Comments on: Tuesday’s Knitting Tip – Using Unconventional Tools http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/ Follow Owners Kathy & Steve Through Their Adventures in Yarn And Life Sat, 25 May 2013 03:42:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anne Stacey http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11727 Anne Stacey Fri, 20 Jul 2012 02:58:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11727 Gosh, trying to remember everything I've done! LOL. I've used twist ties for needles to weave in ends, and also to stitch together projects. At a dull party once, where I was gifted some yarn, I embarassed my sweetheart by using plastic drinking straws to knit with. Must be careful, and NOT knit tight, or the straws collapse. I have perfected the art of knitting and crocheting with just my fingers and hands. Don't really end up with a good finished project, but good when stranded with yarn and no tools. I am slightly ADD and a HORRIBLE fidgeter. I don't cope well without yarn in my hands. I've been experimenting with giant knitting lately, with 1 1/4 inch wooden dowels. I haven't tried yet, but I want to pick up some 2 inch PVC pipe to try some even larger projects. Chopsticks and pens are very common ones as well. I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but that's about all that comes to mind at the moment. Gosh, trying to remember everything I’ve done! LOL. I’ve used twist ties for needles to weave in ends, and also to stitch together projects. At a dull party once, where I was gifted some yarn, I embarassed my sweetheart by using plastic drinking straws to knit with. Must be careful, and NOT knit tight, or the straws collapse. I have perfected the art of knitting and crocheting with just my fingers and hands. Don’t really end up with a good finished project, but good when stranded with yarn and no tools. I am slightly ADD and a HORRIBLE fidgeter. I don’t cope well without yarn in my hands. I’ve been experimenting with giant knitting lately, with 1 1/4 inch wooden dowels. I haven’t tried yet, but I want to pick up some 2 inch PVC pipe to try some even larger projects. Chopsticks and pens are very common ones as well. I’m sure I’m forgetting some, but that’s about all that comes to mind at the moment.

]]> By: Pyfairy http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11576 Pyfairy Sun, 01 Jul 2012 13:59:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11576 Cable needles = toothpicks, my child's pick-up sticks, paperclips, pencils, crochet hooks, yarn needles, double pointed knitting needles... Stitch holders = dental floss, sewing thread, scrap yarn, cotton string, cables from my Option needles... Stitch markers = paperclips, rubber bands, my rings, o-rings, plastic drinking straw cut into small sections, scrap yarn, ponytail holders... Never used grass...great idea! Cable needles = toothpicks, my child’s pick-up sticks, paperclips, pencils, crochet hooks, yarn needles, double pointed knitting needles…
Stitch holders = dental floss, sewing thread, scrap yarn, cotton string, cables from my Option needles…
Stitch markers = paperclips, rubber bands, my rings, o-rings, plastic drinking straw cut into small sections, scrap yarn, ponytail holders…
Never used grass…great idea!

]]> By: Christine Chen http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11534 Christine Chen Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:17:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11534 This is awesome! I found this throught a pin on pinterest and had to pass it on! I also had to use an unconventional tool this week. I have misplaced my cable needles, so... I used one of those tiny straws from my children's Capri Sun packet! Worked like a charm on the little C4B I was doing! This is awesome! I found this throught a pin on pinterest and had to pass it on! I also had to use an unconventional tool this week. I have misplaced my cable needles, so… I used one of those tiny straws from my children’s Capri Sun packet! Worked like a charm on the little C4B I was doing!

]]> By: Ellen http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11523 Ellen Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:51:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11523 My daughter's tiny rubber bands for her hair work perfect as stitch markers.  A toothpick works great as a cable needle, plus they were my first knitting needles - the ones with end caps for single point and the ones with points at both ends for dpns.  My first few toys were all knit with toothpicks before I branched out and bought some real knitting needles.  My daughter’s tiny rubber bands for her hair work perfect as stitch markers.  A toothpick works great as a cable needle, plus they were my first knitting needles – the ones with end caps for single point and the ones with points at both ends for dpns.  My first few toys were all knit with toothpicks before I branched out and bought some real knitting needles. 

]]> By: Laurynn McKamey http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11519 Laurynn McKamey Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:23:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11519 Pen innards also double as decent cable needles! Pen innards also double as decent cable needles!

]]> By: Kathryn http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11517 Kathryn Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:39:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11517 Since pins easily slip out of knitting, I've used binder clips to hold pieces together for seaming. Since pins easily slip out of knitting, I’ve used binder clips to hold pieces together for seaming.

]]> By: KarenJ http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11513 KarenJ Wed, 27 Jun 2012 09:14:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11513 One of the all time greats is a standard bobby pin.  I've used them to mark rows and stitches, as improvised cable needles - this is really good as the yarn won't slip off when you don't want it to,- as bobbins, even as a needle once to assemble a worsted weight sweater. Also good for holding dropped stitches while repairing damage/errors.  Oh yeah, they also can hold hems in place while you stitch them. One of the all time greats is a standard bobby pin.  I’ve used them to mark rows and stitches, as improvised cable needles – this is really good as the yarn won’t slip off when you don’t want it to,- as bobbins, even as a needle once to assemble a worsted weight sweater. Also good for holding dropped stitches while repairing damage/errors.  Oh yeah, they also can hold hems in place while you stitch them.

]]> By: Adelle Tilton http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11511 Adelle Tilton Wed, 27 Jun 2012 05:05:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11511 I've used those long pink stick thingies that you put into brush curlers to hold them on to hold seams together as I stitch.  Also the old fashioned pin curl clips work well for the same purpose in a lightweight knit.  Bobby pins to mark stitches.  I think the hair aisle has provided me with the most "off the cuff" items for knitting.   I’ve used those long pink stick thingies that you put into brush curlers to hold them on to hold seams together as I stitch.  Also the old fashioned pin curl clips work well for the same purpose in a lightweight knit.  Bobby pins to mark stitches.  I think the hair aisle has provided me with the most “off the cuff” items for knitting.  

]]> By: Grawey6 http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11510 Grawey6 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 04:12:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11510 Many years ago, really bored in detention while in High School, I used a paperclip as a crochet hook. :) Many years ago, really bored in detention while in High School, I used a paperclip as a crochet hook. :)

]]> By: Sarah Morrison http://blog.yarn.com/tuesdays-knitting-tip-using-unconventional-tools/comment-page-1/#comment-11509 Sarah Morrison Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:57:00 +0000 http://blog.yarn.com/?p=9270#comment-11509 I like using those tiny hair elastics - you know, the ones that barely fit around the tip of your pinky finger that you used on your dolls?  They make great stitch markers for delicate items because they take up less space and so don't leave as much of a noticible line between the stitches.  Plus, it's easier not to lose them when you need to remove them in the field because you can slip them over your finger :) And I was also once desperate for stitch holder for sleeves...not quite as original as grass, but all I had at hand was cooking twine. I like using those tiny hair elastics – you know, the ones that barely fit around the tip of your pinky finger that you used on your dolls?  They make great stitch markers for delicate items because they take up less space and so don’t leave as much of a noticible line between the stitches.  Plus, it’s easier not to lose them when you need to remove them in the field because you can slip them over your finger :)

And I was also once desperate for stitch holder for sleeves…not quite as original as grass, but all I had at hand was cooking twine.

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