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Knitting Essentials for Beginners
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items Whether you're picking up knitting for the very first time, an early beginner or shopping for someone who is, these are the tried-and-tested essentials I recommend for getting started. I've chosen beginner-friendly tools and materials that are easy t...
You’re going to need needles & I totally recommend starting with circulars because when you start, you'll drop needles and having them attached means no rooting around on the floor for the other needle! Also, don't go for metal straight away as t...
Symfonie 2 Fixed Circular Knitting Needles - KnitPro
Yarn is a complex puzzle but let's start simple. Go for acrylic as it's cheap and stands up to being unpicked. Go for Aran or Worsted weight as it's easier to see what you're doing with thicker yarn. Avoid dark colours to start with as it's super har...
Stylecraft Special Aran - All Colours
Locking (or removable) stitch markers are super handy. They help you keep track of pattern repeats, increases and decreases, shaping, and to mark the beginning of the round if you're knitting in the round. They are also really helpful if you notice a...
Clover Locking Stitch Markers - Pack of 20
These will save you tears, honestly! They go on your needle tips so if you put you're knitting away, no stitches can slip off the needles. No matter how careful I was, I always lost stitches and had to re-knit stuff. When I was a beginner, I had no i...
Knitting Needle Stitch Savers Stoppers or End Caps White Sheep Knitting Notions Accessories, Gifts for knitters
A retractable tape measure is always good to have on hand. When a pattern says “knit flat for 3 inches” you'll wish you'd bought one. For only a couple of quid you can keep your knitting flowing rather than having to park it until you can measure it....
Korbond - Retractable Tape Measure -150cm/60in
A manual row counter is a good idea until you learn how to count rows. You pop them on the needle and turn the wheel after each row. You can get electronic ones where you just press a button and they are great until the battery runs out! The cell bat...
Knitting Row Counter, 10 Pcs Set
A digital row counter is helpful until you have learnt how to count your rows. Trust me, you won't remember how many you've done when you're just starting out. I recommend having both an electronic and manual row counters as you may need a back up sh...
LCD Digital Finger Tally Counter Clicker
Don't forget to keep scissors with every project. Trust me, they wander off! You can never have too many pairs. Pick up a cheap small pair in £ or $ stores as they'll do you until you decide to upgrade.
Small Travel Craft Scissors Set - Precision Tip
An alternative to scissors are snips. Just make sure you have a pair in each project bag. They may struggle to snip yarns above a DK or Sport weight (such as Aran, Worsted, Chunky, Bulky), so make sure you have scissors on hand as well.
Sewing Scissors 3-Piece Set High-Carbon Steel
Now, project bags are where you splurge! Definitely start with a cheap tote that you can pick up for a few £$ but you'll soon want to treat yourself to something special. Your project takes a lot of work so keeping if safe is vital. This is my favour...
Night Animals, Knitting Project Bag, Forest Crochet Storage, Knitting Accessories, Gifts For Knitters
Love these things! Once you progress onto jumpers or need your needles for something else, you simply slide these cords onto the end of your needles, slide the stitches off and secure with the stoppers. Keeps everything safe until you need them when ...
3 Knitting Stitch Holder Cords or Cables in an Organza Bag, Stitch Keepers
If you decide to treat yourself to some fancier stitch markers, go for this type, with the earring wire. This allows the stitch markers to fit needles up to 7mm, and are easier to move around your work. They also act as a progress keeper so you can p...
Cat Knitting Stitch Markers, Progress Keepers 7 Piece Set, Crochet, Cat Lovers Notion Tools and Supplies, Knitting Accessories, Gifts For Knitters
A tapestry needle (whether straight, metal, plastic, bent etc) is a must. We hate weaving in ends, but it needs doing so make it easier with a few of these. Cheap plastic ones are great to start with, then once you find what style you like, invest in...
3pcs Bent Aluminum Large-Eye Tapestry Needles
Weird looking little tool, but good to have if you need to check you gauge or if you've inherited some knitting needles and have no idea what size they are.
Knitting Needle Gauge 3-in-1 Ruler 2-15mm
A note book is essential. Pick up a cheap & cheerful pen and pad from your local £ or $ shop. Many times I've fallen foul of thinking “I'll remember what I did/what needle size I used” etc. Just grab a notebook and pen. Much easier!
NU Notebooks A5 Blue Wirebound Ruled 110pg
A crochet hook for knitting? Yep! If you drop stitches, a crochet hook makes it so much easier to pick them up. Lots of tutorials on YouTube will show you how so make sure you have a 4mm hook in your craft bag.
KnitPro Crochet Hook - Waves 2.0 (4.00mm) Baby Blue
I honestly didn't think I would need one of these, I thought just using a ruler on a printed pattern would be fine…..nope! I tried one of these at my local yarn shop and was converted instantly. If you're a beginner following a paper pattern or worki...
Folding Knitting Pattern Holder Cadet Blue
Another pair of these stoppers! I won't knit without them as I've had far to many incidents whereby stitches slide off my needles. As they are so small & lightweight there's no downside to keeping several sets of these in my project bag. Do I alw...
Tulip Knitting Needle Stitch Savers Protectors Stoppers End Caps Knitting Accessories Gifts for Knitters