[Coral McRae]

I've started Gran's Shawl. Obviously I will have to put in life lines (this is *me* we are discussing here)!!

Does anyone have a tip or two of an easier way than using a wool needle and crochet thread and running it through the stitches a few at a time?

 

[cindye6556]

If you are using interchangeable needles you can run crochet thread through the hole used to tighten the cable to the needle and will be inserted as you knit. Other wise the only other way is once you finish the row is with the needle and thread.

 

[Ladyj960]

The easiest way I have found to do it is to use interchangeable needles with the little key hole. You can put the thread in the hole and as you knit across it feeds the thread through. Knit Picks and Knitters Pride are two I can think of with the key hole.

 

[MarilynKnits]

I wonder how awkward it would be to hold the life line and wrap each stitch over it when knitting a plain row in the pattern. I haven't tried it, just throwing out a thought.

I have used a size 0 36 inch circular needle as my lifeline,though, rather than thread. On the one occasion when I needed it, it was easy to knit off the skinny needle and the stitches moved more smoothly than they would have on a piece of yarn.

 

[mehunt1950]

If you're using straight needles, the only way is with a yarn or tapestry needle after a row is done. I recommend leading with the eye of the needle rather than the tip.

I have Boye interchangeables and can insert a lifeline while working on a row. I use No. 80 crochet thread and insert it through the hole that the tightening tool goes into. I leave about 4 - 6 inches extra at each end. I also (particularly on lace patterns) make sure I have enough stitch markers to cover 3 lifelines. My way puts the lifeline through the stitch markers as well. Some people don't like this but if I have to frog back to a lifeline, then my repeats are already defined by the markers on the lifeline. I use Clover brand stitch markers that can be put on or taken off by pushing (pulling) the opening over my interchangeable needles cable.

MaryEllen

 

[Grand8ma]

I use a 5" steel threading needle with a length of #3 cotton. I tie a bow in each end to keep it from slipping out. It is thick enough to work but easier to knit around than yarn. Still takes a minute or two to thread it through but has saved me "several" times this project. I am a basic k&p knitter and am challenging myself to learn more. Was told feather and fan was easy soooo... Well, it was (knit1, frog4) until I figured it out. I calculate that I will have knit the darn thing at least 6 times through by the time I'm finished !!

 

[Peggy Beryl]

I've started Gran's Shawl. Obviously I will have to put in life lines (this is *me* we are discussing here)!!

Does anyone have a tip or two of an easier way than using a wool needle and crochet thread and running it through the stitches a few at a time?

This is really not difficult; particularly on circulars where the stitches are resting on the cable with room to spare to slide the tapestry needle through. You can gather quite a few stitches at one time on the tapestry needle and then pull it through. With 400 stitches per row it takes less than 10 minutes to run a line through the entire set of stitches. I use embroidery floss because it is slippery and glides through easily; also I can use just 2 or 3 of the threads in the floss if the stitches are really tiny.

Also, choose a row to run the lifeline through which is composed of all knit or all purl stitches if at all possible. They are much easier to pick up than YOs, incs, decs. A steel needle works much easier than a plastic one; they are available at JoAnn's, sometimes in sets of upholstery needles if not available separately.

 

[nrc1940]

A word of caution...

If you use thread/cotton yarn through the holes of interchangeable needles, you won't be able to use any markers. It will keep the markers with that row you've threaded the cotton through. Is this clear as mud?

 

[Peggy Beryl]

A word of caution...

If you use thread/cotton yarn through the holes of interchangeable needles, you won't be able to use any markers. It will keep the markers with that row you've threaded the cotton through. Is this clear as mud?

I use the coil-less safety pins as markers. If you are using the lifeline on the interchangeable as you knit the row, you can always unpin the markers at any time. If you need different colored markers to denote another function, tie a piece of colored yarn onto the pin/marker; you can have as many different purposes to your markers as you have yarn colors in your stash.

 

[cindye6556]

A word of caution...

If you use thread/cotton yarn through the holes of interchangeable needles, you won't be able to use any markers. It will keep the markers with that row you've threaded the cotton through. Is this clear as mud?

Hate to differ with you, but is possible to use markers, life lines and interchangeables all at same time. Yes, the L.L. will be run through markers, but that is a good thing if (heaven forbid) you should have to rip back, markers will be there to guide you. I don't know about you, but I have enough markers of varying sizes and types I could use one on every row that has a L.L. and still have them left over. Besides once you place your 3rd or 4th L.L. you'll be removing the first and have all those markers to reuse.

If you're looking for a cheap alternative for markers, I purchased a package of jump rings used for jewelry for about $3 at JoAnn's and it has 100 of them in package. I can even loose one and not fill guilty, and not only that much thinner than the usual rubber or plastic ones sold on knitting aisle for $4 for 10.

 

[nrc1940]

Also, Peggy Beryl: Thank you both for your input. Sometimes my mind gets stuck on one way of doing things. This one should have been obvious. Thanks again.

Hate to differ with you, but is possible to use markers, life lines and interchangeables all at same time. Yes, the L.L. will be run through markers, but that is a good thing if (heaven forbid) you should have to rip back, markers will be there to guide you. I don't know about you, but I have enough markers of varying sizes and types I could use one on every row that has a L.L. and still have them left over. Besides once you place your 3rd or 4th L.L. you'll be removing the first and have all those markers to reuse.

If you're looking for a cheap alternative for markers, I purchased a package of jump rings used for jewelry for about $3 at JoAnn's and it has 100 of them in package. I can even loose one and not fill guilty, and not only that much thinner than the usual rubber or plastic ones sold on knitting aisle for $4 for 10.

 

[silverilocks]

Near the end of this video the poster shows you how to tape the lifeline to your needle.

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=how+to+tape+on+what+is+a+knitting+lifeline&vid=c79a759207db32770bee66511d9ab312&l=8%3A48&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.607999753892004159%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXS8qzSaJnZA&tit=How+To+Use+Lifelines+In+Knitting&c=1&sigr=11a85ijtq&sigt=110ogs8db&back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dhow%2Bto%2Btape%2Bon%2Bwhat%2Bis%2Ba%2Bknitting%2Blifeline%26fr%3Dcrmas&sigb=12t9ftlqv&ct=p&age=83323253980&&tt=b

 

[DonnieK]

I received a set of Addi Clicks from a lovely lady and there is a special place to insert the thread you are using for the life line! Haven't tried that yet, but am getting closer in the queue all the time! LOL But, I do love the Addi Clicks!

 

[altogirl]

I saw a suggestion here on KP that I thought was awesome. If you use interchangeables and have two cables of the same size, just knit the row as usual, unscrew or unlock your needles and leave the cable in the row as the lifeline. Put your needle tips on the second cable and knit away!

 

[nrc1940]

Now that's a clever idea. Thanks.

I saw a suggestion here on KP that I thought was awesome. If you use interchangeables and have two cables of the same size, just knit the row as usual, unscrew or unlock your needles and leave the cable in the row as the lifeline. Put your needle tips on the second cable and knit away!

 

[cindye6556]

I saw a suggestion here on KP that I thought was awesome. If you use interchangeables and have two cables of the same size, just knit the row as usual, unscrew or unlock your needles and leave the cable in the row as the lifeline. Put your needle tips on the second cable and knit away!

It works well, and is also a great way to do a provisional cast on.

 

[Coral McRae]

Okay. Lots of tips! I have the little stitch markers that are like safety pins - i.e. removable. Maybe I should buy a circular 4mm tomorrow. (I'm going to the Yarn shop tomorrow - just a 'top up ;-) I promise).

I'm not advanced enough to think of buying interchangables. Maybe that should be on my list. Next I'll probably ask for comparative prices!

 

[cindye6556]

Okay. Lots of tips! I have the little stitch markers that are like safety pins - i.e. removable. Maybe I should buy a circular 4mm tomorrow. (I'm going to the Yarn shop tomorrow - just a 'top up ;-) I promise).

I'm not advanced enough to think of buying interchangables. Maybe that should be on my list. Next I'll probably ask for comparative prices!

Maybe while in LYS tomorrow you should invest in the 4mm as an interchangeable if that's an option they have available. They are really no different than a regular circular needle, other than the fact that you can change the tips. The only thing I would suggest is not matter which ones you choose take them for a "test knit" before commitment. This is something the store should not only allow but encourage.

 

[Coral McRae]

Maybe while in LYS tomorrow you should invest in the 4mm as an interchangeable if that's an option they have available. They are really no different than a regular circular needle, other than the fact that you can change the tips. The only thing I would suggest is not matter which ones you choose take them for a "test knit" before commitment. This is something the store should not only allow but encourage.

I am in South Africa, the best shop probably does not carry interchangeables. I will have to import them myself. First though a price comparison. Are they cheaper in England or USA, or are they manufactured somewhere else? Confusion reigns!

 

[Sine]

I saw a suggestion here on KP that I thought was awesome. If you use interchangeables and have two cables of the same size, just knit the row as usual, unscrew or unlock your needles and leave the cable in the row as the lifeline. Put your needle tips on the second cable and knit away!

I'd be afraid if I used the same length cable that some of my stitches would come off the cable. My cables (Knitpicks) came with cable end caps that screw onto the cable ends to hold your project securely on the cable. They are used when you remove the needle tips for use on a different project. http://www.knitpicks.com/needles/Options_Interchangeable_Circular_Knitting_Needle_Cables_-_Purple_single_pack__DKPPurpleCables.html