Instructions
Cut 10 inch length of wire. Curl one end into a tight spiral, just a few rounds deep. Make a right-angle bend. Add a few beads, making sure that the bead next to the counter is large enough to prevent the counter from sliding off. Add the counter, and then more beads--same deal above the counter as below it. With chain-nose pliers, leave 1/4 inch of space and make another right-angle bend. I ...Read full instructions »
Difficulty:
Category: Knitting
Type of item: Functional
For: Unisex
Style: Retro / Vintage, Whimsical
Materials
20 gauge wire, glass beads, a plastic stitch-counter
What was your inspiration?
I needed a counter to keep track of a long pattern repeat, and because it was in the round, I needed a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round. I didn't want to pay for little plastic rings that slipped off easily, were hard to see, and wouldn't fit over my larger needles (which was the problem with the counters in the first place!), so I decided to make what I needed.
What are you most proud of?
My daughter loved this one so much, I haven't used it since she borrowed it 18 months ago. She always seems to have it on a project. I had to make another for myself. (It's red, because the counter was red, and that's my favorite color anyway.)
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
Just try. If your idea doesn't work, it's no big deal. And if it's the same idea someone else had in a different place, that also is no big deal (if you don't try to sell it). Particular to this project, try half-hard wire. Dead-soft is too pliable for any practical use, and hard is too hard to make a nice spiral and wrapped loop. And file your cut ends if you can. They can catch yarn like nobody's business otherwise.
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