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, December 16, 2005Name: Marny Fair

Subject: Holder for Skein

Comment: I like using a wine bottle holder for my skeins of yarn!!

The container is a hard cardboard ... and the lid is held on by the 'rope' handle, so it makes it easy to close and put into my tote, along with the actual afghan in the works.

Thursday, December 15, 2005Name: Annie

Subject: traveling

Comment: IF you are going to travel with your item find a cool bag to put the yarn in so you wont be dragging it along.

Thursday, December 15, 2005Name: Annie

Subject: For starters!!!!!

Comment: If you are just starting you should remember to keep your stiches nice and loose or your item will becom really really hard to finish the rows I am 13 now and i have been doing this since i was 7 so i know what iam doing !!!!!:)

Have fun with your project...

Sunday, December 11, 2005Name: Mary Smith

Subject: marking cross stitch graphs

Comment: when I do cross stitch, I use crayola erasable colored pencils. If I make a mistake, I just erase where the mistake is and start over from there. To hold my patterns I use a metal craft board, and use magnets to hold it. The magnets can also help keep track on the row you are doing :)

Friday, December 09, 2005Name: Lynne B.

Subject: Detergent bucket organizer

Comment: You can use an old laundry soap bucket with a lid like you can get at the bulk discount stores. Wash the bucket out to remove the soap flakes, then make an organizer with pockets for around the outside. Polar fleece and felt work well if you are less than handy with a sewing machine. You can glue it around the outside, or as I have done, (I am professional dressmaker) make a lining for the inside and sew the pocket band around the top. The weight of the stuff inside helps balance the weight of the stuff outside in the pockets. The lid can be decorated and set on top to ward off dust if you don't crochet daily. I crochet in fits and starts, between knitting, sewing and painting...and raising a large family. (I really should get busy though as I need a new afghan for my bed!)

Thursday, December 01, 2005Name: Molly

Subject: Stitch Markers

Comment: I use old ear rings as stitch markers. They also look pretty on your work...lol

Sunday, November 27, 2005Name: Kim Barcello

Subject: Keep yarn in place

Comment: I bought a metal toilet paper holder; one that holds 4 rolls at a time. It's just the right size to put your roll of yarn on. This way the yarn doesn't roll all over your chair or the floor. It also holds more than one roll in case you change patterns.

Saturday, November 26, 2005Name: Kirsten

Subject: hook holders

Comment: I grew up watching and learning from Gram how to crochet, and now my teens (boy and girl!)make afghans and such. Gram always kept her hooks in a cigar tube(glass and metal ones)they were perfect organizers, I have one of her originals filled with her hooks, plus an old eyeglass case(the longer type)to keep those hooks from getting ruined, if it's worked for the last 70 odd years for her, I say it's a keeper tip!

Saturday, November 26, 2005Name: June

Subject: Crochet

Comment: If I am going to be laying a crochet project aside for a while, I write the size of hook I am using on a piece of paper, and attach it to the project, so that when I DO pick it up again, I know which hook I was using. It saves me from "trying to remember" ;-)

Thursday, November 24, 2005Name: Samantha

Subject: Crochet

Comment: Hey im nine and I can crochet lots of things teach your kids or grandkids it does not matter!

Thursday, November 24, 2005Name: james

Subject: crochet

Comment: counting is a great tip if you know how many chains you have on your first row then you could eventually keep count on all the others on some things that you are creating oh yeah teach other kids young groups it helps this great tradition on crafting live oh im also 17 (my mother taught me and im a guy it dosnt matter if your a female or a guy)

Wednesday, November 23, 2005Name: LaceyLee

Subject: no tangle tip

Comment: Everything I've read contains GREAT ideas. I keep my yarn from tangling by putting it in a med/large tupperware container with three individual holes cut in the lid. I string the yarn or yarns through the holes and close the lid. My yarn glides out with no tangles or troubles.

Sunday, November 20, 2005Name: Linda Ann H.

Subject: Twisted Cords

Comment: When I make a sweater or something that calls for a twisted cord, this is what I do and it makes a wonderful and very professional looking cord. I cut three long lengths of yarn (you need long lengths because it decreases as it is twisted), then I tie one end to a door handle, kitchen cupboard handle or chair back. I tie the other end to one beater on my electric mixer. You must stand back so the yarn is at its full length. I turn the mixer on high and let it twist until the yarn is tight. Then I bring one end to the other and it twists itself together. Each end is tied with a knot and you have a great twisted cord. It it wonderful for baby sacques, hats and booties and anything else where a cord is required.

Sunday, November 20, 2005Name: Suzanne

Subject: Organizing

Comment: If you are like million patterns and about as many balls of yarn. I bought a 4 drawer filing cabinet (got at thrift store for $10) the top drawer is for filing my patterns by type and the 3 remaining drawers are where I keep current projects I am working on separate from all my other yarns. It also keeps the projects themselves from getting tangled together.

Saturday, November 19, 2005Name: Malee

Subject: Keep your ball from rolling!

Comment: I like the idea about the oatmeal box except I've never seen a round one! I'm from Canada so either I shop at the wrong store or they don't sell them in round tubs up here! I like to carry my crochet with me everywhere! I'm not sure how well the round box would travel for me. For easy carrying and to keep my balls from escaping while I work, I use a small canvas bag with a zipper. I pull the end of the yarn out and then zip the bag almost shut. That leaves my yarn a hole to travel through but it can't escape. Instead of an oatmeal box, maybe a baby formula can or large margarine tub would work for us underprivledged Canadians! lol

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