Knit Tips & Tricks

RuthieinMaryland · 07-18-2008, 01:58 PM

Hi, Knitters!

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.

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

Jan in CA · 07-18-2008, 02:07 PM

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.

knitpurlgurl · 07-18-2008, 02:10 PM

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!

Limey · 07-18-2008, 02:27 PM

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

fireflyknitter · 07-18-2008, 03:09 PM

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!

Jaxhil · 07-18-2008, 08:57 PM

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!!

)

I hope I haven't just jinxed myself

knitpurlgurl · 07-18-2008, 09:24 PM

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.

RuthieinMaryland · 07-19-2008, 07:42 AM

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)

CountryNaturals · 10-23-2008, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by fireflyknitter

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!

I bought a toe ring at a craft show about 25 years ago. I haven't worn it in years, but I dug it out for a stitch marker. Makes me feel like hot stuff, having a Real Gold stitch marker.

It also brings back great memories of The Sawdust Festival.

CountryNaturals · 10-23-2008, 08:25 PM

When I have to attach a new skein in the middle of a job, I use a square knot, so both ends lie flat (one before the knot -- the other one after the knot--and the knot is flat, too). I leave about a 1-2" tail on each piece, then knit the first tail in as I go, working across the knot, then working the 2nd tail in after the knot. (I hope this makes sense.) The result is NO TAILS TO WORK IN LATER, which is one of the few things I don't like about knitting.