The Yarnery has had over 30 years experience in untangling knitting and crochet problems. Here are a few tips from our staff. More to come.

Stuck on a problem? Be sure to check out our free clinics.

 

Make a copy of your pattern

Thanks to Joan S. for this tip.

When I start a new pattern project, I photocopy it and put the copy in a page protection sheet. I use a paper clip on the side to mark my rows moving the clip for each row, and I can make any changes on the page without doing any damage to the original.

Felting

• Your bag or mittens will felt faster if you put them in with a pair of jeans or shirt. Just be sure not to include anything like towels that will give off lint.

• Stay away from the white (yarns, that is). Often white yarns will not felt. Ask someone at the shop if a particular yarn will felt. Frogtree Alpaca felts for the snowbaby. Cascade 220 color #8010 felts for the snowmen.

Are your purl rows a different gauge from your knit rows?

• With Denise Interchangeable needles, you can use two different sizes of needle on the same circular cord for more even knitting.

How much yarn?

• Worried about having enough yarn for the sweater you're knitting. Think thirds. Knit the back first, you'll need about 3 times that amount for the entire sweater.

Casting on:

• Have trouble running out of yarn when you cast on? The "tail" of yarn should be at least 3 times the width (or circumference) of whatever you are casting on. If you need to cast on very loosely, measure out at least 4 times the width.

• Cast on too tightly? Try casting on to your larger needle and knitting off with the smaller. Just remember to change both needles to the smaller size when you do your ribbing.

Binding off:

• You can bind off loosely, and evenly, by using a larger needle.

• Working on a lot of projects at a time? Be sure to write down the needle size you are using for each project.

Share your tips

Have a knitting or crochet tip of your own to share? Send it to:

theresa@yarnery.com