I know I said back when I started doing stitch markers, that I wasn't as fond of the wire-and-crimp-bead stitch markers, but after having been playing around with them a little, I have found that they do serve their purpose :)
These markers are really useful for larger needles. Most of the time, I work in worsted weight yarn or lighter, and my other beaded stitch markers fit those needles. The rings fit up to size US 9, and the lobster claws up to US 7. But every so often, I want a quick and easy, chunky or super bulky project. Those bulky projects give my hand a break from the smaller yarns and needles, and usually are pretty instant gratification as well. However, they are on US 11s, 13s, etc. In other words, too big for my pretty stitch markers.
With the wire markers, though, you have more flexibility on how big you are making them, so you can make them as big or as small as you'd like. The owls below were made because I needed 6 big stitch markers for Cumulus, so ta-da! And, let's face it, those beads are cute as the dickens! Another nice thing about these stitch markers for the larger needles is that you can use larger beads on them. Like the adorable owls, for example :) Not that you can use enormous beads, or anything, but when the project is using bulky yarn on size 11 needles (or 10.5, in the case of Cumulus), the project itself is heavy enough that you don't notice the weight of the beads!
Oh, and another note about the owls. The beads are all the same; I just have some facing forwards and some facing back, so that you can see both their cute little faces and the little feathers on their backs :)
There are two very good tutorials for this style of stitch marker, if you're not familiar with these bits of beading equipment. I wasn't familiar with them at all, and just played around with the wire and crimp beads until I had sturdy stitch markers that held. The folk below, though, have some good discussions and photos for those that need to see something before jumping in :)
With the wire markers, though, you have more flexibility on how big you are making them, so you can make them as big or as small as you'd like. The owls below were made because I needed 6 big stitch markers for Cumulus, so ta-da! And, let's face it, those beads are cute as the dickens! Another nice thing about these stitch markers for the larger needles is that you can use larger beads on them. Like the adorable owls, for example :) Not that you can use enormous beads, or anything, but when the project is using bulky yarn on size 11 needles (or 10.5, in the case of Cumulus), the project itself is heavy enough that you don't notice the weight of the beads!
Oh, and another note about the owls. The beads are all the same; I just have some facing forwards and some facing back, so that you can see both their cute little faces and the little feathers on their backs :)
There are two very good tutorials for this style of stitch marker, if you're not familiar with these bits of beading equipment. I wasn't familiar with them at all, and just played around with the wire and crimp beads until I had sturdy stitch markers that held. The folk below, though, have some good discussions and photos for those that need to see something before jumping in :)
- Spindle and Wheel has a good basic tutorial, and includes an additional set of instructions for some fancier beaded ones too.
- Knit Purl Gurl has another good basic tutorial, lots of nice step-by-step pictures and a few videos, too, on using the crimping pliers, for example.
- The podcaster Sticks and String has another basic tutorial, along with an interesting discussion on using the beads to help counting pattern repeats.
And while I'm talking about stitch markers still, I've found a few more variations out there too!
- Knit Powers to Peace explains how to make shrinky-dink stitch markers - even printing your own pictures on the shrinky-dink paper! How much more personalized can you make them? :)
- Wikihow has instructions (and video!) on making the curled wire markers - you know, the ones that are open, not closed rings, and can be placed actually in a stitch. I've always thought these look really cool, but am curious as to how much they snag your yarn. I suppose it's a matter of practice, to make the coils smooth enough that they don't catch.
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