When Stitch Markers Go Missing (and Other Maker Emergencies)

Do you have an emergency tool kit?

Most of us have a standard tool kit: needles or hooks, stitch markers, scissors, stitch holders, tapestry (or darning) needles, row counters, point protectors, tape measures, cable needles, etc. We love keeping these tools close at hand.

But have you ever forgotten to pack your kit? Or thought, “I’ll just grab this one tool for this one project”—and then forgotten to put it back? Or worse, you reach for your kit only to realize the tool you need isn’t there when you need it.

Maybe the tool you want is in another room and you’re just too comfy on the couch to get up and grab it (admit it—we’ve all been there). Or maybe you’re traveling with a project, and the TSA agents aren’t in a good mood and confiscate your scissors or needles. Maybe you’ve lost a few stitch markers and just need one more. That can feel like the worst.

Sure, we can always buy more tools and make multiple kits for different project bags—but that gets expensive fast. So what do you do in a pinch? An emergency tool kit is not about replacing your main tools—it’s about knowing what will work when things go sideways.

Here are some simple, budget-friendly ideas to help you get by in the moment.

No stitch markers? Use scrap yarn.

This is a great way to use up small trimmings from woven-in ends. Tie a short piece of yarn into a small ring and slip it onto your knitting needle. For crochet, you can loop a piece of yarn directly through the stitch you want to mark. Contrasting colors work best.

Paper clips also work surprisingly well in a pinch.

Fun story: I was once working on a knitting project where I needed to use scrap yarn as stitch markers. I tied them into little rings and wore them on my fingers for easy access. Fast forward a few years, and my boyfriend at the time proposed to me with the most beautiful ring I could have imagined—and it fit perfectly. When I asked how he knew my ring size, he told me he had noticed the scrap-yarn stitch markers on my fingers. One day when I stepped away from the project, he quietly took one of the rings and used it to get the measurement. 💛

No stitch holder? Use dental floss.

Scrap yarn works here too, but dental floss has some extra benefits: it’s strong, smooth, and less likely to snag on your yarn fibers. It’s also easy to spot and remove from live stitches.

Bonus fun fact: dental floss comes in different colors! If you’re feeling a little extra, you can even order colorful floss online.

No tape measure? Use a standard sheet of paper.

A typical sheet of printer paper measures 8.5 × 11 inches. Most of us have at least one sheet lying around, and it doesn’t matter if it’s blank or printed.

Because we know its exact size, the paper can be folded in half—or into smaller sections—to create quick reference measurements when you’re checking length or progress.

No stitch counter? Use good old-fashioned pen and paper.

I’m a firm believer that every tool kit should include a small notepad and a writing utensil. Yes, it’s easy to keep notes on your phone—but phone batteries die, apps glitch, updates happen, and sometimes data just doesn’t save the way it should.

Phones are also distracting. If you’re following a video tutorial, switching between apps can interrupt your flow. Pen and paper can stay right with your project and won’t suddenly disappear on you.

No point protectors? Use rubber bands.

Wrap rubber bands securely around the tips of your needles to keep stitches from slipping off. They stay in place surprisingly well.

If you’re a wine drinker, corks make excellent point protectors too!

No scissors? Use nail clippers.

Hear me out—this one sounds a little questionable at first. But if TSA takes your scissors, nail clippers can get the job done.

They’re inexpensive, easy to replace, and I recommend keeping one pair that’s strictly for yarn use only (just like you’d never use fabric scissors for anything else).

Remember, TSA rules can change, and other countries often have different regulations, so it’s a handy backup to have.

Did your knitting needle break? Use a pen to save your stitches.

A pen or pencil can also act as a temporary stitch holder if a needle breaks or goes missing mid-project. It’s not ideal, but it will keep your project safe until you can replace your needles.

Being prepared doesn’t always mean owning more tools—it can also mean knowing how to adapt with what you already have. An “emergency tool kit” is really just a little creativity and flexibility when things don’t go as planned.