Day Two for my August Camp Loopy Project and I forgot how much I love this pattern. It seems to zip along so quickly. (Pattern: Song of the Sea Cowl, Yarn: Wollmeise Pure.)
Do you put stitchmarkers between repeats when you are knitting a pattern? I find it so helpful. In this particular pattern, the repeat is initially 4 stitches, then 8 stitches, then 16 stitches. So my markers are every 16 stitches, just to make sure I don’t get off in any part of the pattern.
Do you remember when we had these adorable sheepy stitchmarkers for sale? I think it was Year One of Loopy. They were handmade and we could never get enough sets for everyone who wanted one. I still love them.
My favorite container for stitch markers is actually a small fishing tackle box (Plano brand). They have great containers at Target in the fishing lure section. This one is double sided.
It’s officially our Thirteenth Loopy Anniversary this month, so we’re doing different things all month long, starting with today’s contest! Here’s your question to answer in the comments: What is your favorite knitting notion? I think mine has to be stitch markers, because they keep me on track and keep frogging to a minimum. Although when I read all of your answers, I’m going to say, “Oh, and that notion, too.” Because notions are just fun and I know you all will share some good ones.
I’ll draw a winner and will put that in next week’s Friday post. The winner gets a cool box of some of our favorite notions in the shop!
Sheri wholikesnotionsalmostasmuchasbags.Andyarn.
For me it’s either stitch markers or the yarn socks from Slipped Stitch Studios (does that count as a notion?) Mostly because there are so many cute stitch markers out there!
Right now I love my cable needle. (I just learned how to knit cables!)
I love stitch markers. I have cats and I have all kinds of cat stitch markers. I also have a thing for notions bags, too, so I guess I really love everything knitting!
My yarn bowl!!! I love that thing. Gorgeous and it keep my ball of yarn from rolling around on the floor.
I’ve been known to make a cell phone call from the car to my daughter in the Ft. Worth area when I need to Kitchener a sock toe. I could never remember the set-up part of the stitch; once begun, I’m fine. So I bought a Kitchener stitch dog tag to hang on my sock tote – my candidate for best-ever knitting notion.
Since you said stitch markers, which would be an obvious first pick for me, I would say my next favorite is my gauge ruler – that clear one that you can place on top of your knitting. No longer am I fighting to measure gauge or do swatches. I can get a small piece of the way in on my knitting, lay the ruler on top, and viola! So very very useful.
my fave knitting notion is a needle gauge shaped like a cat that a friend found for me yrs ago, the cat’s tabby stripes have worn a bit but she bravely helps me know that THIS needle is a 7 and THAT one is a 6.
And big congrats to TLE, Sheri and all the Loopy Elves who have made this wonderful business thrive. The yarn industry can be tough, rising and falling on whim and other factors outside our control. But you have been a shining presence, with fun and fantasy for us to enjoy.
Definitely stitch markers because they’re adorable, small and you can collect many of them. After that – project bags! I love themeing them to the project or to the person I’m knitting for – and again, a great accessory – can’t have enough of them!
My favorite knitting notion is project bags. I have so many for all the different projects I work on.
Nail file first and readers (eye glasses) second – I never see to have enough light with dark yarn.
Do I have to pick a favorite? 🙂
I also like stitch markers (when I need them), but I like my Chibi because it keeps my needles all in one place. I also can’t live without my needle gauge, because I’m always leaving my needles out of their packaging and losing track of their actual size.
Stitch markers! I can never have enough in a project. Sometimes I just have to buy some, “just because” because who needs a real reason to buy more?
Such a tough decision! I’ll say project bags & pouches are my favorite notions. I always have multiple projects going, so they are a must for me!
Stitch Markers! Easy to purchase/pack during travels. Brings back wonderful memories. The yarn bowel I made on a special birthday with wonderful friends while living in S. Korea.
The key-ring crochet hook for dropped stitches!
I use my Addi needle gauge most often. I have a habit of leaving my needles around my knitting nest. I then have to figure out what size they are when starting another project!
Definitely stitch markers! My favorites are the metal rings with the little beads on them, like the Knitifacts Ringlets. And I’m not sure this counts as a notion, but I would be lost without my set of colored highlighters to color in the chart symbols on lace and cable patterns!
My favorite is row counter by Bates. The one with a little loop I can attach with a locking stitch marker. Sometimes I use 2. One for rows and one for pattern repeats.
Yes, I do use and love all my varieties of stitch markers. But the notion I can’t live without is my needle gauge.
I really love my stitch markers. I have lots of them in all different styles. Each gets used at one point or another.
Stitch markers for sure, especially the little safety pin style ones, and puppy snips!
Well, I’m a huge fan of basic stitch markers, especially the Knitifacts little rings. I like,but rarely use the pretty dangling ones because they add weight and sometimes get caught in my knitting. That said, my favorite notion has to be the fun little tins that I store all these little rings in. I bought 6 of them today at Stitches.
I love stitch markers too!I think my second favorite are tape measures. No wait!! I love the new sleeve holders!! Oh so many favorites……
I have so many knitting notions that I love, but my favorite has to be the little embroidery scissors i put in each of my 80÷ project bags.
I look for different and unusual scissors, and try to coordinate them with my bags by color of bag and color of scissors.
For example, pink scissors with a bag that has sheep with pink noses.
There’s so many cute little scissors out there to choose from, you can have a different pair for every bag!
Sharp scissors, needle gauge and tape measure.
Stitch markers! I love that idea for holding them. I have a little plastic or glass tower of 4 containers that hook together but that only holds my clay ones that are like the sheep. The rest are in a a small bag in their original packages.
My favorite notions are the bulb-shaped locking stitch markers in all the various colors. They remind me of shower curtain hooks!
I love cute scissors!
And tape measures . . . I try to have one in every project bag.
Oh! And a small calculator, cause I’m no good with math!
My favorite notions are the tubes that protect the needles so the stitches don’t fall off the needles…they’re called Needle Keeper, The “Magic Wand.” Used with circular needles up to size US #9 needles. Next favorite notions are stitch markers.
I love my blocking combs and wires! So much easier than all those pins!
My favorite notion has to be all my tiny scissors. They are as useful as they are adorable. If only more things in life were like that. ;o)
Has to be my row counter. I use it to track repeats as well as rows. I love the digital ones best!I
BTW…love your green Wollmeise…so bright and happy!
Definitely row markers, they mark the end of a pattern repeat, increases and other important pattern moments. And…in a pinch as a stitch marker. I have some stashed everywhere after too many times of needing to take the hoops out of my ears. Yup, I’d rather use my jewelry as notions.
My favorite notion is my orange Italian row counter that belonged to my great grandma Erma who was a fantastic knitter.
There are so many to choose, but I think stitch markers are my favorite as well, including the row counters with a ring on the end that I usually use as the first stitch marker in a row.
Stitch markers!
I was going to say stitch markers but I just realized my new favorites are my needle wranglers from Tempestry Project. Oh my, they are wonderful for keeping my needles together and not losing my stitches when I set my project down! I highly recommend them!
Locking stitch markers- so handy for that dropped stitch too many rows down! Also the Silvalume Handi Tool (I have several) and the stitch holder- cable/cord with needle on one end.
I love the circular needle protectors. I use mine all the time!
My cable needle
I love Rollie’s stitchkeepers for holding WIPs on dpns (Now that I typed that, I realize it would be complete gibberish to a non-knitter!)
My favorites are stitch markers (along with a pair of really sharp scissors)!
My favorite notion usually surprises people, since you’re not likely to find it an LYS or on craft-related websites. It’s Fingernail Clippers.
1. Cutting yarn – They’re safer than regular scissors to carry around in a project bag, and less fiddly than collapsible scissors.
2. Work knots loose – The tip of the file can help to tease out knots, doing less damage than a pin or other sharp object.
3. Cable needle – The lever end can be opened, stitches passed onto it, then closed to hold the stitches until needed.
4. Dropped stitch holder – Again, put the dropped stitch onto the lever and close the clippers until ready to make repairs.
5. Needle file – I’ve smoothed out small dings on metal and wood needles, and I’m sure this would work on plastic as well.
6. Gauge ruler – I have two that work well as gauge rulers. With the lever twisted out in the downward position (I hope that description is clear) and the nail file opened out, one measures exactly 4″, and the other 5″. Although I usually have a tape measure as well, I like counting gauge with a non-flexible ruler.
7. Nail/Hand care – I occasionally get a chipped nail or hangnail that’s bad enough to start snagging the yarn. Hey, I finally got around to mentioning what they’re actually made for.
Great idea! I’m going to copy you. Thanks
Just the other day I used clippers to dislodge a friend’s credit card stuck in a reader.
My favorite irreplacable notion is my Ann Budd clear gauge ruler. Nothing works as well to help me see my gauge. I love it so much I bought one for each of my knitting students. I hope you get them in again, I have new students.
My favorite is stitch markers to match the season or project. Currently working on Camp Loopy so I’m using a space rocket stitch marker. Also my project bag/notions bag matches the season or project. For Camp Loopy, I have a notion bag with planets
favorite notion hmm I like a simple stitch marker for uses of when I have to keep track of lace part and also the row counter that slides onto the needle. I have tried other counters but that row counter works better for me
I love stitch markers. I buy ooodles of them.
And then I fear to lose them and stick to cheap plastic rings.
Also a huge fan of measuring tape. I buy them as souvenirs from the yarn shops I visit when I travel.
Stitch markers! The possibilities are endless!
Stitch markers, row counter, and tape measure. I know I was supposed to pick one. I couldn’t.
I love progress keepers and small scissors. I like to coordinate the progress keepers to my project or yarn or bag.