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I’ve been crocheting a long time and like most crocheters, I have found tricks and tools that help make the process easier and even more fun. But, in some cases my tools might seem a little, shall we say, unconventional, or just plain weird. But, in addition to being really effective, this list of tools is inexpensive and readily available. They are the items I reach for again and again because they get the job done.
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How to use Earrings for Crochet
If you crochet, chances are pretty good you have some stitch markers and use them regularly. I really dislike the traditional stitch marker that reminds me of a safety pin. I think they're a pain to open and it requires two hands to use. And it takes way too much effort to slide the u-shape onto a stitch.
My favorite stitch markers are ones I made myself with an earring. Yes, an earring. A leverback earwire is PERFECT for making your own stitch markers. It’s really easy to open them up, slide them onto your work, and close them - all one handed I might add.
Plus, in less than 5 minutes you can add a charm to it and make your stitch markers adorable and extra fun. I have a tutorial if you’d like to give it a try. They also make great gifts for the crocheters in your life because we all need stitch markers – might as well make them fun.
Supplies to Make the Best Stitch Markers:
Needle-nose pliers – one pair or two pair if you don't have the next item.
Jump ring opening tool – this thing is amazing and makes the process much easier.
Charms – this shop has some very cute ones.
Optionally:
Separate jump rings if your charm does not have one attached
How to use Motion Sickness Patches for Crochet:
Before I found out about motion sickness patches, I would be bummed every time we took the 16-hour road trip to visit my extended family because despite having nothing but time on my hands I couldn’t crochet. I tried many times and always ended up feeling nauseous and gross after just a few minutes.
Then my sister-in-law introduced me to these anti-nausea/motion sickness patches. I just stick one behind my ear or on my stomach and BAM I can crochet the trip away. It works for plane rides too. I typically feel just slightly sick and “off” whenever we are in the air on a trip, but these patches help me feel much better and I can crochet just fine.
It doesn’t just work for crochet obviously either. I have two daughters who use them to watch their devices or even read in the car or on a plane. Give it a try!
Supplies:
How to use Gallon Ziplocs for Crochet:
The humble Ziploc makes cheap but perfect project bags. They can hold a folded print out of your pattern, a hook, other tools you might need for the project, and some balls of yarn or even full skeins!
The best part about using them is that they keep your yarn from tangling, pulling out, and getting mixed up with other yarn and making a mess. I leave my yarn in a bag while I’m crocheting and I don’t understand the magic, but it keeps my skeins from bouncing around and getting knotted. It’s like a yarn bowl, but not a bowl, and really cheap and portable. Usually, I have 3-4 projects in my bag at any given time and gallon Ziplocs keep it all separated and organized.
I reuse my bags until they are essentially falling apart. I just throw a new project in whenever I need to and away I go!
Supplies:
How to Use a Neck Lamp for Crochet:
Have you ever heard of a neck lamp? They are advertised as a reading light. You wear it around your neck and mine is flexible so you can point the two lights (which also have three levels of brightness) any which way you want. It's very useful when you're reading.
But do you know what else it's really useful for? Crocheting! If you just need more light on your project because it's complicated or you're using tiny stitches, or - and this is my favorite time to bust it out - when you’re working with black yarn! Every time I’ve been crocheting along and having trouble seeing my stitches, I grab this neck lamp and then have to wonder out loud “why don’t I use this more often?!”
Supplies:
How to Use a Sewing Machine for Crochet:
I know this is an entirely different craft, but I use my sewing machine quite often for my crochet projects. I love to line hats with fleece or faux shearling and while you could hand sew it - which is what I did in my tutorial (yuck) - it’s faster, easier, and at least in my case, more securely sewn in when you use a sewing machine.
I've tried both methods and like the sewing machine option better. As long as your crocheted work isn’t too puffy to get under a sewing foot, you can use it.
In addition to hats, I’ve used it to back blankets and to line bags and totes. Adding a sewn-on back to a blanket makes it warmer, covers any sewing from appliques, and makes a blanket even more snuggly and soft. And the sewing machine stitches are invisible so there's really no downsides for me.
How to Use Knitting Needles for Crochet:
If you’ve ever made any amigurumi, you know the struggle of sewing body parts together. Adding ears, arms, and legs is trickier than it seems it should be, and I have had to rip apart many a project because one arm ended up higher on a body or because the ears were crooked.
But, if you grab a set of knitting needles, the process will be much smoother. In the crochet community they have been calling these knitting needles amigurumi sticks. All you do is slide the knitting needle into the body part and then into the body, so it is lined up the way you want it to be when finished. The needle will hold the body part in place while you’re sewing.
Just for fun, you can add beads or little characters like Disney Doorables to the ends of the knitting needles. In minutes you can have a set of amigurumi sticks that will bring you joy in two ways - making it easier to sew on body parts and adding a super cute touch to your tools.
Supplies:
JB Weld SuperWeld Extreme Glue - this is the stuff that holds silicone beads in place.
Silicone beads – I bought a couple different types to mix and match.
Masking or blue painter’s tape
Non-stick craft mat or drop cloth to protect your working surface
Optional (but highly recommend):
I'm all about making crafts easy and fun and these are some of the things I find accomplish both tasks when I crochet.
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Happy crafting!
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