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 06, 2004Name: Tricia

Subject: what hook did I use again?

Comment: I have WAY too many WIPs, and they keep getting seperated from the hooks. So, I took some plain card stock and cut it into 3" squares, and punched holes in a corner of each. I put those and safety pins in my yarn bag. When I start a new project, I write out the hook size, yarn type (including dye lot!), and where I got the pattern. No more guessing games!

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Carol

Subject: Hands sticking to hook?

Comment: I have found sometimes as I crochet the hook will start to feel tacky in my hands and not want to move freely. All I do is wash my hands good with soap and water and dry them good and they are ready for another round of crocheting!

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Lynn

Subject: Tension and healthy hands

Comment: Thank you, Gina for your brilliant add on. Another way to relax your hands is to wash dishes in really warm, sudsy water, followed by a thorough rub with your favorite non-greasy hand lotion. This can be an excellent substitute for the massage.

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Gina

Subject: Healthy Hands

Comment: As an add on to Lynn's good advice, take good care of your hands! Warm up before crocheting by opening to their fullest extent, and closing them several times, and by gently stretching fingers backwards by using the finger tips of the opposite hand. Do both several times. While crocheting, take breaks as Lynn suggested, and shake your hands over your head to combate carpal tunnel congestion.

Get a good hand massage as often as you can! The most fun and least expensive way to do that is to ask a family member :)

Have fun!

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Lynn

Subject: Tension

Comment: I have been crocheting for 45 years, and have taught many people in that time. While studying in Seminary, I worked in a craft store in which it was my job to teach crochet classes, as well as others. The one thing that most people have trouble with is tension. There are no magic formulas for overcoming this. But I have found that patience pays off. If you are having trouble with tension, just keep at it. Don't work till your hands cramp and get sore. Work for a while, then come back to it. Crochet should be relaxing and fun, not a fight to the death with tangled thread. Relax, enjoy yourself and don't take it very seriously. Make it fun, and you'll be pleased with how quickly you pick it up.

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Jeanne

Subject: Place Markers

Comment: Hello. Whenever I start a crochet project I always have a safety pin or 2 and pin it to whatever I am making at the time. It is good especially on rounds or long afghans ...I usually check what I have crocheted and then I put the pin there, I know that everything is correct up to that point. I hate to have to rip out so this keeps me on my toes and I can finish the project without mistakes and get on to something else. Hope that this helps someone.

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Sharon

Subject: Scrap yarns

Comment: After completing a yarn project, using an inexpensive food scale that weighs in ounces, I weigh the left over yarn and write the amount on the wrapper before storing. When a small amount of yarn is needed for another project, it is easy to see how much you have of each leftover skein.

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Lea

Subject: Double Strand Tip

Comment: I have been mainly crocheting double-strand afghans as of late and discovered that when you have a color that doesn't require more than a few ounces you can simple pull from both ends of one skein, rather than buy an extra you don't need.

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Bev

Subject: Teaching Lefties to Crochet

Comment: When you are trying to teach someone who is left handed to crochet, and you are right handed, try sitting directly in front of them. That way they can mimic what you are doing like it is a mirror image.

Friday, August 06, 2004Name: Sanna

Subject: Sweaty palms.

Comment: Try rubbing a bit of baby powder on your hands to minimize perspiration on a hot day while crocheting. It makes the finished product smell nice, too! (If, that is, you happen to like the smell of baby powder.)

Notice: If you want to send me (the webmistress) a "thank you" using this form, that is fine (I appreciate it). However, I may not be posting it publicly for all to see, and I have no way of responding without knowing your email address.

Name Provide Your Name Subject Subject of Your Testimonial Comment What is your tip or trick? Type In the Letters/Numbers Submit

Notice: By submitting your content, you are agreeing to have it displayed on this page. I retain the right to edit and/or refuse unsuitable content. (Unsuitable content includes questions and help requests.) All submissions are checked before being published.