Crafting Stitch-markers

Those who crochet and knit will tell you that one of our frustrations is loosing our stitch-markers. Simple plastic markers are inexpensive but oh so plain! Those who love crocheters and knitters often express frustrations about what to give as a present. Customized stitch-markers are easy and inexpensive to make. They are a great present to the crafter in your life! Go a a little wild and pick outrageous beads! 

 

Supplies for Simple Stitchmarker

Beads: don't go nuts, just buy some nice cheap ones, only spend a  couple bucks, make sure they won't snag your work , one larger bead , two smaller beads or some seed beads , of course you can buy more than these, especially since you'll want to make a set
Toggles: yep, that's what they're called, find them in the jewelry making section, sold in a pack, usually a couple bucks,  pick ones that will fit your needles, probably a 9mm
Head Pins: also called eye pins, found in the jewelry making section, sold by the pack, usually silver or gold, a couple bucks
Pliers: get the cheap combo jewelry pliers, if you want you can spend 30 bucks later, the round nose combo will work for now

These instructions are for making a Simple Snag-free Stitchmarker.  We’ll be using a Toggle, instead of a jump ring, since jump rings have a split in them, and they could cause a snag. 

Gather your supplies, get comfortable, and have plenty of light.  First take the Head Pin and place a Small Bead on it.  Slide it down to the flat end of the Head Pin.   Next take your Large Bead and thread it on the head pin.  Finally take another Small Bead and slide it on the Head Pin.  Make sure you have the bead arrangement you like before going any further.  You should have three beads on the Head Pin. 

Take the Round Nose pliers and hold the Head Pin near the end that is pointy.  Depending on the size of your beads, each arrangement will have a different amount of Head Pin empty/beadless.  Using your other hand, or another set of pliers (ask hubby if he has a pair of needle nose pliers you can borrow), bend the Head Pin around the Round Nose pliers making a u-shaped little curve (like a bobby pin looks).  Stick the Round Nose pliers into the u-shaped curve and pull back on it, making a little question mark shape.  Don’t worry about this step too much, it’s okay if you don’t make the question mark shape for now, as you gain experience you’ll be more comfortable with it.
Place the Toggle Ring onto the u-shaped curve. 

With the Round Nose pliers, hold the Head Pin right below where the u-shaped curve is.  The toggle will be on the top of the u-shaped curve, and the beads will be below.  While holding the curve, use your other hand (or needle nose pliers), wrap/wind the pointy part of the Head Pin around the bottom of the curve, making it a circle.  Wrap it several times, if possible.  A small amount of the pointy part will probably remain unwrapped.  Take your pliers and smoosh it into itself, against the shaft of the Head Pin.  This will prevent yarn getting snagged.

If your bead arrangement isn’t that long/large, you may have excess Head Pin.  You will need to cut it off, either before making the u-shaped curve, or after you wrap the Head Pin around itself.  Snip off any remaining Head Pin, being careful not to cut the shaft of the Head Pin.  Use wire cutters or an old not-important pair of scissors.

That’s it, you’ve made a Simple Stitchmarker.  Good Job !!!