advice on stitch markers please

Grimbal

As part of my little hobby business, I'd like to start making stitch markers. The trouble is, I'm not a knotter or crocheter so would really appreciate some advice please !

I've got as far as realising that there are differences between stitch markers used for crocheting & those for knitting. Could I just ask:

1. knitting stitch markers: what size loop to go over the needle would you find most useful ? I have some closed rings of about 9mm inner diameter, so after you've attached the beads, I guess 7mm would be useable space - would this be acceptable for the majority ?

2. crochet stitch markers
- could I use lobster clasps like those found on a necklace ? If so, what size would you be looking for ?


Many thanks in advance for any hints & tips !

dizziblonde

I can only speak for myself as a crocheter (I don't knit).

I tend to use the nappy pin style ones (the plastic ones I usually get free from magazines) but I'm picky about the makes I use as the cheapest ones are usually so brittle they snap lots. I find I can write the hook size I'm using on the flat part of them in marker and use them as a lockable stitch holder if I'm leaving a project for a while.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Approx-Knitting-Crochet-Locking-Greeting/dp/B008QSJDGK That kind of thing but not those particular ones as they're brittle and snap endlessly (bitter experience speaking!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lanyards-Jewellery-Making-Supplies-Project/dp/B008OYUVTY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1429599932&sr=8-7&keywords=phone+charm I also use these on occasions - if you're after the size of lobster clasp that would work, although personally I'd prefer the clasp a bit bigger than those - I just happened to have them in my bag from making phone charms.

I do a lot of soft toy making which is spirals in rounds so use a lot of stitch markers though - basically I use them as a stitch holder if I'm putting a project down for a while in which case I want something that will hold the working loop securely, or I'm looking for something I can hook on and off quickly as I go up through the rounds.

I'd also love a set of nice ones with hook size numbers on for when I'm putting a project to rest at the moment that are nicer than my current permanent marker and cheapo magazine cover gift plastic marker solution - so things like 3.5mm, a few for 4 and 5 mm since they're the ones I use most commonly.

teeni

I make and sell Stitch markers, and make them in different sizes, to suit different needle sizes.

I sell numbered ones as well so people can keep track of where they are in a pattern.

Grimbal

thank you both.

If you were buying unusual stitch markers (as in not the plastic mass produced ones), how many would you say is adequate ? I've seen them for sale in packs of 5-10, is this about right ?

dizziblonde

Most of the fancy ones I've looked at come in about 4s or so. I only tend to use a couple at a time max so that would be about right. If I'm going to be doing something like a blanket I was doing at the weekend where I was using a lot of markers to get my head around pattern repeats then I just tend to cheapskate it and use a bit of random bright coloured yarn threaded through.