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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: Connie Subject: my hint Comment: i have books that date back to late 1960 if i am doing a project from any of my books i copy and print the pattern from the book and use it that way i dont damage my books. THANKS hope it helps someone Name: Shauna Subject: a tangled mess Comment: I noticed how much time I was spending tugging at my skein of yarn for more slack, and also how often I had to stop to untangle some pretty tough knots. When you add up all that stopping and tugging, it's really added up to a lot out of my crochet time. So I began taking the time at the begining of a project, or new skein, to re-roll all the yarn into a round ball. It takes a couple of minutes to do, but WELL worth it in the long run as I no longer have to untangle any knots, and the ball rolls around easily giving me more slack without having to tug! Name: Monica E Subject: small amounts of leftover yarn Comment: I've been making cute little 4" purses for my daughter's friends with some leftover yarn. I just make a 4"x8" (or so) rectangle, stitch up the sides and add a handle. I'm making several six year olds happy and using up some yarn that's too small an amount to make much else. Name: Dorothy Subject: counting rows Comment: I've been crochetting for 21 years. I mark my rows by using a thin magnet on a magntic cross stitch board. (works great!) Also count my rows by marking with a bobby pin. Name: Sharon Subject: No work bag? Comment: Fancy work equipment can get expensive. When nothing else is available to hold yarn or balls of crochet thread, the old trusty brown grocery bag will do just fine. Light weight, stands up well on floor and big enough to drop work in. Name: Linda Subject: keeping up with rows Comment: I saw someone had an idea with the post it notes....well that is a good one and also I use them to keep up with the rows...that way you dont mark on your pattern and if you copy it for someone it isnt marked all over and no erasing either... GOOD IDEAS YOU GOT LADIES Name: Pat Subject: Remedy for dragging Crochet Hooks Comment: Whenever I am crocheting there are times where it seems as if some textures of yarn, although the same brand just different colors, the hook begins to drag and doesn't go threw the stitches as easy. I get a small piece of wax paper and rub it back and forth on the hook and go back to crocheting. Works everytime!!!! Plus there is no residue. Name: Dianne Subject: markers Comment: As I've been reading the tips, I noticed that many of you use safety pins for markers/stitch holders. If you go to the quilting section of your favorite craft store, you will find that quilters use those popular hair clips to hold quilt pieces together. They are usually about $2.00 for 50 and are the plain stainless steel type. I bought a package of those & use them for my stitch holders. I also put a small sticker on the top end & use a felt marker to write the hook size on the sticker. This way, when I pull out a WIP, I have no problem knowing the right size hook. The clips also can be used like a paperclip to show me where I am in the pattern. I've passed this on to the people I've taught to crochet & they love the idea. Happy Hooking!! Name: Monica Subject: wedding gift Comment: For wedding shower and housewarming gifts, I find out what the kitchen colors are. I make a set of 3 dishcloths and a plastic bag holder. I have gotten such positive comments...not many people make things themselves these days, so my gift is often the only handmade one. By the way, many of the younger women have no idea what a dishcloth is, or how to use one! They are used to using paper towels and sponges. Name: Courtney Subject: Measurements Comment: I'm 13 years old, and I found out that, when you crochet something, you need to make sure that you use the exact measurements that the pattern tells you to, because, I was making a hat for my cousin and used a size I needle instead of a size H needle that the pattern said to use, and it ended up WAAAAAAAY to big for her head. So you need to be careful!!!!! Name: Denise Subject: Yarn usage Comment: Making a large bedspread or afghan (especially with more than one color)? I made a bedspread with alternating colors and finished the entire skien and attached a new color even if it was the middle of the row. No wasted yarn (16 skeins of chunky weight can be a bit expensive!) Everyone loves it and they all keep asking when I am going to make more (yikes) Name: Heather.Rose.Russell Subject: Bookmarks and other subjects Comment: I find that patterns for the strips for mile-a-minute afghans can be easily adapted for bookmarks if you use a small hook and size 10 cotton instead of a large hook and yarn and if you just do enough pattern repeats to make the bookmark about 3" in length, not including "tail." Also, the "traditional" granny square pattern makes good use of leftover scrap yarn for a random-coloured afghan, as even the tiniest amounts of any colour would be enough to complete the first round. Finally, tip #3, if you purchase a large metal ring at a craft store (say a diameter of 5 or 6"), then crochet around it with green yarn in a base sc pattern followed by two or three rows of any desired fancy pattern (e.g. shells), you have a nice wreath shaped door knob hanger to give away for a Christmas gift to somebody, or to keep for yourself. Name: Evelyn Subject: my hints Comment: I have also been crocheting for about 45 years, I use a small garbage can with a plastic grocery bag to hold my yarn while im working on it. it keeps yarn and balls of thread in place, then I store my project in it ,and tie it when not working on it. I also pull my loop out about 12 inches, and tie a slip knot so it doesnt unravel. To mark my rows I make copys of my patterns, then make a little pencil mark, and make sure I dont quit in the middle of a row. I also wash and dry my hooks to make them slide easier. I use different colored yarn for stitch markers, if working rounds I pull it thru each row as Im Working Name: Michelle Subject: Left handed learner Comment: I am left handed and taught myself to crochet from a book by first reading the instructions, but looking at the pictures and diagrams in a mirror. Name: Melissa Subject: Patterns Comment: Ever sit back down to a large project in progress and lose your place in the pattern? Try using post-its. I move the post-it to the next round on the pattern as I crochet, then if I don't get back to it for a few days, I know exactly where I left off. 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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