My TOP 5 KNITTING Accessories! - Great for Beginner Knitters

In this video, I share my 5 must-have knitting tools! These knitting tools make my knitting life so much better, easier and more enjoyable. If you are a beginner knitter or an experienced knitter, I hope this list will inspire you to think of the basics that make your knitting life easier and more fun.

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[markritter]

As a beginner knitter having just finished my first sweater I think YouTube might be my #1. It’s amazing how many resources there are to answer just about every knitting question I might have!

[samanthageiger]

My favorite “tool” that makes my knitting life better is a chamber pot! Hear me out- my grandmother was the absolute dearest person to me and when she died I kept a big ceramic pot that I remembered her keeping different things in when it was in her home. I found out later it was her grandmother’s chamber pot. It’s the perfect size for two yarn cakes, it keeps the two colors I’m using in one place, acts as a yarn bowl and keeps the cats out. She taught me to knit so it’s sweet to have such a unique reminder. Cheers!

[janicec]

A container of dental floss! I use it for “life lines” or to mark a particular row. I insert it between pattern repeats and leave it in until I am done with that section so I can easily count how many times I have done that repeat. I was once working on a shawl that had 8-row repeats - 26 times. Looked weird with all of those strings hanging off but it certainly helped!

[dianaemmick]

I love all of your top 5 and completely agree with those. One additional item that you didn’t mention is a neck lamp! I tend to knit and crochet in the evening after work, so it’s dark and having that extra light directed on your work is much easier on the eyes! 💜

[gwynnethdavidoff]

I don’t know if it’s really a “thing” I can’t knit without, but my friends that I knit with. Having a group to share tips with and who are always working on cool projects helps keep me inspired with whatever it is that I”m working on as well.

[tstthomason]

I’m a college student so I end up knitting for short periods of time in a lot of different places, and I nearly always have a backpack with me. For me the tool that has ended up being the most helpful for me is a small structured project bag and a carabiner that I use to clip it to a loop on my backpack strap!
While eventually I would love to have a beautiful cloth or leather bag made by a local artist, I currently am using a plastic makeup bag/dopp kit I got from Walmart! It checks all of my boxes perfectly. It has one big pouch for my knitting, a small side pouch for notions, it’s structure is relatively firm so it doesn’t hang or twist weird as I’m walking, and it’s clear which is extra helpful for someone with adhd like me, lol. Also, it was cheap which is a necessity for a college student knitter!

It’s handy to always have my sock, mitten, or hat within arms’ reach for when I have a few spare minutes to knit between classes or to use as a mindful study/practice break (I’m a music student, so I spend a lot of time in practice rooms lol). I’ve even been known to knit while waiting in line or in the elevator since I can just leave my ball of yarn in the project bag clipped to my backpack and easily knit while standing (or walking 😳🤫)

[ChristalKowzan]

My #1 necessity for knitting is a good audiobook - I'll keep a book as an exclusive knitting-time read, wanting to continue the story will keep me knitting, plus I'll forever associate that item with that story. It works with any entertainment media and any type of craft, really, but something that has no visual component works best for me!

[crl]

I love this video! Your videos make me wish I had started knitting when I lived in Chicago. My #1 knitting tool is actually PTFE thread seal tape. If your interchangeable needles tend to unscrew due to loose threading, then simple use a little teflon tape to help seal it together. I used this all the time on threadings when I worked in my chemistry lab and thought it would work for my interchangeable needles too. It's MAGIC, and I'm a wee bit proud of myself for figuring that out ☺️

[thexinkxdrinker]

The one thing that makes my knitting life easier is *time*. Making time to knit. I often want to make all the things for everyone, but it's so easy to get caught up in things that need to be done day-to-day that not only do I run out of time to knit, but I stress about not getting the projects done that I want to. So if I manage my time effectively, I'm much happier and able to knit more often, and get more done.

[songbirdhandmade]

I completely agree with everything you listed, and I would add my small kitchen scale to help me track yardage, as well as Ravelry, where I keep track of my entire stash (including yardage), and all of my patterns and projects, including modifications.

[tetchedistress]

Must haves for knitting, a lidded coffee mug. I have knocked over coffee or tea on projects so many times. Having a good mug with a tight lid is a life changer.

Next, crochet hooks in all the same sized as my knitting needles. From dropped stitches to binding off crochet hooks are a blessing.

Comfortable chair. When I went wheelchair bound, I found that knitting in my wheelchair or office chair increased my pain. Having a decent cosy chair that supports my body as well as allows me to have my legs up is a blessing.

Podcasts and audio books. I find that I am paying closer attention to the words as I work.

Chiaogoo needles of course. Yes, they are phenomenal, and higher end. Worth it . A larger ball winder. I spent a little more for the larger one, because I like to have the 10 Oz skeins of yarn in one cake.

Arthritis gloves. They help support my hands, are fingerless, and allow me to work longer.

Headset. I use a 3m worktunes wireless headset. Drowns out background noises, and I can listen toy favorite books or even shows without boring my husband to death with the latest Sherlock book.

For pouches. Dollar store makeup bags work. I get them in all sizes. I can have stitch markers separate from row counters. I have my cable needles separate from my dpns. Color and texture of the bag tell me what is in each.

Lastly, a huswife. A sewing or knitting notions bag that I can carry separate from the main tools kit. It goes in the purse. I can have it when I am doing a quick dishcloth. Has sewing thread, a couple of stitch markers, a nippers, needles for sewing in ends. All kinds of things. It is usually more for sewing that knitting, but it has saved my bacon more than twice.

I don't want to get a new winder and swift, just wanted to enter the conversation.

[dianepothier]

Personally I couldn’t do without my floor Ott lamp, especially with darker colors or unfamiliar stitches. As you get older the eyes don’t always read word for word and line for line lol. Thank you for your wonderful blogs. Diane

[rattlesnakehaven]

My favorite knitting tool is a military pace counter. My source is a veteran who makes them and sells them on ebay. You can choose his normal ones made from pony beads and standard 550 cord, or his mini version made with a lighter weight cord and smaller beads. I have several, so I can keep one with each project. When I start a project, I tie a pace counter to the tail, so my row tally never gets separated from the project. Also, for beginners -- you can't accidentally knit with the tail when has a pace counter tied to it.

[NdayeniD]

As someone that's just starting to try to re-learn how to knit after very many years, my current favorite thing is YouTube tutorials and channels such as yours that cover various techniques and tips. I learn so much more watching someone else demonstrate how to do things than I would even from photo "how-to" articles.

[danutagajewski]

The one item that I can't do without is a timer! I set the alarm to go off in 15- or 20-minute intervals, just to give myself a break from knitting...my eyes, my wrists, my fingers and my 'derriere' are the happier for it!

[janeannmunroe]

My favorite tip is to keep two size 0 circular knitting needles handy. If you have to rip out and then pick up stitches in preparation to continue with your project, having the size 0 needles (which I am assuming size 0 is way smaller than your project needle size) makes it easier because you don’t cause tugging at the fragile existing stitches making picking them up easier. Then, you just knit your first row off the size 0 needles because it is the take up (or right needle for right handed knitters) that determines your gauge. After you have your first retrieved row knitted, just store those handy size 0 needles.

[BlueSeaSerpent]

I cannot, absolutely can't, knit without my earbuds and a great book through audible ♡

[ttallan]

All those things that you list are so important! One thing not on the list that I use constantly is hand cream. Yarn, no matter the type, dries out my hands like nobody’s business.

[CarolStephen]

Besides your list of basics, I use a WHITE TOWEL under my work in progress, especially when knitting with dark colored yarn. I also use the towel over my bag to keep the cats out! And I love your list as well. Thank you for all the great videos! You have been so helpful.

[wendyyosh]

Yes! To all of these items.
To add to the list, …my favorite items I can’t live without: 1. cute & functional project bags with inner pockets to stash needles if project requires more than one needle size 2. Various sizes of Daiso zip lock bags to keep left over yarn or…for putting all yarn needed for a project in separate clear zip lock baggies with in larger project bag. This was a huge benefit for organizing and storing yarn for my 14 Color Woolstok Light Wrap.