The Little Things That Lead To Perfection

I am a knitting perfectionist.  Unfortunately, that trait doesn't carry over to housekeeping.  I have learned many tricks throughout the years to up the odds that my end products will be perfect.  I have learned which mistakes I can live with and which ones I can't.  I also love gadgets.  Put those two traits together and suffice it to say, I have purchased most every gadget to help me turn out perfect knitted treasures.  But of all of the things I have tried, I will tell what are the two I cannot live without.

I left home without any of things little wonders so my first stop after Publix when we got to the Coastal Cottage was Hobby Lobby so I could buy some.  I use these for everything.

As you can see from my Beacon Scarf, I use them as stitch markers.  They fit an any needle I use (except maybe the size 50 I used when I knit the wall hanging knit with 25 strands of yarn) so I don't need different sized stitch markers. They aren't as pretty as some of the more artsy stitch markers, but they don't catch on or snag the yarn either.  I hate it when that happens.  You can add them after the fact or take them off without moving all of your stitches from one needle to another because of that great little clasp.  Look WWWAAAYYY over to the right.  See the marker about four rows down? This particular pattern starts with 3 stitches and adds 2 stitches every 6 rows.  I use this to mark the beginning of a 6 row sequence.  For me it is so much better that a mechanical row counter.  Can you ever be sure you clicked it?  I never can.  Then I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what row I am really on.  I always count my stitches at the end of the 6 row sequence.  That wasn't a problem in the beginning, but after about 50 stitches, I felt I was spending way too much time counting.  So, I decided to put one of these handy-dandy markers every twenty stitches.  I saved myself a ton of time, spent more time knitting and by the way, up my odds of perfection.

Do you remember the Knit Swirl I gave Linda for Christmas last year?  If you want to read more about it, go the December 2014 archive.  I had to cast on 650 stitches (I swear I thought I cast on 1,200 but the website says 650) using the long tail method.  It didn't scare me!  I ALWAYS cast on 50 stitches then put a marker, 50 stitches then put a marker, 50 stitches then put a marker, etc. so I don't loose my place then have to start counting over.  So I only had to know how to count to 50 not 650.  

My beautiful Noro Silk Garden afghan is a 20 row pattern.  To make sure I have knit the right number of rows I used the following marker. . . 

Not good!  They fell out in the car.  The markers that close are so much better.  It really doesn't matter what brand you buy, just buy a lot.  When I have to increase or decrease, I put a marker so I know exactly how many times I've increased or decreased just by counting the markers.  I use them to hold two pieces together just to get a general idea on how things are coming.  

And now for my last, indispensable knitting gadget. . . 

A piece of paper and and pencil!  Between my markers and keeping track with pencil and paper, I haven't made one mistake.  When I get to the end of a 6 row sequence I count my stitches, move my marker and are 6 rows closer to perfection.  

I can't wait to finish the Beacon Scarf.  Really I can't wait to move from the gray base to the colored edges.  When you start with 3 stitches in a row and end up with 103 stitches in a row things kind of bog down.

I want to thank Lori from LTB for pointing me toward the suggestions on Ravelry to make this beautiful scarf even better.  I really thought I would be done with this in two weeks, but this may be finished at home.  

See you don't need expensive gadgets, just expensive yarn to make yummy things.