Knit & Crochet Stitch Marker Tutorial

I've been wanting some knitting stitch markers for a long time. Since I go from knitting to crocheting frequently I figured why not make one with a clasp at one end and a ring at the other? These handy little markers can be clipped to crochet work or placed on a knitting needle very easily. 

All the items found below can be found at your local Hobby Lobby or craft store of choice. If you can't find them locally, there are many great online shops to order your materials from. Lucky for me, my mom used to be really in to making her own jewelry. Even luckier for me, she didn't do it for long, but she kept the giant tote packed full of her supplies. 

 What you'll need:

Eye pins- I used 2"

Jump rings- the size of this ring depends on the needle you plan to put it on

Beads- be creative, use what speaks to you!

Jewelry pliers- 2 pairs

Lobster clasps

I chose to make a set of 6.

After your supplies are gathered, decide how you want them to look and place the beads on the eye pins.

Carefully, but firmly bend your eye pin over by holding with one pair of pliers to the opposite end of the "eye" of your eye pin and twisting the wire with your other pliers.

Mine looked like this.

After this you take the tail end of your wire and wrap it around the base of the bottom bead. I apologize for not taking a photo of this- but I haven't mastered holding two small pairs of pliers and taking a photo at the same time!

Next you want to open your jump ring by carefully twisting it with your pliers. 

Loop the jump ring through the eye of your eye pin and twist it shut.

Repeat as many times as you want.

If you have any questions of comments please feel free to comment! I hope you enjoy making your very own stitch markers! I would love to see picture of your creations!

Double Knitting

So I've wanted to learn to double-knit since, well, a few days ago. I was asked to make anything with a "triquetra" symbol on it so I thought a beanie would be nice for this particular person. The beanie would be even better if it were reversible. I thought there would be a pattern out there for this symbol, but I came up with zilch. Nothing. No fun color work pattern to turn into a beanie. 

Anyways I was listening into on the Marly Bird Podcast featuring Alasdair Post-Quinn who is the author of "Extreme Double Knitting" (which is available through Cooperative Press). Whew that was a lot of links! If you aren't familiar with "Yarn Thing" podcasts by Marly Bird, you should definitely check them out. I enjoy listening to things while I knit and this podcast is exactly what I needed. She does a live show every Tuesday at 11am central time. Also if you haven't seen Alasdair's work, get to his site ASAP and look at his amazing color work. You can also find him on Ravelry as fallingblox. 

I know my first swatch double knitting is definitely not comparable to Alasdair's work, but I do feel proud that I did it! To be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised by how easy it was do to! Now making my stitches consistent and turning this idea into a reversible beanie is a whole different story. If I pull this off, I will definitely share the pattern. 

Front

Back

It's lookin' like rain today!

The sky is dark and the wind is blowing. I am praying this isn't a cruel joke. Being a farmer's wife means that rain takes on a whole new meaning. No rain=bad harvest in the fall. This summer has been dry save for a few intermittent showers and today would be a fantastic day for it to rain.

Being a knitter means that I enjoy rain for the simple fact that it's soothing and the perfect weather for knitting, other than snow of course.

I crocheted this little hat last night for a cousin. I get the biggest joy out of receiving a picture and having someone ask me if I can make it. I have to make a few flower type embellishments to put on it. This "butterfly hat" was super fun to make. I just wish I had a baby to use for photographs! 

Continental Vs. European Knitting

There are two main different styles of knitting and each style has about a million variations to it. There really is no right or wrong way to knit. Recently, as in last evening, I decided to try and learn the Continental style of knitting as I have been doing the European style. 

Basically in European knitting your yarn is being "thrown" over by taking your right hand over the left hand needle (for righties of course). Continental knitting is where your yarn is kept in the left hand and basically pushed over your needle using a finger which is also known as "picking."

I am trying my hand at Continental as I said and I feel like I'm a beginner again. I feel like the movement is smoother, but working on teaching my hands to move in a new way is proving semi challenging. I'm hoping to get it down quickly and begin to knit in the Continental method soon.

Lost Battle

I want to turn this neck warmer into a table runner by doubling it and then making it long enough for a table.... Who knows if I will ever be able to do it!

I have attempted this pattern several times. Seeing it was one of the reason I got back into knitting. For the life of me I cannot seem to get my hands to do it right without messing it up! 

I did however manage to get further than I did before. I succeeded at making one leaf and leaving a giant hole on the other half. I won't show you the hole- that is slightly embarrassing. Once again I will remove this from my needles and find another project until I get brave enough to tackle this one again. 

I splurged on some FUN

I have to admit cabling intimidates me, but my goal is to learn! Buying fun new needles by Lantern Moon is a good way to start!

I have been wanting a new needle case because mine was just a tiny crochet hook zip case that was unbelievably stuffed full of all my "stuff"so this impressive piece is not only gorgeous, but completely functional as well.

I am also growing into my new hair do. I keep reminding myself that I. Am. Not. My. Hair. I am still the same beautiful girl I was before. God has shown me that I can be a beautiful person no matter what my outer appearance may be because it truly is what is inside that counts!

My Favorite Tool

I think every person who has a hobby has a favorite tool. Mine is kind of lame to many people and I didn't grow to love it until I started doing projects with more counting involved. My stitch counter is simple, inexpensive, and makes my crafting a breeze. With two small children running rampant through my home, there is no way I could keep track of where I am in a pattern without my stitch counter. 

What is your favorite tool?

one to-do turned to a to-done!

I officially can check off one of my to-do's! I finished knitting my kitchen curtain! I initially intended on it being longer, but with four kids under 5 running around my house this last few weeks, I'm afraid it'll get yanked from the needles again. 

Just envision this over the kitchen sink with a set of sheer white curtains hanging behind it, tied over to the sides.... beautiful!

If you are wondering about what yarn I used it is the Naturally Caron Spa Collection in Green Sheen as seen here. My picture makes it look like a louder color than it really is. I found it at my local Hobby Lobby on sale for $2.99 each! I used about 2.5 skeins of it and I plan on using the other 1.5 skeins to make either some towel toppers or possibly a doily for my dining table.... ideas ideas.