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!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009Name: Sage

Subject: Reading & Crocheting

Comment: I am an 11 year old crocheter, reader, and violinist. This has come to be very useful, since I found out that if you take a normal music stand (just the top part, where the music actually goes) and put a book in it, you can read and crochet at the same time, since you don't need to hold the book. You can also listen to audiobooks.

Monday, July 13, 2009Name: eugenia

Subject: crochet

Comment: you might think its hard to crochet at first when you start but as they always say the first time if you dont suceed try try again

Friday, July 03, 2009Name: Abby

Subject: Cheap but good quality yarn

Comment: To get cheap but good quality yarn is to go to a thrift store. Buy a cheap handcrocheted or knit sweater and UNRAVEL it!!!!! Just make sure you know what type of yarn it is by looking for a tag... i.e. Cotton, Wool, Acrylic, etc...

Wednesday, July 01, 2009Name: Jesse

Subject: Stuffing

Comment: if you are low on fiberfill or dont have any at all, but you do have plastic bags from the grocery store and a pair of scissors, then just cut the bags up into tiny pieces and use this as your stuffing

Sunday, June 14, 2009Name: sandy

Subject: cleaning your hooks

Comment: just wash them with soap and water. will clean all the oil and will slide better as u are using them.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009Name: Carmen

Subject: lessons

Comment: If you are a beginner in crochet or knitting, it's a good idea to get someone who knows how to knit or crochet to help you out

Thursday, May 21, 2009Name: Annah

Subject: Lists

Comment: I always get my patterns online, so I like to keep a record of the ones I want to do. I have a document of copied-and-pasted patterns (with pictures) so I can search through to find what I want. I also have them all bookmarked, just in case.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009Name: DCA

Subject: Handy & Portable Containers

Comment: We travel often so I need handy bags to store all of my crochet, etc., supplies and projects at home and abroad. I keep five bags of supplies and projects ready at all times for: home, car, truck and trailer, and flights, as well. I find that old soft canvas briefcase bags from garage sales and thrift stores are perfect for keeping projects with all supplies, yarn and patterns needed. Most also have pockets of all sorts for helpful supply storage. Very handy and definitely cheap at $1-$5 each!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009Name: Michelle

Subject: Crochet/Projects

Comment: I'm young so finding cool things to crochet is sometimes hard. If I find something online or somewhere else I write it down and keep it in a folder on my desktop and also keep folder for each friend reminding me of their favorite colors and what I've already made for them :)

Thursday, May 07, 2009Name: Robin

Subject: Storing, and Using Yarn Balls

Comment: I have found that A good way to store and keep yarn ready for use. You don't need to put the yarn into a ball I use the plastic Coffee tubs. I have used these tubs for EVERYTHING. When I get a bunch of yarn, I can put ALOT of yarn balls in here. and I like to cut a whole in the lid, so I can just pull the yarn from the top. I just tape the end to the top of the lid when I am done with my project. I just put the leftovers back in the tub. I also will take the paper wrapper off the first skien, and tape it to the front lable so I know what I have. The tubs also stack together, and keep the yarn in a much smaller area.

Sunday, May 03, 2009Name: MaeAnna

Subject: crochet on the go!

Comment: I travel a lot with work and visiting relatives, so I'm constantly on the go. But I refuse to let that stop my love of crochet ... And with bumping, I lose my place often when I'm working off a pattern!
I keep my patterns in a three-ring binder (no more than three dollars at WalMart and other chain stores) that I decorated with permanent markers and sprayed with polyurethayne. I bought a package of clear slip-covers and some dry erase markers.
As I start a row, I highlight the first few directions, then as I complete it, I mark off the top row. I look such a ditz in waiting rooms, my grey binder and my tupperware container of yarn (which is also where I tuck my hooks, scissors, needles and dry erase markers in a container velcroed to the inside!) but I don't care. I can crochet freely that way, whether waiting, travelling, or at home just relaxing!
Happy Crochet!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009Name: Dawn Schippers

Subject: Rolling yarn

Comment: my mom does alot of crafts and we found it was alot easier to roll the yarn into balls. but it started to get hard for mom since she has arthritis, so i decided to use toilet paper rolls. i cut a slit in one end, put the yarn thru and away we went wrapping the yarn around it. sometimes we even used papertowel rolls. they help wonders and it is recycleable.

Monday, April 27, 2009Name: Linda

Subject: Yarn Holder

Comment: I've been crocheting a long time and find the best way to keep my yarn balls clean and rolling easily, is to drop them in a clean soup kettle or dutch oven. I have a special one that I picked up at a garage sale and never use for cooking. The yarn does not rub against anything, because I put the pan at my feet (between my feet seems to work best on shorter projects, or to the right side when I am doing an afghan). And, when not in use, I just drop everything in the pan (yarn, hooks, etc.) and put the lid on to keep all dust-free.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009Name: natalia

Subject: making a slip knot

Comment: when you are learning to make a slip knot make a loop and insert the neddle under the length (top). draw the yarn through the loop and pull both ends to tighten the knot on the neddle (bottom).

Wednesday, April 15, 2009Name: amy

Subject: beginning knit and crochet

Comment: when i first started learning to knit and crochet i used to get confused on how many loops you make the stitch into, so i made up a short ryme to help me out. knitting one loop, crochetting two loops. i know some times you do different patterns where that doesnt apply but when your just starting it helps out

Notice: If you want to send me (the webmistress) a "thank you" using this form, that is fine (I appreciate it). However, I may not be posting it publicly for all to see, and I have no way of responding without knowing your email address.

Name Provide Your Name Subject Subject of Your Testimonial Comment What is your tip or trick? Type In the Letters/Numbers Submit

Notice: By submitting your content, you are agreeing to have it displayed on this page. I retain the right to edit and/or refuse unsuitable content. (Unsuitable content includes questions and help requests.) All submissions are checked before being published.