10 UNUSUAL ways to use stitch markers every knitter should know

A massive list of ways to employ stitch markers in knitting for easier or better results.
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Stitch markers can help you to identify important sections in your pattern. But if you own some of these simple bulb shaped stitch markers, you can use them for many many other things as well and this video is all about it. Track your progress, stitch things together, put stitches on hold, use them as needle stoppers, or organize your accessories - the possibilities are endless!
0:00 Introduction
0:52 Needle stoppers & accessory holder
2:08 Mark and count repeats
4:27 Count cast-on stitches
5:48 Color coding
7:15 Identify the right- and wrong side
8:01 Track your progress
9:19 Attach notes
10:39 Stitch holder & cable needle
12:09 Fixing mistakes
12:47 Provisional seaming
13:44 Bonus tip
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[@NimbleNeedles]

☕ Support my work and become a patron: www.patreon.com/nimbleneedlez 🧑‍🎓Free knitting school: nimble-needles.com/learn-to-knit-for-beginners/ 🧶 My knitting tools: nimble-needles.com/wool-and-tools/my-knitting-toolkit-essential-items-i-need-for-every-project/ 👕 My patterns: nimble-needles.com/free-knitting-patterns/ 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/nimbleneedlez/ And feel free to comment any time if you have a question. No need to be shy! :)

[@hazelsmith3992]

How to Pqint🎉🎉❤

[@frans3474]

Quite often., price tags are attached to clothing with those “lightbulb” pins. They mostly come in silver, gold or black. I have been collecting them rather than throwing them out and I use them in my knitting and crochet. Recycling is good. 🥰❣🌹

[@NimbleNeedles]

yes, i always collect them and go like "thx, free stitch marker!

[@lyannecb8499]

Yes, I was talking to my son the other day and said "Oh, is that one of my stitch markers?" "No! It's from my new shirt." "Oh. Can I have it anyway?" 😂

[@grettastephens1583]

I have never bought them, all mine have come this way.

[@claudoverstreet]

Of all the videos and books I have seen or read, when I think I’ve heard every tip there is, YOU still have more. I’m always so impressed. Thanks for this!!!

[@NimbleNeedles]

heh. Well...this video took a looong looong while to prepare because, as you said, I didn't want to bore anyone and repeat what's already out there in a gazillion different versions :)

[@MYROCKOROCKO]

I like how you included all level of knitters! The gift tag of fiber washing instructions can be fastened with bulb marker 😉

[@NimbleNeedles]

always...wouldn't do to loose the beginners...but of course, advanced knitters also need some choice bits. Can be a tough line to walk but so far I seem (?) to be suceeding ^^.

[@flo9]

Definitely a very nerdy one, but I love it: I use one of these to attach an NFC sticker on a cardboard label to my knitting. When I tab it with my phone, it opens the pattern for me ;')

[@NimbleNeedles]

that's genious. Nerdy, but genious!!

[@niteflytes]

Love this too!

[@WintrBorn]

I had never thought of that! I love this, thank you.

[@Duckster183]

What’s an NFC sticker and how do you do that?

[@alisonreeves7414]

@@Duckster183 I’d like to know that too 😊

[@machomamma]

I just watched the crochet tips video, and it reminded me of one more tip…. If I want to leave a long tail for later seaming, I will crochet it into a chain and stick a stitch marker through the last loop, instead of pulling the end through. This way I am less likely to use the tail for knitting instead of the working yarn. The added weight of the stitch marker makes it hang down and away so I’m less likely to get it tangled with the working yarn. (I use a medium or large plastic marker for this as they weigh more. ). When I’m ready to finish my work, I remove the marker and then it’s easy to pull the end without having to fish it back through the last chain.

[@getmotivated1707]

Ooh top tip! Thank you! I've gotten the tail tangled a few times, still trying to figure out tension as a beginner. This will help a ton! ❤

[@amarasharon]

Norman, thank you for those clever tips. I have a tip for those bulb markers that saved me in one of my VOGUE Knitting Live classes. I just started the Brioche class and the arm of my reading glasses fell off. Well, the instructor came to my rescue when she used one of the bulb stitch markers to put my glasses back together so I could continue the class! Many many great uses indeed!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Oh wow. How crafty!

[@wendywarren5756]

Thanks for these tips! Here's another one. When you have one of those really cute but thick stitch markers that you want to use but don't want them to make a ladder in your work, you can hang the cute marker from a bulb marker. Best of both worlds!

[@Frostedminifirecracker]

The tip I liked best and hadn’t used is the little chain to make a progression reminder. That’s so useful 😊

[@NimbleNeedles]

yes, definitely! My brain is a sieve when it comes to knitting. I need all the crutches I can ^^

[@MaeInBelgium]

I love the idea of using them to keep those tiny cable connectors from falling to the bottom of my bag. I use tiny ring stitch markers for some projects, and I use these bulbs as a way to keep 10-15 ring stitch markers collected together.

[@NimbleNeedles]

well...i do have to say that the rings are easier to slip...but typically I find stitch markers for repeats a bit too anyoing anyway, so i never end up using them lol. but if you like them, I think they definitely have their advantages there.

[@helena.3472]

Loads of your tips were new and I could also use them in crochet. Thanks ever so much for your clear, detailed tutorial...as always 😊

[@NimbleNeedles]

definitely. A lot of tips can be applied for both crafts and it's always a good idea to mix them, if you ask me (instead of thinking in knitting VERSUS crochet) ^^

[@dorothyyoung8231]

Yes, especially this style of marker that’s removable/ can be opened!

[@helena.3472]

@@NimbleNeedles so true

[@helena.3472]

@@dorothyyoung8231 absolutely a big plus

[@elizabethmorgan5163]

Very helpful tips - as always. For those of us who wear earrings and who are always losing one, the remaining one makes a very stylish marker attached to one of these bulb markers.

[@immafrayedknot]

I have been knitting for 60+ years and always learn something new from you!

[@NimbleNeedles]

as they say: you are never too old to learn, right?

[@AmandaDominy]

I've been knitting for 30 years and I'm still learning tips and tricks I never thought I'd before. Thank you.

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Great tips, Norman! I will tell you that I use different colors to signify things such as WS, STOP(always RED), dropped stitch, End of Row, etc....color coded. I can see myself using a few of your tips! Thanks so much...

[@NimbleNeedles]

oh wow..seems like almost a full computer programm! ^^

[@sarahd.7827]

Me too! Gold is always SSK, purple k2tog and so on. Great minds think alike:)

[@darlenefarmer5921]

@@sarahd.7827 Absolutely...and Norman is correct. I was a computer programmer/systems at the Pentagon before I retired in 2016. I worked in computers while on active duty (United States Army!). I color code just about everything...LMBO

[@user-yj4dz5pd8c]

wow, that first tip! i would have somehow never thought of using the bulb cliips through the lifeline holes. genius.

[@thunderabovecreations]

Thanks for all the tips, never thought of using the markers as a stopper on interchangeable needles, I had always just used a rubber band when I am done for a bit, but now I don't have to worry about it breaking =)

[@NimbleNeedles]

definitely. Do remember, however that when you are doing magic loop, you would have to secure the other end still!

[@YukonRoseinLV]

I was recently making a hat that had a panel in it that is garter. I was having trouble keeping track of which rounds were the purl rounds and which were the knit rounds until I saw someone on Reddit suggest using 2 different colored bulb markers chained. I used a green and a purple. Purple was the purl row, green was the all knit row. Everything was smooth sailing after that!

[@NimbleNeedles]

yes, that definitely works so well. And like you said, some patterns can be very confusing to knit in the round and I just feel, a well placed stitch marker here and there prevents any mistake so smoothly!

[@jualsparsons8962]

Wow I’ve knitted since I was 7 years old. I am now 67 and I’ve never seen these. That would have made life so much easier. I’ve knitted everything going and wish I’d had these before. Thank you so much. I shall be watching you from now on and I shall watch all your past videos. 😮

[@NimbleNeedles]

welcome to my channel and hav fun watching my videos

[@oakstrong1]

I'm not a knitter but a beginner crocheter: I have been using most of these tips for stitch markers instinctively but there is always something new. I have used split rings, and nappy pins but recently I have been working on with thinner yarn. The smallest rings are quite thin but to compensate it the plastic is quite wide, so I agree they are not suitable.I used to hate how the lightbulb pins would be so sharp that they split the yarn, but now I would say that for anything thinner than DK the lightbulb markers are a must.

[@1lmp1]

For the people who use bulb pins and find them too sharp here is a tip: dip the tip in a bottle of nail polish. It will create a small "ball" in the tip. Depending how fresh and thin the polish is one might need 2 dipping. Try it, it works.

[@MickeyMallone.]

Of all the projects I've knitted, the one I'm on now is the first I've ever needed to follow the gauge for...and I'm terrible at it. Stitch markers helped me because I was able to cast on the number of stitches necessary for the gauge, check it, and section it off so that I could put the next ones on without having to yank out an absurd number of the little buggers to fix something. Not a great method to rely on, but it does help train the eye and hands to get consistent sized stitches!

[@NimbleNeedles]

you know..whatever it takes ;-) Every brain, every body works differently. And a lot of the tips I show here on this channel were born this way. Some of the things ..or well a loooot of the things I tried were failures but hey...live and learn!

[@tds603]

I always liked the cute little stitch markers but you pointed out the versatility of the bulb markers which I have just ordered. Thank you for all your tips!

[@NimbleNeedles]

yeah..i mean i like them as well and sometimes I just can't resist buying them..but typically i just use them as my start of the round marker which I don't have to slip. I like pretty things haha!

[@nickiethesaint316]

You have a tremendous talent for teaching ❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

thank you. very happy to hear that NIckie

[@claudoverstreet]

I absolutely agree!

[@2acrorat]

Larger versions, typically used as hammock hangers for small pet cages, can be used for huge needles and for accommodating larger numbers of stitches, as for those at the neck of a garment, as Norman mentioned. I have several of these big clips [as I have small furries] sized about 7-8cm long, 4 cm across the bulb, so giving about 18-20cm of overall length. Known here as Pear Clips, they are available at online pet stores, eBay or ETSY.

[@NimbleNeedles]

interesting. Well, I guess I never knit with big enough needles to need these so that's probably why I never even thought about that. Ha! thank you for adding that here

[@jurrassitol15]

Loved the use of the bulb markers as stoppers on the interchangeables! Never through to use them like that!

[@runaaufbrennen7593]

My big pack of bulb pins just got EVEN MORE useful for me! You've done it again, Norman! Thank you so much! 🤩❤️

[@jandkcon]

Great and innovative ideas! Whenever I purchase a clothing item and find the hangtag attached with a bulb pin I feel like I’ve struck gold! Yesterday while counting out coins at a driveup I even found one in my change 👛 purse🤩👍🏻#neverwithout

[@NimbleNeedles]

ha! I feel the same...like gollum and his precious ^^

[@Morticia147]

Damn, I love the idea to use them as stoppers on cables. Till now I used a long peace of yarn to rest stitches, but this is a gamechanger for me. I am working on a sweater right now and had about 100 stitches resting on a loooooong piece of yarn, so I put your tip into practice right now. Thanks for this amazing tip!

[@HunterJE]

I've found the progress tracking tip super helpful just from a morale standpoint, we've all had those big monotonous projects or project stages where there aren't a lot of landmarks it's easy to sit down to a knitting session and then look down at the work after an hour or so and feel like you've made no meaningful progress, because that day's progress is such a small portion of the whole thing so far that it looks about the same as when you picked it up. Adding a marker at the start of a session lets you look down and say "yep, I got this much done today" and feel more like you're moving forward and not running in place!

[@aolster3198]

I've used all your tips (used regular safety pins after I had to buy replacement connectors (: ). I chain different color markers as my row counters - even use plastic coated paperclips on large repeats with some colors standing for certain "no-brainer" rounds/rows. I set the chain up and move a marker from one to the next to indicate my current working row/round. I agree these bulb markers are the most used notion in my yarn kit!

[@repprezent6593]

Norman! You continue to come out with bangers! You are a true leader in the knitting community! So grateful I found your channel.

[@NimbleNeedles]

and I am happy to have you here

[@kristinfromoregon6372]

I just watched this video and will definitely use your tips to make my knitting process less random😂. I use my bulb stitch markers as “keys” to tighten interchangeable needles since they are always handy. I recently bought a mixed color pack of 1500 bulb markers from Amazon for $14👍🏼 I’ll never be able to loose them all😜

[@bornokyo5575]

Thanks for the advice. Now these bulb stitch markers will be valued more.

[@NimbleNeedles]

I sure hope they are...!

[@bornokyo5575]

@@NimbleNeedles I need to buy more now. So many possibilities just opened up.

[@kvcaps]

Very useful advice. I plan to utilize them more often. Thank you for the tips! Have a great day.

[@NimbleNeedles]

you too. We have been celebrating the 1. Advent here :)

[@Susann_S.]

Hi norman. Thanks, for these helpful tips. I use a stitchmarker, to secure the last stich of crocheting. Then you can put it in your bag and travel around. Greetings Susann

[@NimbleNeedles]

oh yeah..thats very useful as well. Thx for adding it here, Susann!

[@lisaw8202]

I would add that when you use your stitch marker to catch a dropped stitch, you can use the marker to "hang" that stitch from your needle or cable in the correct place, so you won't pass the spot as you knit around. I love your videos, thank you for them!

[@michaelabeijer675]

Even someone who loves bulb markers as much as I do can learn something from this video. I prefer using ornamental pins to mark the front of a project (and occasionally keep the front and back together for larger projects.

[@hannahsideris4353]

Thank you! I know a few of these, but most of them are new. I like, that there is ONE video to show all uses together :).

[@genier7829]

The tip about marking cable crosses is new to me. I am starting a complex cable project in the new year and will certainly use this technique, thanks.

[@BannanaOnFloor]

Im glad Im not the only one that struggles with counting! I often use stitch markers to keep track of my cast ons and rows in both knitting and crochet

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are certainly not alone!! I would say, that is very common among knitters

[@islandguy808]

Love your videos! I especially like the tip on clipping those tiny connectors. I'm always worried I'll lose mine! My tip is: Have you ever came back to your knitting after setting it down and "think" you're knitting on the correct side you left off on only to find you're on the wrong side? I use one colored stitch marker (green) at the start of the front facing side row, and another color (red) at the other end. When you turn your work, the red stitch marker is now at the start of the row. This way there is no question what side of your work you are on.

[@doreensoutar5130]

Oh the little chain of stitch markers will be fantastic for increasing a thumb gusset for gloves....that has made my day 😊

[@NimbleNeedles]

yeah, it will work very well for that. You could even use the spare ones to put your stitches on hold once you are there!

[@aileenmiles1693]

I always say you can never have too many stitch markers. I like to use the bulb-shaped ones especially for marking my decrease rounds on sleeves so I can make sure they both turn out the same. Thanks for the tips!

[@koosverheul6474]

Thank you again Norman. I had no idea that the little holes in the cable connectors can be used to insert a lifeline - absolutely brilliant! I will also immediately start using the suggestion to use the markers as a needle stopper through the little hole. Great ideas, thank you!

[@susankorotkin3386]

Thanks so much. I use these bulb stitch markers everywhere in my knitting. I hadn’t thought of putting one thru the hole on my needles to capture the stitches - genius!

[@cassiesugito]

Great video. I also used small stitch markers to mark the place I do wrap and turns and I have used it to mark the actual wrap itself. I was using dark coloured yarn so picking up the wraps was challenging especially on the wrong side!

[@NimbleNeedles]

yah..that's a great tip to add!

[@vicki1141]

These were all knew to me except for the one to secure dropped stitch. Currently starting simple lace projects and your tips have just changed the world for me! Every video you make is so easy to learn from. Thank you so much for being the best knitting educator on the net. Self taught and sometimes confused , hahaha, here in Nova Scotia, 🇨🇦.

[@StephanieMayfieldDIG]

Great tips! Some were new. I like to make fancy stitch markers and I usually add them to the light bulbs. I use the fancy ones for my beginning of round.

[@TrudySchwartzBurrill]

Love this. I got some new ways to use my most commonly used stitch markers. I find they are easy to never miss on your row they don’t make your running thread longer needlessly and they are just convenient and easy to use. So I appreciate the additional ways of usage here that you’ve have shared in this tutorial.

[@maryclark7947]

These tips are genius. Thank you so much.

[@mzmscoyote]

These are great tips. If these little stitch markers are beyond the budget you can use scrap yarn from completed projects in exactly the same way.

[@christenagervais7303]

Thank you Norman for all of the great hints!🇨🇦

[@misselanys1219]

I use them to mark the beginning of a decrease or increase section so i can count the rows up when i mindlessly forget to tap my row counter app. Incidentally I love ❤ your tips and tricks and was today years old when i learned from you that pulling yarn from the center is the reason why my yarn separates all the time. Thank you for that!!! Greetings from a collapsing democracy USA! ❤

[@roisanaries]

Well….I need to get some more bulb stitch markers! 😂 Excellent content - super helpful. Thank you!

[@purrsnpurls9527]

The tip about adding a label to your yarn is ingenious!! At least to a professional yarn label displacer like me 😅 One thing that I do: when I adapt a garment on the go, e.g. add additional decreases or increases to fit it to someone's body, I add one of the little bulbs in each increase/decrease. I also write things down but it's a great way to visually track where I changed what.

[@hollyammari]

As usual Norman, I learn something from every video you publish! Thank you so much for the fabulous tips!

[@GMY100]

Pragmatic & innovative particularly the part on interchangeable needles.

[@NimbleNeedles]

it took quite a long time to collect all these tips and pour them into one cohesive video. I think this was 6 months in the making >.< So, glad you enjoy these tips

[@maria2400]

As a beginner knitter., Theses tips are so helpful. Thank you so much.

[@lyndasmith593]

Absolutely genius. I have a bunch of those and I keep forgetting what I'm using them for as my projects seem to sit more than knit😂. I'm going to use your ideas thank you I really enjoy your channel.

[@suzannestefani9828]

I have round plastic markers, clasp plastic , fancy beaded ones, and the wire bulb ones, now I have more uses for the bulb one , which are my favorite anyway. Always a delight to listen and learn from you. Suzy

[@eileenfb1948]

Thank you Norman. Brilliant as always.

[@gaylynyoung6387]

I’ve knitted all my life and just discovered bulb markers. I love them, especially the colourful ones 😊 I was so tired of the big ones. You’re so right about the big ones being inconvenient and making the space between stitches too big. I love the idea of using them to hold a small number of stitches for mitts.

[@wendyhopp8137]

Thank you for sharing your knitting wisdom! Love that you are so clever and creative.

[@devoted2knit177]

So glad to have this

[@andrewstiller1662]

What clever ideas! Great video.

[@KirKnits]

Some really great new to me tips in here! The stitch stopper is great and I just used a couple of these to turn closed markers into clipped ones to mark my right sides! Brilliant!

[@arctiknitter]

What a great list of ways to use those markers. Thank you.

[@ramonacowman7409]

Great stitch marker tips! Thank you for sharing!❤

[@katerinavali4501]

This really made me happy... I just bought these markers and expected I will only use them to mark repetetive sections of my work... after the video I think I will need to buy some more as I will definitely start to use them much more after seeing your video. Norman you are a STAR. I learned so much from you already...thank you for sharing all your experience.

[@annj60]

So great tips! Thank you, you are the best teacher!

[@wipqueen715]

Yes!! Some were definitely new to me, and absolutely useful tips! I feel like your just a knitting info genius. I now have my bulb stitch markers right in reach of where I’m sitting and can’t wait to put your tips to use. Thank you!!👍🇨🇦🧶

[@cathkat3993]

I really like these bulb stitch markers. They are so versatile. Thanks for even more ideas on how to use them.

[@rinievangerwen2371]

As always, very useful and clearly explained! Thank you so much ❤

[@cbabe1]

These tips are great! Thank you!

[@paularubina3778]

So helpful, thanks Norman ❣️

[@valeriewoods6754]

Many useful ideas here that I'd never thought of, even though I've been knitting a long time. Thank you.

[@libertylady64]

Thank you Norman! Great video!

[@NimbleNeedles]

you are very welcome!

[@kitsunezurui]

Brilliant!! you have earned my full attention :D thank you so much!

[@Jacelyn5440]

Hi, Norman! New tips for me. Thanks for sharing.

[@tusapaula]

A lot of great ideas for the bulb stitch markers!

[@karenmwangi9807]

Thank you. So many practical tips!!!

[@amaliarubio3940]

Brilliant. Thank you for sharing.❤

[@Pluviophile218]

These are terrific tips! Thank you! My favorites are keeping the little connectors together and the chain for repeats. Your info is great!

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Thank you for the wonderful ideas. ❤

[@sidmelucci3675]

Ingenious! I just followed your affiliate link and ordered a batch of markers plus some letter & number beads. (Also a bottle of cedar oil to refresh my little anti-moth blocks.)

[@NimbleNeedles]

ah yeah...better keep those fragrant!

[@niteflytes]

Thank you! I’ve learned so many helpful things from you.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Thanks ! So many great tricks for these simple markers. I will now have more use for my favorite markers.

[@KW-qb9jo]

Thank you so much. According to your test I am an intermediate beginner and you have taught me! Thank you so much for that. I have the plastic ones and they are horrible. I also was not using them for all of these different type cases. I am now! I just casted on with double needles to start the brioche stitch I learned from you and for once I didn’t have to backup and count stitches because I lost count. I also ordered the pin style ones through your link. I know these tips probably seem obvious but they are not for me and I am always grateful for them

[@phylliswinkelbauer7105]

Brilliant! Thank you for another worthwhile video. I love this one so much!

[@dizzyk54]

Excellent info!!! Thank you!

[@kristinkleifgen9814]

The first two tips were new to me and they were absolutely mind-blowing!

[@NimbleNeedles]

they sure do come in handy. At least I do feel they are and I employ them quite frequently..well...i mean, the stitch marker in my CG set just stays there but still. haha :P

[@maximumyarnage]

I love those. This was such a helpful video. Thank you so much!

[@luisalobo6137]

Obrigada pelas dicas, muito úteis!

[@musiclsr]

Brilliant...I never thought of using them to secure those connectors to the case...as always, another great video

[@nadzoll]

Love these marker tips!

[@noidlehands2019]

Thank you so much for these helpful tips.

[@alolabores4183]

Excelente, muchas gracias por compartir 💯

[@dianetaillon9875]

Love your tips you knit so perfectly and make it look so easy you make me jealous lol I so appreciate your skill thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and ability💜

[@lisapettit7334]

Tip #1 is brilliant! I no longer have to worry about lost stitches. Thank you!

[@barbararosselot2025]

Loved this video! I love those bulb stitch markers as well, but never thought of a few uses that you mentioned! Awesome, Norman! Thank you