Monday, April 06, 2009

I Am Still Not Knitting

..... another diversion to my usual knitting - beading ! I have been experimenting with making my own row counter for sock knitting. To keep track of the pattern rows, I find using the normal Clover counters a little troublesome & having to turn or click it slows down my knitting. I checked on etsy for ideas & made a few versions for testing. In the end, I find this is the best .......
..... it took me quite a while to find these number beads. This sock that I am knitting has a pattern of 5 rows & so all I need to do is to put my needle on the ring corresponding with the row number. I put this marker one stitch before the end of the round, so if I have just finish knitting pattern row 2, I will put my needle on the ring with #3. I can then put down my knitting & when I pick it up again, I will know that I will have to start with row 3. It's a great counter for sock knitting as it's light & easy to use & of course mark the end of the round. I am so happy with this & have made a few ......

I have further improvise on my 1st version & the current version counts up to row 10. I have added a claw to the end of row 5 & if needed it can be connected to the 2nd portion of rows 6 - 10. Now I can knit my socks to my heart's content as I have my best row counter. In fact, I have already sold 3 of these row counters to members of my knitting groups who saw me using them. So if any of you are interested, just let me know.

I think I went a little crazy with my beading & also did this .....

.... this is my favorite row counter for garment or scarf knitting as it can stay on the needles but sometimes it does get in the way of the knitting. So I made it into a stitch marker so that it can hang on my needles & also mark the end of the row. I also added a claw so that I can attach it to other parts of the knitting .....

..... or attach it to a project bag ....

.... isn't it pretty? I better get back to my knitting & stop playing around with beads.

6 comments:

Amanda said...

Oh that is just so clever!

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Too clever! I might have to run out and get some supplies to make some of my own because I am so envious of your! My kids LOVE to use my stitch counters so they get "extra" clicks a lot....Your idea would fix that :).

Jen and Rich Johnson said...

What a neat, and pretty idea! Beautiful work!

Rachel said...

Very clever--I've never seen anything like those!

Linda said...

Isn't it FUN! I too have found that knitting diversions are healthy fun. Lovely marker!

Alyssa said...

I love the row counter idea...very clever