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 Tool Talk
 Gadgets
 Fix-a-Stitch - a tool for dropped stitches
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mertle
Permanent Resident

USA
1726 Posts

Posted - 05/18/2012 :  4:36:09 PM  Show Profile Send mertle a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Have y'all seen these?
http://www.fixastitch.com/

Picking up dropped stitches in stockinette is easy as pie, but in garter ... yikes! Now it's a breeze with this little tool! So simple, but so brilliant.

My SIL saw them at Stitches South last month. I was thrilled to learn about them and immediately put them on my Mother's Day list. Ordered her a set, too!

P.S. I'm not affiliated in any way with this product. I just wish I had thought of it first!

Marilyn
My Bags

Consuelo
Gabber Extraordinaire

USA
582 Posts

Posted - 05/19/2012 :  06:53:39 AM  Show Profile Send Consuelo a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I bought one of these at Stitches East last fall and I LOVE it! It's a clever tool, as you say, particularly for garter st. The inventor of it was selling them and she offered to autograph the packaging - what a hoot!

Great little tool.

Consuelo
"Perfect" is the enemy of good!
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ikkivan
Gabber Extraordinaire

USA
429 Posts

Posted - 05/19/2012 :  08:50:23 AM  Show Profile  Visit ikkivan's Homepage Send ikkivan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Okay, you all help me here, please ... I've seen these, but don't see how it would be different from a crochet hook. I have crochet hooks in all my knitting bags and just turn the hook to suit what stitches I'm picking up, knit or purl. Why is the "fixastitch" better?

I happen to LOVE gadgets for knitting, so will probably buy some anyway!

Donna, with intentions always bigger than her available time. (OkieDokieKnitter on Ravelry)
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Shalee
Permanent Resident

USA
2021 Posts

Posted - 05/19/2012 :  08:50:57 AM  Show Profile  Visit Shalee's Homepage Send Shalee a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Since I had a knitting machine 30+ years ago I became familiar with the latch hook tool. It is my preferred tool for picking up droped stitches.

The tool can be seen here: http://www.theknittingcloset.com/pd-knitting-machine-latch-tool.cfm#main

The tool is available in standard and bulky yarn sizes for only $3.50, and worth every penny. I have one like in the picture and 2 other smaller ones. You can also use a crochet hook in an emergency.

I'm one of those people that when at the hardware store, or any store, I am always on the look-out for anything that can be used for knitting!

Sharon in NW PA
I always wanted my own library but I didn't realize it would be all knitting books!


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Jane
SustaYning Member

USA
4291 Posts

Posted - 05/19/2012 :  09:07:56 AM  Show Profile  Visit Jane's Homepage Send Jane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm with Donna, wondering how the Fix-a-Stitch is better/different than the little crochet hooks I carry in all my knitting bags. I watched the video and saw that it works the same way. Is there really an advantage?

Jane

edited to add: Because like everyone else, I'm all about the gadgets!

Betty deserves everything and more: Make a Donation
Blog: Not Plain Jane
Photos: Flickr Album
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Nanaknit
Chatty Knitter

286 Posts

Posted - 05/19/2012 :  09:24:51 AM  Show Profile Send Nanaknit a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I just used my Jimmy Beans Wool reward points and got a cute little Lantern Moon repair hook. It's 3 inches long, and looks like a miniature lantern moon needle with a hook at the end. I think it will also make an adorable shawl pin. Haven't tried it to repair a dropped stitch yet, but it should work as well as a crochet hook.

Linda

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
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robinstephanie
Seriously Hooked

USA
873 Posts

Posted - 05/21/2012 :  08:24:25 AM  Show Profile Send robinstephanie a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hmmm. Interesting tool. Looks like the difference between this and a crochet hook are 1} looks like it's shaped to be more easily gripped and manipulated than a crochet hook (I personally am quite clumsy with a crochet hook--this looks easier to handle to me) 2) double-ended so you can do the cool flip back and forth between correcting knits and purls, as shown in the video and 3) a much deeper hook than a crochet hook, which looks to me like it's much more secure.

Works well on the wonderfully elastic knitting in the video, but I wonder how it works on less stretchy fibers, like alpaca or cashmere. Anybody tried it yet? Also wonder if it comes in different sizes.

Robinsteph

Different is good. ~Matthew Hoover
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Ceil
Permanent Resident

USA
1562 Posts

Posted - 05/23/2012 :  9:55:17 PM  Show Profile  Visit Ceil's Homepage Send Ceil a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by ikkivan

Okay, you all help me here, please ... I've seen these, but don't see how it would be different from a crochet hook. I have crochet hooks in all my knitting bags and just turn the hook to suit what stitches I'm picking up, knit or purl. Why is the "fixastitch" better?


I saw this some time ago, and didn't buy it! And now, as I suffer through fixing mistakes in seed stitch borders, I regret not having purchased it. The hooks on both ends should make a difference! Got find this locally; haven't seen it!

Ceil
(Ravelry: ceilr)
Time is never a factor when joy is involved.
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mertle
Permanent Resident

USA
1726 Posts

Posted - 05/25/2012 :  10:22:16 AM  Show Profile Send mertle a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Indeed, the hooks on both ends are what make the difference.

A crochet hook, a latch hook tool, or the Lantern Moon repair hook all work perfectly easily if you're laddering up in stockinette. But in garter stitch, I was going from front to back over and over again in a very clumsy, frustrating process. Not any more!

Granted, I don't drop stitches much, and I rarely have to ladder down to fix a stitch, but as much garter stitch as I've been doing lately, it's just a matter of time.

BTW, my husband ordered mine straight from the Fix-a-Stitch website at http://www.fixastitch.com/ . It came in just a few days.

Marilyn
My Bags
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ikkivan
Gabber Extraordinaire

USA
429 Posts

Posted - 05/25/2012 :  5:27:26 PM  Show Profile  Visit ikkivan's Homepage Send ikkivan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Okay, now I know I will order a few of these ... the magic words were "garter stitch." I also don't often drop stitches, but I LOVE garter stitch, so when I do drop a stitch, it is often in a garter stitch item. As I said, I love knitting gadgets, so I don't need too many reasons to try something new.

Thanks for helping me see why I need this one!

Donna, with intentions always bigger than her available time. (OkieDokieKnitter on Ravelry)
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Margie
Permanent Resident

1013 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2012 :  6:16:40 PM  Show Profile  Send Margie a Yahoo! Message Send Margie a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I, too, was wondering how it differed from a crochet hook. I've always had one in my knitting bag.

Has anyone used it on garter and is there a difference in having two ends?? I didn't look at the video yet. Well, Stitches is coming or maybe my LYS will have one if I decide I want one.

Not quite convinced yet, tho.

Margie and Mimi (my hearing dog who doesn't knit -- yet)


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Ceil
Permanent Resident

USA
1562 Posts

Posted - 07/31/2012 :  7:13:13 PM  Show Profile  Visit Ceil's Homepage Send Ceil a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Margie


Not quite convinced yet, tho.


Oh, I am VERY convinced! I just travelled 4,754 miles over six-plus weeks, and do you think I could find one of these anywhere? NO!

Ceil
(Ravelry: ceilr)
Time is never a factor when joy is involved.
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ikkivan
Gabber Extraordinaire

USA
429 Posts

Posted - 08/08/2012 :  10:59:49 AM  Show Profile  Visit ikkivan's Homepage Send ikkivan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Okay, I got one of these ... a set, actually, as it comes in a package containing three sizes. I am currently knitting a Moderne Baby Blanket (endless garter stitch) and a Wingspan Scarf, plus I recently bought yarn to make myself an Avocet Cardigan (did I say earlier that I'm fond of garter stitch?).

On the blanket, I'm not missing or dropping stitches, but every so often I find that I split the yarn on a stitch ALWAYS 20 or more rows below the current one! I had been using a crochet hook, but I must say that the Fix-a-Stitch tool is faster, once one understands the procedure (video very helpful). It also seems to be easier for me to see and keep the purl strands (in front) and the knit strands (in back) in the right order as I'm working back up the ladder.

I do have some double-ended crochet hooks, but the hooks on each end are turned in opposite directions, plus they are longer than this new tool, which seems more efficient.

I wouldn't say that I can't do without it, but now that I have it, I am certainly happy to use it!

Donna, with intentions always bigger than her available time. (OkieDokieKnitter on Ravelry)
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emmyc
Chatty Knitter

USA
119 Posts

Posted - 08/10/2012 :  03:36:14 AM  Show Profile Send emmyc a Private Message  Reply with Quote
thank you Myrtle!

I'm about to embark on my color affection project, and I'd have to say that even if I don't buy this right away, the video is really helpful for understanding how to repair garter.

emmyc
winchester ma
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Ceil
Permanent Resident

USA
1562 Posts

Posted - 08/12/2012 :  10:07:55 PM  Show Profile  Visit Ceil's Homepage Send Ceil a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Dang, I just needed it again tonight, and still don't have it.

Ceil
(Ravelry: ceilr)
Time is never a factor when joy is involved.
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Schaeferyarnlover
Gabber Extraordinaire

479 Posts

Posted - 08/13/2012 :  11:33:59 AM  Show Profile Send Schaeferyarnlover a Private Message  Reply with Quote
http://www.knitpicks.com/accessories/Emergency_Fix_Keychain__D80632.html
I wear this one on a chain around my neck. It was only $2.50.

Debra
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