If you are interested in knitting and trying to figure out what you really need to get started, keep reading to find out what tools and accessories are essentials, and what’s just nice to have. Here are my top 5 Essential Knitting Notions + Tools for Beginners:
When I first started getting into knitting and researching patterns, I kept coming across the word “notions” and I wasn’t sure what they were referring to. What are knitting notions?
In the context of knitting, notions are accessories or small tools.
As a new knitter, I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to invest into this hobby, or even what I really needed just to get started.
In this post, I’m going to share my favorite knitting notions and tools, what I think is essential/non-essential for knitting, and substitutes you can use or techniques you can learn instead of making a purchase.
Knitting Notions + Tools
1. Knitting Needles
Knitting Needles are essential. I prefer circular needles vs. straight needles because circular can do everything straight needles can do, plus knit much larger projects (like blankets) or knit in the round.
I started out knitting with some inexpensive circular needles from Michaels. I knit a giant blanket with them. They were enough to get me started and finish my project, but then the cable broke. Investing in a nicer interchangeable set can last longer and give you more versatility.
Individual vs. Interchangeable Needles
If you are only starting out knitting with a single project in mind, an inexpensive pair of needles will be just fine. But if you are more serious about knitting and you can afford it, I highly recommend investing in a set of interchangeable needles. I use the Chiaogoo 4″ set everyday and I love them. I bought individual needles for too long before I ordered my interchangeable set.
With interchangeable needles, you get almost all the sizes of needle tips, and a variety of cable lengths so you can mix and match to get the perfect needle/cable combination for each project. I love the flexibility, and not worrying about having the needles I will need before starting a project.
If you are more into smaller knitting — like sleeves in the round or socks — Chiaogoo has interchangeable needle sets in Shorties size, and a Mini size. I have all three sets and they each have a purpose. The original set and the Shorties set can mix + match with each other which gives you more combinations. The Minis set is perfect for sock knitting.
2. Yarn Swift + Ball Winder
A yarn swift and a ball winder are not essential, but they will save you a lot of time when prepping your yarn. I can still achieve the center-pull cakes by hand, using a nostepinne, or a simple paper towel tube as a wrapping guide. This video can show you how:
A lot of yarn you buy at craft stores comes in a ball or cake that is already ready to knit from — meaning that you can grab the tail end and start knitting without creating a huge tangled mess.
But a lot of yarn comes in skeins that need to be wound into either a ball or a cake before you can start knitting with it. A yarn swift and a ball winder can help you easily wind your yarn quickly, so you can start your project sooner.
I have a yarn swift, but not a ball winder. The swift helps me to keep my yarn tangle free while I wind my yarn by hand. I have considered getting a yarn winder since I know it’ll save me time, but for now, I enjoy winding yarn by hand.
3. Notions Case
I have a little notions case for all of my knitting tools and accessories. I like to have one location for everything I use. This case is nice because it’s a bright yellow that I can easily find. There is a main zipper compartment that opens to all of my tools, and an inside zipper for my Chiaogoo cables.
A knitting notions case is essential*. *You don’t need a specific case; just something where you can keep all of your supplies together and organized. My case is actually a pencil case, but I like the size and the zippers. Use whatever works for you.
Here’s a look at what’s inside my knitting notions case:
Stitch Markers
I keep a variety of stitch markers in a small container inside my notions case. Stitch markers are super useful in knitting — they can mark the right side of your work, identify the beginning of a round, remind you of changes in the pattern, etc.
Stitch markers are essential. There are basic plastic locking stitch markers, and fancy hand-made dangly jeweled stitch markers. But you can use any small circular-shaped item as a stitch marker — from actual finger rings to scraps of yarn tied in a loop
Safety Pins
Safety pins or bulb pins can double as stitch markers and as locking pins on your interchangeable needles. I always have a few safety pins in my notions case and I use them frequently.
Safety pins are not essential on their own, but are a great addition if you are using them as a stitch marker.
Darning Needle
Once you finish your knitting project, you’ll probably have some yarn tails that need to be tucked in. Weaving in the ends of your project is easy with a darning needle/tapestry needle. I bought a little tube with ~10 needles in different sizes, but one needle would be enough.
A darning needle is essential for weaving in your ends and making your knit item look polished.
Cable Needle
A cable needle is not essential even when knitting cables. You could attempt to knit cables without a needle (which many knitters say is faster), or you could use a DPN (double pointed needle), a small stitch holder, or even a pencil/pen.
I do find that a cable needle helps me knit cables way easier. Cable needles have a little bend in the needle that helps to secure the held stitches, so you can form your cables a little easier.
Crochet Hook
It might seem weird to have a crochet hook in my knitting notions bag, but I use my crochet hook all the time.
A crochet hook is not essential, but it’s a great tool to have handy. I use a crochet hook to fix my knitting if I ever drop a stitch or to help me knit a provisional cast on, and it’s been required in certain patterns like my Favo Sweater.
Scissors
Scissors are essential. I am constantly using my little scissors to cut my yarn when winding a new skein, switching colors, or trimming any ends.
I like these scissors because they are small and sharp. I like how they fit in my little notions tin and easily cut through any yarn.
Measuring Tape
Since a lot of knitting projects require measuring gauge or knitting until a certain length, a measuring tape is essential. I’m a little embarrassed to say that I would use a giant metal tape measure for the longest time.
A flexible soft measuring tape is preferred because it can roll up to fit in my notions case, and it’s perfect for measuring body measurements for a knitted garment.
Stitch Holders
I have a few stitch holders in different sizes. When I first started knitting, they were really handy whenever a pattern need me to put stitches on hold. But now I use a spare cable from my interchangeable set whenever I need to put stitches on hold. It makes it easier to “pick them back up” by just screwing on my knitting needle.
Stitch holders are not essential. You can always place stitches on waste yarn when a pattern calls for it. If you use waste yarn, it’ll be a lot easier if you use your darning needle to guide the yarn off the needles.
4. Magnifying Light
I had been trying to knit more socks this year, and a magnifying light has been a game changer. This magnifying glass rests around your neck and can be adjusted to the appropriate length for you. There is a light at the base to give you a better illuminated view of your work.
The magnifying light may be essential if you are having difficulty seeing smaller stitches or just need more light in your knitting corner.
5. Blocking Mats
Once your knit is complete, you may want to block it. Blocking your knit helps to smooth out any bumps and wrinkles, and it helps to shape your item to match the correct dimensions. It’s a finishing step that really take your finished object to the next level.
To block your item, you soak it in a wash with water, press out the water with a large towel, then lay it out to dry in the shape desired. Blocking mats are not essential; instead, you can use a large towel covered in a trash bag, and pin your project on top. The trash bag will help the water evaporate from the knit vs just having it sit on a wet towel.
I just recently got blocking mats and I love them because I can easily pin my item to whatever shape I need (like I first did with my Fantastitch and all my knits since), and I feel like my item dries faster.
Overall Thoughts
Knitting has been really amazing for me, especially this last year. I slowly acquired all of my knitting notions and tools as I knit more projects. I’m really happy with my tool kit now. I know that I can easily knit almost any project with everything I have.
As with any new hobby, knitting requires certain tools to get started. I hope this post gave you some ideas about what you may need and what you can use as a substitute. And if you aren’t sure if you want to invest in your new hobby just yet, you may find some knitting needles and other tools at your local thrift store.
Check out my Ravelry Page for a look at my knitting projects / finished objects!
