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, January 24, 2009Name: Flora

Subject: Storing crochet hooks

Comment: I have used cloth napkins to store and identify crochet hooks. Lay the cloth napkin flat, fold up 1/3rd from the bottom,and stitch each end closed. Divide the closed 1/3rd edge into individual sections and stitch these divisions allowing enough room to be able to insert a crochet hook. You can create enough pockets for as many crochet hooks you have. When you fold the top third down, this will keep your crochet hooks covered and will they will not fall out of their pockets. You may roll up the Crochet Hook Holder and stitch a ribbon on the center back of the cloth napkin to tie the Crochet Hook Holder. I keep my Crochet Hook Holder neat and ready for use.

Saturday, January 24, 2009Name: Flora

Subject: Keeping round needles neat.

Comment: I insert the round needle into a 3 hole plastic sheet protector. I label the size and length on a sticky label and place it on the sheet protector. I place the 3 hole protectors into a 3 hole book binder. The round needles are nicely identified and ready for use.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009Name: Kara

Subject: needle keeper

Comment: My diaper bag came with a separate attachable bag for bottles - a narrow cylinder with a zip top. This is PERFECT for storing all of my crochet needles, scissors, etc.

Sunday, January 18, 2009Name: Isela

Subject: Kid attacks yarn

Comment: I have a two year old and she loves messing with my balls of yarn :( , so to make it a little harder for her to mess the yarn and mess it all up i put the yarn ball in a small tote bag. I always roll up my yarn, so when in the bag i just pull on the string to come out. Now instead of wanting to pull on the ball of yarn, she loves holding the bag.

Saturday, January 17, 2009Name: Paige

Subject: Accessory Keeping

Comment: I don't know if any of you have found these, or whether they are on the site somewhere or not, but here goes... One Christmas I got this makeup brush set, and with it came this little oblong ovalish container that held little eye makeup applicators (I'm sorry my mind went blank, I can't think of what they are actually called) and this has worked perfectly for holding my place holders, my large-eye needles, and little things like that.
Also, I've been using the M&M minis bottle for my hooks and it works perfectly! They fit just right and no more digging in my crochet box for a different hook, I know the exact place to find the hooks! It's worked great!
Well I hope this helped someone!
Thanks!
~Paige

Thursday, January 15, 2009Name: Karen M

Subject: broomstick lace crochet

Comment: when doing broomstick lace on an actual broomstick first get a 2x4 drill a hole just lightly bigger than broomstick. This helps you hold it with your feet better. Sit in your crochet chair and adjust the length by cutting off a little at a time till it fits you just right. The 2x4 is essential to getting the right angle and ease in holding. I didn't have a size 50 knitting needle. All I had was a 13 so my husband came up with this. What a genius!

Thursday, January 15, 2009Name: Caresse

Subject: Hook and Accessories

Comment: I store all of my hooks and markers, scissors, etc in one of those roll up travel make up bags. It has 4 large clear zippered pockets on the inside so I can see what I am grabbing for. Since I work on projects everywhere I go, and because I teach knitting and crochet I can easily grab my bag and throw my organizer inside it.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009Name: Amanda S.

Subject: Labels on Gifts

Comment: I always have around a few yards of 2" white satin ribbon hanging around for after I complete a project. Using a Sharpie Rub-a-Dub marker, I write who the gift is for, who it is made by (me) and the month and year that I made it. I also write the care instructions on it. I burn the edges after I cut it and I sew it into the corner of the project. My grandma taught me how to crochet at 8 and I am now 22 and love to improvise and keep things interesting!

Monday, January 12, 2009Name: DCA

Subject: Yarn for Bird Nests

Comment: Scrap yarn intended for bird nests must be no longer than TWO inches!!! Baby birds can tangle their legs and wings in longer pieces of yarn and will not be able to escape.

Thursday, January 08, 2009Name: Mary James

Subject: Hooks

Comment: Because i have a lot of crochet hooks I store them in in a pencil bag like the ones kids use in school. And because I teach a lot of people to crochet I buy them at yard sales.

Saturday, January 03, 2009Name: Becky

Subject: Charts

Comment: I've found that a great way to create your own filet charts or even pattens for other projects is to use a spreadsheet program, such as Works or Excel. You can chart out all of your work and color code the cells to indicate the type of stitch to be used.
Hope this is useful :)

Sunday, December 28, 2008Name: Susan

Subject: yarn/project storage

Comment: I like to have many projects going at the same time. In order to make it simple to choose a project to work on I use emptied sheet/blanket/pillow case/comforter bags, whichever is available, and depending on the size of the project. I am able to keep the pattern, hook, yarn all together.Sometimes there is a pocket for small stuff. The added bonus is they often have a zipper for a closure.

Thursday, December 25, 2008Name: Doris Rogers

Subject: Yarns

Comment: To keep yarns and threads from making knots while you work with it pull the strand through a folder laundry softener sheet - Works wonders for cross stitching

Monday, December 22, 2008Name: Elaine Duda

Subject: Storage....

Comment: What I use to store my crochet hooks in is a travel size toothbrush holder. Mine had air holes at each end, so I took a small piece of cotton batting and put in each end. Also I do a bunch of different other crafts and I found that I could use old milk crates and label them for each different craft. Turn them sideways and they are easy to store and get to what you want or need.

Sunday, December 21, 2008Name: Susan

Subject: Pulling from the center of a ball of yarn

Comment: When you wind a ball of yarn, begin by threading 6-12 inches through a plastic drinking straw. Start winding the ball around the end of the straw, when it gets big enough pull the ball off of the straw and keep winding. This will keep the inside end accessible. It takes a little extra effort to wind around the inside "tail", but it's worth it to be able to pull the yarn from the center instead of dealing with a frantically rolling ball of yarn.

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