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, July 04, 2006Name: Zafera

Subject: Safe Yarn Keeping

Comment: Has Anyone out there try out the new XL Zip lock bags??? They are wonderful for keeping your Yarn safe and secure. Use the small ones for little balls of Yarn or needles. Hope this helps some of you!!!

Friday, June 30, 2006Name: Isabel

Subject: Finish what you start!

Comment: hen you work on a project, don't give up. Finish what you started.When I was working on a big project I felt like I was never going to finish. Then I realized that working on it little by little would help. I finished it very quick without even noticing! It was relaxing and wonderful to know that I had acomplished it!

Wednesday, June 28, 2006Name: Emily

Subject: orginazation

Comment: Instead of the expensive yarn containers I use empty containers from my household wipes (clorox, windex etc) just thread the yarn up through where the wipe popped up and you have an instant threader...

Tuesday, June 20, 2006Name: Roberta

Subject: Marking stitches with yarn scraps

Comment: I always thought my way of marking rows with scraps of yarn was THE way of doing it - till I read one of these tips that implied otherwise.

What I do is just lay the scrap of yarn crossways over the stitch on the previous row, then crochet over it. Make sure both ends stick out, one on each side of the work. It stays in just fine, and when I need to move it, I simply pull it right out. No tying or untying my marker!

Monday, June 19, 2006Name: Roberta

Subject: How much yarn in that ball?

Comment: Dunno if this has been submitted already (don't have the time to go through every tip here), but here's my tip anyway.

If you have a bunch of small yarn balls and you want to know if you'll have enough for a project, just get a postal scale or food scale and weigh your balls. That way, if the pattern calls for 2 oz of yarn, but your scale says you only have 1 1/2 oz of yarn, you'll know you need to get some more.

Saturday, June 17, 2006Name: jenny

Subject: saves tons of space!

Comment: Like most people I know who crochet we have more than one project unfinished. These projects can get mixed up or take up too much space or somethings get lost or dirty. I found that if you have a food saver it saves so much space and keeps out air water, smoke, etc. Those of you who haven't heard of the food saver, its a small kitchen appliance that sucks all the air out of special made freezer bags to protect against freezer burn. I used it all over the house and love it.

Monday, June 12, 2006Name: Lynne

Subject: custom hooks for sore hands

Comment: My mother loved thread crochet but her hands tired quickly. I took a hunk of polymer clay (oven bake) and worked it until it was warm and pliable. I then wrapped the clay smoothly around her #7 hook, had her grip comfortably molding it to her grip. We baked it on a piece of quilt batting for the recommended time. She had a custom fitted crochet hook in less than about 30 minutes!

Monday, June 12, 2006Name: Karen

Subject: Washing Skeins

Comment: I was given a large bag of twenty plus year old skeins of yarn. They needed to be washed before I could use them, I just couldn't throw them away! I used stocking legs to cover the yarn and tied a knot in the end. Wash and dry. Be sure the end is tied tight or the yarn will sneak out! This works great!

Saturday, June 10, 2006Name: Dee Ann

Subject: foundation chain

Comment: When starting my foundation chain I always leave a tail, that way if I need another stitch or two on my way back I can just add one then. Looks fine. can't tell the difference.

Saturday, June 10, 2006Name: caitlyn

Subject: easy purses

Comment: im 13 and I have been crocheting since 11. i figured out that to make an easy purse, just make a chain and half double crochet all the way around it, then just keep going until it is tall enough. add a handle and it is done!

Monday, June 05, 2006Name: Lois

Subject: Foundation Row

Comment: I crochet my foundation row with 2 strands of yarn. It doesn't stretch out of shape and makes a real nice beginning.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006Name: Frances

Subject: Afghan made easier.

Comment: I have learned when I am making a afghan, that is a lot easier if I place quilting rings around the end I have already made, when it gets to long, and heavy. That way you can just flip it over, when you turn your crocheting for the next row.I have been crocheting for a little over a year now. I taught myself through books that explained step by step. And I learned very quickly, and am still learning, and loving it.

Friday, May 26, 2006Name: chella

Subject: travel with yarn

Comment: I take my yarn when I travel. It works great as padding for delicate items such as glass bottles and picture frames you might bring for lovedones as gifts just place in suitcsase and stuff yarn around them. I took my laptop on this trip and I put it in my travel bag and stuffed all my yarn around it. It worked out great and I didn't have to carry a laptop bag on top of the carry on bag itself. lol

Wednesday, May 24, 2006Name: Gail

Subject: Inventory

Comment: If you tend to have a large supply of yarn (and hooks) and are continuously adding to...and hope to use it all one day, carry with you at all times a sample inventory of your existing yarn (attach a strand to a card, ring or carry in a plastic paper protector with a tag indicating content and quantity or each and you'll always be ready to match your inventory with new stuff you see.) Remember to remove yarns used or update quantity available. Also carry a cheat sheet roughly telling you how much yarn by what type (sock, bulky) is needed for basic projects (sweaters, socks), so you buy adequate quantities of new yarn when you shop.

Monday, May 22, 2006Name: Jo Ann

Subject: organization

Comment: When someone asks me to make something for them, I write it in a notebook. I write their name, when they will need it by, and the item they want crocheted. I also will write where the pattern can be found (I have lots of pattern books). When I finish the crocheted item I will take a picture of it and keep it in a photo album so when someone asks what I crochet I can show them the pictures of what I crochet.

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