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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Baby Cowboy Hat |
        Interested in knitting? Visit our sister site: Knitting Pattern Central  | Tips 'n TricksDo 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! Name: Sharyn Subject: Yarn ball Comment: I find that when I'm crocheting, my yarn always ends up in knots or tangles from the skein. So I take a piece of square paper, fold it many times until it's in a little square, then wrap my yarn in a ball around it until it's all out of the skein and all on the paper. It makes a nice ball and there are no more knots or tangles! Name: Myriah Subject: Carry case for hooks Comment: I see lots of people have great suggestions for storing their hooks, especially for travel. So here's my $0.02. I use plastic cigar tubes. They fit wonderfully in my purse, unbreakable and the perfect size if you use the standard size or churchill size. Seems odd, but it works and you can even crochet a small carry net for it and loop it around your purse strap! Name: Melena Subject: Adapting Cross Stitch Patterns Comment: I've found an easy way to get a lot more patterns is to use cross stitch patterns to crochet cool pictures. I am making a really detailed wolf right now that will be the main square on a crochet star afghan. The different color symbols on the cross stitch chart tell you when to change colors for a realistic effect. Just use one square per stitch. Name: Carol Subject: Yarn Control Comment: Sometimes there are skeins that pull from the outside rather than from inside and they roll away when using them. I take a vertical wood paper towel stand and put the pole that would normally hold the paper towel inside the core of the acrylic skein. I stays upright on the floor by my seat and I just pull up as I need it !! Name: Amy Subject: Ugly Yarn Comment: I'm an avid crocheter. Or as my hubby says: yarn freak. LOL. I've been crocheting for 12 years. In working with vintage patterns I've learned that it's always good to have a few skiens of ugly yarn that you wouldn't exactly use on your actual project. You can use this ugly yarn to make practice pieces before you use that really nice yarn to make your final project. This way you don't mess up your nice yarn by unraveling the project 5 or 15 times or even cutting it a dozen times to fit your piece! Hope this helps! Name: Dawn Subject: stitch marker Comment: I carefully file any rough edges from a safety pin and use it for a stitch marker. That way it stays with my project and does't get pulled out when the project goes in and out of my crochet bag. It really helps when you travel all the time as it is easily replaced. Name: Elizabeth Subject: Scissors Comment: I've found that an Exacto knife works just as well as scissors and fits perfectly in the crochet hook case. Name: Elizabeth Subject: Tote Bag Comment: Ever noticed that as your young children get older you don't have to carry as many of their things (i.e. diapers, wipes, change of clothes, ect.) with you everywhere you go? The diaper bag you are no longer using works great for a tote bag. The small pockets work great for scissors, needles; the larger pockets hold yarn and the unfinished project. Name: Sarah, 14 Subject: Two Projects Comment: I find, especially when working with complicated patterns, that it is best to have two projects going at once. One should be something quick or easy, like a simple scarf or hat. The other should be your more difficult project like a large afghan or intricate sweater. When you get frustrated with your difficult project, but still want to crochet, you can switch to the easy project and keep your peace of mind! Name: Valerie Subject: Pattern Storage Comment: I purchased a 3" binder and heavy-duty, top-loading sheet protectors. It is a wonderful way to store patterns (I print many from the internet so they are on standard 8 1/2 x 11" paper) You can even label & use section dividers for the different types of patterns. You can take the entire protector out with the pattern in it to work on your project & the pattern is protected from damage. Name: Patty McCalmon Subject: Patterns Comment: I found another way to preserve your patterns and that is to get a roll of clear contact paper and cover your patterns with it. I also use it for my recipes and if anything gets spilled on them it just wipes off. Name: rebecca Subject: Crocheting on the go Comment: I have noticed that you can use nail clippers to cut yarn........ it is perfect when you are on the go and you need scissors but you dont have any. Name: LinnyO Subject: Pattern Storage Comment: When on the go, to keep your patterns safe, make a copy of the original and then cover the copy using "cold" lamination paper (no machine required to laminate the pattern). The lamination will not only keep each pattern clean and dry, but will also give it enough stiffness to stay propped up so you can read it easily. In addition, if you buy a lamination sheet larger than the regular 8.5 x 11 page, you can offset the pattern, then punch holes in the left side to keep the laminated copy in a notebook for future reference. Name: Linda Subject: be careful! Comment: As an avid crocheter, I have a word of advice. TAKE BREAKS! I used to crochet for hours at a time and then developed carpal tunnel in both wrists. Now after having both wrists operated on, I take a break every 30 minutes or so. I had the operations 2 years ago, six months apart and it has taken me the laST YEAR AND A HALF TO BE ABLE TO CROCHET WITHOUT TROUBLE. pROTECT YOURSELF! Name: teresa Subject: free patterns on wrappers Comment: I keep those free patterns on the yarn wrappers in sandwich ziplock bages.one bag for single copies so I can keep one copy for myself then the extra copies can be given to who ever wants one. also I give them with gift projects so there are washing/care instructions with the gift(and alergy info) Select a Page << Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Next >> Share your own hints by filling in the form below... |
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