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, July 27, 2012Name: Doriane

Subject: Buying Yarn

Comment: When it comes to buying yarn with a different texture or from a brand I haven't used yet, I pull a little from the skein and test how well it crochets buy using my finger as a crochet hook. This works really well for me.

Thursday, July 26, 2012Name: Sheri C

Subject: Pattern storage

Comment: If you have a PC, send your patterns that you find on the Internet to OneNote. I have sent many many patterns to OneNote and you can take them wherever you go and have access to a computer. I have also separated my patterns into different subjects. I also have a bulky binder.

Sunday, July 01, 2012Name: Maria

Subject: Project Savers

Comment: My mother-in-law goes shopping for Christmas in February. Typically she gets really good deals on sheets. I always ask her for the plastic casing with the zippers. That way, I could put the project I am working on in them. It helps keep the yarn clean, crochet hook, scissors, and pattern, and stitch markers (I use safety pins) all together. Once I am done with the afghan (what I typically do), I use the bag to store the blanket.

Saturday, June 30, 2012Name: sarabeth

Subject: patterns and hooks/accessories

Comment: I have found that if you use a pencil case for your crochet hooks, stitch makers, ect, and the case has 3 hole puches you can put printed and hole punched patterns in a binder with the hooks and such its so helpful and works well when your trying to organize for a trip.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012Name: Chloe Lanmar

Subject: Fun to do crochet alongs!

Comment: Sometimes its easier to finish a project when you do it along with a friend. Me and my friend pick out project after project, like a sock monkey or a blanket, we assign an amount to get done each day, and when we are done, we start another! Its fun to do it with your friends.

Saturday, June 23, 2012Name: Judith

Subject: crochet

Comment: I find it hard having my blanket come out evenly so what I do is put a safety pin at the end of the row so when I go to the next row they both end evenly and I dont have to count every stitch. I also took a empty cardboard box put the yarn inside and put the cover on it with just a whole big enough for the yarn to come threw smoothly without pulling it and its a good time saver and keeps the yarn from getting tangled and clean I love it . Also instead of spending alot on needle box just go to walmart and go to the plastic tote aile and get a clear small plastic pencil case its the perfect size for your needles and keeps them all neat.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012Name: Alexa

Subject: storage

Comment: If you like to keep your yarn in a skein, this storage item is perfect for you. At Tuesday Morning, they have a clear rubbery plasticy cylinder container that was made the perfect size for skeins. There is a zipper on the side so you can put the skein in and there is a hole on the bottom so you can slip a strand of yarn through.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012Name: Francine

Subject: Red Heart Wool

Comment: When I crochet a pattern - instead of rolling the wool into a ball - I just pull out the wool from the middle -
love this web page, I found many easy patterns to make - and they are easy - hats (for the troops) slippers - give out to my co-workers - scarfs - easy capelet - wrist warmers - baby blankets- baby hats- headbands- I learned to crochet on you tube - and then make a copy of your patterns- I love to crochet - and since I have many items - I plan on going to the nursing homes to hand them out -
THANKS FOR THIS WEB PAGE

Saturday, June 16, 2012Name: Bama granny

Subject: Originals

Comment: Thanks for this site! If anybody else is like me & prefers original pieces to "cookie cutter patterns" this may be useful. I use body measurements to make original crochet or knit pieces. Whatever neckline, hem, stitch, etc. you feel like using at the time can be made into your finished product. Either make one part and work off it or make pieces separate and sew together. Whatever works for you. Making a test swatch ALWAYS helps.

Thanks again

Friday, June 08, 2012Name: Teresa Miller

Subject: Teaching how to crochet

Comment: My mom was left handed and I am right handed and she taught me how to crochet by having me sit across from her. That way she could show me how to do the stitches. I have been crocheting for 42 years. Mom is gone now but I will always remember the times we had with her showing me how to crochet. Her mother showed her that way also as she was right handed and my mom left handed. Hope this will help others.

Friday, June 08, 2012Name: Lizzy

Subject: Soft yarn

Comment: If you want soft yarn, feel the swatches, if there are any for that yarn, hanging from the shelves.

Monday, June 04, 2012Name: Heather

Subject: Crochet Supplies Storage

Comment: I have an old make-up case that i use to store my essentials. It has the sewn on elastic loops (for make-up brushes) that work great for my hooks, plus plenty of space for scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape and even a skein of yarn, so i can carry it around for small projects.

Monday, June 04, 2012Name: allegrovale93

Subject: keeping track of rows

Comment: I keep a gallon-sized ziplock baggie with my projects and a Sharpie in the baggie with different project instructions. The baggie won't fit a full page, but you only need to cut/tear about an inch off the bottom or top of the page. I make dashes to mark off each repetition row as I go.
Wet-wipes from places like Buffalo Wild Wings and KFC work great for wiping off teh sharpie for the next project!
I also use a hairclip that I painted with clear nail-polish to keep track of where I started because I get pulled away from projects all the time and lose my place. The nailpolish keeps rust from forming and from staining my yarn/thread.
Also if I'm doing a project with chain stitches in the hundreds I keep scrap thread with me and mark every ten/twenty stitches.

Sunday, June 03, 2012Name: Dawn Orlando

Subject: Looser crochet foundation row

Comment: To make a loose foundation row when starting a crochet pattern, I use a size larger hook than the one I will be making project with. Seems to prevent pulling of foundation row.

Sunday, June 03, 2012Name: Crocheter Gal

Subject: :D

Comment: When using white yarn or thread, be careful what you put it on/what you put on it because it easily stains. Especially white thread. If you kept it in a box with other colored threads/yarn, you'd be amazed to see all the colors it's been stained with!

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