Knitting : Markers

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Importance of Markers in Knitting

Don’t you just hate to count stitches in a knitting project - & there is a Lot of counting right from casting on to patterning to shaping to customizing ….. Markers help you keep track of short segments so that you do not have to count All the stitches All the time !!!

Whether one is just starting out, or is well-experienced, markers always come in handy at various stages & in all types of knitting. I have tried to capture & list these instances, while knitting this top/blouse last season . Note, however, that one does not need to use a marker for every little thing – my intention is merely to highlight as many possible uses as I could think of .

1. While Casting On :

When one has to cast on a large project, or one is working with thin yarn, the number of stitches to cast on goes up. Equidistantly placed markers are very handy to keep count !

I insert a marker after every 20 stitches while casting on, so that one does not have to go back & count from the beginning each time (this project required around 120 sts for border). No more fear of losing count due to distractions, etc.

2. While Increasing Stitches :

After the ribbed border, in a sweater/pullover, one is frequently asked to increase the number of stitches before starting on the pattern for main body.

These increases need to be spread out evenly throughout the border, for an even, clean look. Markers make it easy to calculate & space out these increases, without having to keep constant count. You can divide the increases between each segment delineated by markers & simply check whether each segment has the required increases.

3. When Starting Pattern :

A pattern is made up of many repeats along the length of the knitting. So once the border is knit, & the stitches are increased, one can count the number of stitches for each pattern repeat & relocate the markers accordingly. This can be done as one is knitting on the 1^st row of the pattern.

I have used 2 different patterns (alternating with each other) in this example. One requires 23 sts, while the other 6. Hence the markers (represented by comma) are placed in this sequence : 6,23,6,23,6, & so on till entire length.

4. For Pattern Tracking :

The title says it all…

After a few rows have been knit, & the pattern has been repeated over the rows a couple of times at least, it becomes easy to track the next rows. Firstly, one has memorized the pattern by now, & secondly, the previous rows act as a visual guide. At this time, one can do away with the markers in step #3 if desired.

However, if one is watching the tele, or chatting, or there are other distractions, it might be a good idea to keep the markers in place so as to keep track of the knitting at all times. It acts as a double-check to reduce errors by immediate spotting & rectification.

I forgot to take pictures later - so engrossed in knitting ?! Hope the explanation suffices.

5. To Track Row Count & Shaping :

Markers can be placed along the side - at the start of a new repeat of pattern, or after a given number of rows. Eg. after every 10 rows. This helps to keep track of the number of rows already knit, without having to count each & every stitch/row vertically ! My general rule of thumb is 10 rows.

In my blouse, these markers remained very useful for another reason : the 23-st segment is a 6-row repeat pattern, while the 6-st segment requires only 4 rows to complete !

Markers at the start of rows help in another important way : When one is shaping the chest by increasing a stitch from waist upwards, the row where one increases, can be marked. This will come in handy when one starts knitting the other side (front or back); easy to track where an increase has occurred & repeat it. This keeps the increases on both the front & back of a sweater even & identical And when the time comes to sew the 2 sides together, the seam is very neat & even!

TIP : I use markers in a different colour, for the increased stitch rows.

6. When Pausing Work :

How often does it happen that one has to suddenly pause knitting & attend to some other life matters ? While I prefer to complete the row & then pause, it is not always possible. Sometimes one has to leave knitting mid-way through a row. In such cases, markers are of tremendous help – simply complete knitting the few stitches upto the next marker (i.e. complete the segment only, instead of entire row) & attend to the call. It is then so easy to re-start without having to use precious brain cells trying to figure out where to start …. This is especially true of lacy patterns.

7. When Decreasing or Shaping :

Dropping or decreasing stitches is called for while shaping the armholes, neck, etc. So, just as markers prove to be good guides while increasing, these can be equally helpful while decreasing. In case of lacy patterns, one can adjust the decrease based on markers, keeping the pattern as evenly shaped as possible.

TIP : Shaping is required while knitting Socks, too. Markers can come in handy when increases and decreases are made.

8. When Knitting in the Round :

When one is knitting in the round, with circular needles or open needles, a marker is vital to indicate the start of the row.

In conlusion, markers help to calculate stitches in casting on, in calculating stitches & placement for shaping (I like visual cues), keep track of knitting pattern & minimize errors.

Markers can “arrest” an error before you have gone too far down the row or knit too many rows !!! Usually, the very next segment or the very next row will not knit correctly & one can count the stitches between each marker to see where the error was committed. So immediate rectification can be done, thus saving a lot of time, unraveling, re-knitting, & heartburn ;-))

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About Homemade Slip Knot Markers

How to choose.

I do not have any store-bought markers. Instead I simply use scraps of wool or thread.

But I learned the hard way & hence am sharing a few do’s/don’ts in choosing yarn for markers :

Choose yarn that

i)                    does not fray & hence lasts through the entire project

ii)                   is thinner than the main yarn/wool

iii)                 is a tightly wound/twisted yarn, not loosely twisted, hence easy to slip

iv)                 is in a contrast colour to the main yarn, to be easily visible

I have found crochet mercer thread to be Ideal. It does not fray easily, is thick enough to be clearly visible (unlike sewing thread), yet not so thick as to leave a space between stitches. It is also something that can be found in the home itself.

How to make.

Take a short length of thread & tie a slip knot. This is nothing new to those who crochet & knit - one has to start with a slip knot. If not, click on the highlighted term or here for many tutorial links on Google. 

If desired, one can make a permanent solid, immovable knot. I prefer slip knot because the loop size can be easily altered & adjusted whenever desired, by simply pulling on one loose end. Hence, these markers can be used on any size needle !

Secondly, if at any point I want to remove a marker midways, all I have to do is pull on the loop & the knot opens up completely & the thread can be slipped off anywhere, anytime ! No need to cut with scissors & risk cutting the yarn.

Make many such markers beforehand, so that while you are occupied with your knitting needles, all you have to do is pick up one of these already-made markers & slip it on the needle.

Since it is a slip knot, it can be tightened as much as desired. However, it is preferable to keep it slightly loose so that switching it between needles becomes easy.

While one is knitting, these markers are not knit. They are simply slipped on to the other needle.

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What has been your experience ? Please share ….

Happy knitting :-)