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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: Mackenzie Subject: storing yarn Comment: I store my yarn in one of the plastic chest of drawers (like Linda's tip) and my other supplies in a clear plastic box. My fun fur and such in one drawer, my thread in another and every thing else in the last one. Name: Linda Subject: Yarn Storage Comment: I like to store my yarn in those plastic chest of drawers from Kmart. They run sales on them about once a month (the 3-drawer type) and once you have put four of the drawer sets together, there is plenty of room to store your yarn AND you can see thru the clear plastic and group your colors together. I also like to buy those clear plastic tool chests (about $5.00 at Walmart) to store my crochet needles and one for my knitting needles and supplies. All the compartments in the tray are very handy for holding and separating your supplies and the needles fit very well in the bottom portion. Name: Annie Subject: Yarn Sales Comment: I frequently visit my local Big Lots! store and have discovered that name brand yarns such as Lion Brand and Bernat are often shipped to be closed out. Many times, their name brand labels are replaced by an un-known brand, but if you are a yarn fanatic like myself, you'll recognize your supplies immediately. I have purchased rather costly yarns for as little as 1.00 or LESS! Goodwill stores, Salvation Army stores and yard sales are WONDERFUL places to find our treasured yarns... Name: Jane Subject: Keeping my place in a pattern. Comment: Before I start a new project I make copies of the pattern direction. I then cut up the directions by rows. Placing each rows direction on a separate index card. I punch holes in the cards and place them in order on rings. I can turn the cards as I complete each row. Repeats are easy, just turn back to the beginning of the repeated row. Putting down and picking up my project is much easier when I know exactly which row I am working on. It is also less confusing when learning new patterns, because I am looking at only one row of instructions at a time. Name: Barb Subject: shape Comment: Sometimes when I'm just too comfortable and don't feel like getting up to lay my afghan out to check the shape of it to make sure it's even, I just fold it in half, putting the ends together and put it together pressing it evenly all the way to the fold and if the fold at the other end is even I'm pretty sure it's ok. Name: Lisa Subject: marking your place Comment: My mum taught me to keep my place on a sew/cross-stitch/ knit pattern by using a red colored pencil (shows up on the page, but it can still be erased). I took it one step further and use a yellow highlighter/marker. You can photocopy it and the marks don't show up! Name: Mackenzie O. Subject: BARGAINS! Comment: Today I went to the dollar store, and they had bunches of Lion Boucle and Fancy Fur for a $1 (of course!)!!!! It was a great bargain, I did not get any because it was all fall colors. But check your local dollar store soon they should get more in soon! Also check thrift stores and yard sales, and wash the yarn in pillow cases on a gentle cycle! Name: kay Subject: stop for the evening Comment: when my children were small they love to pull on my work and rows of stitches would come out to prevent this take a large safety pin and pin it where you left off. if the child tries to pull on it, it wont go anywhere Name: Sarah Subject: travel storage etc. Comment: I pack my crocheting to work in a see thru mesh beach bag. My hooks are in a purchased case I got as a gift. But my scissors, pom pom maker and other extras are in one of my husbands electric razor bags (who uses those?) I picked up a bunch at yard sales. I use a led pencil holder to keep my yarn needles which I keep inside the razor bag. Everything is easy to get to and doesn't put my yarn in jeopardy. Name: Joyce Subject: Sizes Comment: When crocheting a tablecloth or large item it is important to know what size needle that you are using and what size thread you are using. So take the wrapper off the thread and and put the wrapper inside the roll of thread. Even after months of holding that thread you will know what size to use. Name: Jordan Subject: learning how to crochet Comment: I am 10, and a few years ago i tried to learn to knit. And after so long, i couldn't do it even with videos and worded instructions. Later a friend of mine knew how to crochet. She taught me how. I found that if someone you know teaches you, you learn how to easier and quicker than teaching yourself. Name: Erin Subject: Hook handles Comment: Dollar store package of off brand Nerf darts make great handles for a soft grip. The hook will easily run right up through the middle. Name: Dusty Subject: Marking Your Rounds Comment: When I'm working in rounds I use a bobby pin to mark the round and just move it up to the next round as needed. It stays out of the way and it doesn't damage the yarn. Name: Laura King Subject: Doily Storage or Mailing Box Comment: I have been crocheting for over 30 years...my grandmother taught me the basics and I self taught me the rest. I do both yarn & thread. When making doilies I have discovered that using Pizza boxes for storing or mailing is the best. You can go into your favorite Pizza place and ask for the box; most of the time I have gotten them free, a few times I only had to pay a dollar. Hope this helps. Happy Hooking!! Name: Mackenzie Subject: yet again Comment: For an easy, stylish, funky and furry belt. Baby yarn and novelty eyelash yarn (i used Bernat Baby Sparkle pink and a sunset colored eyelash i got for christmas with no label) you can probally make 2 from one ball of eyelash yarn. CH to desired length and DC all the back across, finish off weave in end, and...... Voila funky and stylish! 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