I am using several markers for this project. Only one is required by the Build a Bigger V pattern. That’s the white marker in the centre. The rest help me keep track of the shaping and remind me when and where to do things.
There are 7 more markers here which are all for me. Yes, there are quite a few. Yes, they are different colours and types of markers on purpose.
Marker for Right Side of fabric: That orange marker on the right is pinned through the fabric to tell me this is the beginning of the right side row. It is especially helpful at the start of the project when there aren’t as many other things to tell me I’m on the right side. It’s a removable marker so I can move it up as I knit.
Markers for length: The orange, green, orange sequence up the middle are for counting ridges so I don’t have to keep counting from the cast on. I am placing the first orange marker after the first 2 ridges, then every 8 ridges as I continue down this front panel because something happens every 8 ridges in this particular pattern.
Markers delineate: The two metal markers on either side of the centre marker (white) show me where the middle section is. You can place markers on either side of a stitch pattern or some section you need to keep track of.
Markers – do something here: The metal markers on either side of the centre marker also help me find where I need to work increases. The instructions say to work an increase x number of stitches before the centre marker (white). I don’t have to keep looking ahead for those x number of stitches if I put a marker in. I work one increase before the metal marker, knit across the middle section to the other metal marker and work an increase after it.
Markers – pay attention: I have a lot of trouble remembering to do things at the ends of the rows. So the blue marker on the left edge is telling me to pay attention and work a decrease, duh. I know it’s supposed to be there but I have merrily knit right past it so many times, I needed a marker to remind me. It’s a rescue marker.
I have collected several different types of markers for this very purpose. They help me reduce the stress of paying attention, cut down on the amount of ripping back I have to do, and therefore, make my knitting so much more enjoyable.
Hope this is helpful, Deb
Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb
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Deb Gemmell: Top Down, Gauge Free and more 
Non-knitters often ask me about markers when I knit in public. I tell them they are like traffic signs – they warn me that something is changing and I need to pay attention.
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Yes, and the amber one means caution!
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Great information, as usualSent from my Galaxy Tab A
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Thanks. Hope it was helpful.
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Excellent post! I learned to use stitch markers through knitting your lovely Cabin Fever patterns! I also use knitCompanion and when I work complicated projects I use the coloured stitch markers in knitCompanion and match them to the stitch markers in my knitting.
Stitch markers are a great visual tool for knitting, but they can have their pitfalls too. During a recent project (Homecoming Layette) I noticed a stitch marker on the floor by my foot. Thinking it was the sleeve marker, I picked it up and slipped back onto my needle and merrily continued knitting for a few more inches … before I looked away from the movie I was watching, looked down at my knitting and wondered why my baby jacket now had 3 sleeves …
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Ha, ha, ha, I am laughing with you because during a tense curling competition my daughter was in, I knit a sock with 2 heels. I wish I had kept it!
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LOL! Too funny! I did that at a knit night (wine may have been involved) … You know what they say about great minds thinking alike!
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LOL.
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