Stitch markers

How-to Questions
1

Hi All,

I found a pattern for a sweater which seems easy enough for me to attempt, but I have a question that I hope you can help me with.

It says for one row I have to place markers (4 in one particular row). Then it says “(keep moving markers on each row)”. What does that mean? What do stitch markers do?

This is around the sleeve area - the part of the pattern that seems a bit tricky to me.

Thanks!

2

Another row says “Knit, increasing 1 st at each side of markers”

Also, further down it says "(remove markers as you place stitches on holders)"

Thanks!

3

A stitch marker is kind of like a bookmark–just a reference point so you know where to increase, or decrease. They’re sold as rings that slip onto your needle and you just slip them from one needle to the next as you get to them.

You can use a contrasting piece of yarn and tie it around the needle, too. It doesn’t have to be a ‘real’ stitch marker.

4

Stitch markers are used to mark places in your knitting where something in particular needs to happen - in this case you are marking where increases are to occur while working on your sleeve. When it says to ‘keep moving markers on each row’ all it means is that on the rows following the one where you placed the markers, when you reach the markers again you will simply move the marker from the left needle to the right needle and then keep on with your stitches.

Now, where it says to increase 1 stitch at each side of markers you will do just that. When you reach a marker you will increase one stitch, slip the marker from left needle to right, then increase another stitch and continue on with your stitches until you reach the next marker where you will do the same thing, doing this for all of the markers that you encounter.

Then, at some point, your pattern is asking you to put the stitches on a stitch holder. Now, you have likely done all of the increases surrounding those markers and the markers are no longer necessary so you can just remove them.

5

Thanks so much! Dumb question, but what are stitch holders? Like other knitting needles?

6

For stitch holders, you can buy those metal diaper-or-safety-pin-looking-thingies, or you can just slip the stitches onto a piece of smooth scrap yarn and tie the scrap yarn so the stitches don’t fall off. Personally, I’d go for the scrap yarn.

7

Very interesting! Thanks for everyone’s help. Looks like I can use the scraps I alreay have for both purposes!

Thanks again!

8

If I have a lot of stitches, I do use a circular needle one size smaller. They’re more flexible than the rigid ones and I can just knit off them when I’m ready to use the right size needle, unlike waste yarn.
sue