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!

Friday, August 11, 2006Name: Dawn

Subject: stitch marker

Comment: I carefully file any rough edges from a safety pin and use it for a stitch marker. That way it stays with my project and does't get pulled out when the project goes in and out of my crochet bag. It really helps when you travel all the time as it is easily replaced.

Saturday, August 05, 2006Name: Elizabeth

Subject: Scissors

Comment: I've found that an Exacto knife works just as well as scissors and fits perfectly in the crochet hook case.

Thursday, August 03, 2006Name: Elizabeth

Subject: Tote Bag

Comment: Ever noticed that as your young children get older you don't have to carry as many of their things (i.e. diapers, wipes, change of clothes, ect.) with you everywhere you go? The diaper bag you are no longer using works great for a tote bag. The small pockets work great for scissors, needles; the larger pockets hold yarn and the unfinished project.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006Name: Sarah, 14

Subject: Two Projects

Comment: I find, especially when working with complicated patterns, that it is best to have two projects going at once. One should be something quick or easy, like a simple scarf or hat. The other should be your more difficult project like a large afghan or intricate sweater. When you get frustrated with your difficult project, but still want to crochet, you can switch to the easy project and keep your peace of mind!

Friday, July 28, 2006Name: Valerie

Subject: Pattern Storage

Comment: I purchased a 3" binder and heavy-duty, top-loading sheet protectors. It is a wonderful way to store patterns (I print many from the internet so they are on standard 8 1/2 x 11" paper) You can even label & use section dividers for the different types of patterns. You can take the entire protector out with the pattern in it to work on your project & the pattern is protected from damage.

Thursday, July 27, 2006Name: Patty McCalmon

Subject: Patterns

Comment: I found another way to preserve your patterns and that is to get a roll of clear contact paper and cover your patterns with it. I also use it for my recipes and if anything gets spilled on them it just wipes off.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006Name: rebecca

Subject: Crocheting on the go

Comment: I have noticed that you can use nail clippers to cut yarn........ it is perfect when you are on the go and you need scissors but you dont have any.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006Name: LinnyO

Subject: Pattern Storage

Comment: When on the go, to keep your patterns safe, make a copy of the original and then cover the copy using "cold" lamination paper (no machine required to laminate the pattern).

The lamination will not only keep each pattern clean and dry, but will also give it enough stiffness to stay propped up so you can read it easily.

In addition, if you buy a lamination sheet larger than the regular 8.5 x 11 page, you can offset the pattern, then punch holes in the left side to keep the laminated copy in a notebook for future reference.

Friday, July 14, 2006Name: Linda

Subject: be careful!

Comment: As an avid crocheter, I have a word of advice. TAKE BREAKS! I used to crochet for hours at a time and then developed carpal tunnel in both wrists. Now after having both wrists operated on, I take a break every 30 minutes or so. I had the operations 2 years ago, six months apart and it has taken me the laST YEAR AND A HALF TO BE ABLE TO CROCHET WITHOUT TROUBLE. pROTECT YOURSELF!

Friday, July 14, 2006Name: teresa

Subject: free patterns on wrappers

Comment: I keep those free patterns on the yarn wrappers in sandwich ziplock bages.one bag for single copies so I can keep one copy for myself then the extra copies can be given to who ever wants one. also I give them with gift projects so there are washing/care instructions with the gift(and alergy info)

Thursday, July 13, 2006Name: di

Subject: color

Comment: Try combining one, two, three, four or even five different colors of crochet thread using a large crochet hook. It takes a little patience to redevelop your technique working with several strands.

Nice combinations:

rose with mint and pink
yellow with pink
yellow with blue
yellow with white
yellow with varigated purple
yellow with purple and green
light green with wood violet
teal with periwinkle
pastels with blue or rose
gold with light brown

Try small samples first. Once the threads are combined, they are difficult to separate.

It's like creating an impressionistic painting. The array of color is endless.

Monday, July 10, 2006Name: Elizabeth

Subject: marking stitches

Comment: I found useing ordinary bobby pins works real easy & quick. This is much quicker than using thread or wool.

Sunday, July 09, 2006Name: Kathleen Trigiano

Subject: Saving the original pattern

Comment: Do you have take-along project? Does the pattern get folded, dropped on the floor, or just get dirty being taken in and out of the bag? Go to a copy center and make several copies of the original pattern, and take the copy with you. If it getw messed up, get another copy. Leave the ORIGINAL COPY at home, If you lose your bag, or forget it somewhere, you can alwasy start ovwer again,by making more copies of the original you left at home.

Sunday, July 09, 2006Name: Anne

Subject: Attaching Granny Squares

Comment: When I made an item using a lot of granny squares, I used to dread crocheting them all together--until I tried TYING them together! I use matching yarn and tie each of the corners (and the sides) to each other. It makes for a "raggedy" or "casual" look that I love. And, if you've ever tried to get a knot out of a piece of yarn, you know it won't ever come loose! HA! It's a lot more fun, to me, than crocheting the blocks together.

Thursday, July 06, 2006Name: carmen

Subject: project

Comment: I find that if you are making a project that uses more than one color of yarn and you want to keep it together. I keep it on a basket with handles and I can carry it wherever I want to sit and the yarn stays together. I also keep a pair of scissors for when I change colors. It makes it for an easy project.

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