Knitting is considered to be a minimalist hobby. It can be enjoyed virtually anywhere and doesn't require many supplies. As with most hobbies, there are always some extras that spice things up a bit. Once you are a knitter, seeing those new knitting supplies arrive at the door is a rush of excitement.
If you are just starting your knitting journey, here are our recommendations for must have knitting supplies.
As a beginner, most of your projects will be scarves, wash clothes, baby blankets, etc. Straight needles are used for rectangular projects and are the best needles for learning the basics.
If you plan to knit socks, mittens, or round hats, double-point needles are useful for joining in the round. Many projects like these call for circular needles to start and double-point needles to finish.
Circular needles are nothing more than two needle heads joined by a cord. Larger projects, like quilts, call for them because they allow for more stitches than straight needles. Circular needles allow for more flexibility in knitting and vary in both needle size and cord length.
Any pair of scissors will do, but it is convenient to have a designated pair of knitting scissors. Opt for scissors that are smaller and portable, but sharp.
A tapestry needle is essential in any knitter's bag. Basically a large sewing needle, a tapestry needle comes in handy when weaving in the the tails after binding off.
Once the knitting bug bites, you will want to stock up on yarn. There are so many different weights, fibers, colors, and brands. You will want one of everything! Yarn is the knitter's biggest weakness.
If you want to work with two yarn colors at the same time, a yarn guide will make this easier. The tool prevents multiple yarns from becoming tangled and also keeps an even tension.
After working so hard on a project, the last thing you want to do is ruin it during washing. Wool wash kits come in handy and remove the guesswork from laundering your expensive yarn garments. Most kits provide a mild soap and washing basin to make washing convenient.
Perfect for travel, needle gauges serve a few functions. Use them to measure your stitches and also to identify the size of unmarked knitting needles.
When a pattern calls for a number of inches, you will be glad that you have a measuring tape in your bag of knitting tricks. After all, it is pretty important that sweater sleeves are the same length.
Armed with a knitting bag filled with these ten supplies, you will quickly graduate from a beginner knitter to a pro.