big. So, I asked my mother if she was using any of the drawers we had, or if we had any baskets. (I was 10 at this time). Apparently, we did, and so my yarn got a new home in a basket. Unfortunetly, it started snagging, but I solved that problem by putting some cloth on the bottom. Now, it still works well, so if you need to find a home for your yarn, try this!!! Name: Cindy Subject: circular needles Comment: I use circular needles for everything, straight needle knitting as well as in the round, although I do keep one set of dp's for making I cords. Much easier to use circulars in the magic loop method than to juggle double pointed needles. You don't get the ladders between needles. Circulars are one piece so you're not losing one needle in the couch all the time and having to look for it. I like bamboo needles rather than metal. The stitches stay on the needle better so there's no dropped ones. I'm able to keep a tighter, even tension with bamboo ones. They're not so loose. Name: Dash Subject: Pompoms Comment: If you ever have old pompoms that you do not need lying around you can always rip them up and (This worked better if they are made from chunky wool) use them as stuffing for any knitted toys you make! Name: RaeJean Fournet Subject: Needle Storage Comment: I was struggling with how to store my circular and double pointed needles as they are not marked with the size like straight needles. I picked up a small coupon (or check) organizer and labeled the individual tabs with the needle size. This organizer has a flap that closes over the top keeping the needles secure in their individual pouches. Name: Celtic Lady Subject: Casting On Loosely Comment: My cast-on rows were always too tight. I finally thought to use needles a size or two larger for just the cast-on row. This was my "well, duh" moment! Happy Knitting! Name: Alethea Subject: Keeping track of rows Comment: When I knit a stitch with alot of rows in it, I write what row I am on, on a sticky pad. This is a little risky in my case, though, because I've got a sister who likes to change it and mess me up. So if you have a sister who is like mine, be sure to keep it out of her hands! Name: lynn Subject: button holes Comment: when knitting baby jackets if you have "novelty" buttons don't make button holes, sew poppers on the button bands and sew the buttons on the outside "for show" Name: Kathy Subject: Knitting Pattern Comment: I just made a throw with the pattern being having 28 rows. I typed the pattern on to a piece of card stock and cut it down to fit my row counter. Example: Row 1-3 Knit, Row 4 K2P2, Row 5 Knit, Rows 6-24 repeat rows 4&5, Rows 25-27 Knit, Row 28 purl. I always had my pattern at my finger tips. Select a Page << Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Next >> Share your own hints by filling in the form below... |
 |
|