Inexpensive Tools and Gifts for New Knitters

Inexpensive Tools and Gifts for New Knitters

1. Wood Needles

Wood needles not only feel warmer but your stitches are less likely to slip off, which is really helpful for knitters starting their crafting journey. I recommend starting off with larger needles, ideally 5mm-7mm. 

2. Aran/Worsted Weight Acrylic Yarn

Acrylic yarn? Yep! Why? Because it’s cheap and durable. As a new knitter learns the craft, there will be mistakes (which are essential to learning), so yarn needs to stand up to being undone multiple times. WHy ruin expensive yarn & get disheartened? I recommend Aran or Worsted weight on the wooden needles as you’ll be able to clearly see your stitches and knit comfortably. 

3. Tapestry Needles

These are needed to sew any seams in your knitting and have a large eye to allow the yarn to pass through. I tried to get away with sewing needles but the yarn was too thick, it wouldn't all go through the eye so kept splitting. Not good!

 4. Stitch Markers

While these may not seem important, a set of stitch markers will save you a lot of hassle, especially if you regularly lose count of stitches like I do! When learning, you might have 30 stitches on each row and placing a stitch marker every 10 stitches will really help. This is because new knitters tend to drop or add stitches by accident so being able to count 10 stitches between each maker means you’ll stay on course. Also, the lockable ones can hang onto any dropped stitches until your able to fix them.

5. Stitch Stoppers

Another marvelous invention which really helps new knitters. These little silicone stoppers stick on the end of the needles when you finish knitting so that the stitches don’t slide off when your knitting is sat on the couch or in your bag. It’s super disheartening to pick up your knitting & see a lot of dropped stitches when you worked so hard on them. 

6. Crochet Hook

For knitting? Oh yes! A crochet hook helps you pick up dropped stitches a lot easier. I recommend getting a couple in 4mm and 5mm when you first start knitting as these work best with DK and Aran/Worsted weight yarn. 

7. Stitch Holder Cords

Genius! These are silicone cords that are great for holding stitches that aren’t being worked on, such as jumper sleeves. You simply wedge the hollow cord on the end of your needle, slide the required stitches onto the cord, and done. Put the stitches back on your needles the same way. So much easier than picking up each individual stitch. 

8. A Small Pair of Scissors

Always good to have in case you need to cut your yarn. Nothing else to say really, any little pair is fine. Mine come from Ikea!

9. A Closable Bag

Something to store your knitting in to keep it in one place, clean and out of harms way. A shopping bag is fine.

10. A Yarn Bowl (or Zip Freezer Bag!)

Floors are dirty and if your yarn is rolling around on the floor it gathers up all types of dust, dirt, hair etc. Keep it and your hands clean by using either a yarn bowl or a simple clear zip freezer bag.