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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: Wanda Subject: fringe Comment: I have been using 25 chains lengths for fringe. They don't fray as much as a yarn length chain and they look neater. Of course, this uses more yarn so be sure you have enough. Name: Sarah Subject: Balls of yarn Comment: Instead of leaving yarn in its original packaging, roll it into a ball. It's much easier to tell how much you have, because some wool when packaged is looser than another. Name: Jeanne Subject: static electricity Comment: I put fabric softener sheets (Bounce is my favorite) in with my yarn and my finished work to eliminate static electricity. It makes everything smell good, too!! (I always check for allergies first) Name: Amethyst Subject: crochet hooks holder Comment: I got a travel toothbrush holder to store or carry my crochet hooks. If I'm starting a new project and don't know the guage yet, or am just waiting for inspiration, my hooks are all right there. I also keep some of the cheap plastic kinds in there. I find that when people see me crocheting, inevitably there is someone wanting to be taught. I can give them a brief lesson, and send them away with a hook to keep going. Name: patei Subject: crochet scraps Comment: I use left over yarn to make afghans. one color at a time. I make a slip knot about the length of your hook chain across desired length ending with a slip knot leaving a fringe at that end. make another fringe like you made for ch row,in 1st ch, sc in each ch across for 3 rows,use back loop,[I use ombre type yarn]I do the navajo stitch where you make a dc to row below. each row is a different color,type yarn. make it as long and as wide as desired. end with 3 rows of ombre/varigated yarn. trim the fringes when done. you can also make place mats, rugs with larger,bulky yarn. I have made these for baby gifts they work well as crib and you can always add on to them later. I have made these as gifts for so many of my family that I have ended up buying yarn for the projects. also made with threads for new borns gifts. and I did a coat out of it once. Name: Karen Cash Subject: Containers Comment: Most of the time I use Folgers cans between my feet to hold my skeins or balls in while I work, but I ran into a problem when I got one of those 1 pound skeins, and also,sometimes my ball was too big for the Folgers cans. So I dug around and found a 2 pound cookie tin that was nice and tall and big enough. An added plus is I added some magnets to the sides and they hold my scissors and pins. So when I go out to sit on the swing, I just grab my can with my yarn, hook, scissors and pins! Name: Megan Subject: Remembering Colors Comment: When you're using different colors than the pattern suggested, write your version down on a sticky note and stick it to your pattern. For instance: A -- green B -- yellow C -- blue-green Name: Sue Subject: Organising tools Comment: I keep a small box in which I keep scissors, crochet hooks currently being used, needles, tape measure etc. I save small plastic containers with snap on lids which are useful for holding needles and pins. When transporting my crochet I use a small cosmetic bag for all the bits and pieces. I also keep a small notepad and pen to note any changes I make to a pattern or jot down ideas for future projects. Name: Angela Subject: Yarn Holder Comment: I see alot of comments on here for the plastic yarn holders, I love that idea and use it while im traveling (the plastic coffee can with the handle) What I use at home is the cylindrical oatmeal container. the cardboard is a little flimsier, but if you like to decorate things, its alot easier to decorate. I covered mine with a thin layer of batting, then covered it in a neat fabric and tied ribbon and buttons to it. It is one giant pincushion thanks to the batting and cloth, I tie my scissors to the ribbon on the outside and hang my little homemade crocheted pouches on the buttons that hold my little doo dads. Since it looks cool, I can leave it out as decoration instead of putting it away! Name: lorena Subject: flower holders Comment: I make a lot of flowers and embellishments for my projects so I take my empty egg cartons and each carnation or rose etc; fit very nicely into them and when full i stack them up and put a sticker on the end so i know whats in them Name: Jill Subject: Yarn containers Comment: I take the large plastic coffee containers with snap on lids. Clean them out, use a grommet in the center of the top to put your yarn through and they're great for keeping the yarn clean while working a project. There are various sizes and I have my friends save them for me too. Name: Shirley Subject: Yarn holder Comment: It may have been posted before, but I love to enclose a skein of yarn into one of those soft, cozy short slipper socks. They stretch just enough to encase the yarn and keep it tight & unraveled through the project. Name: Carol Subject: organization Comment: I recently came across a six pack tote bag for bringing wine home from the store, and it turns out that it is perfect for sorting wool skeins for multiple color projects, like mile a minute or scraps; each pull skein is in sight, at your fingers and no rolling around. Name: Phyllis Subject: Threading yarn to needle Comment: To easily thread yarn into needle to sew articles together, take a piece of paper, make a small triangle and fold in half over the yarn, and slip the yarn paper triangle sandwich through the needle. Slick! Name: Flayr Subject: containers to use Comment: I just started using plastic 2 quart and 1 gallon beverage containers by Sterilite for my work in progress yarn. I needed something sturdy that my ferret wouldn't get into or knock over. I also wind up my yarn around a cardboard tube from toilet paper or paper towels. No knots and they are easy to store upright much like storing spools of thread on pegs. 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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