Just when I thought I've mastered simple knitting, I do my first pattern that requires stitch markers at the ends of a row. How exactly do these work? How does it mark the row? How do I use them? ha ha! So many questions!!
2007-09-17 18:20:14 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
If the markers are at the ends of a row, they are probably there so that you can easily find that row later. For example, I'm working on a stuffed doll right now and had to mark the rows in her body where later on I'll attach the arms. That way I don't have to count a million rows to figure it out. (Knowing me, I'd miscount and she'd look like a mutant!)
For that reason, I don't think you can use regular knitting markers that look like rings. (Like these: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6861111 )Those are designed to be moved everytime you reach them by slipping them from the left needle to the right like a stitch.
Look for crochet row markers. (Like these http://store.meowingdog.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=59 ) They can also look like french hook earrings. You'll hook them onto the stitch like in that picture and just keep knitting, leaving them in there. When you've done what you needed to do with them, you can slip them back out.
Hope that helps. If not, feel free to send me a message with the details of the pattern. Good luck!
2007-09-17 21:50:25 · answer #1 · answered by ceci9293 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a tiny plastic ring that slips onto your needle. You slip it on one row before where something is supposed to happen, like a change in stitch pattern or a decrease or increase. . Then you knit all the way to the end of that row and start back. When you reach the marker, take it off an do whatever it is you had the marker there for.
Sometimes if I don't have markers, I tie colored string in that spot.
.
2007-09-17 19:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by Kacky 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Stitch markers can be metal or plastic or loops of thread. The latest shawl I've knitted had a lace pattern and I used *dozens* of markers to help me keep track of the columns of the pattern. I had the markers either at or one stitch before (stitch, not row) the alert area. They're also used to keep track of the end/beginning of rounds in circular knitting.
Sometimes I put a mechanical row counter on a loop of thread and change the tally each time I pass the marker loop from one needle to the other (circular knitting again).
Even if it's just a garter stitch border on plain knit, a couple of stitch markers can be helpful.
2007-09-17 19:49:06 · answer #3 · answered by h_brida 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming you're knitting something on circular needles? After the last stitch in the row, just slip the stitch marker onto the needle and keep knitting. It's just so you can keep track of whether you've gotten to the end of the row.
If you are knitting with novelty yarns (fancy fur, etc), you want to slip it onto the needle so you can keep track of the number of stitches (they are hard to see under all the fur)...just knit, slip a marker on the needle, and knit the next stitch. When it's time to come back the other way, just slip the stitch markers onto the other needle when you get to them, and knit as usual.
2007-09-17 19:25:00 · answer #4 · answered by Starving Student 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As others have noted stitch markers are used to help you mark your place and keep your pattern. There are some commercial ones, sometimes I use dental floss in a pinch. I can make a loop, knot it and cut it. It is cheap. I can thread it loosely along a row to mark rows. The markers I like best I make out of the little rubber pencil grips that are sold for kids. They come in a pack of a few (different colors), and look like a little tube of foam rubber. I take a scissor and cut little crosswise circles off of the tubes so I get lots in different colors sot that I can mark the patterns with one color and decreases etc with another. I have also heard of doing the same with a straw. The plastic fast food straw from a certain clowns place is large enough to fit a size 9 needle. You can make lots of markers with only one. I prefer the foam rubber as I find the straw is sometimes too "springy"
2007-09-19 09:27:49 · answer #5 · answered by knitter 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just slide it on the needle. i finally got the ones that look like little safety pins and fell in love with them. im doing a fair isle sweater in the round and they mark the spot where the steeks go. i also use a different colored one to mark which side i knit when i pick it back up a couple days later so i dont end up switching directions. they can be your best friend.
2007-09-18 12:40:00 · answer #6 · answered by melonheadz 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
stitch markers are used to either find the beginning/end of the row, if its complicated lace work it will help you to keep your place.
2007-09-18 13:33:12 · answer #7 · answered by hot_hermione 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋