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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Circular Shawl |
        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: Mary Ann Subject: Granny Squares Comment: I just dread connecting granny squares together. So now I just cut small strips of yarn and tie the squares together with a firm knot. Then I trim the ends to about a half an inch from the knot. It makes for a unique look to a blanket. Name: Shannon Subject: Threading Yarn in Needles Comment: I hate the issuse I have when I have to thread a needle with a bulky yarn for whatever reason. Then I discovered a small trick. Use a 1/4" wide piece of wrapping (curling) ribbon folded in half as a needle threader. Boy did this come in handy when I made those wool sweaters. Name: Dani Subject: Toddlers Comment: I have a two-year old and he constantly finding my projects and pulling out all the stitches! I began putting in a safety pin where I stop and now he can't unravel them before I can get to him! This would work well for people with cats too! Name: Kara Subject: Sticky Hooks Comment: Before I sit down to work on a project I first wash my hands, and then apply a good smelling Hand Cream. (I like just about anything from Victoria's Secret Garden or Bath & Body Works) I don't use much and the hook glides right along. Also, your project will smell just lovely while you work on it. (Aromatherapy!) Once you wash the project any residue will be gone. Name: Genise Subject: Unraveling balls of yarn Comment: I store my balls of yarn in old panty hose. Just cut a length from the leg (usually around 6 to 8 inches), tie a knot in one end, and snug the ball of yarn inside. Name: Carolyn Subject: Loose Ends on Skein Comment: Whenever I am no longer using a skein of yarn, I draw up the paper cover to fit the remaining yarn and tape it tight. I then push as much of the end of yarn back into skein and tape the end to the paper cover. That way there is no mess and strands of yarn do not tangle up. Name: LeeAnna Subject: Afghans Comment: The longer they get, the more trouble to maneuver so I stuff them into a pillowcase and turn it as I work. Keeps afghans neat and less cumbersome, cleaner too. When I suspend working, the yarn goes in the pillowcase too and I fold the top down and secure with a safety pin. I also keep scrap paper clipped to my pattern and keep a running row count, whether I am knitting or crocheting. Name: Ruby Subject: Unraveling balls of yarn Comment: To keep balls of yarn from unraveling when you're not using them, just put a rubber band around the ball! Also, after many years of working with yarn, I recommend buying a yarn winder if you can. Name: Shinie Subject: marker Comment: Okay, bobby pins, etc. are great, but when in a bind, I find that bread ties are fabulous. Sometime's you'll get a pack of twenty or so in your garbage sack boxes (which I usually tie my garbage sacks because it holds better) and they make excellent markers. They don't come untwisted or fall off unless you want them to come off, and they don't mess up your yarn. Name: Stephanie Subject: Size 10 thread Comment: You can hang a ball of thread from a banana hanger by using a rubber band looped around a short pencil. Then place the pencil cross wise in the top of the ball of thread and hang the rubber from the banana hanger hook. Name: Denise.M Subject: Keeping the cats out of my yarn... Comment: I'm lucky enough to be the servant of 4 cats who love to chase my yarn. I find that if I put the whole ball into a plastic carrier bag and tie the handles together, with the yarn fed through, I can pull out as much as I need when I work without finding a happy cat "sorting the ball out" for me. Name: Liz.Cawley Subject: Holding your place on a pattern Comment: I found that by putting a post it note on the row I am doing, I can walk away and come back knowing exactly which row I am on and I can also write notes on it so that if it is a complicated pattern I know exactly where I am or if I have to repeat the row I can mark those down on the post it note. Name: Debbie Subject: Drag Comment: I keep a trial size Johnson Baby Powder handy and just shake some on my hands to eliminate drag. Works especially well in summer. Name: Mo Subject: Cleaning Hooks Comment: I've found that using moist baby wipes keep my hooks clean and free of drag.... The wax paper works really well too for drag, but I recommend baby wipes for hook clean-up and they'll also keep your fingers and hands clean... Name: Rose Subject: storage Comment: I found an easy way to carry my projects with me. I use the vinyl zipper bags (the kind that jersey bed sheets come in) to carry my yarn, hook, pattern and markers. I put a small hole in the top to draw the yarn through. It keeps my project clean, is lightweight and best of all, I'm recycling, too instead of throwing the bags away. 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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