Ways To Save $ On Stitch Markers and A Give-A-Way!
// October 20th, 2011 // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Knitting
There are many tools to make things easier when you are knitting. Stitch markers are one of those things! I not
only use them to mark pattern repeats but use them when I am knitting on the go where I can get distracted and loose my count. Although many accomplished knitters (they are the ones who have been knitting since the age of 2) wish to eliminate the use of stitch markers completely, claiming they are not essential. I raise my knitting sticks up
to you in a toast! But for me it makes things easier because I don’t have to count every stitch as I go and the repeats are easily seen by the markers.
With anything, there are endless options for stitch markers. I have seen some really cute ones here: Patternworks.com
Set of 6 for $7.99
There are fancy beaded ones that you can find on Etsy where the prices vary between $2 – $20.
OR you can be practical and purchase plumbers O rings for a fraction of the cost: 200 for $19
(I do have this set in the lovely shade of black)
BUT then I went to the local craft shop to see what else was available. They had plastic stitch makers that were just as boring as my O rings. I headed over to the jewelry section and found these! They called jump rings and they come in different sizes and finishes. They come in a package of 144 for $5. I grabbed a package and headed home to my jewelry box to find missing earing pieces, old charms etc.
I had so much fun creating my own, I began handing them out to all my friends that knit! I only have 5 left! To the right are earrings ready to made into stitch makers. I now look at estate sales, yard sales, garage sales, thrift stores for old pieces of jewelry to make into stich markers!
Now…for the give-a-way…leave a comment and a winner will be drawn to receive a brand new set (6) handmade stitch markers! Drawing ends on midnight Oct 30th. Winner announced on October 31st. Leave your e-mail in the comment section so I can contact the winner!
Happy Hunting!
Mary Ann Hoth
About the Author:
I have been creating my whole life but the medium I am most passionate about is polymer clay. I love to share my passion through video tutorials and DVD's.
Ilysa – who has written 266 posts on Things Crafty crafting videos tutorials reviews books products demos and Podcast.
What a great idea! Thanks for the give-away.
Adia – Ravelry
I’ve been meaning to make my own stitch markers and just need to find the time. Fun and practical!
I only have cheap-o plastic stitch markers, but have though for a while that pretty ones would be neat!
I keep *meaning* to make my own stitch markers, but never quite seem to get around to it, LOL. Yours are so cute!
lachatdelarue (at) yahoo (dot) com
I love to use stitch markers. I use them when casting on a large number of stitches, put one every 20 stitches to make it easier to count.
knittingdancer (at) gmail (dot) com
Oh my, your stitch markers are so cute! I especially love the birdhouse and moon ones! I wish I had a better supply of costume jewelry that I could turn into stitch markers.
You will find them at garage sales, thrift shops, you will spot them!
I have toyed with making orphaned earrings into stitch markers… now I think I will. Love the sheep – they are too cute!
What cute markers! I’ve made my own sock markers out of jump rings and one or two size 6 seed beads–just open the rings by bending the ends to either side (don’t pull them apart) and slip the beads on. Sparkly and easy to work around!
You are right! So easy and it’s fun to design your own!
Love your giveaway!
Fingers crosses…
What fun you must be having making your own stitch markers. I just have the plain ‘ol plastic ones. I’ve thought of making my own but I haven’t found the time to do so with all the projects I have going and kids to keep track of and so on! Lol
Wonderful giveaway! I have never ownd any fancy stitch markers so this would be a treat!
Wow, handmade stitch markers —> wonderful! Although I have to admit I never made them myself. Perhaps I will one day.
BTW: love the style of your blog, it looks great!
Have a nice day, all! Ciao, Fleur(Fleurtje-Eliza on Ravelry)
Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you for the opportunity to win these darling stitch markers! They are just perfect for holiday knitting.
Have a great day!
From one Mary Anne to another, great idea! I may have to do a little investigating in my own jewelry box.
Those are soo cute!
those little sheep are adorable. please enter me into your contest. thanks! happy knitting
Those stitch markers are really cute.
I use mine all the time and have quite a selection after participating in 2 stitch marker swaps at sock summit.
You can never have too many, though.
I’m squiggi on ravelry.
Those are SO much nicer than the safety pins I use!
LOVE the sheep stitch markers. I’m with you, stitch markers are essential for me.
Cathy
Your markers are really lovely. You are very talented and I wonder why this line looks weird?
I love that you find new use for “abandoned” juwelry ♥
(I’m Stickfia at Ravelry)
I made stitch markers sets as Christmas presents for my friends last year. Of course, I had to make a set for myself. Just make sure to close th jump ring tightly, so it doesn’t catch on your yarn. If you want to go really cheap, scraps of yarn works or even cut rings from drinking straws. Hey, when in an airport, you use what you can find! Hope I win!
Such cute stitch markers. They make my boring plastic rings look so very dull. I love clever crafting people.
I fell in love with those same sheep stitchmarkers. I keep thinking I’d like to try making my own. Thanks for the chance to win yours!
I have lots of little bits of treasures floating around my house; I should start working on making stitch markers! Thanks!
I never have enough stitch markers
so may have to look for treasures and start making my own:-)
Zowmom on ravelry
judi7597(at)bellsouth(dot)net
What a fabouls idea! And yours are So pretty!
Thank you so much!
Cool way to get unique stitch markers
I love stitch markers and never have enough. Great giveaway!
Yours are cute too !
And find jewelry at garage sales is brilliant ! I keep it in mind. ..
thank you!
I am actually a huge fan of homemade stitch markers, and used to make them all the time. I haven’t been lately, but when I went to buy some cute ones as a gift recently, I saw the price and walked out laughing, going “I know I still have the supplies at home”. Sure enough, mine were so much better!
If you are making them as a gift, or “as a lot of gifts” is probably more appropriate, and want to use the bigger glass beads shown in the first picture (the one of the sheep), I always ordered mine through Oriental Trading and got them in bulk. Yes, you don’t know EXACTLY what you’re getting, but they’re themed.
Great ideas! I love Oriental Trading!
I love the idea of novelty stitch holders, at the moment I use pieces of colored thread but those sheeps are so cute!!!
Thank you for sharing this information about stitch markers. And a giveaway even better.
I think it’s great what you’ve done here, apprising so many new users of the beauty of having stitch markers that are unique, and sparkley! I started using hand made markers several years ago, and just love the way my markers (and oh – do I collect them now) make my in process projects look adorned with jewelry while I work! Thanks for the contest!!
Beautiful! So much nicer than paper clips!!
That’s a great way to make your own stitch markers! I love your creativity! (And I love stitch markers…and contests…
)
Great Ideas!
Yes, I even use stitchmarkers to keep count when I am casting on. You are definitely an artist – to come up with such a great idea of using found and recycled items to make such lovely stitch markers!
You can never have too many stitch markers, and if they are cute and homemade it is even better. I do hope I win!
I love handmake stitchmarkers!!!
You can’t have enough stitch markers! Thank you for this giveaway!
good info
This is a good way to use odd earrings or broken jewellery.Thanks for the giveaway!
I love stitch markers! More the merrier.
These are so cute what a great idea
Nikki
57
@ gmail dot com
Great idea!
Very cute! I would love to win! Debbie H
gussek at hotmail dot com
Those are very cool!! I’m very new to knitting (couple weeks), but I’m discovering the usefulness of stitch markers. Thanks for the generous offer & I will definitely be making some of my own for all my knitting friends for Christmas.