When crocheting with black or very dark colors of yarn, put a white towel in your lap. The light back- ground seems to bring out the stitches more clearly so the work goes faster.

A tin or plastic water color box With the paints removed makes a Perfect storage case for crochet Hooks.

An inexpensive way to stiffen Crocheted items that call for Cardboard inserts is to use sections Cut from plastic milk cartons. This Makes the item completely washable. Remember to round off any sharp edges

When I crochet with thread, I tie a knot in the thread end before I fasten off. Should the end work out, it won’t cause the piece to unravel. Lornene from Kan.

In order to keep yarn skeins from tangling in the washer and dryer, slip the whole skein into a hosiery ankle or knee hi sock. Tie a knot in the open end. Wash and dry on the delicate cycle. It works like a charm. Carolina from Ark

Sometimes it’s as much fun to find a way to display what we make as it is to make them! Here’s a simple idea: An easy way to hang up lightweight hooked rugs, crochet or embroidery pieces is to simply attach clip-on rings (such as are used to hang up café curtains) along the top edge. Run an old broom handle, dowel or curtain rod through the rings, pound a couple of nails into the wall, and voila!! The prized project is displayed! Kathi from Calif.

Here are some helpful ways to keep track of the row you are working on. Any craft store that sells crocheted items sell crochet pins. They come in all colors and sizes. Fasten the pin on the end of whatever row you want. When you stop your work the pin will hold the stitch in place. A great way to keep your place in the directions with out writing in the book is a magnet board. These are usually located in the cross-stitch section of your craft store. They are 8 x 10 inches and come with four sizes of magnetic strips. Slip the board behind the page. Position the magnetic strip under the row you are working on and move it as you work. And to top all of this off, I use a music stand to put my book on. All of these ideas make crochet easier and even more fun. Elinor from Colo.

What to do with those fabric softener foam Strips after they’ve been used? Add them to your Stuffing for small crocheted animals. The result is Forever sweet-smelling little critters!

When working a project with a starting Chain of over 100 stitches, mark every 50th Chain with a piece of constrasting yarn. It Will save a lot of counting time!

To help keep thread or yarn from getting tangled or knotted while crocheting, run the end through a plastic soda straw before you begin. This also helps when using more than one color.

To mark the beginning of crochet rows, Use “cotter pins” which comes on the Back of a of buttons with shank backs. The pins almost look like miniature bobby Pins and are much easier to use than the Breakable plastic markers.