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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: Karen Subject: Washing Skeins Comment: I was given a large bag of twenty plus year old skeins of yarn. They needed to be washed before I could use them, I just couldn't throw them away! I used stocking legs to cover the yarn and tied a knot in the end. Wash and dry. Be sure the end is tied tight or the yarn will sneak out! This works great! Name: Dee Ann Subject: foundation chain Comment: When starting my foundation chain I always leave a tail, that way if I need another stitch or two on my way back I can just add one then. Looks fine. can't tell the difference. Name: caitlyn Subject: easy purses Comment: im 13 and I have been crocheting since 11. i figured out that to make an easy purse, just make a chain and half double crochet all the way around it, then just keep going until it is tall enough. add a handle and it is done! Name: Lois Subject: Foundation Row Comment: I crochet my foundation row with 2 strands of yarn. It doesn't stretch out of shape and makes a real nice beginning. Name: Frances Subject: Afghan made easier. Comment: I have learned when I am making a afghan, that is a lot easier if I place quilting rings around the end I have already made, when it gets to long, and heavy. That way you can just flip it over, when you turn your crocheting for the next row.I have been crocheting for a little over a year now. I taught myself through books that explained step by step. And I learned very quickly, and am still learning, and loving it. Name: chella Subject: travel with yarn Comment: I take my yarn when I travel. It works great as padding for delicate items such as glass bottles and picture frames you might bring for lovedones as gifts just place in suitcsase and stuff yarn around them. I took my laptop on this trip and I put it in my travel bag and stuffed all my yarn around it. It worked out great and I didn't have to carry a laptop bag on top of the carry on bag itself. lol Name: Gail Subject: Inventory Comment: If you tend to have a large supply of yarn (and hooks) and are continuously adding to...and hope to use it all one day, carry with you at all times a sample inventory of your existing yarn (attach a strand to a card, ring or carry in a plastic paper protector with a tag indicating content and quantity or each and you'll always be ready to match your inventory with new stuff you see.) Remember to remove yarns used or update quantity available. Also carry a cheat sheet roughly telling you how much yarn by what type (sock, bulky) is needed for basic projects (sweaters, socks), so you buy adequate quantities of new yarn when you shop. Name: Jo Ann Subject: organization Comment: When someone asks me to make something for them, I write it in a notebook. I write their name, when they will need it by, and the item they want crocheted. I also will write where the pattern can be found (I have lots of pattern books). When I finish the crocheted item I will take a picture of it and keep it in a photo album so when someone asks what I crochet I can show them the pictures of what I crochet. Name: Christopher Subject: On the Go Comment: I found the easiest thing to do is find a bag/purse pattern you like and just repeat the main part of it and eventually you'll have a bag you like and it'll be big enough to carry you projects with you. and they make great gifts for others crocheters in your life. Name: Karan Subject: Hiding loose strings Comment: I have found that threading a large eyed needle with the loose strings after finishing a project and weaving the loose strings into the project are easier than using the hook. Just takes minutes to do a whole blanket with multiple thread changes. Name: Kim Subject: Yarn Organizer Comment: I use 2 liter soda bottles to put my skeins in when I have to change colors in a patter. Cut out the bottom, wash the bottle and dry. Put the skein in with the thread comming out of the opening, tape the bottom with duck tape. It holds a reg. skein of yarn and works well for me. Name: Marilyn M. Subject: keeping place in patterns Comment: I am a beginner and frequently lose my place, so I write the patterns on lined paper, one instruction at a time. Like this: Row 1: A. 2 DC in next 3 sc B. skip 2 sc, 2 DC in next 3 sc Like that. Seems silly, but it helps me bunches. Name: Marilyn Subject: storing hooks Comment: I use an empty plastic coke bottle, and the top keeps the hooks from escaping when traveling or when knocking over! Name: Delma Subject: crocheting Comment: Name is Delma; my comment is on keeping blocks clean as I crochet them before putting them together. KEEP THEM IN A ZIP_LOCK BAG. Also keep a small pad of paper and pen and keep track of how many blocks are made. Have fun!!! Name: Terri Subject: scrap yarn, potholders Comment: Use scrap yarn to make potholders: chain 35 stitches with a G,H or I hook. then single crochet down one side and up the other, Keep crocheting AROUND the chain (up one side, around the other) This will make a square shape if you pull down the top and bottom corners....Finish by sewing up the middle seam.......this seems difficult to describe, but it works. 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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