We all have our little methods and preferences when working on a project, that become second nature when knitting: from simple little things that help us remember repeating occurrences up to complicated systems that are the fruit of years of experience...
... well, today I thought to share a homely, unsophisticated but vital preference of mine - an item that is always to be found in my dotty "knitting-tool-box": one I always use when knitting a garment and which helps me keeping track of repetitions or points of reference without the need to note things down on bits and pieces of paper (that I am too likely to loose anyway)!
 | Safety pins are my best little buddies when it comes to simple row counting: either to mark important points in the project, with the row number "tagged" on the pin (like in the picture above), or when working repeated increases or decreases, that need to happen every x rows, many times over.  |
By pinning my tiny friends on every row in question, it is immediately visible how many repetitions have been worked already and when the next one is due...
... even if the project is pulled out of a neglected corner, after many months of hibernation!
... even if the project is pulled out of a neglected corner, after many months of hibernation!
| Having all these points marked out help me keep track of instructions that occur at the same time (as so often is the case with garment patterns) and to be able to check my work at one glance! I also use the kind of safety pins with the rounded bottom (some call them bulb pins) as normal stitch markers. They'll always be my favorites, even if they are not the cutest out there, since they are removable, lightweight and very fine (and therefore don't leave any ladders or unsightly marks in between my stitches). |  |
I am sure that you all have some similar small devices and methods to keep track of your work, don't you? What are your favorite little helpers hidden in your tool box?
By the way, the project you see here is my next summer top (hopefully) that I am working out of Holst Coast in Redcurrant and Fairy.
Edit June 2014: I finally found these coil-less or bulb safety pins here at Fringe Supply & CO, which has the most gorgeous knitting tools and accessories you can find!
You might also like to take a look at the Fringe Association Blog, where Karen posts many interesting things related to knitting!
You might also like to take a look at the Fringe Association Blog, where Karen posts many interesting things related to knitting!
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