Knitting is a hobby that you can do just about anywhere. It is a great project to take with you, as easy as a one skein scarf or hat, or complex like a cable sweater or lace pattern! Knitting doesn’t require a lot of complicated equipment, perfect for keeping your hands busy watching TV, on airplane or waiting at doctor offices. We’ve rounded up some of the best knitting tools for beginners.
Best Knitting Tools for Beginners
Starting to learn to knit? Here are some tools that will make your knitting adventure easier. Start with picking out the needles you'd like use.
If knitting socks is what you'd like to do, this set of double pointed needles are just what you'll need.
Learn the three different methods to knit socks and figure out which one you like best! There are step-by-step photos and helpful hints and tips.
A circular needle makes it easy for beginners to make sure that stitches don't slip off the other end of the needle. The size 8 is the most common size used for many projects. The size of needle changes depending on the thickness of your yarn.
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Ready to expand your collection of knitting needles? This set of needles comes with a case and each size is a different color, making it easy for you to pull the knitting needle you need for a project.
Once you have a collection of knitting needles, you'll find this little tool invaluable! It helps you know the size of your needle and determine the gauge of your knitting! Easily slide your needle into one of the holes and you'll know what size needle it is!
Also, checking the gauge of your knitting is important and this tool can help you determine if your knitting is to the gauge for the pattern. This is essential for successful knitting projects.
When you are knitting a project with specific number of rows for either the pattern repeat or the entire project, it is handy to have a stitch counter. You click at the end of each row to keep track of where you are in the pattern. Much easier than having to go back and count your rows when you lose track of where you are in the pattern.
Especially if you are knitting in the round, you'll want stitch markers so you can track when you finish each row. These are really important for knitting hats in the round. This set comes with a variety of colors and sizes to fit different knitting needles.
You can also use these clips to mark points in your knitting pattern. What makes these create is that you can easily remove them any time - not just when you get to them in your knitting. They both serve a purpose.
When you knit a project that has multiple pieces that will need to be stitched together, use the stitch holders to make sure you don't lose your stitches when you take a piece off of your needles.
You'll need some yarn needles to weave in the ends of your yarn and connect different knit pieces together. These have a large eye and blunt tip meant for knitting and crochet projects.
A yarn bowl keeps your yarn neat and tidy while you work on your project.
Most yarn stores will wind your yarn for you. You want your yarn in a nice ball that you can pull the yarn from the center out. This tool is essential for putting on your skein of yarn and then using a yarn winder to make the perfect ball of yarn.
Use this yarn ball winder in combination with the yarn swift above to make nice, neat balls of yarn - much easier than winding the ball of yarn by hand.
Once you finish your knitting project, you'll want to block it to square up your finished product. Use a mat like this to pin your project to and press.
This is truly a beginners book for knitting, teaching all of the basics from casting on to basic stitches.
Ready to take your knitting to the next level? Add this book to your library with 250 essential knitting stitches!
Check out Sam Barsky who knits sweaters. Oh, not just any sweaters! Before he takes a vacation, he knits a sweater depicting the location, then takes a selfie at the location. His sweaters become his souvenirs!
Norman Schwarze has been knitting since he was a young child. Check out his patterns for playful knitted sculptures or Bavarian socks.
Marie Bergstedt incorporated knitted pieces into her fiber art, creating more texture and visual interest.
Carol Milne knits with glass. Yes, she is a knitting glass artist. You need to check out her work.
What is the most important tool in kniting?
Um, the knitting needles! There are many types and brands. We’ve made some recommendation above, but trying a variety out and see which ones work best for you. Many times your local yarn shop will let you try the different brands and styles so you can determine which style of knitting needle you like best. Most people prefer circular knitting needles, as they are the most versatile. The most popular circular knitting needles are both the steel ones we mention above, or bamboo. The bamboo needles have more traction hold onto the yarn, and the steel ones are slicker, making it faster to knit – it’s all your preference.
What is the best first knitting project?
Start with something easy like a knitted dish rag or a simple knitted scarf.
Can knitting help anxiety?
Studies have shown that the mediative process of knitting can help anxiety and relieving stress. Ellen Rubin considers knitting to be therapeutic, as well as a creative outlet.
See all of our knitting projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.