Stitch markers seem to multiply without us noticing, but have a tendency to also disappear into thin air when we most need them!

They’re the source of immense pleasure and relief when we figure out they’re PERFECT for separating pattern repeats, but they also seem to be great at dividing knitters into camps – to dangle, or not dangle?!

If you’re still marking your place with a tiny loop of yarn, fantastic.

But, if you’re keen to try something different, let’s talk stitch markers!

SIMPLE CIRCULAR MARKERS

I love a simple marker and a circle is about as simple as they get.

Choose a circumference that fits nicely (but not too loosely) around your needle for speedy knitting.

Circular markers come in a range of materials – from rubber, plastic, and metal, bright and dull. It can be helpful to have a selection, even for one project, because life is easier when we can quickly tell our beginning of round marker from our raglan markers.

ADD A BEAD TO IT

The little bead that’s sometimes added to circular markers aren’t just for decoration. They’re great for holding stitches in just in the right spot as you’re working the stitches that follow.

I find the little bead can stop a yarnover from accidentally slipping over the marker and into your next repeat, and I can tell where I am by feeling the little bump on the marker as I come to it.

I often use these markers to mark the beginning of my round.

MARKERS THAT AREN’T ROUND

There’s something very modern about a stitch marker that’s simple but not circular. Like circular markers, they’re quick to slip from one needle to the next.

I’m rather fond of hexagons but triangles are fun too.

DANGLY MARKERS

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, dangly stitch markers tend to put knitters into camps.

They can be very pretty with added beads and fun attachments, but it takes a special skill, or tons of patience to flip and slip them so the stitches around them can be worked quickly and easily.

REMOVABLE MARKERS

Great for securing around individual stitches, removable markers are often used to track how much you’ve knitted in a session, and patterns sometimes call for removable markers to be placed and then removed later after a certain length is worked.

They can be simple safety pin style markers or much fancier – a charm or shell, etc, attached to a removable fastening.

Removable markers make counting decreases or increases down a sleeve or body a breeze. Attach one to each set of decreases as you go to quickly see how many you’ve worked.

You can also use them to catch dropped stitches, and the metal safety pin style is great as “cable caps” when threaded through the end of interchangeable cables.

STORING MARKERS

My favourite way to store markers is on a binder ring, keyring, or D-ring.

I also have little tins and pots full of markers, dotted in useful spots around my house; next to my bed, on my desk, and on the coffee table.

If all else fails – check down the back of the sofa … I guarantee there will always be one hiding there!