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Extra Tips

We have video tutorials for useful tips like how to measure gauge, knit with beads, place stitches on a holder, add stitch markers, and much more to help you refine your skills.

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Videos: 22
1:55
How to make a work a bit stiff with sugared water

In this DROPS video we show how we make sugared water and get the Christmas heart from DROPS Extra 0-1394 stiff. Mix a lot of sugar in cold water (90 g sugar in 120 ml water) and stir until all sugar is dissolved, dip the heart in the water, squeeze out the water, form and leave the heart flat to dry (1-2 days). If it was not stiff enough, repeat the process to the desired stiffness (colourless fizzy drink can also be used). You will find patterns where this technique is used by clicking the pictures below
6:35
How to smooth out curly yarn

The yarn inside a yarnball may be curly. If you want to make a scarf with tassel you would perhaps like that the tassel is not so curly. In this DROPS video we show a simple way to correct / smooth out the yarn. Cut the tassels into the desired length and attach it to the scarf. Put the scarf with the tassels in water and then squeeze the water out. Shake then very hard (much harder than we show in the video). When dry and after the tassels are much more smoothed out. You must read the pattern and look at the chart to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns using this technique by clicking on the pictures below.
2:46
How to use stitch markers

In this DROPS video we show how to place and use stitch markers. It's often a good idea to use stitch markers to mark where to make inc, or dec, the start of the round or the sides when working in the round on double pointed needles or circular needles, dec for toes on a sock etc. In this video we are inc 1 st each side of the stitch markers. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where you can use stitch markers by clicking on the pictures below.
1:15
How to make a gauge tension swatch

In this DROPS video we show how to knit a swatch to meausure gauge/tension. Gauge/tension refers to the number of stitches in width and number of rows in height. This depends on which stitches used, what yarn, the needles/hook size and your own tension (i.e. how much yarn you allow between stitches). The gauge can be adjusted to fit recommended gauge in a pattern by changing needle size. Larger needles produce a smaller gauge (fewer stitches per inch) and smaller needles produce a larger gauge (more stitches per inch). Rib and cables pull in, giving more stitches per width than stockinette, garter or seed stitch. And garter or seed stitch have more rows per inch than stockinette. Thicker yarns produce larger stitches (reducing the number of stitches per width and height). Your gauge can also vary within a single garment (typically for beginners) and when you become more familiar with a pattern, you become more relaxed and make the stitch differently, producing a different gauge. It's very important to check your gauge before starting a project to get the correct measures of the garment. A sample square (a swatch) is made in the stitch pattern and yarn used in the design. The swatch edges affect the reading of the gauge, so it's best that the swatch be at least 15x15 cm/ 6"x6" square. Swatching also makes you used to the stitch pattern, which will help you to a more even gauge in the final garment.
2:11
How to make a yarn bobbin

In this DROPS video we show how you can make a yarn bobbin for when you knit or crochet with several colors, like intarsia, jacquard and other multicolored patterns, It's easier to have small balls of the colors to work with. You want the yarn to be able to run smooth through the little ball, so not all the colors gets tangled into each other. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where you can use this technique by clicking on the pictures below.
4:15
How to knit with a thread to tighten with

In this DROPS video we show how you can knit your work with a thread on one side to tighten with. Sometimes you need to tighten the edge on a toe of a sock or a hat or another design. You can sew in a tightening thread afterward but the easiest and with the nicest result is if you let a tightening thread follow the edge while you are working the piece. Insert a matching thread in the outer loop of st and let this thread follow the edge, make sure to wrap the working thread around it when turning at the edge. Afterward pull hard, tie and fasten tails. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where you can use this technique by clicking on the pictures below.
6:29
How to knit in multiple beads

In this DROPS video we show how you knit in multiple beads to your work. If you are planning to add multiple beads this is how you do it: before starting your work put as many beads as you are planning to use on the yarn, it helps to put the yarn on a sewing needle. Then push away the beads and cast on as regular, knit away until you want to start putting the beads in the work. When you reach the stitch where you want to put your 1st bead, move the bead in position, put the working yarn in front of work, slip next st as if to purl it, then move yarn back behind work and continue knitting. On next row just knit or purl the slipped stitch depending if you are working in stockinette or garter or other pattern. Remember to wash your garment inside out and also to use a laundry bag to be extra careful with the beads. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where this technique is used by clicking on the pictures below.
1:59
How to knit in a single or few beads

In this DROPS video we show how you knit in a single or few beads to your work. If you are planning to add just a few beads this is how you do it: knit until you reach the stitch where you want the bead. Put a crochet hook through the bead, pick up the stitch with hook and pull trough the bead. Put the stitch back on left needle and then knit it as normal. On next row just knit or purl the stitch with the bead, depending if you are working in stockinette or garter or other pattern. When washing it's a good idea to use a laundry bag to be extra careful with the beads. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where this technique is used by clicking on the pictures below.
2:33
How to put stitches on a thread one by one

In this DROPS video we show how you can put stitches on a loose thread one by one. Sometimes you want some sts to rest while working the others. If you don't have a stitch holder you might as well use some scrap yarn. The video is showing how we put 1 st at the time on a thread at the end of each row from RS. When these sts are later knitted again, make sure to knit them in the right loop so that they are not twisted. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where you can use this technique by clicking on the pictures below.
4:49
How to make a furry boa

In this DROPS video we show how to make fun and furry boa! Use a furry yarn, maybe a mohair yarn, and use 2 strands, variegated... you have lots of options. Cut a U-shape piece of cardboard. Make a loop with the thinner yarn and lay it in the center. Wind the thick yarn around cardboard in a figure 8. Pull up the thin loop and finger crochet 1 ch around the thicker yarn where it intersects. Make a new figure 8 thick yarn and finger crochet with the second loop. Continue like this. When the template is full, pull off figure 8s, and then continue. When desired length cut both yarns. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where you can use this technique by clicking on the pictures below.
5:23
How to put a lifeline in your knitting

In this DROPS video we show how to put a lifeline into your knitting. When you knit lace and other patterns adding a so called lifeline can save you a lot of trouble. After finishing a full repeat of pattern, sew a strand of yarn, or like we do a strand of dental floss through all sts on needle. If you then a few rows later mess up, you can easily and safe unravel back to the sts on the lifeline, put sts back on needle and give it a new shot. After next repeat, add one more lifeline. Using dental floss is great since you will not have any trouble pulling it out of the work later, and also being thin but never will break.
3:27
How to knit plaid with crochet stitches

In this DROPS video we show how we can subsequently work through a knitting piece by crocheting chain stitches through the knitting piece to make checkered patterns. We have already knitted a test piece where we have worked: knit 3, purl 1, knit 3, purl 1, knit 3 + garter stitch in each side, another color (grey) in every 6th row and we have already crocheted chain stitches in one field with purl stitches. Insert the hook through the work (where you want the vertical strip to begin) and pick up the thread, skip 1 purl stitch, and insert the hook back into work (if desired, crochet also in each purl stitch), pull the thread and pull it through the work and the loop on the hook. Repeat as long as you want the vertical strip to be. We use the yarn DROPS Snow in the video.
7:10
How to make the flower ampel (plaited) in DROPS Extra 0-1142

In this DROPS video we show how you easily can create a beautiful flower ampel. First we work a bottom in double strand in Paris, then measured up 6 lengths with a double strand of 200 cm in each color. Pull through each yarn length with 6 strands into each of the 6 ch-loops and bend the yarn lengths twice (= 12 strands). Plait the parts (= 12 strands = 1 plait x 6 plaits around the bottom). Tie then 2 and 2 plaits, follow video for further instructions. Size / shape of flowerpot you use, determines the distance nodes must have. Tie the strands together in the end, let it be either a tassel or fasten all strands 1 and 1 into the knot. Buttom: Work 4 ch with 2 strands in Paris and form a ring with 1 sl st in first ch. Round 1: Work 1 ch, 8 dc in ch-ring and finish with 1 sl st in ch from beg of round. Round 2: 3 ch (replace first tr), 2 tr in first dc, 3 tr in each of the next dc the entire round, finish with a sl st in 3rd ch from beg. Round 3: Work * 2 ch, skip 2 tr and work 2 dc in each of the next 2 tr *, repeat *-* 4 more times and finish with 2 ch, skip 2 tr, 1 dc in next tr and 1 sl st in next tr = 6 ch-loops, cut and fasten off. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find the pattern by clicking on the picture below.
4:01
How to make the flower ampel in DROPS Extra 0-1141

In this DROPS video we show how we can easily create a flower ampel. We have used 3 different colors in Cotton Light (lime no 29, khaki no 12 and brown no 22). Make 5 ties as follows: Cut 1 thread of each color à 600 cm, fold then double and twine the threads together until they resist, fold the tie double so that it twines again. The ties measurement approx 105 cm (in the video we make a much shorter tie). Make a new tie where the thread (1 of each color) is 1,200 cm. Tie a knot with all 6 ties at one at the end, so that it becomes a tassel about 12 cm. Tie then 2 and 2 ties together, follow the video for further instructions. Size / shape of flower ampel you use, determines the distance the nodes must have. About 20 cm from the end begin to use the long tie to wrap around the other 5 ties. Wrap around until it is about 2,5 cm again. Fold the ties that are spun together double, continue to wrap around all 11 , fasten the long tie into all ties (2 and 2 threads tog). This flower ampel is made in DROPS Cotton Light, we use the same yarn in the video. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find the pattern by clicking on the picture below.
2:50
How to knit steek and cut open

In this DROPS video we show how to knit steeks and cut open. When knitting pattern in the round it is easier to continue in the round all the way up, inc sts each side where armhole starts and then cut open afterward. Knit the steeks for e.g. armholes as follows; inc 5 sts on each side by marker (these 5 sts are for cutting up later and should not be knitted into the pattern). After bind off sew a marking thread down the middle of inc sts. Sew two seams on sewing machine each side of marking thread. Remove marking thread and cut between seams. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where this technique is used by clicking on the pictures below.
3:01
How to wind hanks to a yarn ball

In this DROPS video we show to wind hanks/skeins of yarn into yarn balls without using a yarn winder. Loosen up the hank and put it in a circle with "inside" up. Ensure that all strands are placed properly in the circle and not crossing each other. The hank is usually tied up with some strands around the hank to keep everything in place, these strands needs to be cut and removed before you begin to unravel the hank. Start to wind the yarn around your fingers and make a ball, when the ball gets bigger, keep turning the ball as you wind so it will be a smooth and nice ball. If you get help from someone, one can hold the hank with both hands while the other one winds the yarn. Or you can turn a chair upside down and lay the hank around the 4 legs and then wind the ball.
1:36
How to split a skein into two

In this DROPS video we show a way of dividing a skein into two when working with double thread of the same color and only one skein total is used. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns using this technique by clicking on the pictures below.
1:29
How to split a skein into three

In this DROPS video we show a way of splitting a skein into three, when you have to work with 3 strands in the same color. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find a pattern using this technique by clicking on the picture below.
4:40
How to make a decorative skein ball

In this DROPS video we show how you easily can make decorative balls with just wrapping the yarn around balloons. In this video, we have used Big Delight and color no. 07 sunrise. Blow up the balloons to the desired size, ours are about 8-9 cm in diameter. (We use disposable gloves to avoid spillage). Take a little glue (we have used wallpaper paste) on the whole balloon and start wrapping the yarn around the balloon, while wrapped around the balloon you also take some glue on the yarn (one can also wrap the yarn around the balloon and eventually use a brush and paste the glue over all threads and do this many times and in several stages, but remember that the glue must be dried between each time). Let balloons dry until the yarn is very hard. Insert / clip hole in the balloon, the balloon will then withdraw together (one can also "help" a little with a knitting needle or scissors). Remove the balloon, you can try to remove the extra glue between the threads with a knitting needle / small knife. Make several skein balls and put them neatly on a platter or hang them up with a thread, use your imagination and you can create great decorative balls that can be used for so much.
0:58
How do you measure the chest measurement

In this DROPS video we show you how to measure the chest measurent on a garment. For more information on chest measurement: click here
12:26
How to work the face of our reindeer jumper (adult jumper)

In this DROPS video we show how we make/attach the snout, eyes, hair, the necklace and the snow to the reindeer jumper in DROPS 194-38. First, we show where and how we attach the snout, then how to tie a knot after chart A.3 to eyes, then how we make the hair, crochet a chain stitch row to the necklace and at the end the same eye knot that should be snowflake. We use the yarn DROPS Nepal, the same yarn used in the pattern. You must read the pattern and look at the chart to be able to follow this video properly.
14:28
How to work the face of our reindeer jumper (children)

In this DROPS video we show how we make/attach the snout, eyes, hair and the necklace to the reindeer jumper in DROPS Children 32-18. First, we show where and how we attach the snout, then how to tie a knot after chart A.3 to the eyes, then how we make the hair and at the end we crochet a chain stitch row to the necklace. We use the yarn DROPS Nepal, the same yarn used in the pattern. You must read the pattern to be able to follow this video properly.