[Nfb-krafters-korner] Stitch markers needed for 10 Stitch Dishcloth Class

[Annette Carr]

Hello All,

If you are planning on signing up for the 10 Stitch Dishcloth class, Please
note that you will also need stitch markers.  A minimum of 6 markers would
be good, but you might find it helpful to have more.  For those of you who
are unfamiliar with stitch markers, below is information I posted to the
list back in the fall of 2014.  If you have questions, do not hesitate to
ask, even if you are not planning on signing up for this class.

---Original Message ---
Yes, stitch markers are a very versatile tool.  You can use them to indicate
groups of stitches along your row such as every 10, 20 60, etc. stitches.
You can use them to mark when something needs to be done such as the
increases in the middle of a row when making knitted mitered squares.  A
stitch marker can be attached to your work to indicate the front of it, or
mark a particular point from which you need to measure your work from.  

Stitch markers come in many sizes and types, as well as made of different
materials such as metal, plastic and rubber.  The shape is frequently a
ring.  Others have some type of opening that allow you to lock it onto a
stitch in your project or another stitch marker.  Some look like little
plastic padlocks that open and close like a safety pin.  Others look like a
capital print letter Q and have a slit in it where the tail of the Q hangs
off of the circle part of the Q.  Stitch markers come in many sizes to
accommodate the many sizes of knitting needles.  

You do not have to buy items specifically marketed as stitch markers.  You
can go to the hardware store and purchase a box of rubber "O" rings.  Be
sure to buy ones that will fit on your knitting needles.  Rubber bands work
well also.  A small rubber band can be used like a traditional stitch marker
and slipped on to your knitting needles.  Larger ones can have one or more
knots tied in them so that you can create different markers to indicate
different things about your knitting.  Twist ties can be used, but you need
to be careful that the ends to not catch in your yarn.  Caution needs to be
taken if using safety pins.  They can easily get caught in your yarn and
cause a problem.  They do make safety pins without the coil part at the end,
but I have no experience with them.

Commercially made stitch markers come in a variety of colors.  Those who can
see color use the colors to indicate things about the pattern they are
making.  If you cannot distinguish between the colors, then use combinations
of different types of markers and types.  I frequently use an extra-large
marker at the beginning of my right side row and smaller markers to indicate
where the pattern repeats along the row.  If you do not have markers that
feel different, then attach a rubber band to one or more and leave the rest
plain.  

HTH,
Annette