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, April 08, 2006Name: Vera

Subject: crochet thread

Comment: When I open a new crocket ball of thread I take the paper and put it inside the center of the ball, when I need new thread, I have the color and all the information, for my next ball of thread.

Saturday, April 08, 2006Name: Rose

Subject: crochet

Comment: I use tooth brush holders to put my hooks in it's easy to find! Just drops in my purse and ready to go.

Friday, April 07, 2006Name: Cindy

Subject: scrap yarn

Comment: I have tons of scrap yarn. I bought a cheap collapsible hamper, put the same color yarns in plastic grocery bags and store all the bags in the hamper. One bag is all different blues, one is all different greens, etc.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006Name: sherryplacek

Subject: storage

Comment: I keep my supplies in a thermal lunch bag. It has a front pocket in their i keep my crochet needles and small things in the top zipper part I put larger things like scissors or other needed supplies. It works great and i always know where my things are.

Saturday, April 01, 2006Name: amber

Subject: organization

Comment: instead of buying one of those expensive craft bags from the craft store I bought a reversable tote bag with matching small, zippered, make-up bag. I keep all of my hooks, needles, scissors, etc in the smaller bag and yarn fits perfectly inside the tote. *bonus* because it's reversable it has a zipper pocket on the outside and inside this way I can keep my patterns and notebook in one side and anything else I want to keep separate in the other side.

Friday, March 31, 2006Name: Jahaira

Subject: Crochet

Comment: My friends at our crochet club gave me a good tip. She told me to take a two liter bottle and cut the middle to make a door. Once I did that I placed my large yarn inside and pull the string through the neck part.It keeps the 8oz yarn from messing up. Also you can hold it between your ankles and crochet away.

Friday, March 31, 2006Name: Nghi

Subject: Making your new hook smooth/slick

Comment: Rubbing your hooks into your hair works wonders.

Friday, March 31, 2006Name: Nghi

Subject: Without losing your last stitch

Comment: I think using paper clips is great. However, I tie a loose bunny loop right above the last stitch.

Thursday, March 30, 2006Name: Dot

Subject: Weaving in ends

Comment: A friend who knits a lot told me this one. I was making a crocheted jacket, and the woven-in ends kept coming loose. She said when you weave in the ends in a straight line, they can pull out when the garment stretches. To prevent this, weave on a diagonal line instead of straight up or across.

Sunday, March 26, 2006Name: Christina

Subject: project bags

Comment: I find that I often have pieces that I have finished or have stopped working on to finish something else on a deadline, and they lie around in grocery bags getting dog hair on them. I have found that sweater and blanket bags are very helpful. They keep everything together, the dog hair stays off and I can see thru in a glance. They are also great for storing finished projects, and when i'm going to give it away, i just give them the storage bag too. They love it

Wednesday, March 22, 2006Name: Ann

Subject: Bag the cotton/yarn

Comment: To keep my crochet yarn/cotton ball from rolling accross the floor, I put it in a small plastic store bag with handles and hang it on my arm and crochet right along with comfort.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006Name: Katie

Subject: tangled balls of yarn

Comment: I have found that securing the ends of my yarn with bobby pins keeps them from becoming a giant tangled mess

Friday, March 17, 2006Name: Claudette

Subject: Baby Blanket

Comment: I found this tip several years ago and have used it many times. When working on baby items, rub a small amount of baby powder into your hands. This makes the thread slide easier and also adds a nice smell.

Friday, March 17, 2006Name: Christine

Subject: end of skein

Comment: When I get close to the end of a skein or ball of yarn, I divide the length in half, tie a loose knot in the middle, and knit/crochet a row of the pattern. If I reach the knot before I finish the row, I know that I won't have enough to complete another row. If I don't reach the knot, I repeat the dividing and knotting and keep on working. That way, I don't have to join a new skein in the middle of a row.

Thursday, March 16, 2006Name: Madelaine

Subject: escaping wool

Comment: Have you ever spent more of your afternoon ertrieving your ball of wool because it ran away than you got to spend working on the project? I find that if you use the ball from the inside-out rather than the other way 'round, the ball doesn't run away. (warning:you have to secure the ball to something at first till you get it rolling{Get It?}).

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