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OPKnitter
New Pal
USA
9 Posts |
 Posted - 09/30/2010 : 07:45:39 AM
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I use my stitch markers - a lot. I wouldn't consider doing lace or a complex repeating pattern without them. But I like them simple. There are a couple of nice little beaded ones (no dangles, nothing cutesy) that came with Miss Babs yarn, otherwise we're talking basic plastic in several sizes, both full circle loops & safety pin shapes. Don't care much for yarn loops - too floppy - or the open-ended plastic circular ones - the point always ends up poking into my hand.
There's always a tiny 1" square box of mixed size markers in my small carry-along project bag, which goes everywhere with me. I keep the markers in a small zippered coin purse along with a cable needle, thread cutter, pair of darning needles, needle threader, & a couple of other handy implements. The coin purse is hooked to the bag's handles with a measuring tape key ring. There's also a small climber's rope bracelet attached to another handle with a row counter & a couple of larger size plastic or rubber ring markers.
I've also been known to just slip several markers onto a stitch holder & drop them into a tote with whatever larger project is on the needles. Sure some have gotten lost over the years, but that's the beauty of inexpensive plastic.
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kaykatrn@yahoo.com
New Pal
3 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 07:52:31 AM
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I have 4 boxes of the old Boye markers--they are more than a circle, so it is possible to move the marker over the yarn. I bought them on clearance, for fear I would run out someday!! I also have a package of rubber rings. They don't fling themselves across the room like hard plastic ones do, but sometimes they stick to the needle a little too much. And when I run out, I pull the couch out from the wall and dust the floor. I always find at least 6!! I do have several fancy markers- the kind with dangles. I save those for marking the section of lace where the repeats end, so I don't just keep going with the wrong pattern!!javascript:insertsmilie('') |
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schieve
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 08:00:12 AM
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| I use the rubber rings or the clip on plastic type. My favorites are the colored rings that you get from the electric toothbrush replacement heads. They are colorful, the perfect size and I get 4 of the in every toothbrush head that I buy so supply is not a problem. |
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GinRose
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 08:00:28 AM
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I'm with 2totangle. Though I have lots of beaded ones (I make those for gifts) my favorites are the simple ones that don't dangle and get caught in the yarn. I still have thin plastic ones that are at least 20 years old, but I find myself grabbing jump rings from my jewelry supplies. They come in several sizes and are cheap, cheap - like a couple of bucks for 100 or so. You can get them at craft stores on the jewelry supply aisle.
As for things to carry all these little things in, I use a fishing tackle box that's maybe 4" x 6" with dividers. The original purpose is probably to hold lures, hooks, weights, or swivel thingies, but they're perfect for little knitting supplies too. |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 08:10:28 AM
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You guys are so ingenious! The rings from the electric toothbrush replacement heads, and cutting up STRAWS - absolutely brilliant. I'll never look at straws the same way again.
I also love hearing from the organized, self-confessed OCD folks in the group. You give me hope for an orderly future. 
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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Evergreen
Warming Up
54 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 08:24:50 AM
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I like the plastic ones that look like miniature diaper pins. I've made beaded ones but they stick, pretty but not useful. I also use the white plastic rings.
Sometimes I use the pin ones to mark a measurement on a long project. LIke when you need to knit 68" of ribbing, I measure it in 30" sections and mark it so I don't have to keep measuring. But beware, my measurements seem to change now and then, go figure.
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NutmegOwl
Gabber Extraordinaire
562 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 08:58:55 AM
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I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum from all of you thrifty friends. I knit fast, and I knit a LOT of lace. My gift to myself is that I work with what I love - yarn or supplies.
I don't like markers to interfere with my knitting, but I do use them all the time. You will almost always find Goose Pond Knitting Needle Jewels (sterling circle with very small bead) or the lace markers from Blue Ridge Notions on etsy. At the same time, every WIP has a couple of the Clover orange and green safety-pin style markers pinned onto it. They help me when I need to count, mark a measurement or anything else.
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Nutmeg Owl
Quaecumque sunt vera
http://www.owlwaysknitting.wordpress.com |
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Alamedakid
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 10:08:44 AM
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| I use stitch markers all the time. I prefer the small rubber ones and I place them 1 every 10 stitches unless I'm doing a lace pattern in which case I place them at the pattern repeat. That way if I ever drop a stitch or now & then accidentally add a stitch I know where my mistake is. sometimes I use heart shaped markers to distinguish a special place in the pattern. |
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akmtngrl
New Pal
9 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 11:19:32 AM
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A pretty beaded one marks the end of my circular rows. Thin plastic circles mark any other needed places. That said, I often use safety pins, and I've been known to use little bits of yarn, though I tend to knit them in because I'm not watching. The best (worst?) ever were square bits of some felted building material, with slits in the center, made for me by a man who was watching my desperation at not having any markers for some complicated pattern.
Gail in Fairbanks |
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mrssuem
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
456 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 1:03:47 PM
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I only started using regular stitch markers, hard plastic type, a few years ago. Before that it was just a contrasting color of yarn on whatever I was making. Actually at times I find the markers more of a pain than just having that extra loop of yarn. That's just me though, simple and old Yankee in me too.
Sue |
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meridiana@verizon.net
New Pal
6 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 1:53:50 PM
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Ok, here's my confession: When working with large needles (I'm using size 15 needles at the moment), if I can't find a large stitch marker in my stash, I just use the pull-ring from my half-and-half container when it's new. You know those plastic plugs you have to pull off, under the screw-on cover? I just grab my kitchen scissors and cut the plug part off of the pull-ring, and voila...a perfect large, flexible, bright white stitch holder, for free.
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njzube@aol.com
New Pal
25 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 4:58:08 PM
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| I just use a piece of thread of contrasting color, and weave it from row to row until the pattern is established, and then I can easily pull it out and discard it. I've tried stitch markers, and they are always in the way. Jeanne |
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janutah
New Pal
6 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 5:22:27 PM
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WOW! I guess I'm odd woman out here. I LOVE knitting jewelry. It makes me happy to have pretty stitch markers -- sheep, bunnies, llamas, alpacas, paw prints, and pretty beads. The plastic markers just look cheap and don't do justice to the yarn and pattern that I have carefully selected and paid a lot of money for.
I keep them in altoids boxes. If I'm somewhere and have to substitute, it's temporary until I get home and can properly adorn my knitting with jewelry fitting its status. I usually have a few plastic markers in my bag because I don't care if I give them away or they fall out of my bag.
No crappy rubberbands, straws or bits of string for my creations. But. . . to each her own. |
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hillstreetmama
Permanent Resident
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 5:47:23 PM
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I'm a sucker for pretty markers, and have been known to splurge on some that are definitely knitting jewelry. I've loved some, hated some, and have a few favorites I go back to. I like the simple, soft, plastic rings that the LYS sells. The rigid ones tend to fly across the room like airbourne Tiddly Winks. The split, or open, rings are nice that you can actually slip onto a stitch...they have their place, but I've had them come off, so rarely use them. If I need to mark a stitch, I use safety pins - coilless, plastic or metal. Etsy has loads of beautiful markers, but some are heavy, or catch the yarn. I've got tiger's eye markers, turquoise, faceted stones, numbered markers, even some made from old Barbie shoes. (They snag the yarn, but they're cute!) I really need to get organized and get them in one place, so I could find them when needed, and not have to resort to loops of yarn!
Jan
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Amarula
Chatty Knitter
203 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 6:50:58 PM
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| I'm with you, Janutah! I love my stitch marker collection - all different sizes and shapes. I buy them on Etsy, at Rhinebeck, at yarn stores everywhere I go.. |
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mwenskay@hotmail.com
New Pal
9 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2010 : 8:39:00 PM
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| I wear two thin gold bands on my right hand. I use one when I knit in the round and it motivates me to finish the project in a timely manner and get my ring back in place on my finger. When I knit a shawl I use plastic rings in neon colors that slide well. I keep them in a small see through box. |
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2010 : 03:42:30 AM
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I used to use only little circles of yarn from the scrap bag for stitch markers but now I also use pretty silver jump rings I found in the bead shop. They're light and come in several sizes and I like the idea of having a fine metal like silver on my needles.
I have beautiful beaded stitch markers but seldom use them because they're heavy. I have worn some as earings though
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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Lanea
Permanent Resident
USA
5158 Posts |
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kare
New Pal
18 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2010 : 11:05:20 AM
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| I can see that I will have to get more organized with my stitch markers...so many great ideas here! Also will be trying new ones I might come across in the yarn shops I visit. Some of the emergency or homemade ones sound great too. I can see that I will never have too many of them!! |
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Jardinier
Chatty Knitter
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2010 : 11:56:20 AM
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I have purchased a lot of stitch markers some are beautiful dangle jeweled ones but they seem to get in the way. My favorites & the ones I use the most are some small snag free ones I found on Etsy. I always use stitch markers when I am doing lace - they just make life simpler.
~Priscilla~
Every skilled woman spun with her hands & brought what she had spun - blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. And all the women who were willing & had the skill spun goat hair.....Exodus 35:25 - 26 |
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Stitch Markers - what we have vs. what we use
