10 Uses for Stitch Markers

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Stitch markers are an essential part of our knitting and crochet toolkit. There are many different styles available, from handmade charms to colourful silicone rings. Here are our favourite uses for stitch markers!

1. Use stitch markers when casting on to keep track of the number of stitches

This is especially helpful when casting on with thinner yarns, or when casting on large numbers of stitches, like for a sweater! I like to place a stitch marker every 20 stitches. I can quickly count 20 stitches by twos to double check I’ve knit the correct number of stitches. Then I can easily count by 20s up to the required number of stitches, like 200. I recently got these Twig & Horn stitch markers from EweKnit here, and there are many other shapes available such as teardrops, stars, hearts…even cats!

2. Separate pattern repeats, whether for lace, colourwork, or cables

Placing a stitch marker between repeats is a way to help you keep track! Locking stitch markers are good if your repeats change, which sometimes happens with lace. Doing this helps me get into a groove and memorize the repeat, so that I don’t have to keep checking the pattern. This also stops me from losing my place in the pattern.

3. Use them to count rows

When a pattern instructs me to knit 30 rounds, I’ll place a marker every 10 stitches. Or if a pattern instructs me to knit for 10 cm, I’ll count out the rows and place a marker every 5 or 10 rows, depending on yarn thickness. This is especially helpful when you need to knit identical parts of a project, like sleeves on a sweater, legs on a set of pants, or cuffs of socks.

4. Use to count number of increases/decreases

When a pattern instructs me to continue increasing or decreasing every 10 stitches 10 times, I’ll add a locking stitch marker on an increase or decrease round so that I can keep track. My favourite are the pear-shaped, safety-pin style markers, like these from Yarns Untangled. They’re also called bulb pins.

5. Use to mark places for increases/decreases

Here’s an obvious one. A pattern will almost always tell you to place a marker to denote where you will be working increases or increases in a pattern. The most obvious examples to me are when making raglan tops, or when shaping a hat crown.

6. Use to mark beginning of rounds

This is another obvious one, as the pattern will tell you to place a marker for BOR (beginning of round). I’ll often use a special marker for this, as there is only one BOR in the project. This would be a perfect place to use a handmade, decorative stitch marker!

7. Use different colours for different uses

Uses for stitch markers can change depending on the type of stitch marker. I like to use a single green, round silicone stitch marker to mark my beginning of rounds. If I use plain pear-shaped metal stitch markers for the rest of the pattern, this one special marker is unmistakable. Luckily there is no shortage of stitch markers and they come in many designs and colours (I like these kitty ones!). I’ve also got a few pear-shaped markers in different colours, and I’ll use them to mark the first of a set of new increases or decreases. An example is on sleeves, where the instructions say to decrease every 10 rounds 10 times, and then every 6 rounds 6 times.

8. Use a split ring stitch marker to secure your live stitch when crocheting

You can slip a split ring stitch marker, like those here, in your live stitch when crocheting. This helps prevent your work from unraveling, especially if you throw it in your project bag.

9. Use stitch markers to help you pick up the right number of stitches

If your pattern tells you to pick up a large number of stitches along a selvedge edge, I make ample use of stitch markers! I’ll divide the selvedge edge into equal portions, and then divide the total number of stitches I need to pick up into how many portions I’ve divided. This helps me pick up stitches evenly along the edge without having to continuously rip back and reknit.

10. Use stitch markers as pins to match sides when seaming

If you sew garment pieces together along a long selvedge edge, I keep stitch markers to make sure I seam evenly. First I divide my work into halves, and then quarters, and place a locking stitch marker along those places on the selvedge edge. Then I do the same with the other selvedge edge. I then match both sides to make sure I seam them evenly.

What are your favourite uses for stitch markers?