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Monday, September 11, 2006

Stitch Markers

Ok, I have finally given into the hand made stitch marker craze. I admit, I was jealous of all those knitters and beaders out there who were making beautiful stitch markers. I wanted to belong (isn't that always the way?) so I Googled 'how to make sitch markers' and found some sites. The one I used was from Sheep In The City blog, with the link to her method of making stitch markers found here.

Now, keep in mind that this is my first attempt at making stitch markers, so they might not be as gorgeous or glamerous as more experienced stitch marker makers (say that ten times fast!).
Yes, I know they aren't all uniform in length - a fact I only thought about after I finished making each individually and didn't think to measure the needle part first. Oh well, they varying lengths (though they aren't off by a whole lot) just add to creator uniqueness or something like that.

Ok, so to the right you will see the red ones (or would garnet be a better shade to call them?). I used a larger ring for those, but I think it would be better if I used a smaller ring (I only have two sizes really, and I wanted to have a variety of rings to be used on different size needles. The bigger rings could be used, I suppose on the larger needles. I used a 6.5mm bamboo needle to display them on, and there is plenty of room left over. I don't know if that would be too annoying to a knitter or not...I will let you know though.

To the left, you will see the other set of four I made. The rings on these are smaller and fit the 6.5mm bamboo needle fine. These would obviously not be able to be used on needles bigger than this size though, but I was thinking they might do for something like socks or mittens or lace scarves - some small project like that. Again, I have no idea but time will tell. Sorry that both of these pics are a little dark, but they were in shadow, and I didn't want to use the flash because I didn't want it to bounce off the window and create a glare or make it so the markers couldn't be seen so well. For the picture at the bottom I thought I would hold them up in the sun to make them look a little brighter.


I will be making some more of these (right now they are the only beads I have for making stitch markers) later today. Does anyone have any idea how many stitch markers are usually put into a set? The reason I ask, is that I want to make some to give away (along with some wool) as the September prize for the Knittin' Mittens KAL and I'm not sure how many to put as a set.

P.S. The Knittin' Mittens KAL is still open to all knitters, no matter your skill level. You still have a little over half the month to get your mittens/gloves in for the September draw. Also, the grand prize (a pattern, fleece and wool package to make thrummed mittens) requires that each knitter completes a pair of mittens or gloves for each month in order to get their name entered on this fabulous prize. If you don't want to enter the grand prize, but would just like to make mittens or glove a few times, that is fine as well because I plan on having a prize for each month as well.

13 comments:

Prayerful Knitter - Shelly said...

The stitch markers are gorgeous! You did an outstanding job! : )

Anonymous said...

Hey I love the stitch markers. By the way, I would love to donate a prize (or two) to the mitten KAL.

Anonymous said...

ooh, such pretty stitch markers! they look really good. =) as for how many in a set... i'd say 6-ish per set is pretty good. =)

Susan said...

Those are really beautiful.
I got mine on ebay.
and I've used some odd old earrings for beads too.

Anonymous said...

VERY nice stitch markers. I haven't figured out how to make them so that the ring is solid without a break in it so that the yarn doesn't catch or snag. I am using 15 markers for Clapotis. That's a LOT!!!

Thanks for commenting on my blog about mean people. Gossip. Not cool. I've got to get a handle on being stronger and nipping it in the bud when I hear it happening. This girl is a problem. And, I'm tired of it. Thanks for the encouragment.

Susan said...

I hope you don't mind me hi jacking the Kal for knitting advice. I used to have a good friend who knitted, and we'd get together and work out problems.
Alas she has moved away and I am without knitty companion now.

Amy said...

those markers look great. I keep meaning to try them when I see others but never find the time.

lexa said...

Great job -- love the stitch markers!

kittensmittens said...

who cares if they are not all the same size, that is just the beauty of hand made stitch markers. they are gorgeous, i love those beads.
when you buy them at the store, there's usually about 4 or 5 to a set.

As for the girl with the (non) solid ring problem. Have you tried a tiny drop of super glue or some hard resin to fill the gap, once it's hard you can sand it down so you have no bumps and it's smooth with the rest of the ring.

Maggie Ann said...

Your stitch markers are beautiful...I want to make some too. Glass beads are just so pretty!

Karen said...

They look great, Shelley!! My crafty girl makes all of mine for me.

Sharon said...

They certainly look a lot better than the first stitch markers I made. Beware they are very addictive.

I would say 4 - 6 in a set would be ideal :)

CelticCastOn said...

Hey Shell where are you getting your split rings from?? The ones at work are waaayy to big.