| There is nothing like a good yarn, so the story goes! All | | | | that extra skein, and have never been |
| jokes aside, learning any skill or craft takes time, time | | | | disappointed.Secret #4: Don't know what to do with all |
| you should be devoting to finding out all about it.To | | | | those odd- balls? (And I'm not talking about your |
| learn knitting is no different. Just getting the hang of | | | | relatives, now.)Well, let's see, you could knit a few |
| holding both needles at once, or working with a cable | | | | placemats, baby washcloths, mittens, coasters, |
| needle, or just perfecting your knit stitch and purl stitch, | | | | bookmarks, Christmas ornaments, sachets, doll clothes, |
| can take a long time.And that's ok; nobody said you | | | | knitted pins or fancy little handbags, buttons, flowers, |
| have to know it all immediately.Along the way, | | | | tea cozies, table runners, fluffy wristbands (little girls |
| however, it is fun to delve into all the secondary ideas | | | | love these!), a cat collar or dog sweater, a scarf or |
| and information. Knowing just a little bit about yarn can | | | | afghan jumble, and if you can think up anything else, |
| go a long way!This article will walk you through *6* | | | | knit away!Secret #5: Get organized! This is one of my |
| yarn secrets; intrigues for even the "craftiest" of | | | | best- kept secrets. Only, not anymore.Record all of |
| knitters.Secret #1: Always know what you are knitting | | | | your knitting projects. A simple spreadsheet, or word |
| with! This may sound too simple to be true, but you | | | | processor, will do the trick.Save your labels! This way, |
| would be surprised.Most projects will be knit with | | | | when you are finished with your knitting, you can input |
| "classic" yarns. These are worsted or sport weight, | | | | all the necessary information in order to knit it again, or |
| wool, and cotton. All the rest are merely variations on | | | | pass it along to a fellow knitter!There are even |
| a theme.If you have a hankering for something fun fur | | | | software programs available now, like Needle Trax, to |
| or ribbon-y, eyelash, or wispy lace; save that thought | | | | help you keep all your knitting projects organized with |
| until you know knitting well!!Secret #2: When buying | | | | simple point and click technology.Secret #6: A true |
| yarn, always buy by yardage, and not by weight. This | | | | knitter, like any good craftster, always has too much of |
| is one I didn't even know when first starting out!Yarns, | | | | everything, and not enough space to hold it all!Thank |
| like people, are of different weights; they can vary all | | | | goodness for plastic, I always knew there was a |
| over the place. But, it is the length that is important with | | | | purpose for it.Storage bins come in many varieties, so |
| each skein; it should be clearly marked and if it is not, | | | | visit your local shops or even eBay for the best prices |
| then ask for that information.Secret #3: Always, | | | | around.Once you have enough storage bins available, |
| always, buy enough yarn at one time, for your knitting | | | | then you can sort to your hearts' content! And you will |
| project! Do not expect to go back to the store two | | | | love feeling so harmonious!Harmony begets creativity |
| months from now and find the exact color yarn you | | | | every time; so with these *6* yarn secrets, there is no |
| bought initially.Yarns are dyed in lots, and when a yarn | | | | excuse anymore for not being your knitting best.May |
| store runs out of a particular color, they will order it | | | | your knitting basket always be full!Copyright 2006 Alice |
| again; but, the dye lot will be different and the subtlety | | | | SeidelAlice Seidel is the author of the NEW ebook |
| in the color will be very apparent; take my word for | | | | "Ready Or Knit, Here I Come!" - with tips and |
| it!So, if you want that pink sweater to look uniformly | | | | resources that smart knitters use. Keep your knitting |
| pink, just buy the yarn, all the yarn!And check to see | | | | on the "Cutting Edge"! |
| that all the "lot #'s" are the same. And, I will always buy | | | | |