Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Keep Your WIPs from Unravelling ~ a Crochet Tip

How do you keep your crochet from unravelling when you're not working on it?

A quick internet search yields several ideas: you can place a locking stitch marker, paper clip, twist tie, or bobby pin through the working loop (tips courtesy of Fresh Stitches and Webs Yarn Store Blog). Other crocheters like to keep it simple and just pull out a long loop.

Here's what I do:

Chain several extra stitches, and pull on the working loop
to lengthen it. Remove hook.

Reach through the working loop...

...and pull the extra chains through.

Tug on yarn to tighten the loop.

All secure!

Another method, which I sometimes use for small projects, is: pull out a large loop, put the project through it, and tighten loop around the middle of the project.

What's your favourite way to protect your work-in-progress?

P.S. Edited to add: I use the above trick for projects that are lying around in the open. For projects safely stowed in a ziplock bag, I just pull out a long loop as most crocheters do. :)

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Posted by Mrs. Micawber
Labels: ,

41 comments:

  1. Annie CholewaOctober 23, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    I have started putting elastic bands - are they elastic bands in the US? rubber bands? - on the ends of my knitting needles, but I can see that would be of no help with crochet. An art by the way which I have a renewed determination to master so I shall remember this tip, thanks Sue. I'm going to need all the help I can get :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:27 AM

      I use rubber bands on needle tips too - on the rare occasions I actually knit. :)

      Thanks, Annie! Good luck with your crochet journey.

      Delete
  2. Moois van mieOctober 23, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    ha ! thanks for the tip ! Just needed it!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:27 AM

      You're welcome. Thanks so much for commenting! :)

      Delete
  3. PennyOctober 23, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    Hi Sue
    I tend to just leave my hook in the last stitch and roll the WIP up around the hook. I do sometimes pull the last stitch to make a longer loop but I rather like your method. Thanks xox Penelope

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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:29 AM

      I sometimes do that too, with less slippery yarns or bigger projects. Thanks P! :)

      Delete
  4. SandyOctober 23, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    I tend to use safety pins or stitch markers. If one isn't handy, though, I just pull out a long loop of my yarn.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:30 AM

      My stitch markers are usually yarn scraps, which live in a tightly sealed tin. And the tin is always on the other side of the room! :)

      Delete
  5. MeredithOctober 23, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    Perfect!
    I tend to use nothing so I am jumping on your idea!
    Hugs,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lillie and MossOctober 23, 2012 at 5:51 PM

    What a clever way to end your work...I guess I do it the easy way or I should say the lazy way....just leave a long loop until I get ready to pick it up again.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:31 AM

      It's not lazy - it's what works for you. I sometimes use a long loop too. Lately I've been working with slippery yarn, so this method is my extra-secure way of dealing with it. :)

      Delete
  7. SandraOctober 23, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    I always love to read about your useful and practical tips and this is really a good one! So far, I have just pulled a very long loop and put my unfinished crochet piece in a safe place!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:32 AM

      A safe place is always helpful. What did we do before ziplock bags? :)

      Delete
  8. Kay G.October 23, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    I just pull the yarn out into a long loop. That is what I was taught to do, and I always do as I am told! Well, most of the time! :-)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:32 AM

      I love to break the rules. Especially if I can get a blog post out of it. :)

      Delete
  9. AstriOctober 23, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    I like this tip! I hide mine from a passerby.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:33 AM

      Now that sounds interesting....

      I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to inadvertently pulling out stitches. :)

      Delete
  10. ellenOctober 23, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    Fantastic tip..thanks so much.
    Hope that you are having a wonderful week. Best to you, Ellen.

    ReplyDelete
  11. sueh617October 24, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    I pull out a long loop then weave crochet hook through at least double thickness of my piece in progress (much like straight pinning fabric together while sewing) and often place the long loop around hook. I can't always keep try of those slippery hooks when not in use!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:34 AM

      I like to weave the hook too. Even so, it's amazing how often they slip out! I must be a real klutz. :)

      Delete
  12. Auntie sezzzzzz...October 24, 2012 at 7:03 AM

    Per usual, this kinda' post, totally lost me. Being Craft-Challenged as I am. -grin-

    But I do, do, do love the color of that yarn!!!!!! Adore it! :-)

    "Auntie"

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:34 AM

      Me too, Auntie. It's called "Grape" and is so very luscious. My favourite colour. :)

      Delete
  13. AnonymousOctober 24, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    It has been so long since I last had a WIP that I can't recall what I used to do...

    I am going to remedy that soon though.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 25, 2012 at 8:35 AM

      Woo hoo! Take up your needles (or hook) and make something! You'll have to start a blog so we can all see and admire it. :)

      Delete
  14. lindaOctober 24, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    I just pull up a long loop and it's usually ok, it may unravel a little but very rare :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. HindustankaOctober 25, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    nice method, Mrs!I simply make a big big loop when I finish the row and keep my project folded in plastic bag or any other bag.

    ReplyDelete
  16. *October 25, 2012 at 12:54 PM

    I pull out a long loop, but had never thought of putting it around my crochet.....my boys all know to give my crochet/knitting wide berth as I go into squeaky shouting mode otherwise!

    I tend to knit straight on circulars now sothat there are never stitches near the end of the needle, although an elastic band is a good idea, I just know I'd never be able to put my hand on it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. SnowcatcherOctober 25, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    What a brilliant idea; I will have to try that on the train tonight and see if it will work. Lord knows I've tried every other method under the sun and still found a way to unravel without intent!!! I'm with you. What in the world did we do before resealable bags?!?

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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 29, 2012 at 11:30 PM

      "Unravel without intent" - we ARE twins separated at birth! :)

      Delete
  18. MarigoldOctober 25, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    I gotta' tell you, the Goatmother's WIPS are pretty unraveled these days. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 29, 2012 at 11:31 PM

      She'll have to take up her hook and set about correcting that. Just tell her you want a neckwarmer for Christmas. :)

      Delete
  19. Mary LouOctober 26, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    Good idea. I don't crochet that often, but even pulling out a long loop doesn't always protect me from myself.

    ReplyDelete
  20. BabajezaOctober 26, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    Good idea! I just pull a long loop. But more affraid of tangled yarn than unraveld stitches. So I usually put my wips in the basket thoroughly. Have a nice weekend. Regula

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    1. Mrs. MicawberOctober 29, 2012 at 11:32 PM

      Yes, tangled yarn is another problem I don't think I can ever solve. :)

      Delete
  21. AmyOctober 8, 2013 at 11:02 PM

    I pull a big loop and then tie a loose loop knot in it...it just makes it a little harder to pull through if it starts to unravel.

    ReplyDelete

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