#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--YARN HACKS

If you’re a serious knitter or crocheter, you probably know about yarn bowls. For those of you unfamiliar with yarn bowls, they're decorative bowls, usually made of wood or ceramic, specially designed to hold a ball of yarn and keep it from tangling as you knit or crochet. Yarn bowls are generally handcrafted works of art that can be quite expensive. You can check some out here. 

You don’t need to spend a fortune for a yarn bowl, though. You can make one yourself with a bowl and a banker’s clip. It isn’t beautiful, but it serves the purpose.

No banker’s clips on hand? Use a colander. Or a produce netting bag. Place your yarn in the colander or bag and thread the yarn through one of the holes.

A few months ago I shared photos of some of the teapots I’ve collected over the years. These are mostly only for display purposes, but there are a few I do brew tea in. I also use some of them occasionally as yarn bowls.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--KNITTING AND CROCHET TIPS

photo by Clancy Ratliff

Now that there’s a hint of a nip in the air, those of you who knit and crochet have probably started a few new projects. Here are some tips for you.

*Sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder on your hands before knitting or crocheting to keep your hands from perspiring while you work.

*Use a rubber tipped bobby pin to mark the beginning of each crochet round. The bobby pin will stay in place securely and will not snag the yarn.

*Using red nail polish, mark 1” from the end of your crochet hook or knitting needle to quickly check your gauge.

*To prevent yarn from cutting into your fingers as you knit or crochet, crochet a thread thimble for yourself. Wear it on the finger the yarn wraps around.

*Slip a stitch marker onto your knitting needle every tenth stitch as you cast on for quick counting.

*Loose leaf binder reinforcement tabs make very inexpensive stitch markers.

*To keep fiberfill from showing through crocheted animals and dolls, stuff the piece first to determine the amount of fiberfill needed. Then remove the fiberfill and place it in a piece of pantyhose, preferably in a color that matches the animal or doll. Place the filled piece of pantyhose back in the animal or doll.

*To keep yarn from tangling when working with more than one color at a time, place the balls of yarn inside a mesh laundry bag. String the yarn through the holes in the bag, and they will stay tangle free as you work.

*Use a hook a size or two larger to stitch your starting chain if it tends to be tighter than the rest of your crochet stitches.

*Use a music stand to hold your instructions while stitching. It can be adjusted to the proper height for easy reading.

*When adding embroidery, such as facial features, to a knitted or crocheted piece, cut a piece of felt the same color and shape as the embroidery and glue it to the crochet or knitting with fabric glue. Embroider directly over the felt for neat, even stitches. 

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--KNIT AND CROCHET TIPS

photo by Johntex

Wintertime is a great time to catch up on knitting and crochet projects. Here are some tips for all you knitters and crocheters out there:

*Sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder on your hands before knitting or crocheting to keep your hands from perspiring while you work.

*Use a rubber tipped bobby pin to mark the beginning of each crochet round. The bobby pin will stay in place securely and will not snag the yarn.

*Using red nail polish, mark 1” from the end of your crochet hook or knitting needle to quickly check your gauge.

*To prevent yarn from cutting into your fingers as you knit or crochet, crochet a thread thimble for yourself. Wear it on the finger the yarn wraps around.

*Slip a stitch marker onto your knitting needle every tenth stitch as you cast on for quick counting.

*Loose leaf binder reinforcement tabs make very inexpensive stitch markers.

*To keep fiberfill from showing through crocheted animals and dolls, stuff the piece first to determine the amount of fiberfill needed. Then remove the fiberfill and place it in a piece of pantyhose, preferably in a color that matches the animal or doll. Place the filled piece of pantyhose back in the animal or doll.

*To keep yarn from tangling when working with more than one color at a time, place the balls of yarn inside a mesh laundry bag. String the yarn through the holes in the bag, and they will stay tangle free as you work.

*Use a hook a size or two larger to stitch your starting chain if it tends to be tighter than the rest of your crochet stitches.

*Use a music stand to hold your instructions while stitching. It can be adjusted to the proper height for easy reading.

*When adding embroidery, such as facial features, to a knitted or crocheted piece, cut a piece of felt the same color and shape as the embroidery and glue it to the crochet or knitting with fabric glue. Embroider directly over the felt for neat, even stitches.