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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: Lynda Subject: yarn keeper Comment: I was oogling over the plastic yarn keepers at the various craft stores, but couldn't justify the price. Then I made a discovery! Any wide-mouth plastic yarn with a screw on lid works. I went to my local Sonic and asked them to save me some of the gallon jars (I like the cherry jars better than the pickle jars because it is easier to get the smell out, but either one works). My husband drilled a hole in the lid and then put a rubber grommet around the hole in order to keep it from snagging my yarn! It works like a charm, and I feel good about recycling! Name: Fizzibel Subject: travel crochet Comment: I am very into crochet and recently I realized that when ever I wanted to go somewhere and take my crocheting, I always had to bring my big, heavy, black bag with most of my yarn in it, so I started carrying around a purse with only my current project. It has a pocket in which I keep my crochet hooks, my scissors, two side pockets to keep whatever in, and only one snap at the top to close the purse. This way my projects are easy to carry, I don't lose my stuff, and my yarn can't climb out of the bag while I work because of the snap. And as a plus, the purse is very cute so it goes with whatever I'm wearing and is not too heavy. Name: Shirley Pugh Subject: Hook storage Comment: I use a plastic cigar tube. The one I use has a cedar liner. Also holds sewing & darning needles secured on a piece of paper. Name: Diane Subject: buying yarn or thread Comment: I learned the hard way that when doing a project, make sure you buy enough yarn or thread to finish the job. The pattern always says how much to get. I like to get a little extra and then if I have a lot of scraps, I make scrap granny square afghans. Name: Lotti Subject: Take your time Comment: I'm a 12-year old crocheter and really like to make dolls. I have never really enjoyed crocheting from patterns, so I get ideas from here and make up my own things. But when you have a good idea in your head, you want to get it finished, right? Well, my dolls never really turned out right lately, but when making a teddy bear, I acually took my time and it's one of the best dolls I have ever made. So seriously, you see this all the time on crocheting websites, but you should really take your time. Fight that urge to get your pattern done as soon as possible and take it easy. Name: Auntie D Subject: threading yarn thru tapestry needle Comment: I find that the end of my yarn gets frayed when I try to thread it thru the eye of a tapestry needle by itself (without using a threader of some sort) and that a regular needle threader is too flimsy to use on yarn. So I use a bit (at least 2 inches) of easy-curl ribbon as a threader. Name: EvilSquirrel Subject: marking Patterns Comment: if your like me, you'll have quite a few crochet mags and books. when i first get a new one, i'll sit down with "post-it" page flags and mark off each one that i would (make). this way when i'm stuck for a project i dont have to flip through my books over and over Name: Wilma Subject: Needle Storage Comment: If you have a nurse in the family have her save the plastic container large syringes come in, they are perfect for your crochet hooks and have a lid. The smaller ones are great for needles. Hurray for all the young ones on here! Name: Melanie Subject: Single Crochet Comment: I've been crocheting for about a week, and I wondered why all of the things I was making had lines going throughout. After looking at numerous sites and watching a youtube video I realized that when doing single crochet stitches, you have to put the hook through BOTH loops, not just the one closest to you. Hopefully I can help someone out. Name: Melissa Wenn Subject: Organization Comment: I love to crochet on car trips, but I always had to search for my scissors, tapestry needle, or safety pins in my big craft bag. I finally found a solution. I use the plastic containers (from electrical tape that my husband buys and uses) to put my small sewing scissors, any needles I need to weave in ends, and my safety pins, all things that I need frequently when crocheting. It has a lid that closes tight and is small enough to stay in my lap in the car. I even throw the little yarn ends in it so that the car stays nice and neat. Name: Katie D Subject: crochet magazines Comment: hi! im 10 yrs old and my neighbor across the street taught me how to crochet only a few weeks ago. a good magazine is crochet world. it even shows you the difficulty of the project! (begginer, easy, intermediate, advanced) Name: Rue Dene Subject: Thread Holder Comment: I crochet with thread. The ball kept rolling around and sometimes under me which made the tension wrong for the project. I made a stand from a banana holder, a piece of wire from a Thanksgiving turkey and a chain with a swival and a ring on the other end. (Sometimes you can find these on old key rings. I push the turkey wire in the hole in the ball of thread and the swival turns as you use the thread. This has been a blessing for me. I don't have to chase after the ball of thread and know where it is at all times. The tension is the same all the time. Try it, you will like it. thanks rs Name: Jade Subject: Make a yarn dispenser Comment: Here's how. You need: a soda bottle yarn scissors Cut the top of the soda bottle off just below the neck. put your yarn inside and put the end through the place where the cap goes. tape the part you cut off. Use a clear bottle to see the color and label it if you like. Name: Jade Subject: Using Mohair Comment: When using mohair or any other thin fuzzy yarn, use a bigger and fatter needle so when you unravel, it is easier and won't get knotted or tangled. Name: Kala Subject: Safety eyes and such storage Comment: I've been crocheting for a few years, and recently got interested in Amigurumi. I had a free sewing box (one of the ones with the seperated compartments) and I found it was quite easy to store my safety eyes and tapestry needles and such in there. Just make sure the box's lid is tight against the dividers, otherwise, your stuff will move around. 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