There are so many different types of stitch markers available today. Which type are the best for crochet? Well, it depends on what you want to use them for.
For holding your live loop to prevent unraveling on the rare occasion you are not crocheting; to mark the right- or wrong-side of your work; or to hold two pieces of crochet fabric together for seaming; I find the clip-on type the best. A similar version is the plastic safety-pin style clip you can find at most craft stores. The screw in types (pictured top left) will also work, but I find they can fall out a bit too easily.
These have their uses, but what I use most often, my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE stitch marker, is simply a short scrap of yarn! Yes, really! (You were wondering why it was in the photo, weren’t you?)
It is by far the easiest and most effective method, particularly for marking the beginning of the round, or for marking increase points like in a raglan shoulder on a sweater. How to do it: You simply lay a piece of yarn (about 5 inches/13cm) in a contrasting colour over the top of your work at the position indicated. When you return to the marked spot, just flip it over the top of your work again. It will gently weave in and out of the fabric at the marked position. You can see how well it works in the picture below. Elegant simplicity!
This method has other advantages. There is no risk of accidentally re-positioning your marker in the wrong spot because you never actually remove it from your work. I also like that it lays between stitches, not actually on any particular stitch. This eliminates confusion when instructed to work to x number of stitches before marker, which when using the other markers can leave you wondering if the marked stitch is counted as before- or after-the-marker. And, it’s pretty much free! I mean, who hasn’t got a few bits of scrap yarn lying around???
Here’s where I first discovered this awesome method: http://craftastica.blogspot.com.au/…/crochet-stitch-marking…
So next time your project calls for stitch markers, have a read through the instructions first to see exactly how they are used, then you will be sure to pick the type best suited for the job.
Happy crocheting!
D
