Sculpey® III Stitch Marker for Knitting

Getting Started:

Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Oven-Safe Work Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.

Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking:

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per 1/4" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking; however please note that the baking times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.

Condition the clay. Roll small logs of each color to the length and diameter of the Clay Extruder.

Cut small sections from each log using the Super Slicer.

Recombine these small sections into a new clay log. Roll the log to adhere all the sections together.

Place this new log into the clay gun, and extrude using a square dye.

Stack these logs together into a three log by three log cane. Compress the square cane together using the Acrylic Roller. Roll the cane equally on all four sides.

Roll out a #4 sheet of Ballerina clay. Use this sheet to wrap the cane on all four sides. You can reduce the cane at this point to be the exact size of bead that you will use in the final stitch marker (3/4” is a nice size). Use the acrylic roller to help you keep the cane square.

Cut equally thick slices from the reduced cane using the clay blade .

Use the Needle Tool to pierce each bead from top to bottom. If the bead becomes a bit misshapen, now is the time to straighten it out.

Bake the beads according to the directions above in Step 1 and allow them to cool. Next thread a head pin through a small pearl, a silver daisy spacer and then the clay bead. Wrap the 24G wire twice around the knitting needle.

At this point you can make a split ring, by cutting the wire after it has looped twice around the knitting needle. You could also cut a bit of extra wire and wrap it around both loops for a more secure ring. On the left is a split ring (sort of like a key chain), and the right shows an example of one with the twisted wire for a more secure ring.

Create a loop at the end of the head pin, to attach the pin and beads to the ring. Wire wrap the end of the head pin around itself for a secure finish.

Use any of the surface or cane design elements you are familiar with to create a whole set of stitch markers. Commonly, the rings are the same diameter as needles #8, #10 and #13, but you can make whatever you need for your project.