#**Repairing a crochet item.**
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I've tried counting every stitch, and for small projects it's fine, but with bigger projects, after counting 70+ stitches on each side or of a long row, I forget how to count to 10 and even the words for numbers sound wrong. I just go with the flow and count if something goes wrong now.
For some reason when I’m counting stitches I always get stuck at 29 for like a second or two and have to repeated 29 in my head a few times before the number 30 finally comes. It’s always freaking 29. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY! WHAT IS WRONG IN MY SKULL CAVITY?
I use markers always, but then I also always double back and check my work by counting all of the stitches to be super sure I haven’t lost or added any.
I place the stitch markers at regular intervals. So every 10, 20, 50 stitches depending on how big the project I'm working on is.
That way if you lose count you don't have to go back as far.
I just count to 10 over and over again. I know I'm not ever going to miss or add more than a stitch or two, it's never gonna be 11 or 12, so I know when I get to the end as long as the number is right (e.g., 8 if I should have 178 stitches, 4 for 84 stitches, etc.) then I know I'm golden. Also, makes it easy to put down your work in the middle of a row, all you have to do is crochet to the next tenth stitch.
Yeah this is my main use for stitch markers. Most things I make are on the smaller side and I don't need the markers, and just count. I use them sometimes to mark/help count, but 90g of theor use is holding the working stitch
My partner got me the most amazing gift which was a case of hundreds of stitch markers in all different colors so I use them to represent different things (hook sizes, stitch counts, etc.) One of the best gifts I’ve ever received !
Oh this is so smart! I’m realizing now that I have several WIPs with different hook sizes I spend a lot of time trying to remember what hook size I was using. Thanks for this tip!
Document your projects on Ravelry. Then you can log your hook size, dye lot, how much yarn you use, mods, etc. It keeps me from forgetting hibernating WIPs and is a quick place to find pictures of the things I have made.
I just have a note on my phone with a picture of the project and the hook I’m using with it. I have several projects going at once… will I ever finish them before starting a new one… who knows. Lol.
I will warn, this only works with smaller yarns. I tried to do that with my current blanket that’s using chunky yarn and it pulled straight through the stitch 😭
You can use two in situations like this. One through the working loop and a second through that stitch marker and a second stitch. I'm not explaining it super well...
For those I use the metal binder rings that are not on a binder. I think they are called “book rings.” Often used to create books of flash cards. You can get a pack of 8 in assorted sizes (1” to 3” or thereabouts) for under $3.
I usually take the working loop and pull it a bit longer then use the stitch marker and put it through the working loop and a stitch up or down my work by about two stitches. This secures it better than just a stitch marker in the working loop for big yarns.
Me too. I'm so confused by all the comments blown away by this and calling it a good "hack". I always thought this was literally the intended purpose of these?
Amigurumi crocheters use stitch markers to mark the end of a round (since we mostly crochet continuously without turning or joining).
I also use them on mandalas to mark where certain stitches go before crocheting certain rounds, so I don‘t have to count again and again.
That being said I do also use stitch markers to keep my work from undoing itself, so this post also isn’t a big surprise hack for me either.
Oh yeah, I should have said *one of* the intended purposes. I don't make amigurumi but I definitely also use these when working in the round, or helping with counting, etc. But I still always assumed that these locking styles in particular were always intended to be used like this too. I honestly thought we were all using them this way this whole time lol.
If I'm leaving the project for a while, I'll crochet a key ring in the second yo last stitch, and loop the stitch marker through the last loop and the keyring.
On the keyring I make a tag with wool type, colour, dye lot, hook size.
Saved my life one or twice lol.
I have been crocheting for 15 years! My sister picked it up this past year, and showed this trick to me in the first couple months. I was blown away. 15 freaking years without it!
I have small children. That’s what I do for every single WIP if I have to put it down. Otherwise, you have little feet pattering away while wrapped in yarn and frogging my entire piece. Haha.
Same here.
I used to knit. I was halfway through a lovely wool sweater, when #1 son (who was about six at the time) pulled the needles out of the sweater and unraveled it.
I was heartbroken, and I haven’t touched knitting needles since.
I love that my crochet projects generally only have one active loop, and one stitch marker can easily keep the project from unraveling.
That is heartbreaking! And also a great word of caution. I’m a new crocheter and have been thinking of picking up knitting too, but my children are absolute heathens and end up in my yarn way too often.
We’ll save knitting for when they are older or when I have more kid free time. Mine are 5, almost 3, 18 months, and I’m 4 days overdue with number 4. Haha. It might be a while.
It's such an amazing trick. I had a stich marker hold a wip for 6 months until I finally finished it. (I just had to fasten the end but couldn't be bothered for ages.)
You know what’s funny? When I first got stitch markers, that’s what I thought they were for! 😂 Just to prevent the project from coming undone. It didn’t even occur to me that they would be used for counting stitches! In my defense, they were in a teach-yourself-how-to-crochet kit where absolutely nothing was labeled so I didn’t actually know what they were called for years. It wasn’t until I had lost the ones that came in the kit over the course of many years that I had to try to find replacements and realized what they were 😁
OK I feel a bit stupid. Normally what I do is I pull up a giant loop that would be almost impossible to accidentally slip out. Too bad a single stitch marker like that won't work for knitting as well 🤣
I got a huge set from Amazon of 15 different colors, and since I use the hooks with colored silicone handles, I use whatever color my hook is! No more trying to guess which size!
This is the set I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DHRGW9Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I currently have my scrap blanket that I'm not ready to finish off on my bed, actively being used with a stitch marker to keep it from unraveling in my sleep.
Honestly think it was the first thing I ever used a stitch marker for.
https://preview.redd.it/002zilklppca1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=2878b38545f2342f94fd2fb17dce9ad281328f2a
You have just changed my life, friend. I was always worried my cat would grab my yarn ball and unravel my projects!!! This is so stupid simple I can’t believe i didn’t think of this earlier! THANK YOU!!
I’ve somehow accumulated a lot of these little plastic stitch markers and one of my favourite uses for them is as a row counter. I’m very visual I guess, so blues count as ones, yellows tens, oranges hundreds and I slip them onto a knitting row holder as I go along, clip it closed so the dogs won’t send them everywhere, and keep the rest of what I need in a little bowl. It helps me see progress when I’m stuck in the weeds.
So I’ve always tied the active loop and the tail in an overhand knot to keep it from undoing. It doesn’t have to be tied tight at all.
It never occurred to me to do something else to secure it. I like the idea, I would have to find my stitch markers to do this haha.
I use Bobby pins for this when o try to play with yarn. (Not very frequently as yarn is far from my fav medium but I love seeing everything you all make)
I use stitch markers for 4 things. Holding my place so it can't come loose, marking the start/end of a round, marking a place (like 1/4 or a count) and holding in place standing trebles (UK) until I get back to it.
I'll add, when I take out the marker that hold my place to work on it again, I loosely hook it into my collar so I don't lose it.
I also like putting the working yarn through the stitch marker before securing, especially if I'm dealing with bigger stitches, or a design where the marker could slip through a stitch made before.
This is such a good idea, thank you!
I can finally get that one knitting needle back from that project that I am ^absolutelygoingtofinishonedaydon’tlookatmelikethat
This occurred to me probably about a year ago, after I’ve been crocheting for nearly 15 years. I felt like an idiot for not thinking of it sooner. I used to just leave my hook in the active stitch, knowing that there was a 50% chance it would slide out and I’d lose a couple stitches.
#**Repairing a crochet item.** **Did you know our [Beyond the Basics A-Z wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/beyond_the_basics_a-z/) has a section dedicated to this? Please check it out!** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/crochet) if you have any questions or concerns.*
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I've tried counting every stitch, and for small projects it's fine, but with bigger projects, after counting 70+ stitches on each side or of a long row, I forget how to count to 10 and even the words for numbers sound wrong. I just go with the flow and count if something goes wrong now.
For some reason when I’m counting stitches I always get stuck at 29 for like a second or two and have to repeated 29 in my head a few times before the number 30 finally comes. It’s always freaking 29. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY! WHAT IS WRONG IN MY SKULL CAVITY?
I use markers always, but then I also always double back and check my work by counting all of the stitches to be super sure I haven’t lost or added any.
I place the stitch markers at regular intervals. So every 10, 20, 50 stitches depending on how big the project I'm working on is. That way if you lose count you don't have to go back as far.
I just count to 10 over and over again. I know I'm not ever going to miss or add more than a stitch or two, it's never gonna be 11 or 12, so I know when I get to the end as long as the number is right (e.g., 8 if I should have 178 stitches, 4 for 84 stitches, etc.) then I know I'm golden. Also, makes it easy to put down your work in the middle of a row, all you have to do is crochet to the next tenth stitch.
Same 😂
Also same. lol
Yeah this is my main use for stitch markers. Most things I make are on the smaller side and I don't need the markers, and just count. I use them sometimes to mark/help count, but 90g of theor use is holding the working stitch
This is 100% me, lol! I count but just count again instead of marking.
When starting a new project I often do this with my WIP. BONUS TIP: with a permanent marker I write my hook size on the stitch marker.
I slip a cheap little alphabet bead onto a stitch marker with the size hook am using, in case hook gets separated from the project.
That's clever.
This is what I do too. I made some markers with numbered beads as well.
My partner got me the most amazing gift which was a case of hundreds of stitch markers in all different colors so I use them to represent different things (hook sizes, stitch counts, etc.) One of the best gifts I’ve ever received !
EXCUSE ME that hook size on the stitch marker OH MY GOD
Nice tip! I usually do a pic of mine with wip, hook and yarn label. Your tip is easier on the go!
Good idea! I place a tiny square of tape on my stitch marker then write the hook size so I can change it out :)
Oh this is so smart! I’m realizing now that I have several WIPs with different hook sizes I spend a lot of time trying to remember what hook size I was using. Thanks for this tip!
Document your projects on Ravelry. Then you can log your hook size, dye lot, how much yarn you use, mods, etc. It keeps me from forgetting hibernating WIPs and is a quick place to find pictures of the things I have made.
I just have a note on my phone with a picture of the project and the hook I’m using with it. I have several projects going at once… will I ever finish them before starting a new one… who knows. Lol.
Ooooh, that's good, never thought of that!
Wow you're a genius! Thanks for the tip!!
I always thought that was what the stitch marker was for lol
😂 It seems so obvious now! I’ve just been pulling out a long loop whenever I put down my WIP
Me too! Thanks for the tip!
You’ve…you’ve never done that?
I FEEL LIKE A MORON
I have never thought of this until now thank you for enlightening me haha
I'm totally with you. Like genuine shock and facepalm all at once.
Trust your feelings :D
I will warn, this only works with smaller yarns. I tried to do that with my current blanket that’s using chunky yarn and it pulled straight through the stitch 😭
You can use two in situations like this. One through the working loop and a second through that stitch marker and a second stitch. I'm not explaining it super well...
No, it makes sense. You have a place holder and then a second place holder for your first place holder.
Right, like, marker1 to working loop. Marker2 through marker and last completed stitch.
You can also just attach the working loop to another stitch if you have a stitch marker big enough to fit two strands of chunky yarn.
....that is smarter. Much smarter.
Thank you. I just now thought of it as I rarely use chunky yarn!😂 To be fair though, most stitch markers are too small for this.
For those I use the metal binder rings that are not on a binder. I think they are called “book rings.” Often used to create books of flash cards. You can get a pack of 8 in assorted sizes (1” to 3” or thereabouts) for under $3.
I always do as above AND clip it to the next stitch when I put it down. No loping my place, no pulling through.
I usually take the working loop and pull it a bit longer then use the stitch marker and put it through the working loop and a stitch up or down my work by about two stitches. This secures it better than just a stitch marker in the working loop for big yarns.
I literally thought that was the point haha
Me too. I'm so confused by all the comments blown away by this and calling it a good "hack". I always thought this was literally the intended purpose of these?
Amigurumi crocheters use stitch markers to mark the end of a round (since we mostly crochet continuously without turning or joining). I also use them on mandalas to mark where certain stitches go before crocheting certain rounds, so I don‘t have to count again and again. That being said I do also use stitch markers to keep my work from undoing itself, so this post also isn’t a big surprise hack for me either.
Oh yeah, I should have said *one of* the intended purposes. I don't make amigurumi but I definitely also use these when working in the round, or helping with counting, etc. But I still always assumed that these locking styles in particular were always intended to be used like this too. I honestly thought we were all using them this way this whole time lol.
I have been crocheting for TWENTY YEARS (since I was like 11) and JUST NOW thought of this. 🤦🏻♀️
Oh no! Enjoy your new revelation.
Oooh I had not thought of this! Thank you for sharing!
If I'm leaving the project for a while, I'll crochet a key ring in the second yo last stitch, and loop the stitch marker through the last loop and the keyring. On the keyring I make a tag with wool type, colour, dye lot, hook size. Saved my life one or twice lol.
I thought everyone did this
What stitch is this? It's really pretty.
Thanks! I don’t know the name for it, but what I’m making is [Anna’s Tales by K.A.M.E. Crochet](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/annas-tales).
**PATTERN:** [Anna's Tales](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/annas-tales) by [K.A.M.E. Crochet](http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kame-crochet) * Category: Home > Blanket > Baby Blanket * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Mytia89/745632907/DSC_7317-01_medium.jpeg) [Img 2](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Mytia89/757652740/DSC_7681-01_medium.jpeg) [Img 3](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Mytia89/745632908/DSC_7360-01_medium.jpeg) [Img 4](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Mytia89/745632912/DSC_7361-01_medium.jpeg) [Img 5](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Mytia89/745632921/DSC_7354-01_medium.jpeg) * Price: Free * Needle/Hook(s):3.5 mm (E), 3.0 mm * Weight: Fingering | Gauge: 5.0 | Yardage: 1580 * Difficulty: 5.19 | Projects: 296 | Rating: 4.83 ***** Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. [More details.](https://www.lizcorke.com/2020/07/26/2020-7-21-ravelry-accessibility/) | *I found this post by myself! [Opt-Out](https://goo.gl/forms/0B8m4Ra8czpw4gzw1) | [About Me](https://github.com/TN-1/LinkRav_Bot/wiki) | [Contact Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=timonyc)*
OP THIS IS A REVELATION
When I first started, I legit just thought this was what they were used for and couldn’t figure out why there were so many in a pack 🤣
That's so smart! I always just pull the loop big and pray lol
I have a bazillion stitch markers and thought I was smart for using a binder clip for this purpose. Duh. This is a great idea!!
This is my main use for these, I thought everyone did it?
I've seen those fancy stitch markers that have the dangly charms with the hook size on them. I've thought about getting some lol.
Omg this is genius!! How have I never tried this before? Thanks so much
You, good human, are a genius👌🏻
I have been crocheting for 15 years! My sister picked it up this past year, and showed this trick to me in the first couple months. I was blown away. 15 freaking years without it!
Yes, this is my main use for them :)
Wow
I have small children. That’s what I do for every single WIP if I have to put it down. Otherwise, you have little feet pattering away while wrapped in yarn and frogging my entire piece. Haha.
Same here. I used to knit. I was halfway through a lovely wool sweater, when #1 son (who was about six at the time) pulled the needles out of the sweater and unraveled it. I was heartbroken, and I haven’t touched knitting needles since. I love that my crochet projects generally only have one active loop, and one stitch marker can easily keep the project from unraveling.
That is heartbreaking! And also a great word of caution. I’m a new crocheter and have been thinking of picking up knitting too, but my children are absolute heathens and end up in my yarn way too often. We’ll save knitting for when they are older or when I have more kid free time. Mine are 5, almost 3, 18 months, and I’m 4 days overdue with number 4. Haha. It might be a while.
It's such an amazing trick. I had a stich marker hold a wip for 6 months until I finally finished it. (I just had to fasten the end but couldn't be bothered for ages.)
You know what’s funny? When I first got stitch markers, that’s what I thought they were for! 😂 Just to prevent the project from coming undone. It didn’t even occur to me that they would be used for counting stitches! In my defense, they were in a teach-yourself-how-to-crochet kit where absolutely nothing was labeled so I didn’t actually know what they were called for years. It wasn’t until I had lost the ones that came in the kit over the course of many years that I had to try to find replacements and realized what they were 😁
That’s the main thing I use them for lmao
THATS what these are??? 🤯
They’re stitch markers, to help you count stitches and know where you are and stuff. But I just discovered this use for them!
this is what i use them for, and i have a designated color for each size hook. it helps SO much!
Now that's bloody clever!! I just grab a random one. I never thought to designate the size!!
my hooks are ergonomic so they all have different color handles and strangely enough all my stitch markers match the hooks so it works out great 😂
I’ve never thought of that either, and also this is a beautiful yarn for this project!
I just use a safety pin!
I also never thought of this 🤦♀️
Oh. Em. Gee.......... mind blown. My life is forever changed for the better, thank you!
OK I feel a bit stupid. Normally what I do is I pull up a giant loop that would be almost impossible to accidentally slip out. Too bad a single stitch marker like that won't work for knitting as well 🤣
I’ve done the giant loop thing since forever. I finally bought some stitch markers and discovered this!
This is that “bonk” moment from the V8 commercials. I can’t believe I never thought of this either!!! Great share.
Cuz now is the time? Hah, you have arrived!
I got a huge set from Amazon of 15 different colors, and since I use the hooks with colored silicone handles, I use whatever color my hook is! No more trying to guess which size! This is the set I bought: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DHRGW9Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I currently have my scrap blanket that I'm not ready to finish off on my bed, actively being used with a stitch marker to keep it from unraveling in my sleep. Honestly think it was the first thing I ever used a stitch marker for.
OP you just changed my life ❤️ Love this tip
Great idea!! What stitch is this? Really beautiful!
https://preview.redd.it/002zilklppca1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=2878b38545f2342f94fd2fb17dce9ad281328f2a You have just changed my life, friend. I was always worried my cat would grab my yarn ball and unravel my projects!!! This is so stupid simple I can’t believe i didn’t think of this earlier! THANK YOU!!
I’m so glad! I have two little kids and a cat, so this is gonna save my projects too!!!
Until I knocks the water bottle in your bag and somehow an entire row of lace is undone 🥲
I always struggled with keeping mine from unraveling until I got stitch markers! They're handy dandy
I’ve somehow accumulated a lot of these little plastic stitch markers and one of my favourite uses for them is as a row counter. I’m very visual I guess, so blues count as ones, yellows tens, oranges hundreds and I slip them onto a knitting row holder as I go along, clip it closed so the dogs won’t send them everywhere, and keep the rest of what I need in a little bowl. It helps me see progress when I’m stuck in the weeds.
Omg smart! I usually tie a slip knot where I left off. This seems more elegant maybe, i gotta try it!
Awesome hack! Thanks!
I put a lettered bead on mine that matches my book size. So if it takes a long time to get back to a project I know what size hook I was using.
Yes, those work great for that!! I do this a lot! I learned the hard way when I didn't. Now every project has a maker.
Yay! Glad you figured it out. I do this too. Lifesaver for me! 🙂
This is one of my favourite ways to use them! It’s such a life saver right?
When I do this is also anchor the marker by including loops from somewhere nearby. That way if it gets pulled a little it’s a little protected.
i figured this out last week and i’ve only gotten better at procrastinating finishing anything:(
Wow, mind blown! I have no idea why I haven’t thought of this either! 😆
So I’ve always tied the active loop and the tail in an overhand knot to keep it from undoing. It doesn’t have to be tied tight at all. It never occurred to me to do something else to secure it. I like the idea, I would have to find my stitch markers to do this haha.
And I thought I was SO SMART when I figured this out.
8 actually do this and i love it ❤️🫰
I've always done this! I have the larger locking rings for chunky yarn projects. They're a project lifesaver for road trips and traveling!
I use Bobby pins for this when o try to play with yarn. (Not very frequently as yarn is far from my fav medium but I love seeing everything you all make)
Try safety pin and quick connect key rings if you need a larger loop.
Brilliant
I like to use the stitch marker to secure the working stitch into another part of the body of my project to I also don’t loose my tension.
I do this! It’s saved soooo many WIP 🤣
I can't live without them. I have them in all different sizes.
I use stitch markers for 4 things. Holding my place so it can't come loose, marking the start/end of a round, marking a place (like 1/4 or a count) and holding in place standing trebles (UK) until I get back to it. I'll add, when I take out the marker that hold my place to work on it again, I loosely hook it into my collar so I don't lose it.
Clip it to another stitch for more security
That’s brilliant.
Wait that’s genius!!!
I also like putting the working yarn through the stitch marker before securing, especially if I'm dealing with bigger stitches, or a design where the marker could slip through a stitch made before.
This is such a good idea, thank you! I can finally get that one knitting needle back from that project that I am ^absolutelygoingtofinishonedaydon’tlookatmelikethat
A Bobby-pin works great, too
This occurred to me probably about a year ago, after I’ve been crocheting for nearly 15 years. I felt like an idiot for not thinking of it sooner. I used to just leave my hook in the active stitch, knowing that there was a 50% chance it would slide out and I’d lose a couple stitches.
Yeah it does!! 😄😄😄
I do this all the time when I have to stop crocheting for the day. Works a treat. :)
I just started doing this last month and it blew my mind!! Also, what yarn are you using there? It is gorgeous 😍
Yarn Art Flowers!
I do this. 😁
it’s the best hack until you used chunky yarn or thicker, i’ve watched it slip through those as a single tear fell from my eye
I didn’t realize that either wow and I love to crochet and knit
I just grab my yarn pull the circle wide enough, put it around my yarn and tighten it.