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!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008Name: Stephanie

Subject: Organize

Comment: I have two bags to hold my stuff. One bag i got from the hospital when i had my baby it had a drawstring so i put all of my yarn i am not using in it. And then the project i am working on i put in another bag so in case i want to take it with me. Also for my hooks scissors and marker i use a pencil pouch it works really well. The only thing that does not fit in there is the afghan hooks. For all my patterns i have a binder the i use. It work perfect you can use the middle to place your printed patterns from the computer and the pockets for the free patterns at the store. hope this help anyone

Sunday, August 03, 2008Name: Jess

Subject: hook storage / yarn holder / backpack

Comment: 1. I store my hooks in a toothbrush carrier (the ones you use while traveling). I just put a small piece of tape over the holes and have never had any problems.
2. While working on a project I store my yarn ball in a old coffee can. You can punch a small hole in the lid or just leave the lid off. No more chasing balls of yarn around.
3. I have found that a backpack is excellent for talking my projects with me. I have pockets for hooks, others for patterns and the main pocket for my WIP. The side pockets (made for holding water bottles) are great for balls of yarn.

Sunday, August 03, 2008Name: Sue Crowther

Subject: keeping it tidy

Comment: I Often browse the charity shops and one day I bought a gardening bag it is heavy cotton with a lovely thick handle but the best thing about it is it has 6 pockets on the outside for holding gardening forks and such. The pockets are great for holding all my crochet tools ie hooks scissors tapes pins needles and buttons and anything like that and the bag holds my project and pattern and yarn, and the bag is also very pretty.

Saturday, August 02, 2008Name: Girty

Subject: Stitch Markers

Comment: I make a lot of amigurumi and marking the beginning row is very important since the rows are not joined.
I use two things to mark my rows. One is a BOBBY PIN! You can get a billion of them for a dollar, so you don't feel bad if you lose one (or 50, I have lost MANY!). I got that idea from c'ville. (http://www.crochetville.org)
The other thing I use is simply a long piece of contrasting color yarn. Lay the yarn in the valley of the first stitch and stitch over it. Every time you begin a new row, fold the yarn marker back and forth. When you finish the project, you can simply pull the woven piece of yarn right out of the fabric. It works like a charm! (unless you have babies or kitties who like to play with your projects) I got that idea from Elisabeth Doherty, I think.
Happy Hooking!

Thursday, July 31, 2008Name: Rachel

Subject: Colors

Comment: Pick colors that contrast in a good way. No one likes a purple and red pancho. (trust me)! ;) enjoy your crafts!!!!!

Thursday, July 31, 2008Name: dana

Subject: hook storage

Comment: I store my hooks in a pencil box i find that it holds every thing nicely. if you have any afghan hooks you should put them inside diagonally. =)

Thursday, July 31, 2008Name: Rachel

Subject: Hook Storage

Comment: In my house i have a crochet room where i do all my projects. To store my hooks I went to the Home Depot and bought a really thin piece of wood and then I hung it up on my wall in a corner and put the hook part of my crochet hook on there so they are all hanging. For the smaller hooks i tied a piece of fishing wire into a loop and hung them from there. Now all my hooks are there when i need them! Hope you enjoy my little tip! have a nice day! :)

Monday, July 28, 2008Name: Beth

Subject: Hook Storage

Comment: I store my hooks in a necklace box. The cardboard one that the fancy plastic one came inside of. Then I just set it inside my "work box" next to my chair and all my hooks are right where I need them!

Sunday, July 27, 2008Name: Sailor Kitten

Subject: Project Frustration

Comment: When you get frustrated by a project have an easier project handy and work on that until you are over your frustration.

Saturday, July 26, 2008Name: cara

Subject: stitch markers

Comment: cheapest way I find is to make a loop of a 2 inch piece of yarn different colour to main piece and thread through spot to mark - no bulk and it works.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008Name: dana

Subject: marking your place

Comment: instead of buying those fancy markers you can use a paper clip just open it out and close it it works like a charm

Wednesday, July 23, 2008Name: dana

Subject: marking your place

Comment: instead of buying those fancy markers you can use a paper clip just open it out and close it it works like a charm

Monday, July 21, 2008Name: Mayweed

Subject: Stitch Marker

Comment: I like to make Amigurumi dolls and when working in spirals it is essential to mark the beginning of the row so you don't lose your place. I have tried using safety pins of various sizes, large jump rings, pieces of scrap yarn but none really provided what I needed. I also like to make beaded jewelry and I was looking in the local Dollar Store and saw some lever-backed earring findings, you can pretty them up with a bead or 2 if you wish, but they work great plain as well, the spring back closes tight enough that it doesn't fall out but it is quick and easy to attack and not as fussy as a safety pin and so very lightweight. They also have a rather large opening so work well for small projects or larger ones. Best of all I got a dozen of them for a dollar.

Monday, July 21, 2008Name: Rue Dene

Subject: No Need for Post-A-Notes

Comment: Before I start a project, I take my pattern to the computer and using Excel put each row number per block. If a row is repeated I put a line under the number and put the number of the row that is repeated underneath. Print it out and keep it with my pattern. As I work each row, I strike that row off with a pencil. If I am interrupted, I know what row I worked last.
I have been crocheting the Paradise doll patterns and this has helped me.

Monday, July 21, 2008Name: Rue Dene

Subject: No Need for Post-A-Notes

Comment: Before I start a project, I take my pattern to the computer and using Excel put each row number per block. If a row is repeated I put a line under the number and put the number of the row that is repeated underneath. Print it out and keep it with my pattern. As I work each row, I strike that row off with a pencil. If I am interrupted, I know what row I worked last.
I have been crocheting the Paradise doll patterns and this has helped me.

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