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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Pretty Frilly Flower Bookmark |
        Interested in knitting? Visit our sister site: Knitting Pattern Central  | Tips 'n TricksDo you have a helpful hint or handy trick that will make any aspect of crocheting easier? Share it! Post ideas on scrap yarn usages, stitch markers, starching, hook organization, 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: Joyce Subject: pins Comment: If you need to pin knitting or crochet together I find the pins to keep your hair rollers in are best, as they are easy to find and dont bite if Dad sits down on your work. Name: alex Subject: crochet Comment: when you are crocheting make sure that you have an even grip the whole time or your piece will not look so good Name: Trish Subject: Stitch Markers Comment: I've discovered that pipe cleaners cut to about 1 inch make great stitch markers. Since they are already semi rigid and thin, they are a breeze to push through even the smallest stitches. You can also use them to hold the ends of two pieces together as you are sewing them together. Basically, you cut the pipe cleaner, pop it through the stitch you want to mark. Then you fold it over (fold the tips past each other if you're holding two pieces together). Name: Jenny Subject: Storing projects Comment: When I buy bedding sets I save the large zipper bags that they come in and I use them to store unfinished afghan projects. If you do "mile-a-minute" projects, you can store the strips as you finish them so that they don't get lost. Also, you can save the zipper bags from sheet sets for smaller projects. Name: Jessica Subject: Teaching Beginning Crochet Comment: When teaching someone how to crochet, be sure to call every stitch by it's real name. Do not refer to the beginning chain as the "V" shape or anything other than the proper name for the stitch. Calling the stitch a different name works in the beginning, but after a while it gets confusing for the teacher and the students. Name: Jessica Subject: Pesky yarn tails Comment: When you are making a piece where you change colors often, weave in yarn ends as you go. It is hard to force yourself to weave them in as you go because you want to go on, but it will save you a lot of frustration when you finish your project and have to weave all of those ends in. Name: Diana Subject: Storage Comment: I use old makeup bags I got as "gift with purchase" to store my hooks, needles, scissors, etc in. Also when I get a bag from a store with handles on it I use them to hold different WIPs. I also store all my stuff together in large Rubbermaid containers to keep them together and keep the pet hair off. Name: Anna Subject: Zip Lock Big Bags Comment: Right now I'm crocheting a afghan for my room, and what I found works wonderful for holding my work in progress is a Zip Lock Big Bag! My afghan has me switch colors every row and so I have about 10 different skeins of yarn which the bag holds, along with the afghan and I still have plenty of room in the bag. You can buy them at stores like Wal-mart. I'm using the XL size but they also come in XXL. Name: Diane Weston Subject: starting chain Comment: When I teach younger ones to crochet, I have them make the starting chain on a hook 1-2 sizes larger than the one in the pattern. This keeps them from making the chain too tight (a common beginner problem). I have them switch to the right size for the first row. It makes the first edge a bit uneven, but is great practice for starting. Name: Yvonne McMillon Subject: Pattern Shopping Cards Comment: I created a Pattern Shopping Card, I complete this card when I purchase a pattern. Information on the card contains; the Pattern Name/Description, Source, Suggested Materials, Suggested Quantity and the size hook(s) to be used. I file this card as I would a recipe card, take it with me when shopping for yarn. No more guessing. I love it! Name: Susan Subject: Cushion for hooks Comment: I use pencil cushions for size J hooks and larger. They are inexpensive and make it easier to hold the hook. They can be bought in any office supply store or Walmart may have them. Name: Katy Thorna Subject: Storing Projects Comment: I am a BIG crochet person so I usually have a lot of projects going on at once. I usually have one big project and several small projects, but i've found that if I keep my big project in a small portable basket, I can find it easier and I can pack it up and take it places easier. EASY EASY EASY! Name: Lanna Clark Subject: foldable scissors Comment: I picked up 5 or 6 of the foldable scissors at Wal-Mart. To keep from losing them in your craft bag, I tied them to a piece of yarn to the handle or the pocket zipper in the bag. This way it will always be around & if the string is long enough you can use it while the bag is on the floor. I also have it in my purse as well & hooked on on my key chain. Never know when you need a pair of scissors. Also these are good for ripping out seams of garments. I used it at a sewing factory that I worked at. They are small & handy to get into small places that need sniped. Name: Sheryl Subject: Darning Needle holder Comment: These plastic pill bottles that are empty are great for carrying your darning needles. The labels are easy to just remove. Now you can see clear thru the bottle. Good luck Name: susanG Subject: storage of wip Comment: I usually have more than 1 wip, currently 4 with #5 brewing in my mind, I use purses that I like but don't use to store and carry the smaller projects, and am teaching my children to do the same since they both crochet. for a really big project, I have a zip top tote bag. And for all my hooks, I use a tennis ball container. 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