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, May 16, 2006Name: Christopher

Subject: On the Go

Comment: I found the easiest thing to do is find a bag/purse pattern you like and just repeat the main part of it and eventually you'll have a bag you like and it'll be big enough to carry you projects with you. and they make great gifts for others crocheters in your life.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006Name: Karan

Subject: Hiding loose strings

Comment: I have found that threading a large eyed needle with the loose strings after finishing a project and weaving the loose strings into the project are easier than using the hook. Just takes minutes to do a whole blanket with multiple thread changes.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006Name: Kim

Subject: Yarn Organizer

Comment: I use 2 liter soda bottles to put my skeins in when I have to change colors in a patter. Cut out the bottom, wash the bottle and dry. Put the skein in with the thread comming out of the opening, tape the bottom with duck tape. It holds a reg. skein of yarn and works well for me.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006Name: Marilyn M.

Subject: keeping place in patterns

Comment: I am a beginner and frequently lose my place, so I write the patterns on lined paper, one instruction at a time. Like this:
Row 1:
A. 2 DC in next 3 sc
B. skip 2 sc, 2 DC in next 3 sc
Like that. Seems silly, but it helps me bunches.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006Name: Marilyn

Subject: storing hooks

Comment: I use an empty plastic coke bottle, and the top keeps the hooks from escaping when traveling or when knocking over!

Wednesday, April 26, 2006Name: Delma

Subject: crocheting

Comment: Name is Delma; my comment is on keeping blocks clean as I crochet them before putting them together. KEEP THEM IN A ZIP_LOCK BAG. Also keep a small pad of paper and pen and keep track of how many blocks are made. Have fun!!!

Wednesday, April 26, 2006Name: Terri

Subject: scrap yarn, potholders

Comment: Use scrap yarn to make potholders: chain 35 stitches with a G,H or I hook. then single crochet down one side and up the other, Keep crocheting AROUND the chain (up one side, around the other) This will make a square shape if you pull down the top and bottom corners....Finish by sewing up the middle seam.......this seems difficult to describe, but it works.

Sunday, April 23, 2006Name: Lenore

Subject: easier filet crochet

Comment: Following a filet crochet pattern is easier if you first scan the pattern into your computer. That image being saved automatically, then using the flip image function, save that one too. I also enlarge both images so the pattern is easier to see. I use a card type paper, first I print side A, then reinsert the paper and print side B on the back. I highlight opposite rows, e.g., Side A, even number rows are highlighted; Side B odd number rows are highlighted. When I finish a row, all I do is flipped the paper over and can continue following the pattern from right to left: the way we crochet. Doing this has eliminated the confusion of first following the directions from right to left, then from left to right; and the frustration of ripping out mistakes. I now crochet asymetrical patterns with the same ease as the symetrical ones. I don't know why I didn't think of this when I first bought my scanner. I also scan and enlarge other diagram type patterns (like in Magic Crochet)so they are easier to see. You crop a difficult portion of a pattern and enlarge it too.

Saturday, April 22, 2006Name: Christina

Subject: stitch holders

Comment: Hi all! I find that little safety pins are good for holding a stitch when you want to put a project away. Also, I occasionally mess up counting on my foundation chain when I have to go so high so I put a pin in every ten or whatever I want so I can double check my counting.

Friday, April 21, 2006Name: Temmy

Subject: young girls

Comment: HI, I am 13, and I love crocheting, it's so fun, my friend who is the same age as me taught me how to crochet and knit and in school, during lunch time people see me corcheting or knitting and some people call me grandma, i don't mind though. It's so fun, but i don't know how to do diffrent patterns or to like crochet my name, i saw a girl do it and i thought it was cool.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006Name: suzanne meola

Subject: dogs, babies and yarn

Comment: i found that my itsy bitsy papllion puppy and child love to take my balls of yarn and spread the yarn all over the floor and cat loves to take my crochet hooks and hide them.I took other peoples advice and put the balls of yarn in empty diaper wipe dispensers. But then i had the problem of where to put them all so i built a 4 cube wall hanging with a back to use as a color organizer and to keep everything out of tiny hands and mouths.(ps: i gave my daughter her favorite chenille pink yarn ball and made her a blanket with the rest of the balls of pink chenille)

Monday, April 17, 2006Name: Jackie

Subject: yarn cutters

Comment: The fabric store sells yarn cutters to wear around your neck. Also for those who haven't heard, scissors are allowed on air planes again, it was on the news.

Saturday, April 15, 2006Name: Darla

Subject: Yarn Savers & organizers

Comment: I drink lots of coffee & the new folgers plastic containers are fantastic for keeping skeins and balls from "running away" or getting tangled. They come in different sizes, just cut a hole in the top, then melt the edges of the hole with a lighter or match. Melting the hole keeps it from snagging the wool. They are stackable, which is also great! I've usually got several projects going at the same time, so I use labels or tape on the top or side to write project name & other important information. If you tape a small bit of dryer sheet to the inside of the lid, it keeps the wool smelling good, and helps keep static at bay!

Friday, April 14, 2006Name: Sasha

Subject: organization

Comment: I collect allot of patterns. so I bought a 3-ring binder and lots of clear sheet protectors, I just slip the patters in the protectors and I know where to find 'em! Also, I bought a pencil pouch also with three holes, and use that for extra hooks, my gauge check, and anything else I need to keep handy! I also keep my scissors on a yarn around my neck, and this has proved WONDERS in not having to constantly search for them!

Wednesday, April 12, 2006Name: Marilyn

Subject: left handed crochet

Comment: I am a lefty and I was taught to crochet and knit right-handed. Since anything new is awkward anyway, it didn't seem to matter. Also, I don't have to adapt any patterns! Probably won't work for everyone, but it is worth a try.

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