*ok that might be an exaggeration but they are darn useful. A small but powerful tool. If you've never used stitch markers before, give them a try, you'll quickly wonder how you managed without them! Oh and they're pretty.
In no particular order
Got a long cast on? Place a stitch marker every 10 cast on stitches. Then you can count up in tens, quicker and more accurate. Because I want to get on with the knitting rather than counting (getting audibly louder and louder if ANYONE dares to interrupt me).
Use as a reminder for the decreases on hats (so you don't have to count stitches).
Essential for all sock knitting addicts (it's ok, this is a safe space, we all understand the addiction and actively enable it!). Use to mark the beginning of a round, mark the instep side and when shaping the gusset.
Use a removable stitch marker as a quick visual reminder of the right side of your work. Especially useful when working a stitch pattern that looks the same on both sides, like 2 x 2 ribbing or garter stitch.
Dropped a stitch? Use your progress keeper (or opening stitch marker) to grab that stitch before it forms a ladder. This means a quicker and easier fix!
Mark out blocks and pattern repeats. Mark out lace and colour work blocks according to the pattern chart. It's easier to follow complicated patterns by breaking them down into small sections and mistakes can be spotted quicker.
Use stitch markers as a reminder on projects with blocks of different stitches.
Count rows with locking stitch markers. Place one every 10 rows. Useful for matching the front and back of jumpers when you sew up.
Knitting a top down sweater? Use stitch markers to mark where the shoulder increases go.
Mark the beginning (or end) of a round on all circular projects.
Got row after row of the same stitch? Boost your mental health by adding a progress keeper at the beginning of your knitting/crochet session. When you put your needles/hook down, you can see how much progress you've made by how far the progress keeper has travelled away from your knitting needle. (Even if it feels like mile after mile of ribbing).
Noticed a mistake further back in your knitting? Use a removable stitch marker to grab the stitch below the mistake as a safety net when you ladder down to the point that needs fixing.
Use a pretty progress keeper as a zipper pull on your project bag, and always have a spare stitch marker ready to go.
Stitch markers add to the joy of knitting, not just by looking pretty but saving you time and money on yarn by avoiding mistakes. They are a handy reminder, you just need to remember to use them.
Can you think of a use that I've not mentioned? Comment below.
P.S. you don't need to buy special stitch markers. All sorts of day to day objects can be repurposed, from paper clips to the rings on old bra straps (note: you cut the rings out, don't try knitting with a whole bra hanging off your needles!). Even a piece of different coloured yarn will work. I don't mind if you'd rather repurpose something (it's good for the environment), I just want to help make your knitting and crochet time to be the best experience possible. (Handmade stitch markers are a perfect pretty and useful gift for a knitter or crocheter).