Tips 'n Tricks

Do 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!

Saturday, August 29, 2009Name: 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.

Thursday, August 27, 2009Name: 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.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009Name: 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)

Friday, August 21, 2009Name: 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

Tuesday, August 18, 2009Name: 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.

Sunday, August 16, 2009Name: 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.

Saturday, August 15, 2009Name: 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.

Saturday, August 08, 2009Name: Lori D

Subject: Rolling Yarn

Comment: When making a ball of yarn and rolling it on your fingers to get it started, leave a 6-8" tail hanging down before starting to roll the yarn. When your ball is complete, this tail will be hanging out from the center. You'll be able to pull from the center, when is much easier.

Friday, August 07, 2009Name: Denisse

Subject: Crochet supplies organizer

Comment: Hi, i am a 13 year old crocheter and i've been crocheting for five years, in fact i always get my hooks lost so i took an empty circular can of baby wipes, a piece of green or white foam and cut it to the can shape then i made some holes for my hooks, scissors and needles and inserted all of them in there. But when i finished it i realized that it looked very ugly so i crocheted a cover for it and it looked very cute. An easy and cheap way to keep your crochet supplies organized.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009Name: brenda

Subject: to tie a knot

Comment: To tie any knot: Tie a knot by crossing the yarn over twice! Cross yarn a second time, twice more, pull tight. Actually, when tying a knot by your self you won't need someone to hold the knot to keep it tight. Learned this little tip from my wonderful firefighter husband.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009Name: Sharon in Virginia

Subject: Storing Patterns and Yarn

Comment: I keep all my patterns clean and organized by slipping them into top loading page protectors and into a 3-ring binder. Dry erase [wipe off] markers are great for keeping your place.

Also when working with a ball of skein of yarn I cut the bottom off a large drink bottle and once the thread is in, set it into a clean butter tub or other appropriately sized plastic bowl.

Monday, August 03, 2009Name: theodora

Subject: yarn ball winder

Comment: Sister Cheapo here finally invested in a yarn ball winder; best idea for frequent crocheters. Yarn put in balls stretches if inexperienced at ball yarn winding. Search online for Royal brand red & white or blue & white winder. Will give crocheter something else to do with hands rather than practice midnight munchies, be bound by boredom, don't want to crochet/knit, or it's too late to do the late night laundry.

Monday, August 03, 2009Name: Theresa

Subject: Unraveling

Comment: I am 15 years old, have been crocheting for eight years, and am the third eldest in a family of nine kids. I do encourage anyone who has small kids around to keep their crochet projects out of the reach of those who might enjoy unraveling them!! I myself still need to learn that lesson. haha! ;-)

Thursday, July 30, 2009Name: Kendrea

Subject: Magic Knot, & Sage!!!

Comment: I am a 10 year-old (so close!) crocheter, reader, and violinist. I found that in thread crochet, it is hard to do a magic knot, so you can experiment with different amounts of chains in a loop instead. And yes, I know that that is a wimpy tip.

Thursday, July 23, 2009Name: Magii

Subject: Stronger Bags

Comment: I just recently found that adding lightweight fishing line to my yarn, my bags don't stretch out all crazy, and it really doesn't take away from the bag like a liner would.

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