Slap Your Llama Stitch Markers

THE REVIEW

This is not my first review of stitch markers, and I’m confident it won’t be my last. Stitch markers are one of the most under-utilized tools by knitters, in my opinion. Using them strategically is a big help to any knitter who needs to track their work beyond just the number of rows they have to knit.

One area I’ve recently started exploring to improve my finished product is the usage of stitch markers when knitting two-at-a-time socks by attaching an open stitch marker to one of the socks to make sure I’m accurately tracking the start and end point of my rounds without risking ladders. I did a search on Google, and found an Etsy shop that hand-makes stitch markers just for this purpose. I decided to purchase “L” and “R” stitch markers ($3.00 + shipping) at the time of this review so that I could identify the “left” and “right” socks.

INITIAL REACTIONS: When I opened the shipping package, I was really charmed by the little pink mesh bag the stitch markers came in. When I looked at them, I found that the stitch markers are clearly handmade, and I was reminded of Shrinky Dinks: the markers appeared to be made by a similar process. They are easily readable, and light-weight. Some of the green edging varies in width along the edges; I presume that’s the result of the creation process, and it definitely gives it that handmade feel. They are not perfectly flat, which I actually like; I bought something that was made by a human and not a machine so I like that the craft is reflected in the result.  They open and close with a mechanism identical to that used for dangling earrings, with a flap that hinges on the back of the stitch marker.

THE TESTS:  As I bought these specifically to help me track two-at-a-time socks, I casted on almost as soon as these arrived. I immediately realized that due to the nature of the closing mechanism, I could not clip them around the base of the cast-on stitches; rather, I needed to work a couple of rounds first. Once I did so, I found that putting the stitch marker around the base of the selected stitch was quite forward. I was greatly pleased, as I continued to work my socks, to find that there was no elongation or stretching of the stitch which held the marker. Removing the stitch marker was mildly difficult, simply because opening the marker is a two-handed operation, unlike other open ring stitch markers. However, there was no damage to the fabric, and the stitch marker absolutely did its job.

THE TAKEAWAY: These are a good, all-purpose stitch marker, especially when the price is taken into consideration. They aren’t flashy, but they absolutely do their job.