Love these! Just wanted to add a tip I learned from my friend who sells fully recycled yarn crochet - if you fluff up scrap yarn on a dog slicker brush you can use it as stuffing and it works really well & uses all those little scraps that otherwise get tossed!
Your tip for turning scrap yarn into toy filling is great as you can match the stuffing to your project I also use my poodles slicker brush to fluff up her fur to create dolls hair 😁💐🌺🌹
What a great idea!! I've also been trying to think of something to add to my plastic hangers so my blouses or trousers don't slip. This would work perfectly!! Thanks for your idea❤
15:44 Chop sticks. I realize this is about Crochet but i thought I'd add this. Others may like this idea. If I'm in a pinch (say at the cottage) and I want to knit a dishcloth, I'll use chop sticks.. They're a perfect size for that. Just file off any snags and voila, knittng needles.
A good way to remember what size hook you are using for a project is to just take a picture of the project with the hook size in view. Make a folder on your phone called “crochet projects” and then if you put it away for awhile and the hook isn’t with it you just look at your phone to find out.
I recently made a baby blanket using three different colors of the Bernat Blanket yarn. I used a round plastic laundry basket (from Dollar Tree) for all three skeins, putting each strand through a different slot in the basket. It kept all those HUGE skeins nicely contained while I was making my stripes but also when I wasn't working on it, I just folded up the blanket and laid it on top of the yarn. It worked BEAUTIFULLY!! 😊
Great idea. I will have to remember this. I have 5 longcoat German Shepherds. I try very hard not to include hair when I crochet a gift for someone else. I have a plastic thing with a lid, looks like Tall Tupperware with a lid. I dont much care do if.
You can wash the yarn right in those pantyhose cozies! Some yarn from. The thrift stores can be dusty or smoky smelling. 😊 great video Elise, praise Jesus!
Love your ideas. I actually use most of them. However, my cheapest (but most valuable) yarn holder is the plastic grocery bag. Simply place the yarn inside the bag, pull the working yarn through a handle hole, and tie the bag closed. Yarn moves easily and stays clean. Not to mention you can store the unfinished project in the bag.
Hi! Elise I love your videos please keep them coming. I'm in a nursing home in VA because of strokes and I need your help.Could you please tell us where you can buy the Big Bubby craft handle and what they cost? Thanks so much 😊❤❤❤
@@denisehaley2448 Hi there! I don't know if you're still looking, but chunkyboycraft makes large ergonomic handles! They're sold out rn, but walmart/michales has a Boye branded ergonomic handle that you can insert aluminum hooks into for about $10-13! A DIY I (by I, I mean my mom, who is a home health nurse) see often is a tennis ball with a hole in it! I hope that helps!
I do something similar when I knit or crochet in university. I put the skein into my bag and close the bag - but not fully. The skein can‘t escape and I can knit peacefully and am able to concentrate to the lecture. (And don‘t have to search for the skein on the floor)
A substitute for a yarn bowl that I use is a lovely, thrifted stoneware teapot. It has a wide opening on the top so the ball of yarn will fit with the working yarn coming out through the spout.
I have been using Dollar store SPONGE ROLLERS as my ergonomic grips on my crochet hooks. Just remove the plastic piece. It already has a hole in the middle. If need be, you can cut them to size ( in case 1.5 rollers needed) and just use painters tape to secure them together. Feels really nice in the hand and has saved me hours of pain!
Great tips, frugal too leaving more to spend on yarn 😊 My yarn ‘bowl’ is a white plastic basket, like the one on your top shelf. I put a knitting needle through one side, through the yarn ball, and then through the other side of the basket. No matter how hard I yank the yarn, the ball stays in the basket. I can put more than one ball in there, each on its own needle, for doing colourwork without tangles. If I need to take the project away from home, I just slip the knitting needles out to free the ball. Between sessions, I can simply drop the project on top and put the basket away. ❤
I buy cotton balls at the dollar store for stuffing pillows. I used to use them for stuffed animals I made as well. They are early to fluff up and make them harder if you want a hard stuffing. I also made yarn out of cotton balls and two cat wire brushes. You process the cotton balls with the wire brushes and wound it into threads between your fingers. That is how cotton and wool is processed into yarn. You have to break down the fibers and they will thread together between your fingers. I am very good at making good quality yarn. I have a lot of practice. 😊
The problem with using cotton balls for that is: that they can't be washed. I checked because I use cotton balls to make pillows for my own head [polyester makes me SWEAT!]
I just found your channel! Thank you so much for all the great tips. I too have an (adult) son who has a disability. We use shelf liner and silpat baking mats for a lot of things. When I was young, my mom would cut the bottom off 2-liter soda bottles , put her yarn in it and feed it through the top. The she would turn the bottom upside down and shove it back inside the part she cut off.
The wooden yarn bowl I made from and old wooden bowl! Used dremel tool and sandpaper. I stained it and it’s lovely! Good needle holders are M&M tubes that you can get at holidays! They are colored and fun!
Love it!! I was just about to add a paper towel holder to my amazon shopping cart when you mentioned it. Oh and I like to use binder clips on the side of any bowl to make it into a yarn bowl. I just slip my yarn through the little silver grippy part and then if I need to take the yarn out I can unhook it from the bonder clip. I don't know if that makes sense but it's easy and they're removable and you can use multiples if you're doing colorwork. Love your videos :)
I've been using scrap yarn as place markers, but I didn't realize making the yarn longer and utilizing the same piece of yarn as I move through the project would help to lock it into place with an easy remove when I'm ready to do that. I'm going to be using that technique now.
I’m currently using an old tp holder for my crochet string. It holds what I’m using, and all the other colors on it too. Just swap out the one you’re using. I have an antique metal lunchbox that I use for my crochet tools (and small projects) on the go. I love how it opens up. I’ve also used a red wine purse. Opens up WIDE! Both of them were a dollar each at the second hand store. I just got an old suitcase set that looks s0 pretty! Instead of an unsightly pile of yarn balls/skeins next to the couch, I just cut a notch in the suitcase and Wala I feed my yarn through the hole. When I’m done for a bit I just open the suitcase to put my project in. Beautiful, and Meowswa can’t get it! It’s a yarn holder with storage to boot. Don’t forget to add epoxy to dry over the notch so it slides without snags.
7:49 One hack that I use to keep my yarn nice and clean is that I use the Five Below “Pop up bin” which can be used as a car storage or trash can. It’s big enough to put a giant cake of yarn and what’s neat is that is has a bungee secure tie, so when i pull it all the way in there’s a center where to yarn can feed through and it has a strap for you to hang it anywhere you like. I find this super useful when i wanna hang it on a shelf above me when i knit or crochet. It’s out of the way and i have more free space for my project.
My #1 favorite tool for holding crochet hooks are tooth brush holders. Nothing, in my opinion, is better. Give it a try and you will thank me. Love all your videos Elise.👍
This vid was so helpful! I’m a 12 year old girl and I’ve been watching your videos from day one! Elise you have literally taught me how to crochet!!🧶 ❤❤
8:31 The netting from fruit, also works to hold a skein of yarn. It helps to hold the skein together. I usually buy the big skein, put it in the netting and tie it if I was going somewhere. Thanks for the great ideas!! from Ohio🇺🇸
My favorite yarn holders are 6 bottle of wine tote bags. Slip each skein pull side up and yhe compartments keep the yarn from tangling together. The tote bag handles make it easy to travel with your work.
I'm a retired grocery store associate. Wish I had known that before I retired & I could have had one if I'd asked! We've moved to a small town that might not have those for their wine customers. It's an awesome idea‼
@@wandam8642 Lots of options online! The store I got some from only held 4 and I ordered the 6 bottle bags. Plus there is a bonus wine and cheese pairing chart printed on the side.
Great hacks!! I‘ve been using travel packing cubes to organize yarn for WIPs (works in progress). They zip up and most have a mesh on one side so that the contents are viewable. I haven’t been doing much travel lately, so may as well put the cubes to work. Thank you Elise for continuing to inspire us!!!
@@happy_times01 Usually, when I purchase a bedding set (1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 2 pillow cases) it comes in a clear plastic container with a zippered opening. The idea is that when you aren't using the set, you can store it in the container, that way it all stays together. I usually wait until January to purchase new sets (during their "white sales") at Target, Marshall's, or Walmart. I hope this answers your question. PEACE
I use bobby pins for stitch marker also! Another good tool to stuff amigurumi is a pencil, the eraser side is wonderful to help stuff, I keep one always with my hooks.
I use a straight side Rubbermaid drink pitcher for a yarn holder.It’s perfect because it’s big and tall enough for even the one pounder skeins, and because the lid has the perfect opening to feed yarn through
I like the idea for using your hand for measuring since my tape measure always seems to go missing. Something I use for a yarn cozy is old socks. The heel and toe area gets the holes, so cut the cuff off and use that part for the cozy.
Great tips! Another advantage of using yarn as a stitch marker is that it stays in place as you work in the round, so if you need to frog a few rounds, you know where each of the previous rounds starts and can go back there! Whereas if it's a locking marker that you remove each time, you don't know where a previous round started or ended. I've actually never had to buy stitch markers as my yarn supplier gives a few colourful plastic locking ones with every order, so now l have a bunch that l use for keeping count of stitches etc ! It's a great free gift 😊
When my hand gets tired from crocheting a lot I like to push my hook through a beauty blender. The blender makes a great handle, is soft and comfortable.
So I have a good tip for those of us who use digital stitch counters and take our projects with us when we go somewhere. Early on I found out that if I put the counters just in the bag with my crocheting it can add counts or reset it from movement as you're walking. I use the prescription bottles to put my stitch counter in there. It works great for on-the-go crocheting. 🙂 also works great if you have multiple counters with multiple wips. You could use a piece of masking tape and write down the project name, along with the hook size or any other pertinent information.
Really great tips. I put two balls of yarn in a oatmeal circulae box so they don roll all over the place. My tiny chihuahua loves to steal balls of yarn and play with them all over the house. Now he only gets old yarn l. Sincerely, Debbie and Dexter-Dog my sweet tiny rescued Chihuahua companion living a quiet crafty life in southern California.🙋🐾🧑🦽🏡🎠🎄🐦😘❄️⛄✝️🌻🙏💕
I use those plastic bread tabs for a couple Of things.when I start a project and it is like the RH pull skeins I try to find the end tail. And wrap it around trough the opening a few times and anchor the tab so it doesn't tangle up with the working strand.also can be a minny bobbins when doing color work.the best tool boxes I've found are fishing tackle boxes in all kinds of configurations.i even have one for my long knitting needles
I love all your dupes for crotcheting. Never thought, oh, half of these. I had half of these items for a high price in my Amazon cart when I had all of these things at home. Thank you.
Great ideas! I love Altoids cans for needles and other notions. They can obviously be used as is, or covered in a variety of different way, including polymer clay. Many of mine are still in the pill bottles my mother put them in back in the 60s or 70s (yes, I kept all of her crochet and knitting tools after she died in 1987), but I've been using the Altoids cans for beading needles and other jewelry-making smalls, and they will fit the new clipping stitch markers you showed at the beginning of your video better than most pill bottles will. The hand measurements you gave don't work for people with small hands, like my size 6 to 6-1/2 ones. In our case, the distance between the first two knuckles of the index finger is about an inch, and thumb tip to baby fingertip spread out is about 6". The distance from the tip of one shoulder to where I hold something in my thumb and index finger with the other arm stretched out straight to the side is about 3', which is a very common and helpful measurement for many things in the craft world. My size 6-1/2 feet measure more or less 12", so that's a helpful shortcut for quick and dirty measurements of room sizes. People should measure their own body parts to ensure they're using the right dimensions *for them*, but once you do know these shortcuts, they are *sooo* helpful in so many situations.
Bread ties, who would have thought??? lol I love it! I also like the paper towel holder idea as well (yes I live under a rock). I have a cat one that is a pain to use for a paper towel holder but my daughter got it for me and so it has been a decoration. NOW I can use it!! Love you videos Elise!
I love keeping leftover yarn on toilet paper rolls. You can stuff the label on the inside or write on the roll itself. I also use hair clips, Bobby pins, etc. to keep the outside end of a yarn cake or ball in place. My best yarn bowls are wooden salad bowls I picked up at thrift stores. Great for large projects! Many thanks, Elise.
I use a popcorn tin with a hole in the lid. If i want to take it with me no big deal pop the lid and put it in it and close the lid. Its been working great
For a stitch marker just use an alligator clip. It stays where you put it , and you can move it with one hand. I've still got the one my gran gave me when I was 8 from back in the 70s. I always clipped it to the inside of my hook case when I wasn't using it. They are strong and will be where you clip them.
These are great! I always enjoy your tips and tricks videos. One of the useful tips I now use, but was not my idea, is the hair clips that you bend/snap to open. They're great as stitch markers, keeping your yarn bound nicely, and to hold granny squares together when seaming. Because I'm extra like that, I match the clip to the yarn I'm using 🤭🧶
Hair clips seem to multiply for me, but it's really that I pick up a pack at Dollar Tree any time I see colors that I like. 😂 They really are great for keeping the yarn end with the rest of the yarn cake, skein, or ball, instead of it going "off to explore the house." 😉
When I started sewing decades ago, my mother taught me how she measured fabric yardage on the fly. Works for rope, twine, yarn, etc. Take an edge and hold in one hand to the tip of your nose, run your other hand along the length of the fabric/yarn/ribbon/whatever until your arm is fully outstretched to the side. You've measured out approximately three feet/one yard. To measure further, drop the fabric from your "nose hand", grab the fabric at your side hand and bring to your nose while sliding the fabric. You can get really speedy at this and find good deals on fabric and such at yard sales
A great idea with the pantyhose and that type of yarn ball, especially if it stops is collapsing. When I use that type of yarn ball I push a long, fat wooden knitting needle through the centre and loosely attach it to the top of a plastic basket using craft pipe cleaners and use the yarn from the outside. The needle turns very easily and smoothly and of course the pipe cleaners can be removed when the project is finished and you need somewhere to store that next batch of yarn you shouldn’t have bought but couldn’t resist.
I love these hacks, and will start using the ones I hadn’t heard of before. I personally use an old prescription bottle for “caking” my smaller scraps of yarn. Just put an end of the yarn into the bottle, cap it to hold it in place, and wrap around it. You can make it into a ball or cake, depending on how much yarn and how tall the bottle is. I use old plastic snack containers from wholesale stores to store the scrap balls, and make holes in the lid for the ends to come out of when needed. For those scraps of yarn that are too small to use to make anything, or don’t want to use for “stitch markers”, I use them to stuff my amigurumi projects. I unravel the ply’s of the yarn, especially if it’s thicker, to make it more versatile when stuffing. I try to use similar colors to what I’m stuffing, so that it won’t show through as much if there’s any gaps in my stitches Lastly, I use bobby pins and small hair flat clips for the end of yarn of my cakes, to hold them in place when not in use, or when I want to pull from the center.
My favorite yarn holder is a plastic tea pitcher with a lid . They're mostly a dollar or two at the most at the dollar stores and they have some that are designed with about a quarter size hole in the lid for the poor spot with a hinged cap on it that you can take that part off keeps the yarn clean and accessible all the time and easy travel
To wind yarn on a cardboard toilet tissue core or paper towel core, I bought an old cheap electric hand mixer and remove one of the beaters and put the other beater inside the cardboard core and turn it on, guiding the yarn back and forth with my hand. It works like a charm. And I got my mixer for like $3 at a insurance surplus sale store. Thrift stores have them too. It doesn’t get much cheaper than that ans is much faster than hand winding and no limit to the diameter of the yarn cake you make. 💁🏽♀️
My mixture runs so fast, I think I would get rope Burns on my hands.Try to hold the yarn.Well it wound up period good idea to get an old mixer from my thrift shop though period l o l
I have a large wooden bowl that was my dad’s pecan nut bowl. I think originally it was a salad bowl. I don’t eat nuts you have to crack much. But I do enjoy using his bowl.Dad would have a kick out of it too, he crocheted for many years.
Aww, that is so very cool. In trying to think of something I could use I thought about a ceramic bowl of my mothers but I only use it for special occasions & just don't know what I'd do if it got broken so I nixed that idea. Glad you have something like that. My mom crocheted for many years too!❤
I use small cool whip containers to hold most of my cake yarns I use. They also work great for cakes I wind on my ball winder. Also, plastic blue bunny ice cream containers work great for small skeins of yarn.
These are great. A paper clip! Of course! I've used threads and bits of yarn and occasionally a safety pin... Toilet roll winder - fantastic. I love a yarn bowl but don't own one! I do use a heavy ceramic bowl if I've made a neat cake that stays inside...a colander is a great idea. I'll have a rummage for a big container, I have a few big tins saved in the cupboard. Ergonomic sounds great, can't afford at the mo so making one would be awesome. I have polymer clay and some shelf liner! Such great ideas for my ongoing crochet obsession 😊 I use a metal kitchen roll holder for big yarn skeins that I haven't rolled into round cakes yet! Well goodness me my finger joint is an inch long. My hand span is also not 9 inches (and I have big hands). Hook Size markers and using chip clips is a great help! I'm crocheting a cushion cover right now. I've been reading about whittling a hook from a Chopstick! So maybe that's another hack if you go somewhere and forgot your hook 😅 I have used stuffing from cushions, it's often much much cheaper than buying stuffing separately! Thanks so much for all the brilliant tips. 💚
@@EliseRoseCrochet also, sort of related to crochet... I make tassels on a metal ruler with 2 tight clothes pegs to wind the yarn around. You can peg them the exact length you need apart and wind away, then gather each side to make 2, or all of it to make 1 tassel by wrapping a length of yarn around the hank halfway along (the ruler makes this easy). Then cut at each end and finish with binding, rings, or whatever. I'm doing this at the moment for the cushion I've almost finished.
I have a little tip. Hit up thrift stores and you can find a hideous sweater but you can dismantle it an make your own yarn cake and use it for your own projects! You cant do this with tshirts or blankets and look up how to cut it in a continuous strips! This hack has landed me awesome, unique yarn for a buck or two!
My fave is for the partly used yarn skeins .... you rap then around empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls then when I need them I toss the whole thing, tub n all, on a paper towel holder
I love your ideas. Another idea is using a small upright tote and drilling holes in the top of the tote to pull the yarn through. This is perfect if you are using two colors for alternating your colors. Thank you for sharing, and God bless.
Very interesting. I’m saving my cats’ treat containers as yarn bowls. It works the same as the disinfectant containers. I’ll be looking to thrift a paper towel holder.☺️
The wooden yarn holder would be great for thread crochet. I love the idea of using the towel holder to hold yarn. I have two holders my hubby DIY'd from an old pole lamp that had gotten damaged. The base is very sturdy. ON THE BOTTOM, I put a round piece of wax paper and on top of that a piece of felt to help it spin. I use cotton yarn on cones, and this works great for them. One of my favorite decorations in my craft room is a glass jar with a cork in the top that came with Italian seasoning. I made an afghan with a box of Scheepjes River Washed Mini Skeins, and all of the little bits left over I made into little skeins, and placed in the spice jar. I use the beach towel holders from the dollar store for bobbins- holds a lot of yarn! I also use binder clips to hold cords, the clip comes off, so you can thread it thru. I can see using it on your colander the same way. Thanks for all of your tips, I have used most of them!.
For ergonomic crochet hooks I highly recommend thermal plastic beads, especially with the Susan Bates hooks because you can melt it down, mold it to your hand, crochet your project and if it’s not fitting quite right, put it in the hot water molded again if you need to switch hooks you just put the one in the hot water, pulled the material off, mold it to the next hookand it holds beautifully
For my crocheting and knitting I often grab my husband's discarded protein shake containers. They're large so they can handle those jumbo skeins of yarn or keep multiple balls/skeins clean and handy for color work. It's also easy to travel with them, I just stuff the project into the container (if it still fits), put the lid on, and stick it into my project bag with my water bottle. If you need a break from the project you can easily line them up on your shelf with a label of what project it is, hook size, etc.
These are great ideas. Some I already use, like the Bobbie pins as stitch markers, which I prefer over the locking stitch markers I have, because they are easier to move. But some I had not heard of, like the paper towel yarn holder. I'm going to try that one! I save all my tiny scrap pieces of yarn, like the stuff I clip off after sewing in most of the tail, and I use it as stuffing for amigurumi when I don't have regular poly fill. I make a lot of hats that have small areas that need stuffing, like a snout or ears, and it works well - especially if most of the yarn is the same color as whatever I'm working on, because you can't see any of the stuffing through the stitches; it's camouflaged.
Thank you so much for sharing!!! I love reduce/reuse/recycle DIY for my camping & crafting addictions!! I am new to your channel and cannot wait to dive in deeper!! Your video organization, efficient addressing of each topic and videography are very nice!! Kudos!!! One thing that I would URGE EXTREME CAUTION on is the thrift shop source of stuffing or anything for that matter!!! My friend recently snagged a super cool set of night stands from her local thrift shop and wound up with a BED BUG infestation!! If you are going to 2nd hand source your stuffing, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure that you know how to thoroughly clean any items BEFORE you bring them into your home/work space!!!!! My friends thought they were saving money and being good humans by reusing rather than buying new. I cannot tell you the financial, physical & emotional cost to them & their family. BEYOND ENORMOUS. And in this economy to have to Immediately come up with bed bug exterminator money!!! I love thrifting for the planet and my pocket book, but thrift with caution friends!!
I have used the plastic cake covers .. you could also use the bottom of it and put holes in it to feed your yarn through. For a yarn cozzie you could use some of the cheap/cheaper knee high stockings.
Another common measurement tool that everyone has on them, and most people will probably know this, is a dollar bill. A dollar bill, or any denomination really, is 6 in Long and just about 2 and 1/2 in wide! 💵💜 P.S. I am new to your channel and I have to say you have the smartest viewers of any channel I've ever seen. I have learned more not only from you, but also from the comments under this video for lots of tips to use for my crochet projects. I'm officially a new subscriber! And thank you to everyone who commented on this video... I've read just about every single comment and you're all geniuses!💜💡
I use some plastic gallon bags where I've snipped the corners. I pull the yarn through the corner. When there is extra yarn, I use a bobby pin to pin them to the outside. I LOVE that lysol cannister idea!
I love all of these ideas! Thank you so much for sharing! I also love all of your videos, your enthusiasm and your excellent ability to explain things!
Thanks so much for the great fun videos. A couple of thoughts and ideas. First, I picked up a couple of large measuring bowls. You can get them at the dollar store too. You can drop yarn in and thread through the pour spout. They are not as pretty as wooden bowls but will hold a larger skein. And if it is a smaller project you can drop the project in as well. When I was in foods class years ago our teacher taught us how to set a table properly. The inch measurement we learned was the end of the thumb to the first knuckle. You bend the thumb and place on the edge of the table. The cutlery and plates aligned with the end of the thumb so that it was an inch from the edge which was proper. I still use the measure as an emergency for an inch. Then years later when quilting I learned that from the tip of the fingers to the end of the nose was close to a yard. It is how the measured fabric in those old stores. And the last old top which is rather gross has to deal with squeaky hooks and hooks with burrs that catch. Modern hooks are better than the Boyes I learned with in the 1960’s. I was crocheting while waiting for my grandmother at the doctor. I was not very old. A kind older lady corrected a few things I was doing wrong and gave me pointers. She also said that when a hook was catching or had a burr to rub it in your hair. That puts a little oil on it and it will crochet better. That sounds bad but people put pencils behind their ears. It does work. I have not done it recently but I have wondered about it and Prym hooks when they squeak a little.
I use a tin container that used to hold Buccee’s mints for my needles, stitch markers, small folding scissors, etc. It’s easy to also line the bottom with a strip of a magnetic sheet to keep all metallic items in place.
I've got a few tricks I swear by! 1) I bought some cheap cardstock, cut into wee rectangles about 1.5" x .5" wide & put tape on the end (to stop the card ripping) & punch a hole thru it. I then write my hook (such as purple zing 4.5mm as I have lots of diff hooks) on it & attach it with yarn. Then if u use ur hook on something else or put ur project down for a while u know exactly what hook u were using. 2) If I made something like a lapghan, baby clothes etc out of something like merino or cashmere etc, I cut off the wee yarn label part that tells you how to wash & the temp of water etc & tie it to the blanket when giving it away. That way the person knows how to best look after/wash their present/gift. 3) I use pencil cases of different sizes to hold my bits n bobs. One for my fave hooks, one for my lace size hooks (a metal case is perfect to protect the wee hook ends) one for my less used chunky hooks. Then a double sized one that holds pens, pins, needles, spare scissors, small thing of cotton for hand sewing, tiny hole punch for my hook labels, pre-cut/punched labels, measure tape etc etc. I even crocheted a jumbo sized one with a zip to keep them all together, easy to grab & go! 4) Also, I make a long chain out of very tight chain stitches & tie/sew it in a loop & tie that onto my wee scissors & the pencil cases (thru the bit the zippers on) where I keep my hooks etc in. Then I use that to put stitch markers on so they're always within reach & I'm not searching for them. 5) I also use cheap caribiners to keep my scissors (this is where the chain stitch loop thru the finger hole is handy), measuring tape etc onto the same loop on my pencil case zip, sew it to the outside of the case, or on my project bag, & keep everything like stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape, pen etc all together. Easy to get off with the caribiner but also stays together & always in the same place together! 6) just thought of another. The cheap wee hair clips that you bend in the middle to close (shaped like an elongated triangle) are fantastic for clipping the end of ur yarn onto the yarn ball so it doesn't unwind & get messy plus it's easy to find the end next time!
I use a bag strap, knitting needle, and a hair type to create a yarn dispenser that I can prop up on the corner of my tv, around my shoulder when walking, etc.
I have not done much knitting or crochet since arthritis setup in my hands. For over a year I could not use any of my scissors. I have wanted to try the new crochet hooks made for people with arthritis ; but, nothing is wrong with my old hooks. The problem is my hands. I am very happy to learn that I can make my wonderful old hooks fit my damaged old hands. This has worked for me in the past. Cut the bottom out of a large, clean, plastic bottle (pop bottle, juice bottle, milk carton, vinegar jug), feed the yarn end through the inside and out of the bottle top, insert the yarn inside the bottle (so that the yarn feeds through easy), then tape the bottom of the bottle back on. It isn't very pretty; but, that is up to you. You can crochet, or knit, or design and sew a cover to hide the plastic bottle. Putting a handle, or loop, on the cover will allow you to hang the bottle out of reach of those (children, dogs, or cats) who may want to play with the yarn and bottle.
Twist ties also make good stitch markers in a pinch. Added plus that they can be open or locking, or if it's long enough, even a running stitch marker!
Hi Elise - great ideas! In addition, I use those plastic net things, that they tend to put liquor bottles in to prevent them from rattling around and crashing into each other, to contain my yarn skeins. I have no other idea of what to do with the blasted things other than trash them. Also, I use the empty containers for mechanical pencil leads to carry a few yarn needles around.
Those "plastic net things" can also be used to remove the skins off roasted hazel nuts (aka filberts) and boiled almonds. Just thought you might like to know. PEACE
The best tool was the toilet paper roll, loved it! The strainer I use, but don't use the holes. I just drop the yarn inside the bowl and away I go. And the bread bag clip was a good one, I'll use that. Thank you sincerely.
For ball winding into center-pull I use the short or long tubes that fizzy vitamins come in. (My husband used to buy these and saved them for me. Now he buys the vitamins in boxes of packets/sachets. The original brand was Airborne and now others brands also use the tubes. I remove the fresh sachet inside the lid as it isn't necessary. I slip one end of yarn in the tube, put on the lid and wind. Remove the lid and slip off the end. The diameter of the tubes is perfect. I can keep a hook, stitch markers, needles inside as well. A bit of wadding (fabric, etc.) to keep the items from slipping out when I wind a ball is optional. I've also crocheted little 3" x 3" squares using #3 crochet thread to clip markers or slip tapestry needles onto that fold and slip into the tube to have small tools with my project.
I purchased the Wool Jennie and absolutely love it. Crocheting has since I bought it has been a lot easier. I do checker prints and putting my main color on it and using Clover Bobbins for the drop and pickup method is the way to go.
Easy cheap yarn holder idea, pvc piping secured into any smooth base by either making a hole the diameter of the pipe and feeding it into the hole or super glue. Super durable, customizable, and cheap.
I use hair clips to hold my long tails in both crochet and knit which the long tails are for sewing seams. I just figure 8 the tails and clip them to the foundation row or the cast on row.
can we take a minute to appreciate all of the work and amazing videos Elise makes? Thank you for these !!
Awww! Thank you so much! 🧶🧶🧶
I agree! Wish there was one for each day - an apple /video a day, keeps the doctor away. All the way from South Africa.
Thnx Elise, once again love all the diy options and ideas, which i already tried and still do. Love your videos!
Yes! Not only are they helpful, her presentation style and video quality is always the best. My fav new TH-cam channel of the year ❤️🧁🧁
bravo, Elise! yes!
Love these! Just wanted to add a tip I learned from my friend who sells fully recycled yarn crochet - if you fluff up scrap yarn on a dog slicker brush you can use it as stuffing and it works really well & uses all those little scraps that otherwise get tossed!
That's a great idea! 🧶🧶🧶
came here to say this! I save all my ends to do this with!
Love that idea!
thanks for the idea!! i have scraps set away for this purpose, but never thought to brush them to make them fluffy
Your tip for turning scrap yarn into toy filling is great as you can match the stuffing to your project I also use my poodles slicker brush to fluff up her fur to create dolls hair 😁💐🌺🌹
In addition to the grippy shelf liner for ergonomic grips, you can use the self-sticking bandage wrap. They come in different colors. Works great!
That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
That is such a good idea!, and I have lots of that around.
This is what I do too and I love it so much. Very customizable and easy to adjust if needed. And a little squishy :)
What a great idea!! I've also been trying to think of something to add to my plastic hangers so my blouses or trousers don't slip. This would work perfectly!! Thanks for your idea❤
I came here to say that ❤
I've recently started using ziplock bags as yarn bowls for my center pull cakes. Works great and can be sealed, reused, folded up and stored easily.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
That is exactly what I do. Also, works well when knitting fair isle or stripes etc.
And also great if it falls to the floor…no dust/dirt/pet hair and your cat won’t take the ball and run with it. Lol
❤
Same here! Started out of desperation, cat hair does not go well with cotton crochet thread! 😸
15:44 Chop sticks. I realize this is about Crochet but i thought I'd add this. Others may like this idea. If I'm in a pinch (say at the cottage) and I want to knit a dishcloth, I'll use chop sticks.. They're a perfect size for that. Just file off any snags and voila, knittng needles.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
A good way to remember what size hook you are using for a project is to just take a picture of the project with the hook size in view. Make a folder on your phone called “crochet projects” and then if you put it away for awhile and the hook isn’t with it you just look at your phone to find out.
That is such a good idea!!! 📸
I have yarn on my wooden yarn holder, hook in the bag 50
Stitches around on around 11! I have absolutely no idea what I was making!!!😩😩
Great idea! 👍
That bread tie hack for the size of the crochet hook is genius!
I thought so too!!! Such a good idea!! 🧶🧶🧶
I too thought this was a wonderful idea!
I recently made a baby blanket using three different colors of the Bernat Blanket yarn. I used a round plastic laundry basket (from Dollar Tree) for all three skeins, putting each strand through a different slot in the basket. It kept all those HUGE skeins nicely contained while I was making my stripes but also when I wasn't working on it, I just folded up the blanket and laid it on top of the yarn. It worked BEAUTIFULLY!! 😊
Great tip! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
Great idea. I will have to remember this. I have 5 longcoat German Shepherds. I try very hard not to include hair when I crochet a gift for someone else. I have a plastic thing with a lid, looks like Tall Tupperware with a lid. I dont much care do if.
Exactly what I do. 🎉
You can wash the yarn right in those pantyhose cozies! Some yarn from. The thrift stores can be dusty or smoky smelling. 😊 great video Elise, praise Jesus!
That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
Love your ideas. I actually use most of them. However, my cheapest (but most valuable) yarn holder is the plastic grocery bag. Simply place the yarn inside the bag, pull the working yarn through a handle hole, and tie the bag closed. Yarn moves easily and stays clean. Not to mention you can store the unfinished project in the bag.
Great idea!! Thanks for sharing!! 🧶🧶🧶
Hi! Elise I love your videos please keep them coming. I'm in a nursing home in VA because of strokes and I need your help.Could you please tell us where you can buy the Big Bubby craft handle and what they cost? Thanks so much 😊❤❤❤
@@denisehaley2448 Hi there! I don't know if you're still looking, but chunkyboycraft makes large ergonomic handles! They're sold out rn, but walmart/michales has a Boye branded ergonomic handle that you can insert aluminum hooks into for about $10-13! A DIY I (by I, I mean my mom, who is a home health nurse) see often is a tennis ball with a hole in it! I hope that helps!
I do something similar when I knit or crochet in university. I put the skein into my bag and close the bag - but not fully. The skein can‘t escape and I can knit peacefully and am able to concentrate to the lecture. (And don‘t have to search for the skein on the floor)
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A substitute for a yarn bowl that I use is a lovely, thrifted stoneware teapot. It has a wide opening on the top so the ball of yarn will fit with the working yarn coming out through the spout.
That's a great idea! 🫖
I love this one. I'm going to put my
teapot (I have never used) to work.
Thanks for the IDEA.
😅 bonus- looks cute if you leave it out for quick projects.
Now that is smart and adorable!!!
Great idea
A clean tea pot makes a cute yarn bowl. Thread yarn through the spout.
What a great idea!! 🫖
I have been using Dollar store SPONGE ROLLERS as my ergonomic grips on my crochet hooks. Just remove the plastic piece. It already has a hole in the middle. If need be, you can cut them to size ( in case 1.5 rollers needed) and just use painters tape to secure them together. Feels really nice in the hand and has saved me hours of pain!
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
Great tips, frugal too leaving more to spend on yarn 😊 My yarn ‘bowl’ is a white plastic basket, like the one on your top shelf. I put a knitting needle through one side, through the yarn ball, and then through the other side of the basket. No matter how hard I yank the yarn, the ball stays in the basket. I can put more than one ball in there, each on its own needle, for doing colourwork without tangles. If I need to take the project away from home, I just slip the knitting needles out to free the ball. Between sessions, I can simply drop the project on top and put the basket away. ❤
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶
Great idea!!!
Smart!
I buy cotton balls at the dollar store for stuffing pillows. I used to use them for stuffed animals I made as well. They are early to fluff up and make them harder if you want a hard stuffing. I also made yarn out of cotton balls and two cat wire brushes. You process the cotton balls with the wire brushes and wound it into threads between your fingers. That is how cotton and wool is processed into yarn. You have to break down the fibers and they will thread together between your fingers. I am very good at making good quality yarn. I have a lot of practice. 😊
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
The problem with using cotton balls for that is: that they can't be washed. I checked because I use cotton balls to make pillows for my own head [polyester makes me SWEAT!]
@@lynneclark5313-oh, did not think of that. Thanks for that.
@@lynneclark5313
Why can't they be washed? Is it because they don't dry out as easily as polyfil?
The cotton balls losses its loft and will quickly shred.@@MM-jf1me
I just found your channel! Thank you so much for all the great tips. I too have an (adult) son who has a disability. We use shelf liner and silpat baking mats for a lot of things. When I was young, my mom would cut the bottom off 2-liter soda bottles , put her yarn in it and feed it through the top. The she would turn the bottom upside down and shove it back inside the part she cut off.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
Brilliant!
Thanks..💞
The wooden yarn bowl I made from and old wooden bowl! Used dremel tool and sandpaper. I stained it and it’s lovely! Good needle holders are M&M tubes that you can get at holidays! They are colored and fun!
Oooh! Nice! I bet it's beautiful! 🧶🧶🧶
Yes on the tubes. Fizzy vitamins come in tubes also. Airborne is one brand and store brands also have the tubes.
Love it!! I was just about to add a paper towel holder to my amazon shopping cart when you mentioned it. Oh and I like to use binder clips on the side of any bowl to make it into a yarn bowl. I just slip my yarn through the little silver grippy part and then if I need to take the yarn out I can unhook it from the bonder clip. I don't know if that makes sense but it's easy and they're removable and you can use multiples if you're doing colorwork. Love your videos :)
That makes total sense! Thanks for sharing!! 🧶🧶🧶
That's a great idea also! Thank you for sharing!
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Great idea. Now I have a use for my huge metal mixing bowl I got for popcorn. I don't need to eat that anymore 😂
That's a good idea.
I've been using scrap yarn as place markers, but I didn't realize making the yarn longer and utilizing the same piece of yarn as I move through the project would help to lock it into place with an easy remove when I'm ready to do that. I'm going to be using that technique now.
It really is a nice way to mark your stitches! 🧶🧶🧶
I use yarn also with a slack knot one end so I don't pull the yarn out .
And I feel so dumb for not thinking of it sooner! I use multiple scraps of yarn when I could be using one long piece!🙄
I’m currently using an old tp holder for my crochet string. It holds what I’m using, and all the other colors on it too. Just swap out the one you’re using. I have an antique metal lunchbox that I use for my crochet tools (and small projects) on the go. I love how it opens up. I’ve also used a red wine purse. Opens up WIDE! Both of them were a dollar each at the second hand store. I just got an old suitcase set that looks s0 pretty! Instead of an unsightly pile of yarn balls/skeins next to the couch, I just cut a notch in the suitcase and Wala I feed my yarn through the hole. When I’m done for a bit I just open the suitcase to put my project in. Beautiful, and Meowswa can’t get it! It’s a yarn holder with storage to boot. Don’t forget to add epoxy to dry over the notch so it slides without snags.
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I once got pears or apples that had a mesh sleeve over the fruit. That is my favorite yarn cozy.
7:49 One hack that I use to keep my yarn nice and clean is that I use the Five Below “Pop up bin” which can be used as a car storage or trash can. It’s big enough to put a giant cake of yarn and what’s neat is that is has a bungee secure tie, so when i pull it all the way in there’s a center where to yarn can feed through and it has a strap for you to hang it anywhere you like. I find this super useful when i wanna hang it on a shelf above me when i knit or crochet. It’s out of the way and i have more free space for my project.
Oooh! Great idea!! Thank you so much for sharing! ❤
My #1 favorite tool for holding crochet hooks are tooth brush holders. Nothing, in my opinion, is better. Give it a try and you will thank me. Love all your videos Elise.👍
What a great idea! And there are so many different styles to choose from, too. Thanks for sharing your tip.
I have a little zippered pencil pouch to hold my extra hooks, needles, stitch markers, and tiny scissors. Easy to put into my to-go crochet bag.
Great idea!
I do this too
This vid was so helpful! I’m a 12 year old girl and I’ve been watching your videos from day one! Elise you have literally taught me how to crochet!!🧶 ❤❤
8:31 The netting from fruit, also works to hold a skein of yarn. It helps to hold the skein together. I usually buy the big skein, put it in the netting and tie it if I was going somewhere. Thanks for the great ideas!! from Ohio🇺🇸
Good to know! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I have also saved and used the netting from fruit. Works well around open yarn skeins. 💖
Great idea! And here I was throwing them away.
I trash the fruit bag also.
Oh Wow! Didn't think of it before I tossed the tangerine bag last week! I will have to pick up another bag of tangerines! Lol great idea!
Travel yarn holder- ziploc bag with corner cut off for yarn to thread through. Works great and keeps yarn from tangling.
Great idea!! 🧶🧶🧶
Lasts even longer if you cover the cut edge with painter’s tape. I use freezer bags that have been used 3-4 times and have thinned.
My favorite yarn holders are 6 bottle of wine tote bags. Slip each skein pull side up and yhe compartments keep the yarn from tangling together. The tote bag handles make it easy to travel with your work.
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I'm a retired grocery store associate. Wish I had known that before I retired & I could have had one if I'd asked! We've moved to a small town that might not have those for their wine customers. It's an awesome idea‼
@@wandam8642 Lots of options online! The store I got some from only held 4 and I ordered the 6 bottle bags. Plus there is a bonus wine and cheese pairing chart printed on the side.
Great hacks!! I‘ve been using travel packing cubes to organize yarn for WIPs (works in progress). They zip up and most have a mesh on one side so that the contents are viewable. I haven’t been doing much travel lately, so may as well put the cubes to work. Thank you Elise for continuing to inspire us!!!
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
Me too! Works well!
I use the zippered pouches you get from sheet sets for a similar purpose. Just big enough for one project, plus they're see through
What are those exactly? Where do you get them?
@@happy_times01 Usually, when I purchase a bedding set (1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 2 pillow cases) it comes in a clear plastic container with a zippered opening. The idea is that when you aren't using the set, you can store it in the container, that way it all stays together. I usually wait until January to purchase new sets (during their "white sales") at Target, Marshall's, or Walmart. I hope this answers your question. PEACE
I use bobby pins for stitch marker also! Another good tool to stuff amigurumi is a pencil, the eraser side is wonderful to help stuff, I keep one always with my hooks.
They work great! ❤
I use a straight side Rubbermaid drink pitcher for a yarn holder.It’s perfect because it’s big and tall enough for even the one pounder skeins, and because the lid has the perfect opening to feed yarn through
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I do that too. I got mine at the dollar store and they come in different colors.
I like the idea for using your hand for measuring since my tape measure always seems to go missing. Something I use for a yarn cozy is old socks. The heel and toe area gets the holes, so cut the cuff off and use that part for the cozy.
That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing! 🧦
My next tatoo!
I must learn to do this.. I'm always losing my tape measure!
Bobbie pins great idea.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🧶🧶🧶
I use sports wrap around my hooks to make them easier and more comfortable to hold and it's cushiony. It doesn'tleave any sticky residue either.😊
That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing!! 🧶🧶🧶
Is sports wrap the same as vet wrap? Elastic that sticks to itself, not Velcro though, just tacky?
@@robinr6399I believe they work the same way.
It's called Coban
Great tips! Another advantage of using yarn as a stitch marker is that it stays in place as you work in the round, so if you need to frog a few rounds, you know where each of the previous rounds starts and can go back there! Whereas if it's a locking marker that you remove each time, you don't know where a previous round started or ended.
I've actually never had to buy stitch markers as my yarn supplier gives a few colourful plastic locking ones with every order, so now l have a bunch that l use for keeping count of stitches etc ! It's a great free gift 😊
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I found you yesterday and already you are my favourite ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
What a loveable human being...
When my hand gets tired from crocheting a lot I like to push my hook through a beauty blender. The blender makes a great handle, is soft and comfortable.
So I have a good tip for those of us who use digital stitch counters and take our projects with us when we go somewhere. Early on I found out that if I put the counters just in the bag with my crocheting it can add counts or reset it from movement as you're walking. I use the prescription bottles to put my stitch counter in there. It works great for on-the-go crocheting. 🙂 also works great if you have multiple counters with multiple wips. You could use a piece of masking tape and write down the project name, along with the hook size or any other pertinent information.
Really great tips. I put two balls of yarn in a oatmeal circulae box so they don roll all over the place. My tiny chihuahua loves to steal balls of yarn and play with them all over the house. Now he only gets old yarn l. Sincerely, Debbie and Dexter-Dog my sweet tiny rescued Chihuahua companion living a quiet crafty life in southern California.🙋🐾🧑🦽🏡🎠🎄🐦😘❄️⛄✝️🌻🙏💕
Awww, so sweet! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶
I use those plastic bread tabs for a couple
Of things.when I start a project and it is like the RH pull skeins I try to find the end tail. And wrap it around trough the opening a few times and anchor the tab so it doesn't tangle up with the working strand.also can be a minny bobbins when doing color work.the best tool boxes I've found are fishing tackle boxes in all kinds of configurations.i even have one for my long knitting needles
I love all your dupes for crotcheting. Never thought, oh, half of these. I had half of these items for a high price in my Amazon cart when I had all of these things at home. Thank you.
For a stitch marker you can also use broken clip earrings, the ones that close plus if they have something hanging on it makes it cute,
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I use straws cut at a angle & us different colors
Using the plastic bread loaf's as bobbins
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
Great ideas!
I love Altoids cans for needles and other notions. They can obviously be used as is, or covered in a variety of different way, including polymer clay. Many of mine are still in the pill bottles my mother put them in back in the 60s or 70s (yes, I kept all of her crochet and knitting tools after she died in 1987), but I've been using the Altoids cans for beading needles and other jewelry-making smalls, and they will fit the new clipping stitch markers you showed at the beginning of your video better than most pill bottles will.
The hand measurements you gave don't work for people with small hands, like my size 6 to 6-1/2 ones. In our case, the distance between the first two knuckles of the index finger is about an inch, and thumb tip to baby fingertip spread out is about 6".
The distance from the tip of one shoulder to where I hold something in my thumb and index finger with the other arm stretched out straight to the side is about 3', which is a very common and helpful measurement for many things in the craft world. My size 6-1/2 feet measure more or less 12", so that's a helpful shortcut for quick and dirty measurements of room sizes.
People should measure their own body parts to ensure they're using the right dimensions *for them*, but once you do know these shortcuts, they are *sooo* helpful in so many situations.
Yes! You should do your own measurements! 👋
You can also cut a thin magnet strip for the inside of the tin if you want to keep your needles from rolling around. 🙂
Bread ties, who would have thought??? lol I love it! I also like the paper towel holder idea as well (yes I live under a rock). I have a cat one that is a pain to use for a paper towel holder but my daughter got it for me and so it has been a decoration. NOW I can use it!! Love you videos Elise!
That's wonderful!! It sounds adorable! 🧶🧶🧶
I love keeping leftover yarn on toilet paper rolls. You can stuff the label on the inside or write on the roll itself.
I also use hair clips, Bobby pins, etc. to keep the outside end of a yarn cake or ball in place.
My best yarn bowls are wooden salad bowls I picked up at thrift stores. Great for large projects!
Many thanks, Elise.
Ooh! Love the idea for the wooden salad bowls! Thanks for sharing! 🥗🧶❤️
I also love wooden salad bowls for yarn bowls. I have three that never get used for salads so why not?!
I use a popcorn tin with a hole in the lid. If i want to take it with me no big deal pop the lid and put it in it and close the lid. Its been working great
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
For a stitch marker just use an alligator clip. It stays where you put it , and you can move it with one hand. I've still got the one my gran gave me when I was 8 from back in the 70s. I always clipped it to the inside of my hook case when I wasn't using it. They are strong and will be where you clip them.
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
These are such great tips! You can also use the crochet hooks with a cereal box to block granny squares :)
That’s a great idea! 🧶
These are great! I always enjoy your tips and tricks videos. One of the useful tips I now use, but was not my idea, is the hair clips that you bend/snap to open. They're great as stitch markers, keeping your yarn bound nicely, and to hold granny squares together when seaming. Because I'm extra like that, I match the clip to the yarn I'm using 🤭🧶
Haha! I love it! I will have to pick a pack of those up sometime! ❤
I have starting to use hair clips that snap to keep the ends of yarn clipped to the ball saves the yarn getting tangled up
@@jenniferking6989 Yes, me too, as I mentioned. They're very versatile 🧶
Hair clips seem to multiply for me, but it's really that I pick up a pack at Dollar Tree any time I see colors that I like. 😂
They really are great for keeping the yarn end with the rest of the yarn cake, skein, or ball, instead of it going "off to explore the house." 😉
@@jenniferking6989❤
When I started sewing decades ago, my mother taught me how she measured fabric yardage on the fly. Works for rope, twine, yarn, etc. Take an edge and hold in one hand to the tip of your nose, run your other hand along the length of the fabric/yarn/ribbon/whatever until your arm is fully outstretched to the side. You've measured out approximately three feet/one yard. To measure further, drop the fabric from your "nose hand", grab the fabric at your side hand and bring to your nose while sliding the fabric. You can get really speedy at this and find good deals on fabric and such at yard sales
A great idea with the pantyhose and that type of yarn ball, especially if it stops is collapsing. When I use that type of yarn ball I push a long, fat wooden knitting needle through the centre and loosely attach it to the top of a plastic basket using craft pipe cleaners and use the yarn from the outside. The needle turns very easily and smoothly and of course the pipe cleaners can be removed when the project is finished and you need somewhere to store that next batch of yarn you shouldn’t have bought but couldn’t resist.
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I love these hacks, and will start using the ones I hadn’t heard of before. I personally use an old prescription bottle for “caking” my smaller scraps of yarn. Just put an end of the yarn into the bottle, cap it to hold it in place, and wrap around it. You can make it into a ball or cake, depending on how much yarn and how tall the bottle is.
I use old plastic snack containers from wholesale stores to store the scrap balls, and make holes in the lid for the ends to come out of when needed.
For those scraps of yarn that are too small to use to make anything, or don’t want to use for “stitch markers”, I use them to stuff my amigurumi projects. I unravel the ply’s of the yarn, especially if it’s thicker, to make it more versatile when stuffing. I try to use similar colors to what I’m stuffing, so that it won’t show through as much if there’s any gaps in my stitches
Lastly, I use bobby pins and small hair flat clips for the end of yarn of my cakes, to hold them in place when not in use, or when I want to pull from the center.
My favorite yarn holder is a plastic tea pitcher with a lid . They're mostly a dollar or two at the most at the dollar stores and they have some that are designed with about a quarter size hole in the lid for the poor spot with a hinged cap on it that you can take that part off keeps the yarn clean and accessible all the time and easy travel
Great idea!!! 👏👏👏
To wind yarn on a cardboard toilet tissue core or paper towel core, I bought an old cheap electric hand mixer and remove one of the beaters and put the other beater inside the cardboard core and turn it on, guiding the yarn back and forth with my hand. It works like a charm. And I got my mixer for like $3 at a insurance surplus sale store. Thrift stores have them too. It doesn’t get much cheaper than that ans is much faster than hand winding and no limit to the diameter of the yarn cake you make. 💁🏽♀️
Great idea!!! 🧶🧶🧶
My mixture runs so fast, I think I would get rope Burns on my hands.Try to hold the yarn.Well it wound up period good idea to get an old mixer from my thrift shop though period l o l
I have a large wooden bowl that was my dad’s pecan nut bowl. I think originally it was a salad bowl. I don’t eat nuts you have to crack much. But I do enjoy using his bowl.Dad would have a kick out of it too, he crocheted for many years.
Aww, that is so very cool. In trying to think of something I could use I thought about a ceramic bowl of my mothers but I only use it for special occasions & just don't know what I'd do if it got broken so I nixed that idea. Glad you have something like that. My mom crocheted for many years too!❤
How special!!! I was a daddy's girl, so this brought tears to my eyes. 😢
Thank you. Happy New Year to your family. God bless your son. I'm a retired special needs teacher.
I use small cool whip containers to hold most of my cake yarns I use. They also work great for cakes I wind on my ball winder. Also, plastic blue bunny ice cream containers work great for small skeins of yarn.
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I have beautiful small skeins in a litre pickle jar. You can see them so easily. So pretty as well.Great video!❤️
Oooh! I bet they look gorgeous! ❤
Oh you just gave me a great idea! I’ve got some tiny skeins and little ball jars with wooden tops.
Ty for sharing I will be using the jars for my little scrap balls of yarn 🧶 ❤❤❤
These are great. A paper clip! Of course! I've used threads and bits of yarn and occasionally a safety pin...
Toilet roll winder - fantastic.
I love a yarn bowl but don't own one! I do use a heavy ceramic bowl if I've made a neat cake that stays inside...a colander is a great idea. I'll have a rummage for a big container, I have a few big tins saved in the cupboard.
Ergonomic sounds great, can't afford at the mo so making one would be awesome. I have polymer clay and some shelf liner!
Such great ideas for my ongoing crochet obsession 😊
I use a metal kitchen roll holder for big yarn skeins that I haven't rolled into round cakes yet!
Well goodness me my finger joint is an inch long. My hand span is also not 9 inches (and I have big hands).
Hook Size markers and using chip clips is a great help! I'm crocheting a cushion cover right now.
I've been reading about whittling a hook from a Chopstick! So maybe that's another hack if you go somewhere and forgot your hook 😅
I have used stuffing from cushions, it's often much much cheaper than buying stuffing separately!
Thanks so much for all the brilliant tips. 💚
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
@@EliseRoseCrochet also, sort of related to crochet...
I make tassels on a metal ruler with 2 tight clothes pegs to wind the yarn around. You can peg them the exact length you need apart and wind away, then gather each side to make 2, or all of it to make 1 tassel by wrapping a length of yarn around the hank halfway along (the ruler makes this easy). Then cut at each end and finish with binding, rings, or whatever. I'm doing this at the moment for the cushion I've almost finished.
I have a little tip. Hit up thrift stores and you can find a hideous sweater but you can dismantle it an make your own yarn cake and use it for your own projects! You cant do this with tshirts or blankets and look up how to cut it in a continuous strips! This hack has landed me awesome, unique yarn for a buck or two!
Thanks for sharing!! 🧶🧶🧶
My fave is for the partly used yarn skeins .... you rap then around empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls then when I need them I toss the whole thing, tub n all, on a paper towel holder
Great idea!!! Thanks for sharing!! 🧻🧻🧻
I love your ideas. Another idea is using a small upright tote and drilling holes in the top of the tote to pull the yarn through. This is perfect if you are using two colors for alternating your colors. Thank you for sharing, and God bless.
Very interesting. I’m saving my cats’ treat containers as yarn bowls. It works the same as the disinfectant containers. I’ll be looking to thrift a paper towel holder.☺️
Great tip!!! Thanks for sharing! 🧶
I use a gallon size Ziploc bag and a large binder clip! I clip the bag to a shelf and pull yarn thru the clip
For stuffingni use big cheap pillows plus you have the fabric for behind the eyes 😀😊
Awesome tip! 🧶🧶🧶
Wonderful ideas!!
Thank you! 😊
The wooden yarn holder would be great for thread crochet. I love the idea of using the towel holder to hold yarn. I have two holders my hubby DIY'd from an old pole lamp that had gotten damaged. The base is very sturdy. ON THE BOTTOM, I put a round piece of wax paper and on top of that a piece of felt to help it spin. I use cotton yarn on cones, and this works great for them. One of my favorite decorations in my craft room is a glass jar with a cork in the top that came with Italian seasoning. I made an afghan with a box of Scheepjes River Washed Mini Skeins, and all of the little bits left over I made into little skeins, and placed in the spice jar. I use the beach towel holders from the dollar store for bobbins- holds a lot of yarn! I also use binder clips to hold cords, the clip comes off, so you can thread it thru. I can see using it on your colander the same way. Thanks for all of your tips, I have used most of them!.
You've got a lot of great tips! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
For ergonomic crochet hooks I highly recommend thermal plastic beads, especially with the Susan Bates hooks because you can melt it down, mold it to your hand, crochet your project and if it’s not fitting quite right, put it in the hot water molded again if you need to switch hooks you just put the one in the hot water, pulled the material off, mold it to the next hookand it holds beautifully
For my crocheting and knitting I often grab my husband's discarded protein shake containers. They're large so they can handle those jumbo skeins of yarn or keep multiple balls/skeins clean and handy for color work. It's also easy to travel with them, I just stuff the project into the container (if it still fits), put the lid on, and stick it into my project bag with my water bottle. If you need a break from the project you can easily line them up on your shelf with a label of what project it is, hook size, etc.
Great tip!! Thanks for sharing!! 🧶🧶🧶
These are great ideas. Some I already use, like the Bobbie pins as stitch markers, which I prefer over the locking stitch markers I have, because they are easier to move. But some I had not heard of, like the paper towel yarn holder. I'm going to try that one!
I save all my tiny scrap pieces of yarn, like the stuff I clip off after sewing in most of the tail, and I use it as stuffing for amigurumi when I don't have regular poly fill. I make a lot of hats that have small areas that need stuffing, like a snout or ears, and it works well - especially if most of the yarn is the same color as whatever I'm working on, because you can't see any of the stuffing through the stitches; it's camouflaged.
Thanks for sharing!! 🧶🧶🧶
I picked up so many great tips from this video... thank you! And I completely that those bobby pins appear out of nowhere.
Haha!! Thank you! 🧶🧶🧶
Thank you so much for sharing!!! I love reduce/reuse/recycle DIY for my camping & crafting addictions!! I am new to your channel and cannot wait to dive in deeper!! Your video organization, efficient addressing of each topic and videography are very nice!! Kudos!!! One thing that I would URGE EXTREME CAUTION on is the thrift shop source of stuffing or anything for that matter!!! My friend recently snagged a super cool set of night stands from her local thrift shop and wound up with a BED BUG infestation!! If you are going to 2nd hand source your stuffing, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure that you know how to thoroughly clean any items BEFORE you bring them into your home/work space!!!!! My friends thought they were saving money and being good humans by reusing rather than buying new. I cannot tell you the financial, physical & emotional cost to them & their family. BEYOND ENORMOUS. And in this economy to have to Immediately come up with bed bug exterminator money!!! I love thrifting for the planet and my pocket book, but thrift with caution friends!!
Oh goodness! Thank you for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I have used the plastic cake covers .. you could also use the bottom of it and put holes in it to feed your yarn through. For a yarn cozzie you could use some of the cheap/cheaper knee high stockings.
Great idea! 🧶🧶🧶
You can also use tennis racket handle tape to make it more ergonomic ❤ thank you for all your videos 🎉
Great tip! 🎾
It’s a gorgeous Fall out here☺️🧡I’m flying back to Virginia next week for a visit and am looking forward to a beautiful Virginia Fall 🍂☺️🍁
Oh nice!!! I bet Virginia will be beautiful! 🍁
Hi Karen🌹🌹
How are you doing?
Another common measurement tool that everyone has on them, and most people will probably know this, is a dollar bill. A dollar bill, or any denomination really, is 6 in Long and just about 2 and 1/2 in wide! 💵💜
P.S. I am new to your channel and I have to say you have the smartest viewers of any channel I've ever seen. I have learned more not only from you, but also from the comments under this video for lots of tips to use for my crochet projects. I'm officially a new subscriber! And thank you to everyone who commented on this video... I've read just about every single comment and you're all geniuses!💜💡
Thank you!! And the commenters really are so smart! I'm always learning new things from them! 🧶🧶🧶
I use some plastic gallon bags where I've snipped the corners. I pull the yarn through the corner. When there is extra yarn, I use a bobby pin to pin them to the outside.
I LOVE that lysol cannister idea!
Awesome idea! ❤️
I love all of these ideas! Thank you so much for sharing! I also love all of your videos, your enthusiasm and your excellent ability to explain things!
I love the bread tie tip. That's an awesome idea
I thought so too!! I hope the person who mentioned it chimes in! 🧶🧶🧶
Measurements work perfectly for me.
Good to know! 🧶🧶🧶
Thanks so much for the great fun videos. A couple of thoughts and ideas. First, I picked up a couple of large measuring bowls. You can get them at the dollar store too. You can drop yarn in and thread through the pour spout. They are not as pretty as wooden bowls but will hold a larger skein. And if it is a smaller project you can drop the project in as well.
When I was in foods class years ago our teacher taught us how to set a table properly. The inch measurement we learned was the end of the thumb to the first knuckle. You bend the thumb and place on the edge of the table. The cutlery and plates aligned with the end of the thumb so that it was an inch from the edge which was proper. I still use the measure as an emergency for an inch. Then years later when quilting I learned that from the tip of the fingers to the end of the nose was close to a yard. It is how the measured fabric in those old stores.
And the last old top which is rather gross has to deal with squeaky hooks and hooks with burrs that catch. Modern hooks are better than the Boyes I learned with in the 1960’s. I was crocheting while waiting for my grandmother at the doctor. I was not very old. A kind older lady corrected a few things I was doing wrong and gave me pointers. She also said that when a hook was catching or had a burr to rub it in your hair. That puts a little oil on it and it will crochet better. That sounds bad but people put pencils behind their ears. It does work. I have not done it recently but I have wondered about it and Prym hooks when they squeak a little.
Oh I forgot to add about the large measuring bowls that usually they have grips on the bottom and they are easily portable.
Thanks so much for sharing all those tips!! And I have heard the one about rubbing the crochet hook in your hair! 🧶🧶🧶
When I have a rough hook you can slso take wax paper & rub it over an aluminum hook.
Wow! Useful, practical, and affordable ideas!!! Thank you!
You are so welcome! ❤️
I use a tin container that used to hold Buccee’s mints for my needles, stitch markers, small folding scissors, etc. It’s easy to also line the bottom with a strip of a magnetic sheet to keep all metallic items in place.
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I've got a few tricks I swear by!
1) I bought some cheap cardstock, cut into wee rectangles about 1.5" x .5" wide & put tape on the end (to stop the card ripping) & punch a hole thru it. I then write my hook (such as purple zing 4.5mm as I have lots of diff hooks) on it & attach it with yarn. Then if u use ur hook on something else or put ur project down for a while u know exactly what hook u were using.
2) If I made something like a lapghan, baby clothes etc out of something like merino or cashmere etc, I cut off the wee yarn label part that tells you how to wash & the temp of water etc & tie it to the blanket when giving it away. That way the person knows how to best look after/wash their present/gift.
3) I use pencil cases of different sizes to hold my bits n bobs. One for my fave hooks, one for my lace size hooks (a metal case is perfect to protect the wee hook ends) one for my less used chunky hooks. Then a double sized one that holds pens, pins, needles, spare scissors, small thing of cotton for hand sewing, tiny hole punch for my hook labels, pre-cut/punched labels, measure tape etc etc. I even crocheted a jumbo sized one with a zip to keep them all together, easy to grab & go!
4) Also, I make a long chain out of very tight chain stitches & tie/sew it in a loop & tie that onto my wee scissors & the pencil cases (thru the bit the zippers on) where I keep my hooks etc in. Then I use that to put stitch markers on so they're always within reach & I'm not searching for them.
5) I also use cheap caribiners to keep my scissors (this is where the chain stitch loop thru the finger hole is handy), measuring tape etc onto the same loop on my pencil case zip, sew it to the outside of the case, or on my project bag, & keep everything like stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape, pen etc all together. Easy to get off with the caribiner but also stays together & always in the same place together!
6) just thought of another. The cheap wee hair clips that you bend in the middle to close (shaped like an elongated triangle) are fantastic for clipping the end of ur yarn onto the yarn ball so it doesn't unwind & get messy plus it's easy to find the end next time!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!!! 🧶🧶🧶
I use a bag strap, knitting needle, and a hair type to create a yarn dispenser that I can prop up on the corner of my tv, around my shoulder when walking, etc.
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I have not done much knitting or crochet since arthritis setup in my hands. For over a year I could not use any of my scissors. I have wanted to try the new crochet hooks made for people with arthritis ; but, nothing is wrong with my old hooks. The problem is my hands. I am very happy to learn that I can make my wonderful old hooks fit my damaged old hands.
This has worked for me in the past. Cut the bottom out of a large, clean, plastic bottle (pop bottle, juice bottle, milk carton, vinegar jug), feed the yarn end through the inside and out of the bottle top, insert the yarn inside the bottle (so that the yarn feeds through easy), then tape the bottom of the bottle back on. It isn't very pretty; but, that is up to you. You can crochet, or knit, or design and sew a cover to hide the plastic bottle. Putting a handle, or loop, on the cover will allow you to hang the bottle out of reach of those (children, dogs, or cats) who may want to play with the yarn and bottle.
Thanks for sharing! Have you ever checked out the Chunky Boy Craft handles? They may work for your arthritis and your own hooks! 🧶🧶🧶
I’ve used contrast yarn for a stitch marker for years 😊 good video Elise hope the weather is nice back there ☺️👍🏼🧡🧶
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Karen! And the weather is getting really nice here! I bet it's gorgeous where you are right now! 🏔
Twist ties also make good stitch markers in a pinch. Added plus that they can be open or locking, or if it's long enough, even a running stitch marker!
Great tip! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
Hi Elise - great ideas! In addition, I use those plastic net things, that they tend to put liquor bottles in to prevent them from rattling around and crashing into each other, to contain my yarn skeins. I have no other idea of what to do with the blasted things other than trash them. Also, I use the empty containers for mechanical pencil leads to carry a few yarn needles around.
Great idea!! 🧶🧶🧶
Those "plastic net things" can also be used to remove the skins off roasted hazel nuts (aka filberts) and boiled almonds. Just thought you might like to know. PEACE
For stuffing, my grandma always used yarn scraps. And those were the best pillows I ever napped on.
Yes! I do that too! 🧶🧶🧶 great tip! ❤️
The best tool was the toilet paper roll, loved it! The strainer I use, but don't use the holes. I just drop the yarn inside the bowl and away I go. And the bread bag clip was a good one, I'll use that. Thank you sincerely.
Thank you! ❤️
For ball winding into center-pull I use the short or long tubes that fizzy vitamins come in. (My husband used to buy these and saved them for me. Now he buys the vitamins in boxes of packets/sachets.
The original brand was Airborne and now others brands also use the tubes. I remove the fresh sachet inside the lid as it isn't necessary. I slip one end of yarn in the tube, put on the lid and wind. Remove the lid and slip off the end. The diameter of the tubes is perfect.
I can keep a hook, stitch markers, needles inside as well. A bit of wadding (fabric, etc.) to keep the items from slipping out when I wind a ball is optional.
I've also crocheted little 3" x 3" squares using #3 crochet thread to clip markers or slip tapestry needles onto that fold and slip into the tube to have small tools with my project.
Thanks for sharing! 🧶🧶🧶
I save dryer lint to use for stuffing. It’s clean, free, and smells like your fave dryer sheets!
That's such a great idea! 🧶🧶🧶
Dryer lint is extremely flammable so please be careful
i love when DIY videos have good tips with things that we can actually find at home easily. thank you for this video, it helped a lot❤
Take your chip clip (in our house, we use binder clips for chip clips) attach it to a bowl from the $1.25 store and voila - yarn bowl!
Great idea! 🧶🧶🧶
I purchased the Wool Jennie and absolutely love it. Crocheting has since I bought it has been a lot easier. I do checker prints and putting my main color on it and using Clover Bobbins for the drop and pickup method is the way to go.
Thank you so much for sharing!! Great info! 🧶🧶🧶
Easy cheap yarn holder idea, pvc piping secured into any smooth base by either making a hole the diameter of the pipe and feeding it into the hole or super glue. Super durable, customizable, and cheap.
Thanks for sharing!! 🧶🧶🧶
I love my homemade stitch markers my daughter makes for me out of beads I love them they are fun!
Wonderful! ❤️
I use hair clips to hold the end of my yarn to the ball thanks 😊
Great idea! Thanks for sharing! ❤
I use hair clips to hold my long tails in both crochet and knit which the long tails are for sewing seams. I just figure 8 the tails and clip them to the foundation row or the cast on row.
I love love love watching you while I have my morning crochet time! And, a cup of coffee! 🥰
Awww! I love that! ☕️