What Is A Stitch Marker
What is a Stitch Marker?
A stitch marker is simply a memory device used to denote important locations when knitting or crocheting. Stitch markers can be used to indicate upcoming increases, decreases, pattern changes, yarn changes, track rows of stitches and to aid counting blocks of stitches on the needles for large projects.
In knitting, the stitch marker can be placed on the needle or clipped onto the stitch depending on the type of marker. Our stitch markers can be slipped onto the knitting needle to mark a certain place in a row.
- stitch counting made easy
- minimise mistakes saving yourself time and yarn
- gain confidence with complex patterns
They help with knitting, and they look fabulous on the needles.
In crochet, the stitch marker is clipped to a stitch and can be used to count rows or mark a stitch that needs to be worked on again later in the project.
What types of stitch markers are there?
Stitch markers come in many forms, they either slip over the needle or can be attached directly to the knitted or crocheted stitch.
Ring markers are great for marking rows with upcoming pattern changes. The markers are sometimes split to enable removal of the marker, should it be accidentally knitting in.
Dangle Free markers -are perfect for the knitter that simply needs to mark a place on the needle, or alternatively is working on a large project that calls for many markers, this is a great way to to purchase a bumper pack of markers.
Clip stitch markers are best for times when the stitch itself needs to be marked. You can clip them directly into the stitch loop and then unclip them when you are done. These markers are often referred to as Crochet Markers.
Removable stitch markers - these can be used on the needles or clipped to stitches and are widely used in crochet work as well as knitting.
Why do I need to use a stitch marker for knitting?
Stitch markers can be used to mark the end of a row in circular knitting, where it is not obvious where the circle begins and ends. They can also be used to mark where increases, decreases or blocks of different stitches should be placed, or simply to remind you of an upcoming pattern change. You can save yourself a fair bit of time and yarn by using a marker, as it will enable you to change pattern without realising that you should've done so half a row back!
You can use them to count stitches, and they are especially useful for sock knitting to keep track of the row ends, to keep your place in patterns and great for those more tricky areas such as making sure your sleeves line up and your V neck is in the middle of your knitting. Using a stitch marker will enable you to get a much more professional look to your made up item.
How do I use a stitch marker in knitting?
To incorporate stitch markers into your knitting:
Place the stitch marker on the needle in your right hand, then knit the round as normal for circular knitting, or use to highlight a pattern change. When you reach the stitch marker again, simply move it across from the right hand needle to the left.
Remember, the stitch marker can be placed either side of your knitting.
What Size Stitch Marker do I need?
When choosing stitch markers, ensure that the max needle size is specified so that you know the markers will slip easily on and off your needles. This is especially important if you are a fast knitter!
The simple sizing guide below will help you chose the correct marker size for your knitting project.
|
Stitch Marker Ring size at Atomic Knitting |
UK/Canadian needle size |
US needle size |
|
Small (4mm) |
4mm |
6 |
|
Medium (7mm) |
7mm |
10.5 |
|
Large (10mm) |
10mm |
15 |
|
Extra Large (16mm) |
16mm |
19 |
Knitting Needle Sizing
|
UK (mm) |
USA |
Old UK/Canada |
Atomic Knitting Marker Size |
|
2 |
0 |
14 |
2mm or 3mm |
|
2.25 |
1 |
13 |
3mm |
|
2.75 |
2 |
12 |
3mm |
|
3 |
- |
11 |
4mm |
|
3.25 |
3 |
10 |
4mm |
|
3.5 |
4 |
- |
4mm |
|
3.75 |
5 |
9 |
4mm |
|
4 |
6 |
8 |
4mm |
|
4.5 |
7 |
7 |
4.5mm |
|
5 |
8 |
6 |
5mm or 6mm |
|
5.5 |
9 |
5 |
6mm or 7mm |
|
6 |
10 |
4 |
6mm or 7mm |
|
6.5 |
10½ |
3 |
7mm or 8mm |
|
7 |
- |
2 |
7mm or 8mm |
|
7.5 |
- |
1 |
8mm |
|
8 |
11 |
0 |
8mm or 9mm |
|
9 |
13 |
00 |
9mm or 10mm |
|
10 |
15 |
000 |
10mm |
|
12 |
17 |
- |
12mm |
|
15 |
- |
- |
15mm |
|
16 |
19 |
- |
Custom |
|
19 |
35 |
- |
Custom |
|
20 |
36 |
- |
Custom |
|
25 |
50 |
- |
Custom |
Can I buy with confidence?
Absolutely you can! We've sold thousands of items and our customers keep coming back. Check out the feedback from the 'Testimonials" section.
Why buy Atomic Knitting markers?
- our markers are tried and tested by our knitting team and each set is quality checked before dispatch
- we've been designing our bespoke markers for many years and have sold many thousands of marker sets to knitters worldwide via our website and at yarn and fibre shows throughout the UK
- we provide a range of ring sizes (from 2.5mm to 12mm) and we recommend buying the size that matches your needle size or is a maximum of 2 sizes higher than your needle size for best results
- using markers that have sharp split rings, are too big, that use cheap findings or are poorly made may damage the yarn and affect the final FO - there are many such markers out there
- it's not just stitch markers that we create! We have many fibre related accessories, fripperies and bibelots for your yarn and craft projects.
- see our customer feedback before you purchase and for peace of mind we have a 14 day no qibble return policy
- we are a registered UK business, trading since 2006
- our markers and knitting accessories regularly feature in UK knitting magazines including The Knitter, Let's Knit, Knitting, Simply Knitting, Knit Now and Knit Today to name a few.
- buy the best, your knitting deserves it! Buy Atomic Knitting stitch markers!
Where have I seen your stitch markers?
We have been featured in various knitting and crochet magazines since 2008. We also attend knitting shows throughout the UK.
You can also purchase a selection of our stitch markers from our stockists.
I have a yarn shop and I'd love to stock your stitch markers
Fab! - we'd love to hear from you! Contact us via the Wholesale section and we'll be in touch very soon.
Quick Reference Guide
| UK | US | GAUGE OVER 10CM | AVERAGE NEEDLE SIZE |
| 2-Ply/Lace | Baby | 30 - 32 sts | 2.25mm - 2.75mm |
| 3-Ply | Fingering | 27 - 30 sts | 2.75mm - 3.25mm |
| 4-Ply | Sportweight | 23 - 26 sts | 3.25mm - 3.75mm |
| Double Knitting (DK) | Worsted | 21 - 24 sts | 3.75mm - 4.5mm |
| Aran | Fisherman/ Medium | 16 - 20 sts | 4.5mm - 5.5mm |
| Chunky | Bulky | 12 - 15 sts | 5.5mm - 8mm |
| Super Chunky | Super Bulky | 6 - 11sts | 8mm or larger |
| ABBREVIATIONS | |
| 0 | no stitches, times or rows |
| - | no stitches, times or rows for that size |
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | beginning |
| bet | between |
| c4b | cable four stitches to the back |
| c4f | cable four stitches to the front |
| cc | contrasting colour |
| circ | circular needles |
| cm | centimetres |
| cn | cable needle |
| cont | continue (ing) |
| dec | decrease(ing) |
| dpn | double pointed needles |
| foll | following |
| in | inch(es) |
| inc | increase(ing) |
| k | knit |
| k2tog | knit two stitches together |
| kw | knitwise |
| lp | loop |
| m1 | make one stitch, by picking up the horizontal loop before next stitch and knitting into back of it |
| m1p | make one stitch, by picking up the horizontal loop before next stitch and purling into back of it |
| mc | main colour |
| meas | measure(s) |
| mm | millimetres |
| p | purl |
| p2tog | purl two stitches together |
| prev | previous |
| psso | pass slipped stitch over |
| pwise | purlwise |
| rem | remain(ing) |
| rep | repeat(ing) |
| rev st st | reverse stocking stitch |
| RS | right side |
| skpo | slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over |
| sl 1 | slip one stitch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| st st | stocking stitch (RS row k,WS row p) |
| tbl | through the back of the loop(s) |
| WS | wrong side |
| yfwd | yarn forward (between knit sts) |
| yon | yarn over needle (between a purl and a knit st) |
| yrn | yarn round the needle (between purl sts and between a knit and a purl st) |
| * | repeat instructions between the asterisks as many times as instructed |
| ( ) | work instructions inside the brackets as many times as instructed |
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Did you know that Atomic Knitting is one of the UKs largest manufacturer and online retailer of handcrafted stitch markers? Atomic Knitting stitch markers are designed by us to be easy to use as an aid to your knitting projects. The majority of our stitch markers are snag free and won't catch on delicate yarn.
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