Stitch Markers?

[Montana Mommy]

O.k., what's the secret to making a stitch marker? Is it wire? An old hook style earring? A little of both?

Having recently tackled projects that actually call for such a thing, I'm curious to know so I can locate or make some of my own!

[MarvieN]

The ones a Christmas Elf sent me are on what look like very long sewing pins without the sharp point...

but my question is what size pin thingies are you stitchmarker makers using? I picked some up and thought I could copy the ones I have, but either my pin thingies are to short or I did something wrong.... mine didn't work out at all!

I'll be watching this thread to see what advice shows up =)

[ZingyZoid]

I use safety pins... I don't have any of the pretty ones.

[Seneca and Scooch]

I picked up some head pins and jewelry pliers but I can't make the curve part as pretty as all that make them so I got hook earring parts and used those. I too would appreciate any advice.

[Empress Busy Bee]

I've always used bobby pins. Not pretty but they work.
:rotfl

I am jealous of the pretty ones I've seen here and on blogs though so I might attempt it some day.
:bee

[MarvieN]

heheheeee we're all in the same boat sounds like lol.

I was telling Bec yesterday, something else you can use (and I do/have) is those charms for wine glasses. I had some that came free with some (very cheap) wine I'd picked up at some point back home. I used those and they work very well. I noticed last time I was in the craft shop on base that they sell the little rings so you can make your own (in my shop they were in the area with the beads and charms).... so those are an option. (plus they close so you don't have to worry about them slipping out if ya have nosey critters like I do *g*)

I do love the look of the ones I was sent at christmas though and am hoping someone tells me what size pins are used for them, I'll give it one more shot. (I too had trouble getting the pretty curls though, but I didn't get the jewlery pliers, just used hubby's needle nose ones)

[CraftyChristine]

<span style="font-family:comic sans ms; color:purple;">I made a bunch of stitch markers awhile back and I just used floral wire and my hubbie's needlenose pliers.

The floral wire is thin enough that you can make bigger curves with your fingers and use needlenose pliers to pinch the ends tight so they don't snag on your yarn.

This wire definitely has some give, but I like it because I can tighten my marker so it doesn't come off of the stitch I'm marking and I can open it more to take it off.

Here's some I've made

<img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/craftychristine/markers001.jpg" /></span>

[Seneca and Scooch]

Those are really pretty! Great job! :clap

Marvie, I got 2in head pins.....Good idea to use the wine charms, you know how the fur babies can't resist the sparklies, especially when they dangle! :wink

[Montana Mommy]

Those are gorgeous Christine! Well done!

I've been using an old earring that doesn't have a mate. It works, but I want pretty ones! I'll have to putter around in my jewelry making supplies to see if I can come up with something. :))

[natalie058]

I use 2in head pins for mine (the ones I made for Marvie), they work as long as the beads aren't too big, and if the curls are a little long I trim them with wire cutters... I also use needle-nose pliers cuz I think they're easier for me to handle than the rounded jeweler's pliers, but they can leave little dents in the headpins if you squeeze too hard.

I also use a little tiny bit of super glue to hold the beads down on the straight part, i just dip a straight pin into a drop of glue and dab it at the top bead.

I think you can find 3in head pins at jewelery shops, but I've never needed them, cuz I don't use giant beads.

[Chiscrochetcrazy]

I need to dig out my old jewelry & find the lone earings I use a safety pin to mark my work. I used to use those little tiny comb type clips for little girls hair but they've all dissapeared.

[MarvieN]

Oh goody =) Now I know what to look for *makes a note 2" pins*

Hehehe Alisha, check under the couch and in the cushions *g* That's where I find most of the things that go missing... either the cats have used it for a toy or I lost it on the couch and sat down and the thing fell down inside lol. Those teensy little clips are a great idea to use though!

[Chiscrochetcrazy]

Marvie they're a little better than safety pins since they don't take quite as long to take off. Allthough I've become rather fast at fastening and unfastening a safety pin.I don't know about you but I hate looking under my couch cushions:U it's scary in there. I love peanut butter crackers you know the little ones that are like sandwiched together well my dogs do as well so anytime anyone get's a pack they have to break one apart and share the other half with the chi's so you can imagine there's a feast under the cushions:eek2