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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Ruffles Pillow |
        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: DCA Subject: Handy & Portable Containers Comment: We travel often so I need handy bags to store all of my crochet, etc., supplies and projects at home and abroad. I keep five bags of supplies and projects ready at all times for: home, car, truck and trailer, and flights, as well. I find that old soft canvas briefcase bags from garage sales and thrift stores are perfect for keeping projects with all supplies, yarn and patterns needed. Most also have pockets of all sorts for helpful supply storage. Very handy and definitely cheap at $1-$5 each! Name: Michelle Subject: Crochet/Projects Comment: I'm young so finding cool things to crochet is sometimes hard. If I find something online or somewhere else I write it down and keep it in a folder on my desktop and also keep folder for each friend reminding me of their favorite colors and what I've already made for them :) Name: Robin Subject: Storing, and Using Yarn Balls Comment: I have found that A good way to store and keep yarn ready for use. You don't need to put the yarn into a ball I use the plastic Coffee tubs. I have used these tubs for EVERYTHING. When I get a bunch of yarn, I can put ALOT of yarn balls in here. and I like to cut a whole in the lid, so I can just pull the yarn from the top. I just tape the end to the top of the lid when I am done with my project. I just put the leftovers back in the tub. I also will take the paper wrapper off the first skien, and tape it to the front lable so I know what I have. The tubs also stack together, and keep the yarn in a much smaller area. Name: MaeAnna Subject: crochet on the go! Comment: I travel a lot with work and visiting relatives, so I'm constantly on the go. But I refuse to let that stop my love of crochet ... And with bumping, I lose my place often when I'm working off a pattern! I keep my patterns in a three-ring binder (no more than three dollars at WalMart and other chain stores) that I decorated with permanent markers and sprayed with polyurethayne. I bought a package of clear slip-covers and some dry erase markers. As I start a row, I highlight the first few directions, then as I complete it, I mark off the top row. I look such a ditz in waiting rooms, my grey binder and my tupperware container of yarn (which is also where I tuck my hooks, scissors, needles and dry erase markers in a container velcroed to the inside!) but I don't care. I can crochet freely that way, whether waiting, travelling, or at home just relaxing! Happy Crochet! Name: Dawn Schippers Subject: Rolling yarn Comment: my mom does alot of crafts and we found it was alot easier to roll the yarn into balls. but it started to get hard for mom since she has arthritis, so i decided to use toilet paper rolls. i cut a slit in one end, put the yarn thru and away we went wrapping the yarn around it. sometimes we even used papertowel rolls. they help wonders and it is recycleable. Name: Linda Subject: Yarn Holder Comment: I've been crocheting a long time and find the best way to keep my yarn balls clean and rolling easily, is to drop them in a clean soup kettle or dutch oven. I have a special one that I picked up at a garage sale and never use for cooking. The yarn does not rub against anything, because I put the pan at my feet (between my feet seems to work best on shorter projects, or to the right side when I am doing an afghan). And, when not in use, I just drop everything in the pan (yarn, hooks, etc.) and put the lid on to keep all dust-free. Name: natalia Subject: making a slip knot Comment: when you are learning to make a slip knot make a loop and insert the neddle under the length (top). draw the yarn through the loop and pull both ends to tighten the knot on the neddle (bottom). Name: amy Subject: beginning knit and crochet Comment: when i first started learning to knit and crochet i used to get confused on how many loops you make the stitch into, so i made up a short ryme to help me out. knitting one loop, crochetting two loops. i know some times you do different patterns where that doesnt apply but when your just starting it helps out Name: Liz Wick Subject: Pictures Comment: Whenever you finish an item, take a picture of it! This way if you give the item away, you still have a record of what you made. Because I don't always follow patterns, and seldom write down what I did, I find having an image helpful if I want to try and recreate it. Name: Dee Subject: dry fingers Comment: Hello....I have been crocheting for over 26 years. My fingers get dry and cracked no matter how much I moisturize them. They then drag and snag on the yarn, so I always keep a small piece of fine grade sandpaper around to smooth out the snags. Works great! Name: Joyce Subject: Translating Filet Charts Comment: It's easier for me to translate each row of a filet chart into easy-to-read, easy-to-track written instructions something like the following example: R1: 5O, 1S, 1O, 3S, 1O, 1S, 5O R2: 4O, 3S, 2O, 1S, 2O, 3S, 4O O = open mesh, S = solid Name: Melissa Subject: scrap/leftover yarn uses Comment: Simple solutions-winter hats, scarfs and mittens for the kids! I have two elementary age kids and they are always loosing track of these things so I make several pair over the summer when I like to keep my projects simple and keep them in a plastic tote for winter. If you arent a parent they make great gifts and craft fair projects. Name: Sharon Subject: buying no lot number yarn Comment: When buying yarn that has no dye lot numbers, that is supposed to match, I found that by checking the label for the date works. All "no dye lot numbered" yarn does not always match. Name: Linda Perkins Subject: Yarn storage Comment: The large plastic coffee container (red with black lid) makes a great yarn storage container. Just wash out, cut hole in lid, feed yarn through hole and you've saved $8-$10 they cost at a craft store, and you've done your share to recycle! Name: Dorothy Subject: loose ends Comment: Most of the time I choose to work the loose ends as I go, but sometimes it's better to wait till your sure your not going to have to unravel the work. It might be easier to find the ends this way. 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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