How to Make Stitch Markers: Easy Method with No Wire

I'll admit it. When I first learned to crochet - because I taught myself - I didn't have a clue what that little box of plastic round rings included in the kit was for. They sat in my supplies basket for years (no exaggeration) before I finally realized that they were stitch markers.

And wow, but aren't they useful!

Now, I'm addicted to the silly things. The variety of beautiful little markers people come up with is endless. Being the (cough - cheap - cough) crafty person I am, I couldn't bring myself to buy any. I had to figure out how to do it myself.

No one wants to share their process, though. Those who do are also so set on using wires, which I simply don't have the patience for, so those processes weren't for me, either.

So if you want a neat stitch marker (or twenty - this is an addictive, quick craft), and don't want to mess around with wire, perhaps this guide will help you.

Easy Stitch Marker Supplies

I wanted something that I could do without having to purchase a bunch of supplies, which is part of the reason I didn't want to mess with wire. Head pins, to be exact, but since I don't do a lot of jewelry making I wouldn't use the head pins again.

The supplies you'll need are really, really inexpensive and can be found at your local Wal-Mart craft department in a pinch:

*A set of 3 or more beads you want for decoration
*A toggle clasp (sold in packages of about 20 for less than $2)
*Some thread and a sewing needle

That's it. No pliers, no cutting tools, no wire. Just a few beads that aren't too heavy - and if you want to use charms, they're great but make sure they have no pointy edges to catch on your yarn. The toggle clasps are sold for necklaces and bracelets, and come in a variety of sizes that will fit up to the heftiest hooks or needles. And what crafty person doesn't already have some needles and thread lying around?

Easy Stitch Marker Process

When you learn how to make stitch markers, you're going to want to make thousands. Seriously. I now am an avid hunter of beads and charms, scouring the murky depths of eBay and rooting out any local store that sells them. My daughter is jealous of mommy's bead stash, and I jealously horde it as if it's precious gems inside.

Okay, so let's jump right to the process. It's quick and painless - reference the illustrations attached to this article so you can visually follow along.

1. Find a Circle - The toggle clasp package will have both a circle and a straight portion of the clasp. For our stitch markers, we just want the circle. You can also use the straight portions for stitch markers, a way of having something you can slip right between two stitches useful for marking the start of rounds. But for this guide, we're focusing on the circle.

2. Decide Your Pattern - Using thread and a needle for stringing beads is slightly different than using a head pin. There's no flat "stopper" at the back of our thread to keep beads from un-stringing. Instead, we'll be using a small bead for the purpose. What you want to do at this point is arrange 3 or more beads in a pattern than you like. Make sure you have 1 small round bead at the bottom of your pattern.

3. Start Stringing - Leave a "tail" of at least two inches behind when you start to string your beads, and another when you're finished. This will be used for easier tying. Start at the top of your beads and thread through the bottom bead. Then, insert your needle in the bead second-from-the-bottom and thread back through the top bead. Tug gently, and your bottom round bead will pivot slightly, creating a stopper for your pattern.

4. Tie it On - One of the neatest things about the toggle clasps is that it already has a nifty little "hole" for attaching our bead pattern to. Using the tails left behind when you started and finished stringing, knot your beads tightly to the little hole on the clasp.

5. Trim the Ends - Poke the ends of your strings back into the first bead, and then trim the string close so that it disappears back into the bead pattern.

And with that, you're ready to go! Try making sets of stitch markers of 3 at a time; this usually seems to be the most useful number. Sets can be identical markers, or pieces of a theme. A butterfly, dragonfly, and flower charm set can be added to a set of 3 markers to create a serenity nature theme, for example.

Have fun - and don't forget that you've been warned about the addictive possibilities.