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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Ruffles Pillow |
        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: sherry Subject: keeping pattern readable Comment: I have had patterns that are my favorites, I used them so much they started to get torn up. I finely got the Idea to copy the one pattern I was using, then i could mark it as i went, and still had a good copy. Another thing I have done is to take a note book and put the basic instructions down and write the stitch row down and mark off the rows as I go, keeping the note book with the project. when you pick up the project later you will know where you are on it. Name: Janice Chandler Subject: organizing yarn Comment: When making an afghan with six different colors of yarn, I was having trouble keeping them organized for easy switching of the colors. I took my tall laundry basket stood all six colors on the end, tail end pointing up. I then pulled the tails up and put them through the hole in the side of the basket right above each skein of yarn this way I can just clip the yarn off and spin the basket to the next color . Works GREAT Name: Shelley Subject: weaving vs. carrying along Comment: I detest weaving in those pesky ends. When I'm working on a pattern w/ more than one color yarn, I tend to carry the color up along the side instead of breaking off and weaving in the ends. This is especially true if I'm working on an afghan where the border will easily hide the yarn that's been carried. It's less wastefull, I find, than ending the row and weaving in. Name: Jenn Subject: Keeping a Leash on Yarn Comment: I purchased a round box w/ a lid at Hobby Lobby (mine is heavy cardboard but wood would be nice, too) and drilled 6 holes in the top, all spread out. Thread your yarn, up to 6 different colors through and it will keep your skeins clean and is easily transportable!! One of these days I'll decorate the box. ;o) A pre-decorated hat box would also work. Have fun! Name: Janet from Tacoma, WA Subject: comfort while crocheting Comment: Wrap your crochet hook with foam rubber or scoot-guard (a product to keep rugs from sticking) and wind a rubber band around it. This is much easier on your hand, especially if you are doing "hard" crochet making tight stitches as in some hats and most rugs. Name: Linda Subject: I can't find it!!! Comment: Hi. I've been crocheting for 40 years and have a tip for keeping track of stuff like scissors and needles. I made a bunch of little cloth bags and into each I put a clear pill bottle of needles, a scissor (buy a bunch at school supply time), and buttons or beads or anything else I need for my current project. Put one in the car, in each project bag, by your chair, etc, and you'll always have your supplies handy. Name: Jenny Subject: Patterns Comment: I find it helpful to use a sticky note when doing patterns and move it down each row, especially when the pattern is lace. It keeps me focused on what I am doing so I make less mistakes. Also when you are doing clothing with varied sizes, be sure to circle or highlight your size so you don't end up with two mismatched sleeves. Name: mzklever Subject: plastic hooks Comment: My niece told me about this one... plastic hooks don't set off the metal detectors in airports/government buildings, etc (obviously!!). I work in a county courthouse and have no problems getting my hooks through the doors. It's great to be able to work on a project while waiting for jury duty or delayed flights! Name: alexis Subject: wips Comment: To Sandy - I have been crocheting for longer than I wish to say, but it took me awhile to realize that the acronym "wips" means "WORK IN PROGRESS". I guess the text message generation will always come up with something new for us to learn/remember. Name: Sandy Freeman Subject: wips Comment: I have been a crocheter for over 25 years, it is without doubt the most relaxing thing in the world for me to do. I have a question, I have never heard of wips, can someone tell me what these letters stand for? I love this great site, am currently working on 3 Panchos, so glad they came back in style. Thank you so much for all the great patterns, tips, etc. Sandy Note from CPC Webmistress: I do not usually publish questions or help requests, but will make an exception since it is a question many others have. "WIP" is an abbreviation in the internet crochet world, it stands for "Work(s) in progress". In other words, the item or items you are crocheting at the current time. Hope this helps! -Rachel Name: Paige Subject: Gifts Comment: Hey guys! This year for Christmas, I didn't have any money, so I couldn't very well buy any gifts for my friends and all my family! SO I made up a mitten ornament pattern, and made them for my friends and family, and put candy in them. And for my bff, I made a makeup bag, and a few other things. People like home-made gifts better than store-bought gifts anyway, because they know that you took your time and made them something!! Maybe this has helped someone who feels bad if they don't have enough money to buy gifts for people... Name: Kate Subject: bags for wips Comment: I noticed someone else commented about using bed linen bags to store wips, and I just wanted to add that, for those who make a lot of stuffed projects, the bag that the Morning Glory brand cluster stuff stuffing comes in has a zipper on it, and is perfect for storing wips, especially like the afghan I'm working on with lots of granny squares and about 6 different yarns :) Name: jenni Subject: bringing along wips Comment: i use those pretty baby barrettes when i am taking my wip along. i just put it through my last crochet loop i know where i ended and i don't have to worry about losing my hook in my purse. Name: Rogue Subject: Scraps Comment: I save scraps, extra fringe, and other leftover yarn to stuff pillows. It's a great way not to waste anything especially your more expensive yarns. Name: angela Subject: Tip to crocheting w/homespun Comment: I love the look/feel of homespun yarn but dread working with it because it continually snags. Well, I crocheted about 5 hats with the homespun and in the middle of the 6th hat my hook broke; I was using a plastic one. I didn't want to run out to the store to buy a new hook so I reluctantly switched to a metal one that I already had on hand. WHAT A DIFFERENCE...IT WAS LIKE DAY AND NIGHT! The metal hook made working with the homespun and absolute joy! I couldn't believe it; I was fighting each stitch with the plastic hook but once I began using the metal hook I was stitching the homespun as quickly as I would a smooth yarn. My tip....homespun = metal hook! I'll never go back! 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 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Next >> Share your own hints by filling in the form below... |
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