Here is a collection of tips, tricks and stuff we like about knitting, all in one place. We'll add to it as your comments come in and we'll add our own as well. Hopefully this page will grow to include photos, tutorials and the videos which we are both working on. We're glad you're part of our knitting world.
Keeping track of Projects on Hiatus:
Why not use the Ravelry notes section if you are going to be away from a project for a while? I really rely on my Ravelry tracker to bring me up to speed on what pattern, yarn, etc. Pieces of paper are good for overnight but for the long term, nothing beats Ravelry for storing project info. -from Jeannefil
When I know I'm going to be away from a project for a while, I use post-its and write in as much detail what I've done, where I should pick up the pattern and any little shortcut or trick I was using as I was knitting. Then I put it in it's own tote bag or ziplock bag. -from Robin
I have a spiral bound notebook that I keep next to my "knitting" chair. I note the pattern, designer, what date I started, which needles I have successfully completed my LAUNDERED swatch with (can you tell I've taken a Gwen B class?, and what size I'm working on. Yes, I can totally forget which size I cast one for.....then I can continue to make notations, tick off rows as I do them and anything else that keeps me on track. -from Ann
Keeping track of Projects on Hiatus:
Why not use the Ravelry notes section if you are going to be away from a project for a while? I really rely on my Ravelry tracker to bring me up to speed on what pattern, yarn, etc. Pieces of paper are good for overnight but for the long term, nothing beats Ravelry for storing project info. -from Jeannefil
When I know I'm going to be away from a project for a while, I use post-its and write in as much detail what I've done, where I should pick up the pattern and any little shortcut or trick I was using as I was knitting. Then I put it in it's own tote bag or ziplock bag. -from Robin
I have a spiral bound notebook that I keep next to my "knitting" chair. I note the pattern, designer, what date I started, which needles I have successfully completed my LAUNDERED swatch with (can you tell I've taken a Gwen B class?, and what size I'm working on. Yes, I can totally forget which size I cast one for.....then I can continue to make notations, tick off rows as I do them and anything else that keeps me on track. -from Ann
I have at least three projects next to my chair at all times: one on larger needles, one on small, and one crochet. That way, I can switch around once in a while so my hands don't get sore. Plus, it facilitates my ADD. Maybe it takes longer, but eventually I take the last stitch in a bunch of projects - talk about gratifying! -from Kay
I use little itsy bitsy postie notes to keep track of my rows in a pattern. I move the posty down after I finish that row. but if I will be putting that knitting aside for a bit the posty loses sticky so I write what row I left off at. -from Debbie
My tip would be to ALWAYS leave a note as to where you are when you stop...even if you think you will get right back to your project and will remember. You never know what life may bring your way, and you may not get right back to your project. I have learned this the hard way. -from Sunflowermorning
I have cheap generic hang tags I attach to larger projects with the projet name (pattern) and notes in PENCIL of the last stopping point. I reuse the bags so often notes sometimes get left in a bag....the hang tag is the best way I've found to keep track.-from Katidids
Cast-ons and Bind-offs:
I love, love, love the long-tail cast-on and always struggle with estimating the correct amount of yarn. I used to use the "inch per ..." method but that works great on big needles and not so great on size 0s, so now I use the "approximate length (or circumference) of the finished edge times three and round" method, i.e., enough yarn for a 9 inch sock cuff = about 27 inches, round to 30 inches. -from Woofgangpug
I came upon this quite by accident. I tend to cast on too tightly and needed to cast on a number of stitches to be joined in the round. In order to avoid the dreaded tight cast-on, I held a very small double-pointed needle against the round needle and proceeded to cast on. When I removed the double-pointed needle and prepared to join into a circle (being careful not to twist)....there was no twist! Somehow, holding the straight needle kept the stitches from twisting! Amazing! -from I'dratherbeknitting
Counting and Pattern Confidence:
My favorite tip? Use safety pins -- the coil-less kind -- for corralling the cast-on tail until you need it (for sewing a seam), for counting rows (place a safety pin every ten or twenty rows), for keeping track of increase or decrease rows (need to increase every 4 rows 6 times and then every 6 rows 5 times? Hang a chain of 6 brass and 5 nickel-plated safety pins from your work and then place them as you complete each shaping row!). You won't be tied to a clicker or to paper and pencil, you'll only ever have to count from the last safety pin, and if you ever have to tear back (and who doesn't?) you won't have to figure out where you are -- just count your safety pins to see how many rows you've knit or increases/decreases you've done. -from Handknitter
Use a lifeline when doing the first row on a lace or cable pattern repeat. It has saved me from having to go back too far if I make a mistake and is easy to incorporate. -from LCD
I have cheap generic hang tags I attach to larger projects with the projet name (pattern) and notes in PENCIL of the last stopping point. I reuse the bags so often notes sometimes get left in a bag....the hang tag is the best way I've found to keep track.-from Katidids
Cast-ons and Bind-offs:
I love, love, love the long-tail cast-on and always struggle with estimating the correct amount of yarn. I used to use the "inch per ..." method but that works great on big needles and not so great on size 0s, so now I use the "approximate length (or circumference) of the finished edge times three and round" method, i.e., enough yarn for a 9 inch sock cuff = about 27 inches, round to 30 inches. -from Woofgangpug
I came upon this quite by accident. I tend to cast on too tightly and needed to cast on a number of stitches to be joined in the round. In order to avoid the dreaded tight cast-on, I held a very small double-pointed needle against the round needle and proceeded to cast on. When I removed the double-pointed needle and prepared to join into a circle (being careful not to twist)....there was no twist! Somehow, holding the straight needle kept the stitches from twisting! Amazing! -from I'dratherbeknitting
Counting and Pattern Confidence:
My favorite tip? Use safety pins -- the coil-less kind -- for corralling the cast-on tail until you need it (for sewing a seam), for counting rows (place a safety pin every ten or twenty rows), for keeping track of increase or decrease rows (need to increase every 4 rows 6 times and then every 6 rows 5 times? Hang a chain of 6 brass and 5 nickel-plated safety pins from your work and then place them as you complete each shaping row!). You won't be tied to a clicker or to paper and pencil, you'll only ever have to count from the last safety pin, and if you ever have to tear back (and who doesn't?) you won't have to figure out where you are -- just count your safety pins to see how many rows you've knit or increases/decreases you've done. -from Handknitter
Use a lifeline when doing the first row on a lace or cable pattern repeat. It has saved me from having to go back too far if I make a mistake and is easy to incorporate. -from LCD
