Stitch markers are just one of several essential notions in any knitter or crocheter's toolkit. These colourful little markers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and are used to mark a significant point in your work. It could be a specific row you want to count from, a stitch where you need to decrease or the midpoint of a neckline. Stitch markers are incredibly versatile, so it's always useful to have plenty of them to hand - it's all too easy to lose a few down the back of the sofa, after all. The most simple stitch markers consist of colourful rings and clips, but there are hundreds of bespoke and novelty ones available online. In this post, I will be looking at a variety of unique stitch markers that will be perfect for accessorizing your knitting and crochet.
What type of stitch marker do I need?
Before I start talking about specific stitch markers, I wanted to talk about which stitch markers are appropriate for your craft. Firstly, if you are a knitter, you will need to check that your stitch marker is big enough for the knitting needle size you are using. While crocheters don't have this problem, not every type of stitch marker is suitable for their craft. The stitch markers that I use for knitting, for example, are not always suitable for crochet. The following guide should give you a bit more clarity so that you know what to look out for when buying stitch markers.
Locking stitch markers
Locking stitch markers can be opened and closed to hook onto your work. Different locking stitch markers may have different types of clasp. For example, the plastic locking marker and the bulb pin are pushed into place like a safety pin, whereas the lever back is pulled open. The advantages of locking markers is that they are secured onto your knitting and crochet and are less likely to fall off when using them to mark a specific stitch or row. Because they can be clipped into place, they are suitable for both knitting and crochet. Locking markers include:
- • Plastic locking stitch markers
- • Lobster clasp stitch markers
- • Lever back stitch markers
- • Bulb pin stitch markers
Closed markers
Closed stitch markers are small rings or loops that have no opening. They are slipped onto a knitting needle and are used to mark a certain point on the knitter's current row, such as the location of a decrease or the centre of a neckline. Closed markers are not suitable for crocheters as they will get stuck in your work. Closed markers include:
- • Ring stitch markers
- • Bead stitch markers made with a single wire or fabric loop (you can also get bead markers with a locking clasp)
Split markers
Split stitch markers tend to be ring shaped and have a small, spiral shaped opening. They can be easily slipped onto your work or passed from needle to needle, similar to both locking and closed stitch markers. Split stitch markers are often made of plastic and are relatively cheap, but they are less secure than locking markers as they can't be completely closed. Split stitch markers include:
- • Split ring markers
- • Other spiral shaped or open markers
Where can I buy stitch markers?
Stitch markers can be bought from every major yarn craft supplier. This could be large retail chains such as Hobbycraft (UK) or Michaels (US), online stores like LoveCrafts or even your local independent yarn shop. These retailers are likely to offer simple plastic stitch markers, along with a few novelty options too.
If you are looking to buy handcrafted, unique stitch markers then Etsy is the place to look. There are hundreds of Etsy sellers offering adorable knitting and crochet stitch markers for a rather reasonable price. These sellers often offer a choice of clasp, meaning that you can pick exactly the right type of stitch marker for your craft. My personal favourite is the lever back stitch marker, as it can be used both on my knitting needles or placed onto a specific stitch.
Below, I've listed a few Etsy sellers that I like, including two that I have bought from. I've tried to include sellers from different countries so that you can find a seller near to you, as the delivery fees can be high if you want to buy from a seller abroad.
Chapel View Crafts (UK)
Cheryl, the owner of Chapel View Crafts, makes adorable miniature stitch markers in the shape of cakes and other sweet treats. Based in the U.K, she offers both closed ring stitch markers and lobster clasp markers, meaning that both knitters and crocheters can enjoy her creations. I bought two sets of markers and a needle minder for embroidery. These stitch markers are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Duck and Rabbit (UK)
Helen of Duck and Rabbit sells a lovely variety of stitch markers in quirky designs. Alongside several hand-knit items for babies, she sells stitch markers that often come with a choice of clasp. I purchased 3 sets of lever back stitch markers that were wonderfully packaged and shipped very quickly. Each set of stitch markers was placed onto a ring and tucked into a little organza bag. Helen kindly included some extra floral stitch markers in my order as a nice surprise. If you can't tell from the pictures, the styles I chose were little foxes, cats in teacups and a set of tabby cat stitch markers.
Sucre Sucre Miniatures (US)
Chelsea of Sucre Sucre Miniatures also creates adorable cake themed charms that work perfectly as stitch markers. These charms have a lobster clasp, meaning that they are suitable for both knitting and crochet to mark a specific stitch in your work. Chelsea also produces other food-themed markers, including pizza, ice cream, mac & cheese and blueberry doughnuts.
Source: Sucre Sucre Miniatures
Chelsea of Sucre Sucre Miniatures also creates adorable cake themed charms that work perfectly as stitch markers. These charms have a lobster clasp, meaning that they are suitable for both knitting and crochet to mark a specific stitch in your work. Chelsea also produces other food-themed markers, including pizza, ice cream, mac & cheese and blueberry doughnuts.
Exchanging Fire Design (US)
Sarah of Exchanging Fire Design offers many different styles of handcrafted stitch markers, ranging from beads and charms to miniature pastries. Her stitch markers are crafted using deconstructed jewellery and reclaimed beads, with one of her markers using the same adorable teacup cat charms as Duck and Rabbit (fantastic news for any US-based readers that want a set). My favourite designs are her World Traveller stitch marker series, which represent different countries and places. These include New York, Mexico City, Paris, Tokyo and Rome, to name a few. A quick word of warning - these stitch markers primarily come as closed rings, meaning that only knitters can use these to mark the live stitches on their needles.
Source: Exchanging Fire Design
KoPoUK (UK)
Liz at KoPoUK sells a rather eclectic mix of colourful and quirky stitch markers. This was one of the sellers I was considering before settling upon Chapel View Crafts and Duck & Rabbit. She sells adorable miniature cake and hot chocolate markers which are my personal favourite, closely followed by the shimmery mermaid scale stitch markers. Liz gives her customers a variety of clasp options: closed rings, lobster claps or lever back clasps, so these markers are suitable for both knitting and crochet. Plus if you enjoy making socks, Liz also sells printable sock bands for gifting or selling your finished foot warmers.
Chilean Hands (Australia)
The last set of stitch markers on my list are these fantastic Harry Potter markers from Mariella at Chilean Hands. They are sold in a set of either 11 or 22 and come with a choice of clasp - closed ring, lobster clasp or lever back. Each marker features a classic character from the film, made from PVC. She also sells stitch markers from other popular series, including Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Outlander and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Source: Chilean Hands
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