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, February 27, 2005Name: Summer

Subject: Weaving In Ends

Comment: When I change balls of yarn, instead of leaving the ends free to weave in with a needle, I hold them at the top of my row and crochet right over them for 8 or 10 stitches. Not only does it save a bit of time, but it holds the ends in more securely.

Friday, February 25, 2005Name: Elisa-Maria

Subject: Holding Thread

Comment: You can attach a paper towel holder to the wall, then put your ball of thread on. It unwinds easily and won't run away from you! Also long enough for double thread crochet.

Friday, February 25, 2005Name: Elisa-Maria

Subject: Organizing Hooks

Comment: I tend to crochet in the same chair, so I installed a magnetic knife rack to the wall next to the chair. Whether I'm getting up to chase the cat or going to bed, I just stick the hook (and leave the project attached) to the magnet. I also have a threaded needle and a small pair of scissors on there, as well as a couple other sized hooks for easy switching.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005Name: Krysten

Subject: age

Comment: You don't have to be old to crochet I am only 13 and I think it is fun so if you are young and thinking about starting go ahead

Saturday, February 19, 2005Name: Hannah

Subject: crochet needles

Comment: if you have to go out of town or something like that and you want to bring your crochet needles. Put just a few in one of those plastic tooth brush travel cases. It works good.

Friday, February 18, 2005Name: Barbara

Subject: storing

Comment: i use a clear plastic makeup bag for needles tape measure and other small items. The bags are not expensive and hold a lot of your small items.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005Name: Tabatha T.

Subject: Small Hooks

Comment: When I am working with the smaller size hooks for thread the end of the hook will press into my palm, because these hooks are shorter then my other ones. I solved this by slipping a point protector for knitting needles over the end. It works well, is inexpensive, and one pack will cover the ends of just about every smaller hook you use.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005Name: Fifi

Subject: row markers

Comment: I use safety pins to mark my rows. Then when I have completed a panel, I can pin the panels together and whip stitch away.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005Name: brandi cline

Subject: row markers

Comment: I have found that the large metal paper clips work absolute wonders on the edge of my rows. I just mark off every twenty, and they come off extremely easy. No more dealing with yarn. Make sure to use the very large metal ones. Plastic ones can get hung on the fabric. Hope this helps :o)

Monday, February 14, 2005Name: Cheryl

Subject: plastic bag crochet

Comment: I think that using a rotary cutter and long quilting-type ruler would be a great thing to get the plastic bag "yarn" strips cut straight and be sure they are all the same width!

Sunday, February 13, 2005Name: Melyssa

Subject: lost hooks

Comment: Hi! I love your website. iv'e just started crocheting not too long ago. One way to keep your hook in a safe place is to stick it in your ball of yarn. Thanks!

Thursday, February 10, 2005Name: jaye

Subject: measured yarn ounces

Comment: WHENEVER I MAKE MY AFGHANS, I ALWAYS WEIGH MY YARN AND MARK THE COST OF YARN ON IT. THEN WITH MY LEFT OVER I WEIGH IT AND PLACE A PIECE OF MASKING TAPE AT THE ENDS AND MARK ON IT THE OZ'S AND THE PRICE AND DIVIDE THE TOTAL OZ'S BY THE PRICE. AND THAT WAY I KNOW HOW MUCH IT COST TO MAKE MY BLANKETS.

Tuesday, February 08, 2005Name: Cheryl

Subject: composition book crochet journal and post-it notes

Comment: Not only do post-its work well to keep track of where you are in a pattern (sticks nicely and stays put!), you can also write down the day you started, type of yarn used, hook size and completion date. Then, when the project is finished, transfer the information to the composition book (yes, the kind we used in school) as a crochet journal. The finishing touch is a photo of the work in your journal!

Tuesday, February 08, 2005Name: Cheryl

Subject: personalized labels

Comment: It is well worth the couple of bucks to buy those little personalized labels with your name on it...esp. when giving crochet as a gift. And instead of sewing the label in, just use a little fabric-tac glue to hold it in place (it stays on wash after wash ladies!). The personalized label reminds the receiver just how much care went into the work...crochet gifts are always from the heart!

Sunday, February 06, 2005Name: Amanda

Subject: Inexpensive Patterns

Comment: I love having lots of patterns to look through without getting on the computer. I go to used bookstores in town and buy old crochet magazines. They are usually about 50 cents a piece. I keep them in magazine boxes that go on my bookshelves, so everything looks neat and tidy. I have so many patterns from before I was born (I'm 26) that can be updated by simply changing the color scheme!
Also, my best friend has cats. To keep her yarn from being run through the house, she puts balls of yarn for her WIP in a shoebox with a hole cut in the end and threads the ends through.

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