http://www.beadsandsupplies.com/
My favorite mail order source for beads:
even has the alpha and number beads in costlier gold plate and silver plate for those among us who want to create some heirloom markers.
Typical stitch markers look like this:
www.fluffbuff.com
These stitch markers are fine – but you can’t really use them for hook markers. You have to create your own version of these. Some people use earring wires to create markers:
www.goodtobegirl.com
Again, these work fine for stitch markers – but they will also hold a bead to use as a hook marker too. A variety of types of earring wires is available. This type (spring back) will have the most secure hold.
Others use a bunch of different things for stitch markers:
safety pins with coils
bobby pins
paper clips
pieces of yarn
twist ties
plastic bread bag closures.
These all work fine, the paper clips and regular safety pins can snag yarn and bobby pins just don’t make sense to me, although they are commonly used so they must work. Seems like they could easily be dislodged. The little pieces of yarn work well – but cutting and tying them on makes me crazy! And twist ties – well they just belong in the kitchen IMO! Of course, they’re ‘free’ since we all get so many of them at the grocery store. And, those plastic bread bag tags just don’t seem secure to me at all, although they can be written on with a marker.
Thanks to one of my readers for pointing out that I hadn’t actually included the directions for making one’s own stitch markers. Sorry! Here’s what I do:
Choose the size coil-free safety pin that I want – I use smaller ones for stitch markers and larger ones for hook markers.
Slide a number or alpha bead onto the safety pin.
Simple as that! I’ll add that those small M&M plastic tubes are perfect for storing your markers in. Of course, Altoid tins and other small containers work fine too, but I prefer the M&M tins because one can crochet a cute little cover for the tube to further personalize it.
So, be adventurous and make your own markers. They’re inexpensive and fun to make and allow you yet another area in which to express your individuality and creativity!
Love your blog … great article on stitch markers … I’ve been thinking of doing just that because sometimes the ones I buy snag … but my question … what is a hook marker?
Thanks!
Pam
HI PAM – thanks for the kind words about the blog. I use hook markers to remind me which size hook I was using if I abandon a pattern (temporarily or longer) and need to take the hook away. I own a BUNCH of hooks, but found that I would run out of G or H hooks because I would leave them with one of the many projects I was working on. So, I decided to begin marking the project in some way to make it easier to return to it. In addition to leaving a copy of the pattern with the project (always a good idea!), I try to make notes on the pattern as I often change the hook size. So, having hook markers in my most commonly used sizes has been very helpful – and keeps me from spending more money on hooks I already own!
jd
Thanks for going a little further on how to make a stitch marker. I’ve never see the coiless pins. The idea on the use of a hook marker was awesome! I have the same problem. must have at lease 5 G and J hooks! I keep finding them at the bottom of my craft bag or purse! LOL!
DENISE, glad I’m not the only one who does this. I’ve lost a gazillion hooks. Well, not so much lost as hiding in WIP’s.
jd
I never thought about hook markers, but boy, oh, boy does it ever make sense?!!!
All my UFOs are made with different sizes, and, darned if I can remember which goes with which!
This is a great idea – thanks!
JACKIE,
Glad to be of help. That’s what the blog is here for!
jd
Wow, that is a great tip for a way to remember which hook for which UFO. Some of my missing hooks are still in some UFOs, but some just plain disappear. I even blogged about the G or H Hook Gobbler, and you all might get a kick out of it…
http://prayersncrafts.blogspot.com/2010/06/g-or-h-hook-gobbler.html
Some of the comments were funnier than I expected. Enjoy, and thanks again!
Evie, heading off to find some beads for using on her soon-to-be hook markers.