How to Use Stitch Markers: 8 Essential Methods for Knitting & Crochet

If you already use stitch markers in your knitting or crochet, you probably don’t need convincing. Among the smallest and lowest-cost of all our tools, they help prevent so much frogging and frustration.

In this post, I’ll explain:
– What stitch markers are for
– The main types of markers
– 8 ways to use them
– How to stop losing them (a chaos goblin’s guide)
– DIY alternatives if you’re in a pinch

In this post I will include pictures of stitch markers from two talented makers. Check out Velvet Bramble and Flo’s Crafty Crochet. Use code FAIRYTHORN for 15% off at Flo’s Craft Crochet!

How to use stitch markers

Stitch markers have many uses. From the moment you start planning a project, it’s a good idea to have a handful nearby, in a colour that contrasts well with the yarn you will use.

1. Keeping track of long chain or cast on.

You just want to get started, but chaining or casting on 378 stitches isn’t fun, let’s be honest. You will lose count, over and over, and still somehow always end up one stitch less than you needed, despite your best efforts. Pop a marker every group of stitches, and it all gets easy. For a long cast on I usually add a marker every 50 stitches, as I find that quite manageable. But in a tricky yarn, such as a very dark colour, I may do every 10 stitches. Experiment and find the right number for you.

2. Marking the right side and wrong side of your work

You have cast on or created your starting chain. On the first row, its often a good idea to place a removable marker to indicate right and wrong side of the work. In some stitches it’s obvious. On many it is not. Leaving ends to be woven in accidentally on the right side of the fabric is one of those frustrations that can ruin a relaxing evening knitting or crocheting.

3. Marking the beginning/end of a round.

One of the most cited uses for markers, when knitting or crocheting in the round it’s always important to mark the beginning/end. Although, to be honest, when knitting socks I often judge the end of round by the position of the tail, and don’t faff with stitch markers. Still, on many projects its non-negotiable.

4. Keeping track of where to add increases and decreases.

Knowing where to place any shaping, such as raglan increases or toe decreases. ‘Knit to marker, knit 2 together, knit on’, is so much easier than, ‘knit complicated number for your size, count 3 times to be sure, k2tog, knit on, and check every row, because that number keeps changing’. Of course, that is equally true for crochet as it is for knitting.

5. Keeping track of when to add increases and decreases

Similarly, we often have to add elements every certain number of rows. In the photo, I’m knitting Petite Knits Eva cardigan. For my size, I need to decrease every 10th row, 8 times. Stitch markers mean I only need to count back to my previous marker, making it so much easier to keep track. And when my 8 stitch markers are all used, I know I’m onto the straight section, and almost at the cuff.

6. Keeping track of where and when to add pattern repeats

When doing pattern repeats, such as cables, lace, or colourwork, stitch markers make life so much easier!

7. Using as yarn safe pins when trying on or sewing up

Stitch markers hold project pieces together for trying on, or for sewing up. Whether you are arranging squares for a crochet afghan, or trying on a half made cardigan knit flat, lockable stitch markers are by far the best joining tool.

8. Motivating progress keepers.

We love to knit and crochet. But it can be a slow, mindful journey. A pretty lockable stitch marker, such as this gorgeous flower marker by Flo’s Crafty Crochet, used as a progress keeper, can be a motivating tool to let you see just how much progress you made in one evening crocheting. Pop it in place at the start of your session, then stop and admire how much you actually achieved at the end.

Using stitch markers to simplify pattern writing for designers.

As a designer, I also include instructions referencing stitch markers because it can help simplify the pattern writing process. In a pattern with 10 or 12 sizes, like my recently published Delvin pattern, I may need to say
‘Knit 6 (6, 8, 8) [10, 10, 12] (12, 14, 14) 16, k2tog, Knit 20 (22, 24, 26) [28, 30, 32] (34, 36, 38) 40, SSK, Knit 6 (6, 8, 8) [10, 10, 12] (12, 14, 14) 16 … etc.

And when I do, I know my knitter following my pattern needs to pause Netflix, tell the kids to sush, count increasingly loudly at those interrupting them, and still has a high risk of mis-counts. And then, they need to do it all over again for every shaping row.
Whereas if I say ‘knit to marker, knit 2 together…and so on. No need to pause Netflix.

This is particularly important to me as a dyslexic knitter and crocheter. Because a pattern written so it can be used understood at a glance (without pausing the TV or podcast) is a pattern that won’t exclude a neurodiverse knitter. So, stitch markers for the accessibility win, in my opinion.

Improvised Stitch Markers

But I don’t have any stitch markers! I cant find any. What can I do?

There are organised people who always have a pot of markers to hand. And then there’s chaos goblin crafters, like me. We just don’t. I might have 3 million markers, but can I find just one when I need it? Unlikely. You can use whatever you have to hand. Things I’ve used include (but not limited to)
A scrap of contrast colour yarn
A curtain hook
A paper clip
Tiny washers from vape kits
Safety pins
Bobby pins
Odd ear rings and other repurposed parts of broken jewellery.
Whatever you can get your hands on

Types of markers

There are different types of stitch markers for different types of projects.
We can divide these broadly into 2 categories.
Lockable markers which are used in both knitting and crochet
Circular or closed markers which are for knitting only.
Both these main types have different sub types

Lockable stitch markers

Lockable markers can open and close, making them easy to remove from the work

Progress keepers

Progress keepers are pretty markers that resemble an ear ring, and have an ornament dangling from the clip. They (usually) lock open and closed. These can be used in both knitting and crochet to mark progress, mark the right side of the work, or even pinning a note to a WIP about needle hook size or gauge, if putting it aside for a short while. You can get special sets pre marked with needle or hook sizes, so you can use it by itself, no need for a slip of paper as well.

Bulb stitch markers

These are the workhorse stitch markers, especially in crochet, but with many uses in knitting, too. Often sold in large packs, in different colours. You need plenty, and in a good colour selection

Ring and other closed stitch markers (knitters only)

Ring stitch markers on the other hand slide onto the knitting needle. They are far better than bulb markers for sliding along a needle, so any knitter should also have a set or two of these. They come in various sizes, and its good to have a few size options. If they are too small to slide easily up and down the needle, they are too small to be of use. However, if they are giant sizes that would fit a 12mm needle for a super bulky project, and you are knitting socks, that big marker will get in your way! You don’t need a different size for every needle size. But a little selection of small, medium and large is good.
Most closed stitch markers come as circles, and they are great for sliding up and down a needle. However, be warned that a circular stitch marker will slide under a yarn-over. So if you are ever likely to try a lace knitting pattern, it’s better to pick up a set of markers that have a shape of some sort. Hexagons and triangles are common. I love the ones (pictured) from Velvet Bramble which come in wonderful shapes.

As a knitter and crocheter, what I think the minimum I need in my craft drawer is:
1 box bulb markers in various colours
1 box closed markers in a lace friendly shape, various sizes
3 or 4 pretty progress keepers.
Fortunately, markers tend not to be overly expensive. They won’t set you back even a fraction of what your needles and hooks will. So even on a budget it should be possible to get a nice selection.

Tips for not loosing your stitch markers.

Where do all the missing stitch markers go? I wish I knew. Perhaps ‘The Borrowers’ have some use for them?

A few tips for managing markers that work for even a chaos goblin crafter like me:

1. Use a dish that commands your attention

Always keep a dish for markers near where you craft. If it’s pretty or meaningful it’s easier to force the executive function through the ADHD wall, and remember to use it.

2. Use the power of magnetism

Use a magnetic pin holder or knife block and metal markers. These are great! I use knife blocks I bought on amazon, a few different types. Although they only work with metal stitch markers, and not even all of those. (Why do most, but not all, metal markers stick to magnets? If you are good at science, let us know in the comments). The great thing about these is, even if you drop your marker and can’t see it, you can often find it with your magnet. Just wave it around like a wand, throw in a few impressive sounding ‘magic words’ for fun, and the dropped box of markers will all pop up and stick in place.

In the photo below I have a black knife block I keep where I knit. Even when I’m careless or distracted, if I pop a marker or darning needle nearby, it will likely jump on to that knife block, and not get lost. The long pine coloured knife block is the one I keep at the edge of my sewing table. Its invaluable for stopping pins rolling onto the floor. And collects all kinds of markers, pins, sewing machine feet, and even stranger stuff.

3. Use the power of psychology. Love them, don’t loose them

Buy slightly nicer stitch markers, if possible. Human psychology dictates you will take better care of them without really noticing. This is something research tells us, and I have noticed, to my amusement, its true for me, too. When we think of something as ‘valuable’ or ‘luxury’ we take better care of it, and are slower to replace it.

Will this cure ADHD or the Craft Chaos Goblins in general? Sadly, no. If only it was that simple! But it might help, just a tiny bit. Especially if combined with a magnetic holder or other clever storage system that works for you and your set up.

Disadvantages of Stitch Markers

They get lost so easily. As the smallest tool, its so easy for them to slip away to hang out with all the missing darning needles, and laugh at us from the depths of the couch.

Cheap markers snag yarn, and snap. I tend to look for ones made of metal or silicone. But even metal can snap.

If you are knitting with a baby on the lap, or a curious pet who loves to lie on your crochet, be conscious of markers as a choking hazard. Keep away from babies of both the human and fluffy variety.

Do they discourage the skill of learning to read our work?

And a final consideration. Markers make our work so much easier. But then I think of my ancestors, the Aran knitters of old. Earning a pittance by knitting half the night away. That industry was well established in the west of Ireland by the 1930s, yet rural electrification didn’t happen in those parts until the 1950s and 60’s. It was dark by 4 pm on a winters night. Knitted almost in the dark, perhaps by the light of a peat fire only. And no such thing as stitch markers! How did they do it?

Learning to read our knitting and crochet. Do markers help or hinder?

I think, personally, that even as the crafts of knitting and crochet charge ahead in some ways, we forget some of our skills of old that actually help. And reading our knitting or crochet by sight and touch – particularly touch – is one of those skills.

If I pick up my cable knit, do I know, just by the information from my fingertips (I’m watching FROM, and way to riveted to look down at my lap after all) if the next cable is right leaning, or left leaning? I admit, there are times in a complicated cable pattern that I’ve just removed the markers. Because the big protrusion they create outside the fabric distracts me from the subtle fingertip reading of the twists and turns of the knitting itself.
Learning to read our knitting or crochet – by both sight and fingertip – is a path to being an expert knitter. I think of stitch markers as being like training wheels. They are the first step, and learning to watch your markers is the start of learning to look at and understand your stitches. I might not use them for a highly textured stitch pattern, but would still always use them for shaping, such as a raglan. They just save so much frustration.

Sustainability. Should we avoid plastic markers?

Should we avoid plastic markers? Maybe. But the real issue isn’t the material, it’s the losing. Whether plastic, metal, or silicone, no stitch marker is recyclable. The best eco-choice? Buy a nice set and keep them safe (see my tips above)

It’s probably best to find a way to avoid loosing them and buying more, than worrying what they are made of, as no stitch marker is recyclable. Personally, I find silicone and metal markers slightly more long lasting. Below is my current wish list. I will probably treat myself to one or both sets fo those on payday next week.

Conclusion:

Stitch markers create signposts from start to end of your work. And prevent time consuming frogging detours. Treat yourself to a nice set of markers today, and a cute little magnetic holder to keep them in, too. Your future knitting will thank you for it.