Stitch markers are one of those things you don’t realize you’re missing until you need them for a knitting (or crochet) project and such is the case with me. Whether you are knitting something with several increases or decreases, marking where you need to make a colour change in Fair Isle, or keeping track of the number of stitches on your needle (ideal for a shawl), stitch markers are very helpful.
A friend who makes her own inspired me to consider making them too, so I gave it a try. She recommended buying an on-sale charm bracelet and working with those charms since they would already have the built-in loops. I had just such luck at Claire’s in finding a trio of sushi charms on a cheap chain necklace for €3. That breaks down to €1 per charm. Then I bought a €1 bag of mini wind-on rings at the local craft store. The necklace is like any other so I’m posting a photo of the wind-on rings since they are more unique. These rings might be problematic for lace weight knitting because the wind-on feature may catch, but I’m using the for DK and Aran weight so it should be ok.
First, I set about removing the cheap chain the sushi came on.
Then I slipped the wind-on loop onto the jump ring. I could also have wound it on, but wanted to see how this approach would work. And it did. I also put one drop of superglue where the metal meets the sushi to make sure they stay stuck.
Then I closed the jump ring properly. The process worked nicely. I ended up with a trio of stitch markers that work on knitting needles suitable for up to Aran weight yarn. Ta-da!
If this style of stitch marker isn’t to your liking, there are many other kinds you could make instead. Here are a list of links others have shared that look very helpful:
Coolest project! Gotta make some of these.
Amazingly easy once you get the hang of the process. The key is to find inexpensive charms. I think I’ll be looking at wine glass charms on sale next. But modelling clay sushi was just too cute to resist, Laura.
What a great idea for finding cute charms.
Thanks, Jenny!