Видео

You can get foam anti-fatigue floor mats at harbor freight for about $10, in case anyone needs a cheaper option for blocking mats. I can't live without vinyl cosmetics bags for a small projects bag. I like that they don't cause friction on my yarn so I don't have to worry about pulling. I find cloth lined projects bags can cause some pilling , especially on slower projects with more delicate yarn.

I totally agree with an actual ruler for measuring, that is all I will use. And I also love my ChiaoGoo needles. I absolutely can not use a plastic darning needle though, has to be metal! Thanks for a great episode!

I feel the same way about the Nightshift, and I'm not even a shawl wearer typically. I want to make it with Spin Cycle soooo badly, but have such a hard time justifying the purchase when I know I don't wear shawls. If you ever host a KAL for it though, I'll consider that a sign that it's time to make it 😂

I love the newish rubber donuts as they stay on so well even for traveling

The one tool I can’t live without is the cocoknits stitch fixer

I’m using the Klutz knitting book now. I’ve made 4 projects so far. Hopefully once done with all projects I’ll feel more comfortable with more complex projects to make some I really want to

It is fun to see everyone’s gadgets and go to’s! I agree with the stitch markers and progress keepers! And, I am also like you with the needle tightening. I like my Lykke interchangeables and they have a similar set up

Totally off subject…but your hair is beautiful!

We are definitely on the same page with just about everything you reviewed. I have the same winder, swift and even the blocking mats. Same with the stitch markers and progress keepers. They are all so cute and suck you in to buying but, I never use them. They pretty much weigh my project down. Happy New Year.

💙

I use nostepinne for winding regularly, but I also own a Stanwick. I would do it again. I do think that the swift and winder are almost a need.

I couldn't live without my yarn plyer. I can use up any weight of yarn and ply it with another weight making a new skein and using up left over skeins. I

My LYS gives cloth bags with purchase. I have a lot. They have the logo of the shop, and on the back it says "knitting" or "therapy", in my language. My WIPs used to reside next to me, on the sofa, in their bags. I finally cleared them all of and put them in a closed bin, which is next to the sofa. I have easy access, and they don't collect dust. As for mohair, I love it. I especially like knitting shawls or scarves in silk/mohair. They are wonderfully soft, warm, and very compactable. They are useful when going to concerts in heavily AC'd venues. I also like pairing it with other yarns for a lovely soft texture. But knitting is a very forgiving craft, substitution is the word of the day, everyday.

I use the lightbulb stitch markers in the holes of my Chiaogoo cords to keep the stitches from falling off, when I've removed the needles for another project.

Non-knitting question: how do you do your hair? Your curls are amazing!

I have the knitpicks interchangeables that screw on... and I do the same thing. 🤣 I never bother actually using the tool, I just occasionally have to tighten them again. Nice to know I'm not the only one!

I have the same problem with my Hiya Hiya interchangeable needles unscrewing while I knit. For years I checked mine every few rounds. But I recently I purchased the rubber grippers and when I use those to tighten it, they never come undone. In fact, I have to use the grippers to unscrew the needles because otherwise they won’t budge! It takes only 2 seconds. I will never take the time to use the T-pin, either. Try the gripper! It looks like the Chiaogoo set on Amazon includes one - the red heart.

I have the same yarn winder, as well as a wooden swift for hanks, and a smaller plastic yarn winder. There is a reason those yarn bowls are made that way, to keep the yarn from jumping around. Yup, uncaked yard did it so much that I made sure that all of my yarn was caked.

I have the same Stanwood and swift you have. So well made and necessary for me. I had a cheaper winder before and it didn’t work very well. I think the Stanwood is worth every penny it costs. Not sure if you mentioned needle stoppers. Maybe they are in your notions kit. I find them to be essential, too.

Awesome voice my friend. I cd listen to you sing while i knit. Heh take NO NOTICE of those wowsers who give u a hard time down the street of wherever. Thats their stupid issue so please please dont listen to them. C u nxt year❤❤❤😊😊😊😊

I also love my ChiaoGoo needle set. I buy multiples of many sizes and extra cords…so many projects in progress. I also love their silver swivel cords. So thin and flexible. #2 are lightbulb/gourd shaped openable stitch markers. I hate all the other ones. Have so many round ones I never use, and fun ones with charms…never use. I agree about the charm bracelet or necklace idea! I also have a yarn bowl. I do use mine, but I have a yarn winder and swifter. So most of the time I only use the bowl to help rewind old balls of yarn in my stash, because I’d rather have them in cakes.

Great video! I love my ChiaoGoo needles so much. Another thing I would hate to be without is my Knit Companion App. I bought an Amazon Fire Max tablet and stylus primarily for using with Knit Companion. I do a lot of lace shawl knitting, so blocking mats are a must-have for me and blocking wires are REALLY helpful for shawls. I don't have any yarn bowls, but I am obsessed with my "yarn butler" yarn holders that let me spike a yarn cake on a post and it spins around to unwinde the yarn as I knit. One of the things I love most about them is that if I am knitting holding two yarns together, I can stack them both on the spike and it's super easy to manage both of them. I even travel with mine. Also, hooray for Klutz Press books (now Klutz Crafts at Scholastic). I didn't have the knitting book, but I remember seeing it. I had their books and kits for juggling, face painting, nail art, boondoggle, and probably some others. They were favorite things on my Christmas wish lists.

I love my chordsmith. Especially for an icord bindoff. I also find a crochet hook is helpful. On the things I don’t use all the time is bags (I have two of my favorites) but the others I have bought are on the top shelf. Thanks for your video it is nice to think of these things.

I had that same klutz kit!!!

I don't have hates, just not for me things. Boat necks, raglan sleeves, cropped, excess fabric sleeves, excess positive ease, (prefer like you, 0 +ve ease), low back necklines, these are the ones I just don't do. Project bags, I own 4. Two smaller ones, very tote bag like but with pockets, only $6 ea. They use to be the ones I used all the time, but were too small for some things, now empty most of the time. Two larger ones I made from old clothes, tailor made for my needs. One gets used all the time, everything lives in it, I never lose anything, it lives on the couch or floor while a project in progress, wool lives in it throughout the project, I move about with projects now more, so it all goes with me. Just the project changes, so no need to have a bunch, monogamous me. Too hot for mohair or hoods where I live in Australia. Never even thought of knitted underwear ??? Just don't want to do all the work for a stretchy bum look from sitting wear in skirts, no Na.

I’d repurpose the metal stitch markers as earrings. I also like cheap light stitch markers.

I remember when I added a set of DPNs to my only set of cable needles and my husband thought I was being extra extravagant lol. I reminded him he had many tools for his projects and I use both types of needles. Recently purchased a yarn winder, maybe next year I’ll add a swift 😊. Another nice to have is a fancy project bag but really the reusable grocery bags work fine so I’m not sure I will ever splurge on that.

I love my Chiaogoo's as well, tried some others but now won't use anything else. I have a few dressmaking pins inside the case and use them to tighten the needles and don't have an issue. I use to be lazy and not want to fish out the blocking pin, but a normal pin works fine and is easy to locate when pinned in the case.

Thank you! ❤

i love the chiaogoo needles. my first yarn winder was/is a very basic one i think i paid in the 10 dollar area for it 12 or so years ago and it still works fine but it only winds about 4 oz. so i got the stanwood 10 oz. i also can live with those fancy stitch markers, i've been given some as gifts and i haven't found a use for them because they are too heavy. i was also gifted a yarn bowl that i occasionally use but if i didn't have it i could live without it. i also love my hiya hiya needle gauge, i can't live without that. i love my round silicone markers from clover. i also can't live without my crochet hooks while knitting if i drop a stitch they are a life saver. the blocking mats looks like what i have mine are squared off on one side and have circles on the other for round items. i do want to get another set too. some large shawls don't fit the 9 i have.

I quite agree with your necessities and nice to have stuff. I have been knitting for many decades and I wonder how I ever could have lived without a ball winder and swift. I guess when you make time for yarn each day, winding balls is just part of the job. In my necessities now : small containers with scissors, measuring device, and needle in each project bag.

What a fabulous video! Right there with you on the Chiaogoo’s, I’ve had my set since 2019 and they are all still perfect. Except, my couch eats the needles that I accidentally leave out when I use them as a substitute for my cable needle (also eaten by said couch). And yes, I’m also a lazy needle tightener lol. Definitely going to order those stitch markers- the cheap plastic ones I use are too bulky and impact my knitting. Still not sure I need a ball winder and swift… I use my knees to wind balls and since so many yarns I buy are already center pull, I’m not sure I understand the need vs. the space they take up?

Great video! New subscriber... crazy question.... what products do you use in your hair? It's seriously curly perfection!

Hello Bonnie. Your hair is absolutely gorgeous ❤

Here’s my favorite knitting item for fun but not totally necessary eye candy -various fun rubber needle stoppers! I have sheep, flowers, leaves, frogs etc.

I use my yarn bowls for progress keepers or for notions storage. I would turn those heavy markers you love into a charm bracelet.

I have to say I really like using barber cords to hold stitches. I also like to use drawstring cloth as knitting bags to keep my kitties from getting to my projects 😊

My chiaogoo needles are ok since my #6 does not stay attached to cords,factory defect , that’s why I like my Hiya Hiya. Problem….those sets are very expensive for some knitters . Love my knit picks Radiant woods.

Informal poll vote FOR the project bags and I own many! I travel a lot for my job and try to hit all the knit shops in the areas I visit. Some just do not buy yarn as I would and that being said, sometimes I find a great bag. It also means when I have another job, I have a neat project already handy for my next flight. I love supporting local yarn shops while I can as retirement is coming soon and funds and travel may look different....

You have the most beautiful hair ever! Thank you for this. As someone who is new to knitting this was so helpful!

My favorite knitting supplies are: Knitpro mindful needles followed by Chiaogoo. I love swivel cords especially the Lantern Moon ones. I get stitch markers free when I purchase needles or yarns, and I dislike the plastic ones because they break easy. I prefer metal. Ball winder and swift is essential for me as I spin my own wool. I always have something hot to drink and a snack while knitting. I like the fold-away scissors because they are easy to travel with. My favorite thing I got this Christmas is my spindle, it unscrews and fits into my knitting case. Those are some of my favorite things.

The twice sheared sheep slap bracelet sock ruler is a must if you make socks. I do a lot of toe up socks and just knit until the bracelet tells me for the size and then start the heel. Otherwise agree with your recommendations 100%!

OMG, a little stroll down memory lane with the Klutz kits....tried quite a few of them including the juggling kit! 😊

You can repurpose them as zipper pulls so you can still enjoy the fancy stitch markers.

I agree with all of your choices. I have the basic tools and a few things I really don’t use.

I knew the second you set the bag with stitch markers down without closing it , it was going to get dumped. 😊

You use plastic garbage bags??? Love your knitting stuff!

Great video, thank you😊 I bought a pack of lightbulb stitch markers in the summer and they are now my most necessary tool after needles. I knit a lot of black and dark colours and it can sometimes be a struggle to read my knitting. I use the lightbulbs to mark lace repeats so I spot any mistakes really quickly. I use them to mark the turning stitch on short rows so I don't miss knitting the two legs together as one stitch. I keep finding new used that help me avoid mistakes and make knitting more enjoyable. Such good value for such an inexpensive tool.

My lys is soooo nice about turning my 26:23 gains into cakes- even if I bought the Yarn someplace else. They do know me and know that I buy a lot of yarn there so I don't feel too too guilty.

I love my Altoids tin for needles and Chiagoo cable tighteners, they are easily found every time.