There are so many ways to improve your knitting or crochet. You can speed it up, be smarter about it and even try new ways.

1. Gauge Swatch – NO GARTER EDGES (if knitting)

If you’re making a gauge swatch – and in most cases you *should* make a gauge swatch – please DO NOT use garter stitch edges if you’re knitting it.

We give you a good understanding of the reasoning in this article on swatching, plus a ton more tips to make the process better.

2. Practice EVERY day

The old adage of “practice makes perfect” came to be because it’s so true. Even if you just take out yarn and do a bit on a swatch or a single row on a WIP, the muscle memory you’ll be building up will make such a great impact.

3. Learn to use stitch markers

Don’t be too proud to use stitch markers. Use them to mark each repeat. Use them to note when a stitch pattern changes. Or even just to note the beginning and end. I use a lightweight stitch marker so it doesn’t weight down my work. Here’s my favorite.

4. Record important info

If you’re like me, you’ll finish a row before putting the work down and SWEAR that you’ll remember where you ended.

Even though I tell myself that, when it comes down to it, I end up spending a bunch of time counting stitches just to know where to start.

Do yourself a favor and note it in your phone/in Ravelry/with a small notebook/whatever. Just do it somewhere.

5. Finish the row

Before you put the WIP down, just finish the row. It’ll make it easier to avoid starting in the wrong direction, and all those little extra bits of crafting time can really add up!

6. Use different needles/hooks

I used just about every type of needle/hook that was out there – metal, plastic, casein, wood, bamboo, straights, circulars and interchangeables.

If I didn’t try them all, there’s no way that I would have found my favorite.

And, this doesn’t have to be an expensive exercise. Knitting stores will often let you borrow things, and friends can be a great source as well.

7. Stay organized

Make it easy to find what you need to get started. Avoid spending a half hour trying to locate that ball of yarn or those great scissors.

It should be easy for you to craft. Plus, an organized space is a better looking space. Don’t waste precious brain cycles on “ugh, just look at that pile”.

And really, this last one goes for many things in your life and not just your crafting.

Be smart, be ready and be open

We gave you 7 ways to be a better knitter or crocheter. Really, these are just the tip of the iceberg. Tell us in the comments below what your favorite thing to do is! We can all learn from each other.