Counting Pins

[ceekay46]

I am seeing a lot about counting pins on various forums but I have to say that I have no idea what they are and how they are used. I am sure there are many of you gasping out loud at my ignorance but hopefully someone will be able to remedy this sad situation for me.

[MaggieM1750]

They help count when you have far distances to go.. like 15-20 spaces.. and you can't use a marker to draw, or you don't use fishing line or a stitched grid. But unlike a drawn or stitched grid, you just use one or two sets in certain spots, not a full grid. I suppose you could use more than a few sets, but it would get expensive.

If you want to try before you buy.. use safety pins. I tried it and thought they just got in the way. I draw lines instead of using pins.. and yes my projects can look a mess while I'm working on them but it all washes out at the end.

[Lessa54]

I use pins on things like Afghan squares when I need to find the middle and count out to start the square. I haven't got any particularly special pins, just quite long glass headed ones in a number of colours (in fact they came with my sewing box). I'm too impatient to grid, so they work quite well for me as once I have my start point, I just take the pins out and carry on stitching.

[kinley626]

I occasionally use sewing pins to mark squares when counting long distances as well. Didn't even know they had special pins for that. I learn so much here.

[Cecilia]

I use counting pins for the same reason as Lessa54. I bought a set from Aion designs just before they closed down. but using long glass headed pins would work just as well.