by Fran Ortmeyer

While recovering recently from a total hip replacement, I spent my days in a recliner with limited walking capacity. I had all my projects handy, but when something wasn’t within reach I had to improvise. I have always been a big fan of the Double-Ended Stitch Holders (Art. Nos. 351, Small; 352, Large; 3006 Medium; and 3007, Jumbo pictured on the right)  and during those weeks I found several new uses for the awesome little tool.

I was working on a cable scarf and hat which uses stitch markers and a cable hook. I grabbed my stitch markers and somehow dropped the little packet they came in. Bending and reaching wasn’t an option at that point in recovery so I used a small Double-Ended Stitch Holder and threaded my stitch markers onto the center rod. Yea! Problem solved. I was so excited about my clever discovery I loaded all my stitch markers onto the stitch holder. Now all sizes of stitch markers are in one place.

When I realized I didn’t have my cable hook, I used the center rod of my second stitch holder to transfer and work cable stitches.I will now make sure I always have several Double-Ended Stitch Holders in my knitting bag.

I encourage you to look at your stitchery tools with a new vision, too. You just might find new ways to use them!