DIY Knitting Stitch Markers

Hello, bloglings. I hope you’re having a lovely start to the New Year!

As you may remember from my last post, one of my goals this year is to learn how to knit. I have a lot to learn on the topic. I’m attempting to knit a sock, and one thing I learned is that you use different stitch markers for knitting than for crochet. Surprising indeed! Crochet stitch markers need to be able to open, otherwise you’ll just crochet them permanently into your project. With knitting, however, you can slip the stitch markers on and off the needles. It’s pretty magical for someone who has only crocheted before.

I figured there was no reason to buy stitch markers when I could make them myself. (If only this frugal mindset applied to buying books.) Here’s the result!

These were easy and fun to make. I always forget how much I enjoy crafting with beads. They might not be the best-looking stitch markers out there, but they get the job done, and my obsessive self appreciates that the colors match.

I used thin crafting wire (I think it was 12-gauge or thereabouts, but I no longer have the label), hot glue, and an assortment of plastic beads that I’ve had for years.

Here’s my crafting space, looking tidier than it usually does. The beads are so visually pleasing…the bright colors always make me happy.

The process for making these stitch markers is fairly self-explanatory. I cut a piece of wire about 3″ long, folded it in half without creasing it, slid the beads onto it, and put a dab of hot glue at the end. I’m sure there’s a fancier way to do this, and jewelry-makers are probably cringing at the use of hot glue, but I was just making use of the materials I had.

I saw some people using stitch markers that say “SSK” or “K2TOG,” and at first I thought it was simply because the abbreviations look cool. But I think it’s actually to mark what decrease you’re doing in which spot. Whoever thought of this is a genius. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough matching letter beads, so I stuck with just “S” and “K.”

Here they are in action! I’ve had a few incidents while knitting this sock. Let’s just say that, in the picture, you can’t tell that it’s about twice as big as a normal sock. 😛 I don’t know what I expected from using the wrong size needles. I have another sock in progress, using actual sock yarn, and I’m much happier with that one. It’s just a matter of actually finishing it. I’ve always been better at starting projects than I am at finishing them.

In any case, the stitch markers accomplish the task of marking stitches, so I’m happy. Now all that remains is to Learn to Knit a Sock.

Are there any knitters out there? I’d love to hear some knitting success stories, if anyone wants to share! 🙂