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July 14, 2020

Waste Yarn in Place of Stitch Holders

I frequently call out waste yarn in my patterns.  This is just a substitute for a stitch holder.  Personally, I don’t use stitch holders, I always use waste yarn in place of stitch holders.  I have a nice collection of smooth cotton yarn that I use, but I’ll admit that I will grab whatever is handy.

How to use waste yarn in place of stitch holders

To use waste yarn as called out in the pattern, just thread a tapestry needle with an appropriate length of yarn and thread it through your stitches that are too be held.  Knotting it temporarily is always a good idea!

What is holding stitches?

It is putting stitches securely on a holder to be set aside until later.Waste Yarn and stitch holders

Why smooth yarn?

You want a yarn that won’t leave fiber or in any way damage the stitches being held.

Waste yarn can also be used whenever you need a removable marker, a temporary stitch marker, or a row marker.  I have this assortment of short lengths and a longer length to cut from.

Why not a stitch holder?

I have never liked them.  They get caught in things.  To each their own.  Use what works best for you in your knitting!  I always like “hacks” that don’t require anything special. The giant stitch holder must have been gifted to me.  I found one other smaller one.  And I keep them because you just never know when you will need them–plus I think the big one is funny.

I have a treasure trove of 100% Egyptian cotton Provence from Classic Elite Yarns which no longer exists.

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