Knit Tips & Tricks
 

Hi, Knitters! :muah:

Although I've just gotten reacquainted with knitting over the last year or so, I'm picking up lots of hints, tips and tricks for making the work easier or more fun. I have a feeling most knitters experience the same thing, so I thought it would be a great deal if we have a specific thread just for tips, tricks, etc.

If you agree, please write in with your favorites. And don't overlook the "obvious" ones. One person's "obvious" can often be another person's lightning bolt of inspiration! (been there, done that!!!!)

To get us started -

TIP:

I was knitting a sock the other evening and needed stitch markers. But my little bag of clover markers must have grown feet and left the area.

I remembered something I'd heard/read about using drinking straws to make temporary, disposable stitch markers - cutting thin bands from drinking straws and slipping them over the needles to use as stitch markers.

The regular straws will work on needles to about size 7 and the fatter "slurpy-type" ones can be used on the larger needles. To change from one needle to the other, just slide the little plastic circle up to the tapered end of the left needle and lift it off with the right.

:woohoo: Saved the day for me! Also, when you no longer need the markers, just snip them off! One drinking straw has a LOT of mileage in it for stitch markers!

OK, folks - hope to hear from you all soon!

Ruthie :knitting:

Off the top of my head these are the first to come to mind..

1. Use a lifeline especially when doing lace, but it's handy for any large project you don't want to have to frog back to the beginning.

2. Learn what the stitches look like. I can't emphasize this enough! Once you learn it's so much easier to 'read' your knitting and know where you are in a pattern or see mistakes.

I use bits of yarn left over as stitch markers.

I've learned that if you are knitting in Magic Loop and you separate the stitches with the working yarn on the back needle, you'll always know when you are at the beginning of a round because the working yarn will end up at the beginning of each round!

Hi

One thing I cannot do without is a pencil and a shorthand notebook - OK then, two.

Even if I'm working ordinary stocking stitch, I write lines of numbers from 1- 10; 2 - 20, for the rows and tick (check|)them off as I work. It helps alot of I'm knitting the fronts of cardigans and want to be certain I've knitted the same number of rows on each side, say, when I get to the decreases for under arms and necklines.

If I'm working with a pattern that has just a few rows, and is just a few repeat stitches wide, I write out each pattern row on a separate line and use a different coloured pen to mark off the pattern, like this, using a tick mark or cross

Row 1 - Pattern Stitches X X X

Row 2 - Pattern Stitches X X X

Row 3 - Pattern Stitches X X

Row 4 - Pattern Stitches X X

Looking at that, I know that I've just finished row or round 2 of the pattern and how many rows or rounds I've knitted so far (10).

Using different coloured pens means there's less chance of mis-reading how many rows I've worked; writing out the pattern helps to get it into my head and saves me having to battle with sometimes very small print.

Ellie

I use earrings as stitch markers. :) My favorite one is a continuous hoop but I'll use anything hoopy. I don't wear earrings anymore so it's nice to get some use out of them!

Okay, here's my 2 cents worth, and maybe not worth much more, but here goes anyway..

When working a pattern repeat, I always use a clicker counter, or row counter of some sort. So I will always know where I left off, whenever I end a row I click the counter to the row I should start on *next*, when I return to my work.

With four kids, I *always* put my work away when I put it down for even a minute. I do this as a pro-active way to keep accidental damage and lost needles, etc, to a minimum. My DM who of course has no kids to bother her is always losing needles because she justs sets her project down assuming it won't go anywhere, lol. Somehow things happen anyway! So my advice is to always put your work in a basket, bag, or whatever, to keep it together while you're not working at it. Oh, and pick it up so it doesn't get stepped/sat on,thus avoiding broken needles (and un-necessary pain!! :shock:)

I hope I haven't just jinxed myself :teehee:

Kinda along the lines of what Hilary was saying: I put each project in it's own giant Ziploc with a paper copy of the pattern (marked where I left off), the project itself and the needles. On the front of the Ziploc, I write the name of the pattern, the yarn name, colorway, and Dye #, where I purchased the yarn, and the date I cast on. I keep them all on a shelf and when I go somewhere to knit, I grab my ziplock bag and throw it in my knitting bag.

1-NEVER be any where near Limey when she is knitting with DPNs:roflhard::roflhard:

2-Get a magnet board to hold your pattern,the magnet keeps your place for you.
3-Always keep a crochet hook with you to pickup dropped stitches or to fix a mistake 4 rows down
4-I use a fishing tackle box to keep my knitting accessories in
5-I use a bamboo needle for a cable needle because they are not slippery.I always use a needle 4 sizes smaller so it is easier to grab the cable sts off the smaller needle

I love the idea of writing info of the front of the bag. I think if I had to look at the date I started a project every time I picked it up I might work a little harder on it. LOL.:rofl:
Seriously, I think it is a good way to keep that info handy.
My tip is: I always make a working copy of my pattern so I can mark on it or whatever. The original stays in a plastic sleeve in my notebook of patterns. I'm only a little organized though. I don't even have them in Alphabetical order.:wink:

Hi, Jax! Your advice is worth a LOT more than 2 cents! I have no little ones to disturb my knitting, but I manage to "disturb" it all the time! So just yesterday I bought a large rectangular lined straw bag to tuck things away in when I'm not knitting. I've been forever having to get my DH to move the sofa so I can retrieve needles, stitch markers, etc. Not any more! Thanks.

Ruthie :o)

Momwolf-ROFLOL about the DPns and Limey :teehee:; and I use a fishing tackle box too.

And the crochet hook is a great idea-I need to do that! I try to, but I often find myself without one anyway.

Alyce, great idea writing the date on the bag! I have a feeling that might motivate me a bit :shock: lol!

I'm glad my two cents is a help to you Ruthie! :)

[quote=momwolf;1131291]1-NEVER be any where near Limey when she is knitting with DPNs:roflhard::roflhard:

Cheeky Hound!!!, Momwolf

You keep your knitting tackle in a fishing basket? - what did ya catch? Moby Dick?

I've seen trawlers with fishing baskets smaller than yours!!! - in fact, I think the entire UK fishing fleet would have trouble finding enough space to stash your stash!:roflhard::roflhard:

I think this is a brilliant thread and everyone's coming up with some great ideas.

I should get something decent to house my projects, Hilary, keep on using carrier bags, which is ok for small stuff but anything knitted for an adult keeps spilling :doh:out.

I find it handy too, to have a crochet hook at the ready and where I can, have a duplicate set of needles to the ones I'm using, for when my hands get clammy in warm weather (fat chance!) - I just keep the duplicate set in the fridge, so that they're lovely and cool.

My tip is I use a three ring binder for my dpn's and odd size circulars. I put them in a sleeve and now I can put it on my shelf next to my sofa. I also keep my crochet hooks in a old plastic spice container. It is just the right size for them. I keep the shaker top on it and the different sizes fit just right.
So this is my two cents worth. I also did cover the three ring binder the way we used to cover our books for school. :teehee:
I don't think the kids do that anymore. My mom could use just about anything around the house. So of course I just did learn do it also. I don't sew but boy give me paper and I could cover anything.:roflhard::roflhard:
PS.
I used paper and glue to cover the binder. Tape is just to tacky.

:roflhard:

Hi, Teri! Great idea about the 3-ring binder with sleeves! I've GOT to get out to Staples or Office Depot soon!

You all are a hoot, and the ideas you're writing up are super! Here's a new one from me.

TIP: Easy pattern reading

When I first started knitting again, I was back to square one. Of course, the patterns that appealed to me most were pretty complex with stuff like 8 row pattern repeats, etc., but I was game and I'd found KH!

I was making afgans and baby blankets for the family. I was afraid I'd go blind trying to read and follow those tiny little lines of type in the pattern books, to say nothing of the confusion! So the first thing I did with a pattern was to re-write each row on an individual 5x7 index card.

I used symbols for the stitches such as a box for knit stitches and an x for purls, trying to make it more visual.

If I had several knit stitches I'd draw the box and write the appropriate type and amount of stitches (example: K 6 inside a box or X-6 written like that). I broke the pattern for that row down into what looked like logical sequences and wrote each on a different line of the card, using every other line. (I used a gel pen so the ink was darker and easier to read.)

Then I'd stack my index cards on the sofa next to me and just move the current card to the back when I was finished the row.

I always knew where I was in the pattern (once I got in the habit of turning the card as soon as I was finished the row!) Also, as I wrote the pattern out on the cards I was getting familiar with it. Once it was written out with the symbols I could lay the cards out and actually see how the pattern was formed.

It's been well worth the time so far to write up my little "cheat sheets"!
And an added plus is that I can file the cards in a file box to use if I want to do the pattern again, or to repair one I've done if it's damaged.

Hope this helps!

Ruthie

Wow, great tips everyone! I have a few comments/ideas..

I hate stitch and row counters. It's too easy for someone (old or young) to come up and say 'what's this?' and then fiddle with the dial. :doh: I keep pencil and notepad next to me while knitting patterns I need to keep track on. If the pattern has a 4 row repeat I make hashmarks for each row then move down a line for the next repeat. I also circle the row that has the lifeline on it so if I have to frog I know exactly where I was in the pattern.

I second the crochet hook, too. Very handy for those dropped stitches!

adding to my previous list -

3. Keep coilless safety pins in your bag. They are great if you have to mark something below the row you're one or whatever. You can get them in the beading section of stores.

I am still new to some of this stuff. Can someone please explain to me what a "lifeline" is?

Thanks

A 'lifeline' is a piece of thin yarn or something like dental floss that you put through the stitches on your needle to mark a row that is error free. You can use a yarn needle to go through the stitches or if you use circular needles some of them have a hole at the base where you can tie something like the floss and then knit normally. However you do it when it is in the while row you pull it through so you have two ends. I tie them in a knot then knit normally. Now if you have to frog/rip back you don't have to go all the way to the beginning of the project. Move them up or add more as you go up the project. For things like lace especially they are indispensable. I am using one on my sweater though, too.

Thanks Jan. That is a great idea!! I'll have to remember that!

You can put patterns in (certain) page protectors and use dry-erase markers to mark on the page protector. Then take dry-erase cleaning solution and wipe the protector free.

Hiya Folks

I've found out that it pays to be careful which way you point a stitch holder if you're using it to hold stitches at the back of a cardigan.

It's all well and good the pattern saying place so many stitches on a holder - what it doesn't tell you is to watch which end of the holder you place them on.

I've recently picked up some stitches on the right front and neck of a child's cardigan and had my stitch holder with the point going to the right as well - that means that I've gone up the side of the cardigan and now the stitch holder is facing the wrong way - have to put the held stitches on something else so that I can transfer them to the working needle.

In other words, if you usually start picking up stitches on a right front or neckline, make sure that the pointed end of the stitch holder is facing left (from inside the garment) when you place the stitches on the holder.

If you don't, you'll have the wrong end of the holder facing you and if you used a knitting needle as a holder, you'll end up with the blunt end at the wrong end for you to pick up.

Hope this makes sense.

Ellie

Great tips here! Especially the life line! Since I haven't knitted much I can't tell you how many times I ripped out the whole piece because I couldn't get the stitches or kept dropping a stitich or just plain messed it up trying to frog. Sorry I don't have any tips maybe some day I will have knitted enough to contribute.

I keep safety pins in my box. If I'm needing to pick up a lost stitch, I like to anchor it first, just in case it decides to undo itself further down the row.

My girlfriend found me the neatest knitting gadget. It's a small crochet hook on one end and a knitting needle on the other. It's about 3 inches long. I sadly use that thing every time I knit:roflhard: , but it sure is handy!

GREAT idea about the safety pins, Kelly!:muah: It can get pretty nerve-wracking trying to catch those stitches. This is a super safety net.

Thanks,
Ruthie

Don't worry, Kitty-Kat! :p It won't take long before you're either frantically searching for solutions or inventing your own. Desperation, NOT necessity, is the real mother of invention! And there's not much more desperate than a knitter who's balled something up after putting in hours and hours of work. :teehee:

So stay tuned, learn lots, and then send in your solutions, too! They'll be appreciated, especially since you'll probably be looking at things with a new (to knitting) pair of eyes.

Thanks, again!
Ruthie :knitting:

I don't ever remember to mark paper when I'm knitting. So the paper and pencil to keep track just wasn't working for me and neither would the row counters that sit next to you.

I use the ones that hang on your work. Like this one.

And the lifeline, that's has saved me so many hours of re-knitting.

I use hairties for stitch markers. They move easily because they are stretchy.

I also keep a copy of all the patterns I use on my computer. I just save them as doc or pdfs. That way if I lose my copy I can print another.

Raverly has help me a lot too with keeping track of what I'm doing for big projects, like yarn I need and such.

I also keep my work in plastic ziplock bags. And my statch too.

If I find a pattern that I know I will use over and over, I write each row on an index card, punch a hole in the top left corner and attach the cards with a binder ring. You can then flip through as you continue each row. On the last card (well, the card before any finishing instructions) I note how many repeats of the pattern to make (actually, I do all this on the computer and laminate the cards - that way I can tick off any repeats with-in the rows, or if there are sections of the pattern that are straight repeats (ie. knit 8 rows...) ) I will also usually start the cards with a pic of the finished product, then any special instructions, then onto the pattern rows.

hope that was clear!

************************************************8

Hi Kelly

Is this the sort of gadget you mean? Looks really handy, kind of thing that should be superglued to my wrist :??:zombie::eyes::figureditout:when I'm working 'awkward' patterns, as I call them

http://www.coatsandclark.com/cgi-bin...IS+TOOLS+tool+

Many thanks for posting, I'll definitely get one.

Ellie

I have been reading so many useful tips here. I have all sorts of 'gadgets' I've purchased since resuming knitting, but I must get one of the Coats and Clark knitting needle on one end and crochet hook on the other. I do keep a crochet hook at hand, small scissors, retractable tape measure and my indispensable row counters, yes two, as I would be lost without them. Heck, whatever works is fine. Keep the tips coming in as I know for certain I am learning a bunch from I've just read.

[quote=MAmaDawn;1132101]I don't ever remember to mark paper when I'm knitting. So the paper and pencil to keep track just wasn't working for me and neither would the row counters that sit next to you.

Hi! I also got impatient with marking paper or turning a stitch counter when I'm knitting. I just wanna keep going! :)

But there were times I had to count rows and/or repeats in a pattern. So I just put some pennies in a bowl and sat it next to me and then I could take one out (one-handed, of course!) and line it up on the sofa or table next to me. I could tell which number of repeat I was on just by looking at the coins.

I guess for a more complex pattern you could use nickles AND pennies and even quarters, depending on how much you have to keep track of (and if you've been to the yarn shop, how solvent your finances are!!!:roflhard: )

Either way, I found this simple. Hope it works for 'ya!

Ruthie

Index cards for patterns
 

[quote=margz3;1132180]If I find a pattern that I know I will use over and over, I write each row on an index card, punch a hole in the top left corner and attach the cards with a binder ring.

Hey, Margaret! :)

I wrote up a tip a bit earlier about how I use index cards, too - they're wonderful! But you added a whole 'nother dimension!!! The binder clip ring and LAMINATING the cards!!! Wowser! :yay:

You go, girl!!! This thread is turning out so great!

More, more, more...:muah:

Ruthie

Yes! That's it. My gf found it at an Artco store, which is like an outlet for crafts? I have never been. It was in the dollar section. She hasn't seen them since.
Gosh, I will look for a backup one, now that I know you can buy them. Thanks for posting the link.:yay:
I honestly lost it for 2 days (under the couch), and had to resort to a regular crochet hook. It just isn't the same.

I like to use an old daily desk calendar for counting rows. The small one's that have a separate page for each day. Even though it only goes to 31 days, I just repeat the pages. I also use a separate set to keep track of row counts for a pattern, just have to remember to flip the pages at the end of each row.

I'll have to get one of those crochet hook/needle things, sounds like a great idea!

I always have to have paper and pencil to keep track of my knitting, row counters just don't work for me, I forget about them. I find it harder to ignore the big blue clipboard that has all my current patterns attached to it!

Two of the best tricks I've learned are tinking and inserting a needle into a destination row. Both of which I learned from this article.

I find it tricky inserting a knitting needle into a destination row so I tend to use a piece of thread or something but the idea is the same.

This thread is GREAT!
Here's my tip. For all those little things that can get lost in the bottom of the knitting bag, use one of the little make-up bags that you get "free with purchase" from many of the major make-up companies when they have their "Free with purchase" deals. I keep my scissors (on a cork, so it doesn't poke through), tape measure, crochet hook, stitch markers, lifeline thread, plastic needles and a piece of sand paper and a piece of rubber jar opener stuff. What are the last two items for? Sand paper is for lightly sanding rough edges on either needles or finger nails! (I know--a nail file would work, but they disappear) and the jar opener rubber stuff is for the Options needles. Works great for tightening them.

Stitch Markers, Stitch Markers, Stitch Markers .... I use them for even the smallest repeat or to remind me to knit the two or three stitches at the edge of a dish cloth. Even if a pattern only has 4 or five stitches in it, I know immediately if I have made a mistake.
My favorite stitch markers are jump rings. I get them in the jewelry making area of the craft store. They come in all sizes, they are inexpensive (so you don't feel like you have to search for a lost one) and you get a whole bunch of them.

This is a really great thread! I don't have any new knitting tips. I do however, have a tip for shopping for your knitting accessaries.
This is the time of year Target, or any of the places that sell school supplies have great prices.
I was in Target yesterday just wondering around and found these in the school supplies. I'm going to keep my dpn's in the 3 ringer pencil pouch. My odd's and end's in the zipper bag. my circular needles that I use most often in the plastic box. they were all very inexpensive.
The ringer pouch was $1.49 ea. the zipper bag was $2.99, The box was $2.99

My tip is to use those little tins that have mints in them for your small items to keep from losing them in the couch or chair, etc. I even bought a can of cookies the other day because it was tall (about 7") and about as big around as a CD. My first thought was...I could use that for needles. I always put something soft in the bottom of the container to protect the needle points. Also, go on E-bay if you need needles, yarn, etc. I like the vintage needles and they're always available and you can usually get them at a good price. That's one way to add to your supply of needles.

Hi

Being of a natural bodging nature (making something for nowt and a perennial pack rat) I've been using the cylinder from the inside of a cling film pack to store my DPNs - or Scuds as my hubby refers to them.

He says I nearly had his eye out once - :roll: men are such babies - it was a good quarter of an inch from his eye socket - dunno why he was making such a fuss.

Sorry ... oh yes, the cylinder. I got the inside foamy round pad thing from a coffee jar lid, cut it to size to fit the bottom of the cylinder and fixed it in place with duct tape. To stop the needles from spilling out the top of the container, I make a little pom pom and pop it on top.

This doesn't sound very appealing but if you have any small children or grand children lurking around, you could ask them to paint the cylinder with acrylic paint or get some pretty gift-wrap, and stick it to the cylinder with PVA glue.

I'm sure there are lots of decorative effects they could do and it struck me as being a cheap and cheerful present for them to make for their favourite knitters at Xmas.

Ellie

PS - Sorry, I meant the idea might not sound very appealing - not anyone's children or grandchildren :oops:

Blocking wire
 

Hi - I've just got to share this with all of you. Today I went to a welding supply shop and bought a tube of stainless steel "tig rods" for just under $16. The tube holds about 25-30 1/16" rods, 3 feet long, which is more than enough for blocking my largest afghan. They came in a nice, heavy plastic tube with a loop at the top for hanging!

Also, I stopped at Lowe's and spent another $16.88 for a big package of those snap-together floor mat tiles (the ones for kids with letters of the alphabet) that will make a perfect base for stretching the afghans on the rods and then pinning them down right into the mat tiles.

For under $32 I'm set to block almost anything. So maybe go hang out at your local welding supply shop, too!

Ruthie:happydance:

PS - If you need flexible stainless steel wire for blocking curves, they also sell that. It's a very large spool of wire, though, so you might want to divide the wire (and the cost) with other knitting friends.

Keeping little ones creatively occupied...
 

Hey, Ellie -

GREAT idea about decorating the cans/tubes that are recycled for holding needles and other really important knitting "stuff"!

We're having a family party next Sunday (24-26 people) and when we get them all together I try to have some art projects for the little ones and the ladies as well. The male types are self-occupying with sports, playing pool/ping pong, etc. so they're no worry. Usually I have some small ceramic or wooden pieces and a bunch of acrylic paint and craft brushes and we get around the kitchen table (which is covered with thick brown paper) and paint while we talk. Then everybody gets to take home a little keepsake of the day.

I've got some of those tube type cans that Pringles chips come in and those'll make a GREAT project for the little ones (7 and 9) to decorate for me for my needles. (they like to make things for Granma). It never even occurred to me until I read your post!:doh:

So thanks for that!

Ruthie :happydance: