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!

Sunday, November 07, 2004Name: susan

Subject: thread crochet

Comment: I have a difficult time keeping my thread free of cat hair. Particularly the Baroque as it's the size of a baby kitten and regardless where I hide my work, she finds it. Now I keep it in a coffee can with the thread coming thru a small hole cut in the lid. When I put my project away for the night, I'll put the whole thing inside the can. Voila', fur-free doilies!

Sunday, November 07, 2004Name: Carole

Subject: net bags to tame unruly skeins

Comment: You know those plastic, stretchy net bags that you get with things like tomatoes, avocados and whatever. The bag shrinks up to a skinny wad of plastic net when it's empty but stretches hugely to hold your skeins, particularly the unruly ones.

Friday, November 05, 2004Name: Daisy

Subject: safety

Comment: Wool yarn doesn't melt like acrylic yarn and doesn't burn as easily, even after washing, so for safety sake, use only wool for potholders or trivets.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004Name: Christine

Subject: Pattern Tips

Comment: I've been crocheting for almost 30 years now, started around age 9...yarn is my passion and therapy! My tip is for following patterns, especially ones with repeated rows (like afghans and clothing, especially baptism gowns). I make a photocopy of the pattern, then when it says repeat from * to *, I go back and mark row numbers next to edge. Using a Post-It, I move it around to the next set of directions, and keep a pencilled count (hash marks) on the Post-It. I've made six baptism gowns, the very long ones, and this has helped tremendously in keeping on track. Happy Stitching and Brightest Blessings!

Tuesday, November 02, 2004Name: Tildy

Subject: Skeins

Comment: I cut the bottom of a 2-liter plastic pop bottle off and slip the skein of yarn inside with the tail coming out the top of the bottle. This keeps the skein from getting out of control. I sometimes cut out some pretty contact paper to cover the pop label.

Sunday, October 31, 2004Name: pat mc cord

Subject: hooks

Comment: If you crochet fast or for long periods of time an easy way to glide your hook through the stitches...just rub your needle through your hair...just enough oil to make the hook go faster.I've been doing this for over 40 years and it really works.

Sunday, October 31, 2004Name: Theresa

Subject: Recomendation

Comment: i recomend this for everyone. I am 12 years old and have crocheted for about two years know. i make purses lots of scarfs the whole bit. i love crocheting it is real fun and if you put your mind to it you will get the hang of it!

Thursday, October 28, 2004Name: Jamie

Subject: Counting

Comment: Whenever I sit down to crochet, I make sure I have a little handheld calculator next to me. When making starting chain, I enter the number of chains into the calculator. Then, I will count every five or ten chains and substract it from the calculator. This will help you keep count. Especially if you have a lot of interruptions. Also, if you have a pattern that has several rows repeated (for example: rows 2-15: single crochet around), muliply the amount of stiches by the amount of rows using the calculator. Then you can subtract every so many stitches as you go. Hope this helps!

Sunday, October 24, 2004Name: Christy

Subject: 1

Comment: ok ok.. this is not of mine own wisdom, i read it in a book. but if for some reason you need to unravel a project and you hate frizzy yarn wind it around a plastic bottle and put it in the bathroom by the tub, run a bit of hot water in the tub so that the place gets steamy, SHUT THE DOOR, and come back in about 10-15 minutes and your yarn should not be so frizzy. if there is too much yarn for a plastic bottle try a big can or anything you can wind it around. hope this helps =)

Wednesday, October 20, 2004Name: Katy

Subject: beginners

Comment: My grandmother tried to teach me to crochet when i was a young teenager. I didn't have the patience for it then, but when she passed away, i decided to teach myself in her honor. I found it very helpful to print a copy of abbreviations and symbols to look at while working on a pattern. It really helps with all the confusion of learning to read patterns. I keep a folder of printed articles and tutorials just in case i need a little help.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004Name: Mary Ann

Subject: Granny Squares

Comment: I just dread connecting granny squares together. So now I just cut small strips of yarn and tie the squares together with a firm knot. Then I trim the ends to about a half an inch from the knot. It makes for a unique look to a blanket.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004Name: Shannon

Subject: Threading Yarn in Needles

Comment: I hate the issuse I have when I have to thread a needle with a bulky yarn for whatever reason. Then I discovered a small trick. Use a 1/4" wide piece of wrapping (curling) ribbon folded in half as a needle threader. Boy did this come in handy when I made those wool sweaters.

Monday, October 18, 2004Name: Dani

Subject: Toddlers

Comment: I have a two-year old and he constantly finding my projects and pulling out all the stitches! I began putting in a safety pin where I stop and now he can't unravel them before I can get to him! This would work well for people with cats too!

Friday, October 15, 2004Name: Kara

Subject: Sticky Hooks

Comment: Before I sit down to work on a project I first wash my hands, and then apply a good smelling Hand Cream. (I like just about anything from Victoria's Secret Garden or Bath & Body Works) I don't use much and the hook glides right along. Also, your project will smell just lovely while you work on it. (Aromatherapy!) Once you wash the project any residue will be gone.

Thursday, October 14, 2004Name: Genise

Subject: Unraveling balls of yarn

Comment: I store my balls of yarn in old panty hose. Just cut a length from the leg (usually around 6 to 8 inches), tie a knot in one end, and snug the ball of yarn inside.

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