Carolin 
I’m a minimalist in many ways. Just a few years ago, even when it came to knitting, I thought: stitch markers? You don’t need those. Someone’s just trying to sell you another gadget.
By now, I not only know that stitch markers can be real lifesavers, but also that they don’t have to cost anything at all. (Of course, you can still spend money on themif you feel like treating yourself 😉) They’re not just for beginners “who can’t count,” ) but also for advanced crafters and professionals working on highly complex patterns.
And why should these little helpers only be used for knitting and crochet? They can be worth their weight in gold for tatting as well.
What do you need stitch markers for in tatting?
In general, stitch markers save us a lot of counting. In tatting, you may not have to count stitches, but you do have to count knots, elements (rings, chains, etc.), sometimes picots, and occasionally even rows.
The most obvious use for stitch markers in tatting is marking joining points. These can be picots, entire rings, or transitions between elements. For example, when working a doily in rounds, you can mark the picot on the first ring where the last ring of the round will later be joined. If you have rings with many picots—some decorative and others meant for joining—you can mark the joining picots.
Another use for stitch markers in tatting is marking the front side of the work. An experienced eye can recognize the front by the knots, but beginners especially benefit from this small visual aid. A stitch marker—or perhaps more fitting in this case, a “knot marker”—placed in a single double stitch is enough.
What kinds of stitch markers can be used for tatting?
Stitch markers for tatting need to meet three criteria. They should be:
- small enough,
- able to open,
- lightweight, so they don’t distort the knots.
Mini safety pins work very well.
Small paper clips, earrings, or jewelry clasps can also work.
Alternatively, you can simply use a short piece of thread.
All of these options, in the right size, can also be used for knitting or crochet.
Have you ever used stitch markers for tatting? Feel free to leave me a comment.
