6 Essential Knitting Tools for Beginners

Starting a new hobby

It’s exciting! You get to learn something new, and get a bunch of interesting gadgets that will clutter up your dresser and fill your drawers! Wait… That doesn’t sound so great, right? But it’s a trap I see far too many people fall into.

When you’re learning how to knit for the first time, there are some obvious things you need, like yarn and knitting needles, some things that might be a little less obvious, and some tempting things you don’t need — at least not in the beginning.

Never fear, your miserly knitting friend is here to steer you in the right direction, save you money, and keep your house tidy.

Watch the video below to see my recommendations and what everything is for. Then grab your shopping list through the form below.

Too long didn't watch? That's okay! I've got it all in a list for you.

1. Interchangeable circular needles

I suggest getting a set of interchangeables pretty early in your knitting journey, and that's because as you start knitting different projects, you'll end up needing lots of different sizes of needles. It can get out of hand really fast. Circular needles may seem advanced, but I promise they're not.

They can be used for regular flat knitting or for knitting larger projects in the round. (You'll eventually work up the courage to make a sweater and these will work for that too!) You can use these for small or large items too.

A set of interchangeable circular needles comes with a range of sizes (diameter) of needle tips that screw on to a flexible cable, of which you will have a few different lengths.

The Prism Aluminum Options Interchangeable Needle Set is what I use most, and I really like it. If you tend to be a looser knitter and your stitches slid off the needles easily, you may prefer wooden tips because they have a little more grip. Try these if that's you.

If you notice the "short" sets when you're shopping, those have shorter tips and cables, which makes them good for knitting sleeves in the round, but that's for when you're more advanced, so don't worry about that yet.

2. Stitch Markers

   
   

Stitch markers can be used for marking your place on your work, to signal a repeat or where to perform shaping stitches. They can also be used to help keep count of your stitches if you have a lot. Example: you place a marker every 25 stitches so you don't have to start counting from the beginning to see if you have 200 or not.

These are my favorite because they're simple and thin and don't get in my way.

3. Swatch ruler & needle gauge

   
   

While you can certainly use any old ruler to measure your gauge (stitches and rows per inch or cm, in case you didn't know), one of these makes it so much easier. This one also has holes on it that you can use to check the size of your needles.

4. Tape Measure

   
   

Wait, what? Another measuring thing? Yes. A flexible tape measure is for not only measuring larger items, but also for measuring your body. Measure around your head so you can make the hat the right size, or your chest so you know what size to choose for that dream sweater!

I like to have a retractable tape measure in my purse or knitting bag so I'm always ready.

Check out this one from Knit Picks.

5. Tapestry needles

   
   

These can also be called darning needles. You'll use these for weaving in ends, sewing pieces together, or adding decorations to a finished objects. I like these bent-tip needles a lot.

6. Scissors

   
   

I'm sure you have scissors at home already, and unlike with fabric, any old scissors will cut yarn just fine. BUT, a small pair for your knitting bag is really nice. I've had this Fiskars pair for a long time, and they're quality. I've even taken them through security at several airports and they haven't been confiscated yet! (They have gotten flagged in the x-ray machine a few times, but after inspection, it's always been fine.)

Master of Scarves

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