April 28, 2005
The Stitchmarker: A Tutorial
So, here is the promised tutorial on how I make stitchmarkers. This is the way I do it, so if you have questions feel free to email me. If you have another technique that you use...share it! I'd love to hear how you make them.
Supplies:
•Beads
•Head pins or Eye Pins
•Needle nose pliers (preferably small ones)
•Small Wire Cutters
•Pliers
•Split rings of varying sizes (according to what size needle you want to put them on) I like to use a 13mm size because it’s kind of a middle range size.
You’ll start by picking the beads that you want to use, then loading them onto the head pin. I would suggest staying away from beads that are really heavy, as they can weigh down your knitting if you are using a lot of stitch markers.
Next you will cut off the un-used portion of the head pin, using your clippers, leaving a little over an inch from the top of your bead. It's good to hang onto those little scrap pieces of the pin that you clip off, because some of them are big enough to use for something else!! (note that I am a pack rat, so you can throw them away...but they do come in handy for small markers)
With your needle nose pliers, you will turn the pin completely around, so that you end up with a little loop that ends right above the bead.
Like this:
Then stick the needle nose pliers into the loop and pull back on it so that you end up with a little question mark.
This should make it so that the beads don’t slip up and down on the pin a lot. This step took me a while to perfect, and it does feel awkward at first! But don’t give up!!
Now you can slip the split ring onto the loop. If you have to loosen the loop, that’s ok, just try to get it snug when you tighten it back up by using the flat pliers.
Voila! You have just made a one-of-a-kind handmade stitch marker!! Enjoy, and welcome to the world of beading. You now have a whole new hobby!! The eiffel tower marker was made using the same technique as the above, with the only difference being that I used an eye pin instead of a head pin. The charm can hang off of the loop that is already formed. This is a great way to make dangle earrings too. I'm working on a pdf document of this tutorial, so be watching the sidebar for that in the next few days! **until I figure it out, if you want a pdf file, I can email one to you!!**
Thank you for that tutorial! I see stitchmarker making supplies in my very near future! =)
Posted by: Rossana at April 28, 2005 04:10 PMThanks for the stitch marker tutorial. It looks much easier than what I've been trying to do.
Instead of split rings, I've been using "closed" jump rings which means twisting the head pin around itself & I'm hopeless at that.
Posted by: Marina at April 28, 2005 04:38 PMgreat tutorial. cool stitch markers.
Posted by: froggy at April 28, 2005 05:19 PMThanks for this! It's clear and makes me think I will be able to make my own. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.
Posted by: Becky at April 28, 2005 05:33 PMOh those are so adorable. And they would make perfect earrings too. I don't know if I'd have the energy and money to do it, but it seems like fun. Where do you find all of those materials?!
Posted by: Lauren at April 28, 2005 06:37 PMThis is basically how I do it. But now I'm motivated to make some more :)
Posted by: Vicki at April 28, 2005 06:52 PMSee, just what I don't need... knowing how to make my own so I can spend more $$. My version of the tutorial, where I just have to load them on and let the shop owners do the plier twisty thing for me, seems easier! not cheaper though. great pics and step by step.
Posted by: Cyn at April 28, 2005 07:45 PMHey, I thought you stopped biting your nails! I have the most talented sister ever!
Posted by: Whit at April 28, 2005 08:19 PMMy sister is so mean...mentioning my nail-biting. :) Although I thought the same thing when I saw those pictures!!
Posted by: Stacey at April 28, 2005 08:30 PMThanks for the tutorial. The stitchmarkers look lovely. Can't wait to get home and start making them. (Now, where did I keep those beads I saved up....)
Posted by: Kelly at April 28, 2005 11:04 PMLooks great, Stacy! Thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: Lolly at April 29, 2005 06:03 AMI do almost the same thing except I use memory wire instead of split rings. At least I know I'm doing SOMETHING right these days :)
Posted by: leah at April 29, 2005 08:05 AMThanks, Stacey! I'll definitely use this as reference for making some of my own!! (Mine are always really pointy with pointy ends of the wire, not conducive to knitting as the wire always catches.)
Posted by: Jenifer at April 29, 2005 08:11 AMHow pretty! I have so much beading stuff from my frustrated attempt on making jewelry. Thanks!
Posted by: isel at April 29, 2005 08:12 AMHey, that's not as complicated as I imagined! Thanks...I can see I'm headed for a new hobby!
Posted by: Wendi at April 29, 2005 10:07 AMPS, I didn't think your nails look bitten. I assumed you just kept them short from preference (which I do because I'm a bit of a germ-o-phobe).
Posted by: Wendi at April 29, 2005 10:11 AMThanks for this! I went out right away last night and got supplies. I also signed up for the Bead It swap and I can't wait! Woo hoo!
Posted by: knitkatgirl at April 29, 2005 11:53 AMHey thanks for the tutorial Stacey! It cleared up the step that I was missing
Posted by: Dani at April 29, 2005 05:12 PMperfect!thanks! :)
Posted by: mel at April 29, 2005 07:45 PMHow great of you to do thIS for others!
Posted by: Laura at April 30, 2005 01:27 AMTHANK YOU! I have been making this much harder than it needs to be, and you have saved me from myself!! Straight forward, easy to follow instructions
Now, if you will excuse me, I must get dressed and head to AC Moore for new beads! =)
Posted by: Dani at April 30, 2005 07:03 AMThanks so much for taking the time to do the tutorial. I would love to have the pdf version by email if you can't figure out how to put it in the sidebar soon. (Don't ask me how - it take me forever for those things). I love fancy stitchmarkers - now I'm off to the bead shop. Thanks again!
Posted by: Dorothy at April 30, 2005 08:39 AMI appreciate the tutorial on how to make stitch markers. I have so wanted to make my own. You make it look so easy..off to my local bead shop..again thanks!
Posted by: Bernadette at May 1, 2005 07:44 AMThank you for the excellent tutorial and photos!
Posted by: Janet at May 1, 2005 12:27 PMWow! Thanks everyone for all the positive feedback! I just got back from a weekend up in the mountains...I'll email those of you that asked for the pdf version. I'll post about my weekend tonight!!!
Posted by: Stacey at May 1, 2005 01:25 PMthank you so much for this stacey! i've book marked the page so i can come back to this over and over again.
Posted by: anna at May 4, 2005 05:26 AMVery cool! Thx for sharing this! I would love the pdf file when you have a chance. Thx!
Posted by: sUsAn at May 4, 2005 10:58 AMWow! I've been bookmarking instructions for making markers and these are the best yet! Woohoo another project!
Posted by: melanie at May 6, 2005 07:56 AM