Knitting Repair Hooks
Repair dropped stitches and correct mistakes along the way with these handy, smooth Clover bamboo knitting repair hooks. Packaged in two convenient sizes for light weight and bulky yarns, one pointed end and one hook end make picking up stitches and repairing knitted fabric simple and quick! These lightweight, handy little repair tools are a must-have for all knitters.
Crochet Hooks
A crochet hook is a must-have tool for knitters. It helps them pick up stitches that have dropped and also assists with weaving in loose ends.
Metal crochet hooks are often the most economical option, and they come in a wide range of sizes. They’re available in both tapered and inline styles. Tapered hooks have a head that protrudes a bit above the shaft of the hook, while inline hooks have a smooth shaft that’s uniform all the way up to the hook head.
Plastic crochet hooks are available in a wide range of colors and shapes, too. They’re lightweight and can be a good choice for those who have issues with hand pain or fatigue. They’re also easy to find, as they’re available at most major craft stores. However, they tend to have less heft than metal hooks. They’re a great choice for beginners who aren’t sure whether they want to commit to a set of metal crochet hooks just yet.
Knit Needle
You probably think of straight needles when you picture knitting needles, and they’re the most commonly used. They’re ideal for smaller projects that are worked flat, such as washcloths, scarves and afghan squares.
They come in wood, plastic and metal varieties. Metal needles are more durable and work well with hairy yarns that can easily catch on small protrusions. Wooden needles are gentler on hands and may be better for knitters who suffer from pain in their joints or fingers.
Circular needles have long, skinny cables that join the two needle points and are most useful for knitting in the round. These come in fixed or interchangeable versions, with different cable lengths available to suit the needs of your project. They can also be purchased in a set, with needle tips in a variety of sizes and all the cords you’ll need.
Darning Needle
Darning is a way of repairing knitted stitches that doesn’t use a crochet hook. It involves running the mending thread across the hole to create a woven patch of fabric that hides the hole. The technique works best on stockinette stitches.
Start with a needle (those kids’ big plastic needlework ones work well, or you can get a for real tapestry needle with a large eye) and yarn, either matching or in a bright contrasting color. Make sure the yarn is long enough to go back through the hole from the right side to the wrong side and tie off.
To do the darning, trace the frame threads with the mending yarn. Then weave the yarn in and out of the strands, creating a crosshatched patch over the hole. Keep going until the whole area is covered. You can tuck the ends of the mending yarn in as you go, or you can finish off the top and bottom with a few backstitches.
Stitch Markers
Stitch markers are a great help in circular knitting, especially when working on projects with lots of different stitches. They mark the end of a row, where increases or decreases should be made and even when a pattern changes. You can buy stitch markers specifically designed for this purpose, but they are also easy to make yourself.
There are a few different styles of stitch marker, including plastic models that can be opened and closed, and locking markers that look a bit like a safety pin. Some knitters use found objects to mark their work, too – old key rings or flat plastic cable ties from bread bags are popular choices.
When it comes to repairing dropped stitches, we find it easier to do this on the right side of your work. Then, you can simply slip the errant stitch back onto the needle and continue with your knitting. A lifeline may also be helpful here, as it will give you a safe point to rip back to when fixing your error.