Knitting

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Knitting Tools Help You Keep Track of Place in Knitting

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after this row socksI know I’m not the only one who has put a knitting project down for much longer than I intended to, thinking that I would remember where I was in the pattern when I got back only to have no clue at all when I look at the knitting again where I’m supposed to start (please tell me that’s not just me, anyway!).

There are many possible ways to prevent this sort of situation from happening, from writing notes on the pattern to keeping a hashmark tally of what row you’re on or using an actual row counter (or row counter app on your iPhone) to keep track of where you are.

Knitter Joyce Garris has come up with another system that she calls After This Row. Sold as a PDF, the system is basically a chart on which you can write all the basics of the pattern, where it came from, how many stitches you cast on, any special shaping or stitches that might happen on particular rows and write notes to yourself as you go.

You then use it as a row counter, checking off rows as you go, so you always know what row you should be on when you pick up the knitting again.

There are also pages here that you can print out to make yourself a project journal including more notes, the ball band for the yarn you used and more detailed information on the project. There are also printable shopping lists, a list of abbreviations and a smaller note page you can carry with you to take notes on things you see at the yarn store or to use as a bookmark when you’re looking through knitting books or magazines.

There are four versions of this “book,” for knitting sweaters from the bottom up or top down, for scarves and shawls and for socks and leggings. I’m not sure what the differences would be in the different printouts, but I’ve seen the sock one and it seems like you could use it for just about any project you’d want (except the row numbers only go to 300, so if you need more than that you’d have to print out more pages and remember that the numbers are wrong).

The whole project book as described here is available for $4.99, or individual project sheets for each type of project can be purchased for $1.99 each. (Of course each can be printed out and used as often as you like.)

This system could be good for people who like to take a lot of notes while they’re knitting and don’t want to develop their own system. What do you think? Have you ever used anything like this? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Comments

  1. What a good idea! I use a “system” of using a photocopied pattern where I scribble notes as I go and keep track of rows, moving onto the back or to post a notes as needed. Heaven forbid if that project hibernates for a while:-P Then the pattern goes in the box of knitting patterns, articles, and other miscellaneous papers and I search for hours if I need it again. Obviously, a real system is something I definitely need!

  2. This system sounds great, I have made some notes in the past, but, not enough to come back to in several weeks or months time. I usually end up undoing loads of it, particularly if it’s an involved pattern to try and work it out. I have been known to completely undo an item because the pattern doesn’t look the same when it’s picked up at a later date.
    I hope I win this prize as I would be able to finish off so many items if I don’t have the “time” to finish a garment off until later.

  3. This systems sounds better than what I use now. I use scrap paper and keep track of where I’m at. Your system is much better and would like to win the prize so I can keep myself straight. Thanks

Have you read?

Knits for the Table for Thanksgiving and Beyond

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long. 

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders. 

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well. 

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn. 

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions. 

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table. 

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter. 

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.