How to keep your yarn under control

An easy way to improve the function of your knitting basket or container. By moulding a Sugru hoop on the edge of the basket the wool will not bounce away when tugged and also the yarn won't tangle. The wool can be clipped in and out easily to remove your knitting.

Kit

1 minipack of Sugru: this will be enough for two sugru clips
A basket, bowl or container for your knitting
Scalpel
Toothpick
Pen
Tissue paper

Step 1

Tear off about half a minipack and knead it between your fingers for a few seconds. Mould this into a chunky rectangle between your fingers. Press this against the inside edge of the basket, overlapping the top lip slightly. Press down repeatedly to ensure the sugru gets a good bond to the material. Pinch this between your fingers to raise the middle section. The side profile should look like a V- or Y-shape.

Step 2

Direct the toothpick diagonally down towards the centre of your basket. Press it gently through the Sugru, supporting the back of the sugru clip with your finger. Rotate the toothpick to make the hole larger and smooth out the inside surface. Repeat this circling process from the other end of the hole, ensuring the yarn has a smooth tube to slip through from both ends.

Step 3

Pen being pushed through Sugru ball on basket

Smooth down the surface of the clip with your fingers to remove any fingerprints. Roll the cone at the top of the pen at the opening of the hole. This just ensures your yarn has a smooth path to travel through.

Step 4

After 24 hours the Sugru will have cured into a flexible silicone rubber. To create the slit and be able to clip the wool in and out easily use the scalpel to cut from the centre of the top through to the hole.

Step 5

Sugru with cut and hole for thread on the rim of a basket

Now make two more cuts so the slit turns into a V-shape. Diagonally slide the scalpel through the cured Sugru through to the bottom of the slit. This will allow yarn into the hole easily but prevent it from slipping out.