There is nothing like a good yarn, so the story goes! All jokes aside, learning any skill or craft takes time, time you should be devoting to finding out all about it.

To learn knitting is no different. Just getting the hang of holding both needles at once, or working with a cable needle, or just perfecting your knit stitch and purl stitch, can take a long time.

And that's ok; nobody said you have to know it all immediately.

Along the way, however, it is fun to delve into all the secondary ideas and information. Knowing just a little bit about yarn can go a long way!

This article will walk you through *6* yarn secrets; intrigues for even the "craftiest" of knitters.

Secret #1: Always know what you are knitting with! This may sound too simple to be true, but you would be surprised.

Most projects will be knit with "classic" yarns. These are worsted or sport weight, wool, and cotton. All the rest are merely variations on a theme.

If you have a hankering for something fun fur or ribbon-y, eyelash, or wispy lace; save that thought until you know knitting well!!

Secret #2: When buying yarn, always buy by yardage, and not by weight. This is one I didn't even know when first starting out!

Yarns, like people, are of different weights; they can vary all over the place. But, it is the length that is important with each skein; it should be clearly marked and if it is not, then ask for that information.

Secret #3: Always, always, buy enough yarn at one time, for your knitting project! Do not expect to go back to the store two months from now and find the exact color yarn you bought initially.

Yarns are dyed in lots, and when a yarn store runs out of a particular color, they will order it again; but, the dye lot will be different and the subtlety in the color will be very apparent; take my word for it!

So, if you want that pink sweater to look uniformly pink, just buy the yarn, all the yarn!

And check to see that all the "lot #'s" are the same. And, I will always buy that extra skein, and have never been disappointed.

Secret #4: Don't know what to do with all those odd- balls? (And I'm not talking about your relatives, now.)

Well, let's see, you could knit a few placemats, baby washcloths, mittens, coasters, bookmarks, Christmas ornaments, sachets, doll clothes, knitted pins or fancy little handbags, buttons, flowers, tea cozies, table runners, fluffy wristbands (little girls love these!), a cat collar or dog sweater, a scarf or afghan jumble, and if you can think up anything else, knit away!

Secret #5: Get organized! This is one of my best- kept secrets. Only, not anymore.

Record all of your knitting projects. A simple spreadsheet, or word processor, will do the trick.

Save your labels! This way, when you are finished with your knitting, you can input all the necessary information in order to knit it again, or pass it along to a fellow knitter!

There are even software programs available now, like Needle Trax, to help you keep all your knitting projects organized with simple point and click technology.

Secret #6: A true knitter, like any good craftster, always has too much of everything, and not enough space to hold it all!

Thank goodness for plastic, I always knew there was a purpose for it.

Storage bins come in many varieties, so visit your local shops or even eBay for the best prices around.

Once you have enough storage bins available, then you can sort to your hearts' content! And you will love feeling so harmonious!

Harmony begets creativity every time; so with these *6* yarn secrets, there is no excuse anymore for not being your knitting best.

May your knitting basket always be full!

Copyright 2006 Alice Seidel