Tools and Techniques « The C Side

Sale at my Ravelry store. Buy 2 get the third pattern free. Use coupon code JUSTBECAUSE. Hurry up because the offer is valid until May 31st only.

Crochet Cuties: Tape Measure Cuties and a Sale

I absolutely love my measuring tape. It is one of those really important tools that if you make stuff you are going to need all the time. If I didn’t think mine was so pretty I would have definitely made a cute cover for it like the ones below.


Ups-a-Daisy measuring tape cover	Erin’s Rose Measuring Tape Cover

I am also having a sale at my Ravelry store. Buy 2 get the third pattern free. Use coupon code JUSTBECAUSE. Hurry up because the offer is valid until May 31st only.

{Knitting Tips and Tricks} Bookmark your Knitting

If you are a geek then you can just call this creating a restore point. I always have a hard time ripping rows and then picking up the stitches again especially if there were yarn overs and the stitches keep getting twisted so I sometimes just end up ripping the whole thing. Why waste all that good knitting when you can just save your knitting at a point where you are sure that has no errors and just rip to that point.

You only need a little piece of painters tape (or any tape that won’t leave a gummy residue on your needles)
A length of scrap yarn at least twice the length of your row.
Your knitting, I like to work this on a wrong side because they usually have less yarn overs or none at all.

Wrap the end of your scrap yarn with a small piece of tape. Don’t use too much or it will get bulky and your stitches won’t pass so easily over it

If you are using circular needles then it might be a good idea to do it where your cable starts. If you are using straight needles wrap it a couple of inches after the tip.

Now just knit or purl the row as you normally would, your stitches should just slide over the tape and scrap yarn. Once your done all of your stitches will be knit over the yarn. Tie the ends so the yarn doesn’t fall off. If you need to go back to that point all you need to do is rip and the scrap yarn will stop you from going any further and moving the saved stitches to your needle again will be much easier.

Handy Reference Cards for Knitters and Crocheters

Every time I come across a pattern that calls for a needle or a hook thats size is not given in metric I have to go ask Google what size that is. So instead of having to do that every time I decided to make handy reference cards.

The PDF includes 3 cards

Needle Size Conversion
Hook Size Conversion
WIP, gauge and recommended hook or needle size for different yarn category

I also added the WIP card because I buy lots of yarn that does not clearly state what category yarn it falls into. It makes my life easier to have a general idea.

Now I am thinking I need mini project cards and printable ball bands.

Download the PDF file for the Handy Reference Cards

Print them on card stock, cut them and have them laminated so they can withstand every day wear and tear.

For such a lazy person, I spent a couple of hours making these this mornings.

Is there anything else I am missing?

My Creative Space: Stitch Markers

I tried finding cute stitch markers for my knitting but I could only find split stitch rings, which kept getting tangled in my knitting. Definitely a no-no for a beginner like me. Having to deal with tangled knitting is as hard as it is without dealing with tangled stitch markers and knitting.

I had all but given up on finding them and had decided to order some.

Until I found these:

Totally cute and colorful.
Aren’t they so gorgeous?

I also had a couple of those cell phone charm string thingies.

Add the two together and voila!

They’re perfect because I use the numbers in order. I am making something in the round that has increases in 7 different places and a simple lace pattern at the bottom. I placed number 1 in the beginning of the round so I know where the first repeat starts.

Now the only problem is I still have so many numbers left I don’t know what to do with them.

For more creative spaces click here.

Quick and dirty way of adding a zipper to a crochet pouch

: You will need a finished crochet clutch with all the ends weaved in

: Fold the clutch completely flat

: Mark the sides with pins

: Turn the pouch inside out, and pin the zipper with the zipper pull to the inside.

: Use thread the same color as the zipper and backstitch the zipper to the crochet

: Try and keep the stitching straight as much as possible

: Push the zipper with your finger until it is completely open and turn your pouch right side out.

: Sew the ends together

: Sew the other ends together

: Trim if the zipper is too long

: It is a bit wonky but who cares

: Test your zipper

: Enjoy your new zipper

Do you need a row/stitch counter on your phone?

Screenshot of the app

and your phone is *not* an iphone but a symbian or Java enabled phone?

Then check out Multicounter.

It is a free application that can be installed on your phone. You can set multiple counters, rename them, reset counters and all the things you need from a counter. Pretty awesome!

My Creative Space: Make a Nostepinne

I hate scrap yarn. I don’t really hate scrap yarn I am just always annoyed by it and I hate storing it because those little balls keep rolling all over the place. I had two options when I was left with a partial skein either roll into a small ball (which I usually did) or leave it and risk it getting all tangled up (which I don’t do because I hate untangling more than I hate scrap yarn).

I knew that you could hand wind a center pull ball but after trying it a couple of times I realized either I have short thumbs or bad technique and dropped the idea for a while until I came across a posting on ravelry about nostepinnes. I found the prettiest wood ones on etsy and even one that included a wpi gauge which I ordered but until that arrives I wanted to start winding those balls correctly.

So I did what any self respecting craft lover would do, I made my own using a sheet of A4 paper, double sided sticky tape and a pair of scissors.

All you need to do is stick the sticky tape on your paper along the short side and roll the paper tightly and stick it to form a nice tube.

I cut up a notch at the top so I could attach my slip stitch to it so the yarn doesn’t run away and mess everything up.

I found this blog which explains the process of winding using a nostepinne in pictures and a video.

Then I made a ball band so I remember and know right away what yarn it is and how much of it is left.