5 Reasons to Use Locking Stitch Markers | #Crochet #TipsTuesday

For most of my crochet life, I didn’t use locking stitch markers. If a pattern called for a stitch marker, I used scrap yarn instead. Once I started knitting, more patterns called for stitch markers and scrap yarn was a bit harder to substitute. I decided to buy locking stitch markers, which could be used for both knitting and crochet. And this is how I learned about many great uses for these cute little notions! I’m going to share 5 reasons to use locking stitch markers for crochet in this post, and maybe I can make you a convert, too!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Materials for this post were generously provided by Clover USA.

But first, let me tell you about my favorite locking stitch markers. Over the years, I’ve tried many different brands and I’ve even made my own (get the DIY locking stitch markers tutorial here). Hands down, my favorite locking stitch markers for crochet are the Clover Quick Locking Stitch Marker Set. The set has several different size stitch markers, comes in a portable storage case (with a closure that actually works), and, best of all, the markers are thin enough that they don’t stretch out your stitches.

Now that you know which stitch markers I recommend, read on for my 5 reasons for using locking stitch markers for crochet.

Reason 1: To mark stitches

This is the most obvious reason to use locking stitch markers for crochet! You can use the markers as called for in a pattern, or when designing your own projects. I find locking stitch markers to be especially helpful when I’m crocheting in the round in spirals without joining. Mark the first or last stitch of a round, mark corners, or mark the start or end of a special stitch pattern.

In the photo above, I’m marking the corners for a border on the Stitch Adventure Blanket.

Reason 2: To make measuring easier

If you don’t have pets, you might just lay your project out and measure it every so often. But with two black cats, I try to avoid placing my projects down on any measuring surface unless absolutely necessary!

If my finished project needs to be 36″ long, I place a locking stitch marker on the side of a row halfway to that length (so, at 18″ in this example). Then I can just fold my project over periodically. Once both sides are the same length, I know it’s ready to finish up. This is a great trick to make measuring length for scarves and blankets and other long projects easier.

Similarly, you can also place a locking stitch marker periodically every certain number of rows. This is best for patterns where the length is measured by the number of repeats, rather than in inches or cm. It’s much easier to accurately count a smaller number of rows than a larger number of rows. So, for example, I might place a locking stitch marker at the edge of every 10th row if I’m supposed to crochet 50 rows. Once I have 5 markers placed, I know I have the right number of rows.

In the photo below, I’ve divided a long blanket in quarters and then I’ve marked off the sections so I can crochet an even number of stitches along the edge for the border.

Reason 3: To make seaming projects easier

Locking stitch markers are great tools for lining up stitches in motifs, garments, amigurumi, bags, and more before seaming.

In the photo above, I used markers to position the pieces for the face on the Zebra Pocket Pillow.

I prefer using locking stitch markers to pins because there’s no need to worry about pricking my finger. You can lock the marker to chain spaces or to specific stitches – being sure to push it through both pieces – as you line up pieces for seaming.

Reason 4: To keep crochet from unraveling during travel

I crochet a lot while commuting. It’s really no fun to open your project bag to discover that a few rows or rounds have unraveled during transport.

Before putting a work in progress in my travel bag, I lock the loop that’s on my hook with a locking stitch marker. That way, if the hook loses its place in my bag, the loop (and my project) won’t unravel. You can also use this method to prevent unraveling while you’re seaming, or if you need to “borrow” your crochet hook from one project to use on another.

In the photo above, I’m assembling Frazier the Frog.

Reason 5: To mark the location for pieces to attach

Locking stitch markers can be used to mark the right location for attaching pieces. If your pattern mentions that a flower should be joined at round 3, for example, you can place the locking stitch marker as you finish that row so you don’t have to count later.

You can also use a locking stitch marker to pin appliques, pockets, and amigurumi pieces to the main project before joining. This will allow you to easily test out different positions, and to line up stitches before you make your final join.

I hope you enjoyed this crochet tip! If you have a crochet question – or a tip of your own – leave it in the comments!

27 thoughts on “5 Reasons to Use Locking Stitch Markers | #Crochet #TipsTuesday”

  1. Great tips! Been using the locking stitch markers for a long time, as just that stitch markers and never thought to use them for anything else. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. I’m working on a project of join as you go large motifs, all in a light colored yarn. Since the motifs are being joined in rounds ( center 4, then 12 around them, then 20 around that), I am marking the middle 12 with stitch markers so I make sure I’m not joining squares in the wrong place.

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  3. I place a locking stitch marker in the first stitch of each row. I usually crochet 3-4 stitches on the new row, count back to the first stitch, and place the marker. This keeps my edges straight and I don’t have to continually count my stitches as I crochet them. When crocheting the last stitch in a row, I remove the marker.

    Reply
  4. Thank you so much for the tips . I just found these a couple months back .. I got a crochet hook pack and it had them in there .
    I also use mine for keeping plastic canvas pieces that I have cut out to keep them together . It has really helped .

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  5. Oh wow thanks for the tip,i never thought about it but it’s easier than trying to measure my blankets all the time, you are ace xxx

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  6. I’m certain my brother thought me nuts when stitch markers appeared on my Amazon Wish List that we use for Christmas suggestions (but I was getting low having suffered breakage on the brand I had!). But then I got to show him recently when I used over 100 marking stitches around a large afghan I was making so the set of 200 I got really were helpful. I also use them for seaming to keep pieces securely in place. Don’t think I’ve used them to mark length, however, so will keep that one in mind.

    Reply
  7. I love locking stitch markers too and have a variety for different projects. I like to use the teardrop shape little metal ones for lacy projects as they don’t seem to distort delicate work. But they are also my most disappeared item. I seem to loose them regularly also my pup and little parrot like to steal them too. Definitely my most used and lost item. And then found in the depths of a chair or sofa, or a pet hide hole lol.

    Reply
  8. Like most of you, I’ve used locking stitch markers for a long time. But I also need the non-locking kind, mostly for knitting, and I kept losing/breaking/forgetting them. I found that the very small rings you find in the curtain department are wayyyy cheaper than the identical ones from stores. So the “curtain” rings are white and black, not with lovely colors. But for the difference in price I can live with that.

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  9. Thank you so much. I have been using the locking stitch holders to make sure I can find that third chain that I have to double crochet in at the end of my row. I was dreading placing hats, noses, eyes and antlers on some christmas towels I have crocheted and your idea of using the stitch markers is going to relieve some of that stess

    Reply
  10. I am fairly new to using stitch markers. As I have been branching out beyond granny squares and scarves, I find them extremely helpful when counting long rows (such as 215 chains) and to match pieces together. I love tip #4. I take my projects with me a lot and that is a great idea to keep stitches from unraveling 🙂

    Reply
  11. I use stitch markers a lot when knitting, but not very much when crocheting – thanks for these useful tips, which I am definitely going to use!

    Reply
  12. heel erg bedankt. ik heb ze al enkele jaren en gebruik ze zeer veel zoals je beschreven hebt .zoals U zegt zijn die van clover de beste, die heb ik ook maar die zitten met 20 stuks in een opbergzakje.

    Reply
  13. Very useful tips. Markers are excellent but Wonder clips / mini pegs are even more stable for keeping seams together for stitching.

    Reply

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