I don’t like No Mail Mondays and I don’t quite get it. We have President’s Day to celebrate … past presidents? Lincoln and Washington? What? And do people honestly go out and have celebrations that cause them not to be able to work today, thus giving many a day off? I can see being off for the Fourth of July – there are parades and picnics and fireworks. On Martin Luther King day there are remembrances and ceremonies and special events. But what happens on President’s Day that necessitates a no work day? (Or – more to the point – a no mail day?) I’m glad to have Knitting Daughter home, and I’m glad for all of you who get a day off today because of it, but I sure wish the mail was still going through. I have a bucketload of boxes here (ok, way more than a bucketload) that I know you’re all waiting for at your house. Alas – it’s a No Mail Monday.
So as long as you’re off work, and not getting mail today, you might want to pop on over and check out all the new yarns we put up! Wonder Husband worked on photos all weekend long, just for us. We have new Yarn Pirate colorways, new J-Knits colorways, more Cherry Tree Hill colorways in both solids and variegates, and lots and lots and lots of Lorna’s Laces in solids and variegateds. Please know, that I have more Yarn Pirate, more J-Knits, and more Lorna’s Laces on order, so if you miss a color you really wanted, it’s already in the works again. Our goal is to always have the regular “big yarn companies” in stock, and to get orders from our wonderful indie dyers as often as they can dye up big orders for us. Some of the big companies are great about getting new orders out within 2 weeks, others don’t keep as much stock and we wait anywhere from 6-10 weeks for an order. (That’s always fun – thinking, “Hmmm – what colors will we be out of 10 weeks from now, that I ought to order today?”) I do have more of all the new colors of Lorna’s Laces coming back in in a couple of weeks – so if you miss them today, watch for those to be back in stock even quicker. I also added Needle Gauges (am I the only one that needs one of these in every knitting bag?) and Circular Needle Point Protectors in the Fun Accessories section.
I finished the first Crystal Palace Panda Cotton sock and I love it. (Note – I didn’t even knit out the skein, so this is out of just under one skein with my size 11 feet, knit on size 1 needles with 60 stitches.) It’s such a comfortable sock on my foot and this pattern knit up SO quickly. I will do this one again, for sure. You really ought to try this yarn. It’s worth it just to see the cute little skeins (someone called them skeinlets!) in person. I’ll put it up in the photo gallery as well. Did you notice that I added The Loopy Ewe Quarterly Challenge photo gallery over the weekend? I have already had people sending in their Frank and Martha photos, so it was time. Remember, it’s easy for you to add these photos yourself via your Loopy Ewe account. Who else has finished their Franks and Marthas?
It’s time for our February blog contest! I will draw a name next Monday, from all of the comments on this post. The winner will receive our monthly “Loopy Loot” prize. (And it’s a good prize – lot’s of fun stuff in there!) I thought it’d be fun to share knitting tips for this one. It can be an organizing idea, a stitching idea, a storage idea, or any idea that you have come up with to make knitting and/or 
stashing better in your life. Here are two of my latest thoughts. I bought this over-the-door shoe holder to put on the back of our closet door, and I keep my favorite handknit socks in there where they’re easy to see. Of course you can only fit so many pairs in there, but it’s fun to keep favorites on display like that. My other tip is that I make an enlarged copy of the stitch pattern that I’m using on the cuff of my socks in progress, attach it to a piece of cardstock to make it sturdier, and then can keep that in my Zelda bag (where my current sock project always resides) without having to put the whole pattern in there. When I’m done with those socks, I tuck the card into the top-loader with that pattern, and keep them all in my pattern notebook. That way, the next time I want to use that pattern, the pattern card is already done and ready for me.
So – tell me your favorite tip, either original or a good idea heard elsewhere – and we’ll all have fun reading them! Then, pop over to The Loopy Ewe to check out the new yarns……..
Sheri thinkI’llgobackandfinishmysecondFRANKsocknow
I’m an avid user of post-it notes. Whenever I’m knitting a pattern I keep blank post-its stuck to the pattern and that way I can jot down repeats, gauge, needles size, etc. without cluttering up my pattern page. It makes knitting identical socks much easier when I’ve already counted out the pattern repeats on the first sock. I also learned (after a few mishaps) to alway notate what project I’m knitting on the post-it, just in case it gets separated from the page.
O.K. First of all, I’m somewhat of an OCD geek… as you will see from the following.
I keep a database of my yarn on my PALM. It includes brand, line, color, quantity, dye lot, price, purchase location, gauge (as published on the ball band), washing instructions, intended project, project status, and a field for any additional comments I might have. This keep me from unintentionally buying the same thing twice and it allows me to do quick filters and searchs through my stash. I can also get quick counts of things that meet certain criteria… like how many skeins of unknit Fleece Artist I have, how many projects I’ve completed, how many types of sport weight I have, how many items I’ve purchased from The Loopy Ewe…
I also have a PALM database for knitting needles and knitting books.
I also use the MEMO function on my PALM to note details about patterns I’ve used for particular socks. I also note such things as the needles I used, actual gauge acheived, effects of laundering, exact measurements at certain points of the sock – like ribbing length, leg length to the start of the heel, foot length before starting the toe, etc. This is very helpful to refresh my aging memory if I set a sock down for awhile to finish another project. I also record the pre-sock and post-sock weight of the yarn. This helps me gauge how much larger a sock I can make next time with the same yarn.
Let’s see … 50 comments already, do I have something new to add? Well, okay, since it’s socks … I not only save the ends of my small skeins, but I’ve been known to buy them too, from others, at knitting retreats. Why? No great afghan plans, just to put in alternate-color heels and toes, and to darn with.
Now I have to admit — most of my socks are done on antique sock machines — but my favorites are still the handknit ones. I’ve darned my very first pair several times, thank goodness for the (large) cookie tin with the remains of that skein buried in the bottom of it!
A local drug store sells toothbrush holders that open up longways (instead of having a flip top). They are just the right length to put DPNs, a needle and crochet hook in. I print out a label and voila! A great way to store and transport my DPNs for all my sock knitting needs.
I also bought a cheap toolbox that has two drawers and storage compartments on top. I put all my needles and various knitting tools in it. I think it works better than anything else I’ve seen and costs less than $20.
i don’t think i have any tips today. but, i was telling my co-worker how much i don’t enjoy no mail days when i think i would have had an order from my favorite yarn lady today. but, no mail. i hated it actually. i totally agree with you sheri about these “holidays” that no seem to have anything to them, but holding up my order!! (( : happy knitting you all.
My three tips are this:
I keep my dpns in the smaller sock knitting sizes in the little plastic bags (about the size of the goodies Sheri is always sending us) in a check/coupon organizer. I always have a ton of projects going, so each gets a sepperate freezer bag to store everything (plus it keeps the cat from stealing yarn or dpns). Third, I use highlighting tape (you can buy it at teaching stores) to keep track of where I am in a pattern. It’s removable, so you can move it along as you knit. I’ve really enjoyed reading everyones tips!
I bought myself a small footstool that opens up to reveal a storage compartment about 4 inches deep. I keep all my dpns, rulers, tape measures, sewing needles and stitch markers in there along with a pen and a notebook. I always know where all that stuff is….right under my feet!
All my needles of one size reside in a plastic bag together – DPNs and circulars (I don’t do straight needles. Even my DPNs are curved 😉 ) so when I’m working on a project, especially sweaters which require several types of needle in the same size, it’s all together. My sock needles all reside together, but then I always use 0s or 1s so it’s not like there’s a huge variety to start with!
Also, all sock yarn coming into the house must fit into its box. At one time I had enough for nearly 60 pairs! And this was on a college budget. It dropped down to about 12-14, and now (thanks to you!!) is back up to about 25. Gotta keep knittin’….
I have some of the same tips as those above. I use plastic covers for my patterns
and put them in a three ring binder which is divided off into sections. My biggest
tip (for me) since I don’t always remember, is having a little sock notebook. I
make socks for gifts for my friends and relatives a lot. I write down everything
from start to finish including every time I do a pattern repeat. Maybe it is fifteen
repeats from the top to the heel. The next time I make a pair of socks for my
cousins or friends, I have the information that I need to make them another pair
that will fit them exactly as they want them to; and if I make that same pattern
for someone else, I know there will be fifteen pattern repeats. Works for me since
I always make an eight inch sock to the heel. I also write down the repeats to the
toe although that may change with the size of the sock.
I sewed up a bunch of little project bags, which I then slip into Sheri’s plastic project bags. Because, really, who hasonly one project at a time. I then slip those into my larger knitting bag. Go buy those plastic bags she has… they’re great! They hold 2 projects, patterns AND my accessories bag.
My (new) favorite storage tip I saw on someone’s blog a few days ago – they had glued together empty spools of thread and used them as a circular needle holder (stick your needle through the center of the spool). I thought it was a great idea, and cute! Off to hoard empty spools of thread…..
still no tips from me. i just wanted to tell you sheri, how much i enjoyed the related photos that are with the yarn photos. that is the best idea to see how that particular yarn knits up. and i so enjoyed viewing the challenge socks too. i enjoyed seeing i have $25. credit and almost bought some yarn but didn’t want to lose my credit!! does that even make any sense??
I have a few favorite tips. I keep a small sheet of waxed paper in my knitting bag.
When the needles start to get a little tacky, I rub them down with the waxed paper.
This works for both metal, plastic and bamboo needles.
If you buy a knitting book and it is hard bound at the seam, like Sensational Knitted Socks – take it to your local Office Max. They can cut the binding off and replace it with a spiral bind. That way, the book lays flat. This usually costs less than 5 dollars.
I keep all of my DPN’s in a travelling toothbrush holder. Perfect lenght and they don’t get lost in my knitting bag.
A lot of what I do has already been mentioned …..patterns in page protectors in a binder, yarn in plastic boxes, etc. One thing that helps me when doing a project such as a shawl with a seven row repeat, is to put each row on an index card, hole-punch the cards and then put them on a ring. I can just flip to the row I need to do and then I don’t have to worry about my eyes straying to the wrong row. It’s faster than what I used to do, which is move a post-it note from line to line.
I store my needles by putting as many projects as possible on as many needles as possible… isn’t that what they are for? Apparently, I am the only one that thinks this way……WOO HOO>> C: C: But boy do I have fun!!!
I posted on my blog about where I am storing my notions now :). It is a nice little wooden box that has 5 different compartments. Come on over and see the box and the pictures. I actually posted this yesterday on my blog :).
Everyone has had such great ideas! I use clear plastic pencil boxes to keep my knitting tools in, such as yarn cutter, stitch markers, darning needle, crochet hook, etc. This way I can see if I have the tool I need at a glance. I have one box in each knitting bag…I won’t say how many bags I have. I love bags! And I definitely see a Zelda Grand in my future. I also keep a notebook in my purse with yarn samples, a list of my knitting needles, and just basically to jot notes in when I see something I like or want to remember. Right now we’re in the process of making a knitting/quilt room. I can’t wait to get it completed (the carpenter is on vacation) so I can get organized. I’m getting great ideas here. Thanks everyone!! I’ll definitely use the shoe organizer idea.
Just last week, I went out and bought more clear containers for better stash organization. My problem is more with all the bits and half used skeins from projects..I thought if I containerized all the wool in one box and all the left over sock yarn in another box..that I could be more able to use up leftovers. Sock leftovers(from the sock yarn buffet?) are so much fun to use for kids socks..different color for toes and heels, of course add to the excitment.
I, too, have the plastic sheet protectors for patetrns in three ring binders and I am about to graduate to a binder for just socks.
OK…my sock tips…hmmm….
One that always seems to surprise people (which surprises me, since I have always thought it was soooo obvious), is that I always knit both socks of a pair at the same time. I work on dpn’s, so I have multiple sets in each size. I cast on each sock, work the cuffs of each, then legs, heel, turn, etc. working back and forth between the two socks (NOT row by row, but more like section by section). It serves several purposes…I end up with more consistent results between the two members of the pair…if I do something sneaky like stick in a few extra stitches when picking up the gusset then I remember better what I did and both socks are the same…AND when I’m done the whole pair is done!! NO “second sock syndrome”! (Otherwise, I would only have single socks in my drawer!)
I also have my stash in covered big plastic boxes in the basement, and listed on an Excel spreadsheet, and when I work a pair I add info on what pattern I used, when they were completed, and any other comments or things I have “learned” from that pair. I keep all my purchased and downloaded patterns sorted in plastic sheet protectors in several big 3-ring binders with dividers for different types of socks and other projects. Good for fast browsing.
And since I probably have twice as many dpns as most people (see reason above! :))
I found some inexpensive (less than $2 each) cases to keep them in. This link shows the product. http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=106973&PRODID=165344&rId=GOBASECI). (This is by no means the only place to get them…they are available at most craft shops.) They are long enough to accomodate the 5″ needles, and the 7″ ones too. I have one case for each size (0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3). Keeps them from getting lost/broken/stepped on/eaten by my three dogs…
Sheri, thanks for the tips idea…it’s been great fun to read everyone’s ideas!
My nifty tip is:
I put all my knitting patterns onto my ipod nano. you know that notes section? you go and put you knitting pattern into Notepad on your computer, then drag teh file to the notes section on your ipod. so you can take your songs and knitting patterns with you.
Also, instead of stich holders, i use ribbon cut to length so i can try things on. then i tie a pretty bow on it just to make me feel snazzy while i am working.
I’m really enjoying reading all these great tips, etc. Not sure if my description of my tip will make sense, but here goes: When I have a pattern that has say a 12 row repeat that is to be repeated 14 times, I not only use my row counter to aid in my counting of rows, but I also have a back up excel “row counter” to help me from losing my place. Its a little matrix of sorts that I put together with the numbers 1-12 down the left hand column and the number 1-14 accross the bottom. The second column starts with 13-24 and corresponds with the 2nd repeat, third column starts with 25-36 for the 3rd repeat, etc. Maybe I should blog about it and take a photo…I just know it helps me know exactly where I’m at…that is, if I don’t take the time to chart out the pattern…
I have a couple of tips that work for me … (1) I always carry a small notebook in my knitting bag that holds ideas on what # of stitches works for what weight of sock yarns. Since my favorite patterns are memorized, all I have to do is match the type of yarn I’m using to the # of stitches called for that type. Other ideas, shopping lists (for yarn and needles (of course), and handwritten lace patterns are also included in my book. (2) A friend game me a laptop computer bag left over from his office which now carries my sock knitting projects with me. I removed any sign of velcro and the styrofoam spacers in the bag, and it now subs perfectly for me when I’m on the go; I plan on using it as a carry-on bag this June when I fly to Italy since I know its the perfect size to carry! (3) In said bag, I usually have two or three pairs of socks-in-progress in their own little ziplock bags, but also one or two others that will be worked on when the first two or three are done. That way, I never get bored with whatever sock I’m working on since there are so many in the bag waiting for completion. Does it work? Lets just say that since the first of the year I’ve already completed six pair of socks, and have three more pair within less than one sock of completion each!
I’ve just quickly skimmed these comments and will have to come back when I have more reading time – it appears there is a wealth of great ideas here. I don’t think I have anything too original, and I really do need to get more organized about this whole business…..but over the course of time I put together my go anywhere kit, which is actually a cloth purse I received as a gift. I looked at it and immediately thought of what knitting tools I could put in it (as opposed to , “oh what a nice purse”). It’s about 8″ long and 4″ high and slim, so it fits in any of my bags. It has an outside zip pocket on each side, one of them smaller and clear, so I can see what’s in there. While I may add things to it for a particular project I’m working on, it usually just has necessaries – stitch markers, tape measure, scissors, crochet hooks, chibi needles, needle gauge, etc. And a pen and a calculator…:-)
I just read your post from 2/7 and like WonderHusband, I too, prefer fingerweight pasta for my spaghetti … who knew?!?
As far as a tip … hmmm … I created a SockBox to carry with me when I knit socks. This way I have everything I need at hand. You can see it here: http://diamondsnpurls.blogspot.com/2006/06/bueller-bueller.html
When I knit a gauge swatch, I tie knots in the tail to indicate the needle size used.
If you use an altoids or other metal box, a strip of magnet on the top holds darning needles in place.
Instead of waste yarn for holding stitches, I use the 1/8″ ribbon that is so cheap at all the craft stores. Much easier to pick up the stitches and slide out the yarn.
breathe deep…..order should be here wednesday….breathe……ummm hints, okay–I keep all my knitting needles, tatting shuttles, and crochet hooks in a Stanley 19″ tool box. The needles are in the tray, tatting in the top snap down compartments, and my darning eggs in the bottom with the latest sock yarn that has caught my attention. I just grab and go….everything is there and organized. It fits in the trunk, the backseat on the floor and is wonderful for roadtrips and dr. visits. Just take in what I need or if I finish a project I have a backup with me. Another thing I do is when I walk in the evenings I carry my daypack/backpack. Unzip the top, sling it over my shoulder and woo-hoo! hands are free to knit and walk at the same time. Knitting stays inside the bag and a lil tug feeds me all the yarn i need right over my shoulder. Works great!
I converted my needle inventory to a text file and put it on my iPod.. not really unique (and probably posted above) but it helps. I photocopy charts and bits I need of patterns and carry just that part with me. If possible I put them on index (3×5) cards. I constantly carry too much so this helps, plus I feel I can scribble all over them and mark where I am or what gauge I have or changes I need to make. I’ve started taking the ball band and a small snippet of yarn and putting that into my fledgling knitting journal (i have many other journals) as soon as I cast on. I seem to loose ball bands quickly and this has helped me immensely. And ziplocs. It’s all about the zippered plastic bags. I constantly see what I can reuse for needle and yarn storage. My pearle crochet cotton is in a clear bin some software came in. My husband came home with something from a tradeshow and it came with a clear tube with ends which will be great for dpn’s. I’ve used the single cigar holders for crochet hooks (after a thorough airing) for years. My mum taught me that one. I also have started buying the smaller wooden (brittany’s) in sets of two (so I have ten at a go). I’ll invariably snap one or two (because I throw everything in my bag) so this way I have a few extra. [i’ve also just swtiched to two socks on two circs so i’ll probably learn some new tricks]. nothing very unique but my methods work for me.
I keep a post it note on my sock pattern so that I know exactly where I’m at in the pattern and it makes working the second one so much easier. I record any decreases, increases on that post-it also. I get the super sticky kind so they last. I also use a three ring binder and sheet protectors for all my patterns that are not in a book. I have the binder divided into sections of the different patterns. I also keep my sock yarn in one clear plastic container so I can find it easier.
WOW! Everyone has such great tips. I have already started a list of new things for me to implement. My tips are all organization based. First, let me say that I like to store my yarn in center pull balls. This way I can dive right into a project. In my knitting room I use a tall dresser to store all my yarn and various goodies. I have found a drawer insert set that keeps the yarn balls nice and neat..plus when you open the drawer and see all the colors it is quite amazing. It is completely adjustable, and it is very affordable (don’t want to use any of my yarn budget on such things). Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Drawer-Oragnizer-Snap-Set-Clear/dp/B0007UJ61M/sr=1-8/qid=1171937108/ref=sr_1_8/002-8627599-3963211?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden
I also use a drawer insert to show off my completed socks. You can find the link here: http://www.amazon.com/32-Compartment-Diamond-Drawer-Organizer/dp/B0002M9JT4/sr=1-1/qid=1171937108/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8627599-3963211?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden
Shannon
I love all these tips!
My tip is toI knit both socks on 2 circular needles. This way there is no second sock syndrome. I love working both at the same time. If I make a mistake it is on both socks and looks like a design element.
When joining the yarn after casting on, I knit the yarn and the cast on tail in the first stich. This makes a very nice join.
When I knit a sock, I used to get really loose stiches around my gussets. Someone told that after I picked up all my stitches, knit the first knit through the back of the stitch. This will twist the stitch and make it tighter. And, it really works! No more loose stitches at my gussets!!!
i think my favorite tip is to do with socks. when you’re doing short row heels, when you have all the short rows knit up, i have found i can avoid the hole at the ends of the rows by picking up a stitch in the gap between the body of the sock and the short rows you just finished. then pass it over the first/last stitch of the rows from the heel. helps eliminate those holes, and your stitch count stays the same.
I’m not sure this qualifies as a tip, but here goes. I was 10 or 11, and my grandma crocheted all the time. One day, I asked my grandma if she could teach me to crochet. She said, I don’t think so honey, because you’re left-handed. The next weekend, my grandma told me to come with her. We went into my uncle’s room and sat on the bed. She looked up into the mirror and taught me how to crochet that way. I always thought she was so smart! I don’t crochet that much anymore, I knit. My grandmother loves that I do. And so, last year, for her 83rd birthday, I gave her my first pair of hand-knit socks. She loved them!
Oooh, a contest!
And ooooh, 85 entries already. Wow.
I don’t really have any good tips to add to what has already been stated, but for Christmas I got a hobby bag from Michael’s. It is shaped like rectangle and has a divider down the middle. It is further divided so that I could conceivably fit 4 seperate sock projects in the bag, plus lots of pockets on the outside for pens, crochet hooks, tape measurers, pot-it notes, etc.
It’s been a wonderful–and attractive–way to keep things organized.
When I fly I always wear small hoop earrings. That way if I drop a stitch marker and can’t get to it right away I have an earring to take it’s place. Then when I can, I retrieve the stitch marker and put the earring back in.
Wierd but it works.
I also hate no mail Monday. Plus tomorrow I’ll be a the Vet getting the dog her Ultrasound (need to count pups) so I won’t get home until after DH has had time to fondle my new yarn! Hmmf.
I like to have one double point case for only sock needles.
hmm… tips. Well, I like to always knit two pairs of socks at once. I knit the first sock of one pair, then one sock of the other pair and so on. That way, when I come back to the first sock, it feels like a new and interesting pattern all over again. However, this only works if you take really good notes. That way you don’t end up with two socks of different length (and I know from experience. :P)
I keep a very small spiral notebook (got it at target), maybe 2.5x5inches, in my knitting bag. It has the vital statistics of every sock I knit: needle size, gauge, yarn, date, and recipient. This is especially handy when I am making kids’ socks. That way, if I want to make a sock a couple years later, for say, another 4 yo, I can just look at the book, and see what I did when I made them for my kid was 4. Also, anytime I am using the same brand of yarn, I don’t have to refigure gauge, etc.
Also, I use post-it notes to keep track of chart rows and where I am when following a detailed pattern. The sticky lasts surprisingly long, and I can jot down notes if I do any alterations.
It’s not unusual for me to start a sock, get half way through and frog it to start over again. I hate working with the kinky yarn I end up with, so as I frog, I wrap the yarn around a toilet paper roll, then spritz it with a spray bottle I use to mist my plants. After letting it dry over night, I rewind the entire ball. No kinks to fight with.
I also keep everything in ziplock bags. When I wind a skein, I save the label or tag in the same bag with the yarn so that I can keep it with any leftovers. Saved me once when I had to buy one more skein for a project and needed to match a dye lot number.
Hmm, so many wonderful tips. I use two knitting journals. I use one for a sample (or swatch) with the labels, a picture, yarn description, when I started, when I ended, what needles and pattern I used, and any comments on the project.
In June, I made a knitting journal using 4×6 index cards, a three-hole punch, ring clips, and pretty scrapbook cardpaper. I stamped a bunny on eack page, nine little bunnies, then a big bunny to remind me how many pages I was on, plus I can replace them. I use the pages to make calculations, pattern notes, and anything else that I need. I even ran them through my printer with all of the “important” pieces of information so that I force myself to take detailed notes. I put simple patterns on the same page with all of the information. 🙂
Here’s an easy storage tip for all those pesky little stitch markers, safety pins, tape measure, cutter, etc. that you can take with you on vacation or boating. When I go camping I always take a box of baby wipes (or you can call them adult wipes if you prefer). The boxes they come in can be used to store all your knitting tools. It’s lightweight, smells good and may even possible float, although I’ll admit I haven’t tried to sink it yet.
Thanks for the tip on the M&M tubes. I’m going to check that one out.
I use many of the same ideas that others have shared. I store my needles in storage boxes from IKEA, labeled. I store my patterns in binders with sheet protectors too. I love to put my sock projects in a cosmetic bag to tote around. The bigger ones with handles are the perfect size for my sock, chibi, small scissors, tape measure and stitch markers (I store those in empty film containers by the way). You can usually find some great bags on clearance (cheap) too!
I have a spreadsheet that has all the info on my sock stash (brand, color, number of skeins, project planned) which helps me remember exactly what I have. As for physical organization I have a couple of different stash storage areas, the yarns next in line are kept more accessible while the lower priority yarns are kept in the bottom of the plastic storage containers. It makes it a little tricky when I suddenly get a brilliant idea for something further down in the stash, but then I get to pull all my yarn out and play with it!
I store my circs in ziploc sort of bags that I got at my local yarn shop. Then they are put into a holder similar to one that would hold CD’s. I also have a small zippered bag that holds all my essentials Iike tape measure, darning needles, pencil, stitch markers, change, needle gauge, nail file, crochet hooks, scissors, and size one dpns. I also keep my patterns in binders with sheet protectors.
I’ve been buying a lot of yarn and stuff lately so I hate no-mail Monday too. Unless it’s delaying the reckoning from the credit card of course. Then I’m all about not getting mail.
First off thanks to everyone else for sharing their tips. I’m sooo stealing some of them. I have a few tips to share.
Based on a tip on the KnitU mailing list I wound my unknitable first handspun into a ball/cake and put it into a pretty mugwhich makes the mug a great place to stash DPNs and crochet hooks by my knitting spot without having them get all jumbled together. The KnitU suggestion involved knitting a length of garter stitch and rolling that up and putting it into a mug/vase/whatever but the handspun yarn ball/cake works fine and is faster.
This one is stolen sort of from Lantern Moon. When I can next get to my sewing machine I’m going to make little cases for each size of my DPNs like the ones they sell the sock stix in. My machine can do rudimentary embroidery including letters and numbers so I’m going to embroider the size on each little bag. Since the machine will be doing it and not me it will be easy and quick.
I’m also going to put a snap on the back of each little bag so I can attach them into a case in case I want to load them all back into a single package for some reason. Usually I have so many projects going (with multiple needle sizes per project in my attempts to get gauge) that the single roll or fold up case doesn’t really work for me.
The bags that cosmetic gift with purchase things come with often make great little project bags for something small like socks or mittens. And sometimes they come with a bag big enough for a sweater. Since the bags are free (well, sort of) I can have one for each project and just have to move the little plastic bag (that something I bought came in) with the notions into the bag with the current project and off I go.
This tip I saw somewhere online but can’t remember where. They were suggesting using a coat rack for yarn skein storage. I might try that when I get my room. I’m definitely putting all the project bags up on some sort of peg rack or something to make it easier to just grab one and go. I might go for something based on one of those pot racks for over a kitchen island rather than a coat rack though. With a grid and a lot of s-hooks you could store a whole lot more skeins. And then I could literally have my next project hanging over my head like the sword of Damocles.
Last tip – I keep my list of needles in my cell phone. I’ve got one with a full keyboard so it’s not as bad as it sounds for data entry and my cell phone is the only thing that I am really certain to have on me when I get into a yarn shop or online somewhere. In the notes section of mine I have a needles note where I put the size in mm and then C16 for 16″ circular for example. Followed by whatever else there might be such as D for double point or S for single point. Or 2xC16 when I have two 16″ long circs in that size etc.
I’m a relative newcomer to both the joy of socks and the Loopy Ewe but I am very pleased to have found both. I’ve definitely gone round the bend on the whole sock thing. But I’m sure it’s gonna be a fun ride.
I have a french bread making bowl that is a large oval and it’s gorgeous. I keep my next project yarn on display on my end table next to my knitting chair. I love having yarn displayed. That’s like having a vase of flowers for me. It’s pretty, tactile, and an inspiration. I have beautiful round containers that room fragrance sticks came in that I store my straight needles in. They are pretty and take up no space. I keep my dpn’s in silverware trays tied in bundles. My circs hang on padded hangers w/a twist tie and my stash hangs in space bags. Easy storage, no dust to deal w/and very visual.
hilary
I don’t use patterns often. When I do, it’s for a lark and I have a hard time remembering to pay attention to the pattern. My tip is to use post-it notes to mark where I left off. I rotate the post-it note 180 degrees, so that I can cover up the lines I just knit rather than underlining them with the little paper.So I know that if I have, say, Round 18 covered up the next round I can see (Round 19) would be where I left off. This is especially helpful, though, on patterns that have a large number of lines per round–you can do this one line at a time to help keep it straight. Works very well on patterns like the Fiber Trends felted clogs.
I have a little bit different use for my swatches – when I don’t frog them to conserve yarn. I have a toddler who loves to play with my yarn and knitting when I’m working with it. If I have a swatch that matches what I’m working on to hand her to play with, it’s easier to keep her from pulling the work out of my hands – or adding tension to the yarn! I try to keep a big crochet hook handy as a toy also.
She has a nice collection of swatches in her toys now, I’m also hoping it will inspire a love of yarn in the future!
My favorite inexpensive stitch marker for socks and other things are the smallest “silicon” type hair elastics. They come in lots of colors (so you can color code what you are doing – beginning of round, different parts of pattern repeat, etc. The second size can be used on larger needles. The largest size (can you tell the manufacturer packages them on a card with three sizes?) is mainly good for its intended purpose (controlling your hair!) although you could also use them to fasten sets of DPN’s together when they are not in use. You could also use them to wind around and around to make a knob on the end of a DPN if you wanted a shortish regular needle in that size.
This may be a silly one, but I save the round baby butt wipes containers. One or two wound skeins of yarn fit in there and stay clean while knitting. You can also save the lids and enlarge the hole in the middle for a pull through.