Knitting markers or stitch markers are indispensable tools to crocheters and knitters alike. Stitch markers can be used to mark a certain number of stitches, the beginning of a round, where to mark a particular stitch or beginning and end of a pattern, and more.

Patterns often call for stitch markers with the abbreviations ''pm'' (place marker) and ''sm'' (slip marker).

RING MARKERS

I remember that very first time I decided to knit a lace shawl. It was the wavy leaves lace pattern and I fell in love with it. I selected lace-weight yarn and began to knit. A few rows further the pattern was a complete mess. This was how I discovered ring markers. I have gotten so attached to using ring markers that I did not knit a lace pattern in which I couldn't use them.

The ring stitch markers often match the asterisks in the pattern stitch instructions. For example, on row ten you must knit two stitches together and make a yarn-over before every stitch marker. If you don't, there is something wrong, so stop and fix it as you notice it. If your pattern is correct as you get to each stitch marker, your knitting will stay on pattern.

Besides lace patterns, ring stitch markers are useful for marking patterns like pleats in a skirt. Use them to see what you are supposed to be doing and then remove them.

In making raglan garments in top-down knitting, ring stitch markers are a necessity. They tell you when and where to make the increases.

SAFETY PINS & LOCKING STITCH MARKERS

The alternative to the ring stitch markers are  knitter's safety pins and locking stitch markers. One should always be careful when using safety pins in place of stitch markers because they can ''catch'' and snag the yarn. If used carefully safety pins are great for all-around purposes, from marking the right side of knitting to keeping the tail ends of your yarn in place to marking how much progress is made while knitting.

Locking stitch markers look almost like safety pins, except that they won't snag your yarn as a safety pin would. Locking stitch markers are available in small, medium or large size; use the large size when working with bulkier yarns so the stitch marker won't get ''swallowed'' into the stitches.

It is possible to use other things, like little bits of yarn tied with a knot to form a circle. Even though these can be a great substitute for stitch markers in case of emergency, I find that my needles move such yarn loops more slowly than they do the ring stitch markers, and usually, I try to avoid anything that slows my knitting down :-)

HOW MANY STITCH MARKERS DOES A KNITTER NEED?

We recommend to always pay attention to sizes of stitch markers as they can vary and you want your stitch markers to fit over those needles you use most often. In addition, stitch markers often come in packs of 10 to 20 and this is not too much. The rule of thumb here is - better to have too many than too few!