Isabella , pretty much suits you. As an 84yr young addicted to yarn, my latest best purchase is a portable neck light charged by a USB. Not only for craft but reading and walking around the house at night to find stuff that disappears. My precious one eye that’s remaining, loves the neck light. Much safer. Greetings from New Zealand it’s where we grow sheep.
Hello! I've been wanting so badly to go to New Zealand. Everybody I know who has seen it has fallen in love. I would love to visit a sheep farm and pick up local yarn! I know I'll be needing a neck light eventually. I ended up installing a new light over my couch so I could see my projects better at night.
82 years old here, and I use a neck light also. You're right about its multiple uses, especially if your electricity goes off! Great for putting extra light on my crochet and needlework projects!
I think this is a really useful purchase! I am in my 30s and use a headlamp for when I work with dark yarn. It makes so much of a difference, especially when crafting at night!
I just bought myself a neck light, too. I do a lot of my knitting/crochet while watching tv with my family. Having the neck light allows us to turn down or off the lights and I can continue to work while enjoying the movie or show.
I work as a knitting teacher and worked for 4 years full time in a yarn store. Here are a few of my recommendations. On your first project a single set of mid range to nice knitting needles, not a whole interchangable set just the pair you need for your project and buy a low cost yarn. I've seen so many beginners give up or get frustrated because they were fighting with the cheapest needles like bamboo or plastic. I do recommend spending some money on a decent interchangable set but don't even think about it until you've done a couple projects on both wood and metal to figure out which one you like most. If you want to use nicer yarn but need to be strategic with costs plan out projects to maximize the use of the fancy yarn. There are so many shawls you can make with a single skein of nice yarn. Use the nice hand dyed just in the yoke or details of a sweater and use cotton for the rest. Etc Let go of fomo and commit to only buying yarn that you are immediately going to use. I used to pick up stuff on sale then would need to buy more to make the thing or not even want that color anymore. I save so much more buying things full priced only when I actually need it. As for limited edition items, there has only been one thing that I legitimately regretted not buying in almost 15 years. One thing people should spend more money on is patterns. Well written and well fitting size inclusive patterns are hard and expensive to produce. Tech Editors and sample knitters and good photos and sometimes even people to grade the pattern for you are expensive. But a well written pattern knit out of low cost yarn will always turn out better than expensive yarn with a cheap pattern. Sweater patterns should easily cost double what they are but the market has kept prices low. Support indie designers when you can.
This was a very good addition to the video. I'd also add that for those first projects you can ask to borrow needles from a friend or family member who also knits. Most knitters have a good number of needles and most are not in use at the same time so this can be a good way to get a feel of what material you prefer in needles.
Yes absolutely, I agree with trying out different tools to see what works for you, and also I think it's worth acknowledging that what's right for you can change - I was advised to start with grippy bamboo needles as I was scared of dropping stitches, and then try slicker needles as I got more comfortable, and that worked out really well for me.
Not a necessity but definitely an enjoyable item is the wool genie. I've seen people make DIY versions but for 25 bucks this was so nice. I love not having to yank my yarn while crocheting. It spins smoothly and I have been enjoying my crocheting so much more.
For folks on a budget, PLEASE check your local library, I get free crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarns, and notions as well as use of additional supplies and advice from my local library’s craft club. It makes fiber art so accessible especially as a newbie! I personally have a winder without a swift. Mostly because I have “inherited” a lot of my yarn for free and it comes in all sorts of unraveled or tangled states. The winder helps turn it into a clean, center-pull ball. I rarely buy in hanks simply bc those yarns tend to be out of my budget lol Also your cat is SO sweet and cuddly!
Local yarn stores sometimes have loaner tools as well, or in some cases donated scrap bins! My LYS has a lively community so we're always enabling new crafters with gifts!
Last summer I was visiting friends in the Pacific Northwest. Their youngest was doing a summer reading project at the library. We stopped into the library so he could submit his achievements. While we were there, there was a community knitting project. I just had to sit down and contribute a few rows. Libraries are great!
I like when people talk about stuff like this, because crafting hobbies can look really expensive, but they don't have to be! There are definitely affordable ways to participate that are just as fun and result in works of art that are just as beautiful and/or useful and just as meaningful.
Yes ! Also if you have a friend or relative doing that hobby already, ask if they have spare tools and materials ! I personally have much more than I need and would gladly gift some of it
@@crepe71 that's so true, my first hook was gifted to me by a friend who crochets and has a LOT of hooks (she owns her crochet and jewllery business so she needs a lot of hooks), and she had a good quality one that she gave me and I use it so much, plus it feels so much more meaningful to have your first supplies handed from someone you know, it's like knowing the products have a history
honestly the yarn winder is an essential for me, being able to wind up partial skeins of yarn leftover from projects keeps my space sooo much cleaner, plus having scrap yarn in cakes makes it so much easier to use & travel with
I went such a long time without one and now I would not be without one. The swift I have is very cheap, so I agree that you should buy a decent one. It’s one of those plastic and metal ones and it’s falling apart. I would love to have one of those (take apart wooden) swifts that sit on a table or the floor but where I live that would be difficult because then I would have to find a place to put the ball winder due to lack of table and counter space.
@artsymom0329 Yes! I too prefer to wind my yarn by hand - it's very meditative. Also, winding hanks into balls allows me to get to know the yarn before I start a project. If there are knots or tangles or breaks, I deal with them up front rather than getting a nasty surprise mid-project.
I ended up opting for a high end winder (local yarn shop) and a cheap umbrella swift (maybe $20 from Amazon) because I don’t think I’ll be regularly buying hanks as much and it’s probably good enough for occasional use. It helped me not tangle a whole Hank of silk embroidery floss too which those projects take years to complete
As a knitter for over 50 years - yes I'm that old - most of my needles i have had for many years and some were inherited from my husband's grandmother. Circular needles were not marked with sizes originally so a needle guage is SUPER handy. I also don't always use a cable needle, I often use a crochet hook but there are some projects where the u shaped ones are super helpful.
All my double pointed needles are wood or bamboo and if they were labeled it wore off by the end of the first project with them. The only way I can figure out what size is a needle gauge.
Yeah, the sizer is the only thing I consider actually essential that I disagree with. My interchangeable needles aren't marked, and neither are my dpns or any of the fixed circulars I own. So I use my needle sizer all the time and literally wouldn't be able to knit otherwise (without guessing or needing some calipers!)
I also think that needle gauge is essential, at least to me. I have so many inherited double point needles and none of them have the size shown. Same with some of my cable needles and I can't differentiate for example 3,5mm from 4mm by feel or eye.
A lot of my needless are hand-me-downs from my grandma or second hand, none have sizes printed on them. But I was also handed down her needle gauge so I just figure out what's what the same way she did!
Can’t overstate how important a nice set of crochet hooks was for me, even as a beginner! Like a lot of beginners, I started off with excessively tight stitches, and that tension combined with my first set of cheap Amazon hooks straight-up gave me a repetitive use injury inside 6 weeks. I couldn’t believe it! Even more unbelievable, when I got myself a set of Clover Amours, I could suddenly crochet without pain again (the injury is still there, but crochet is painless and I’m taking it easy). You don’t need the $$$$ hooks, but consider the benefits of starting off with medium-nice ones. I wish I had!
Did someone teach you in-person or was this entirely online? The reason I ask is for the same reason I see kids learning the piano online. They have really horrid hand-position, and then wonder how they can practice for an hour, let alone two hours, a day. RSI I learned rather differently, and as a result I can both play piano for two hours non-stop, and type for hours at a typewriter or keyboard without any injury.
As a beginner and for YEARS I used the cheap crochet hooks with the rubber grip. I saw people talking about the clover hooks and didn’t think they’d make a difference. One day I had it in my budget so I purchased an H clover hook. LIFE CHANGING. I was actually shocked the difference it made. I do crochet everyday and have been crocheting everyday for almost 8 years but the clover hooks are worth it. I do lose my hooks a lot and if it’s not in the budget, I will repurchase cheaper hooks. But given the chance, I’m purchasing clover every time I
Since I don't want to buy wool but I want to work with it, I thrift old sweaters and unravel them. I have to say, the process of unraveling is very satisfying! Sometimes you can get 500 gr of 100% merino for like 10 dollars! I love it
You’re so right! I scored a Yak wool sweater at Goodwill. I need to search a little harder at my local thrift store next time I’m itching for more yarn.
One of the nicest yarns in my stash is a super soft alpaca 2-ply that I got from a Banana Republic sweater. It was $1-2 on the clearance rack at Goodwill because it had a giant hole in the middle.
I do the same! The issue with thrifting blankets and unraveling them is it is so hard to find blankets compared to sweaters. It takes effort to unravel sweaters but it works really well! I’m actually crocheting a sweater right now from a yarn that i unraveled from a thrifted sweater.
My favorite stitch markers are the metal lightbulb-shaped safety pins that usually come off clothes. They stay out of the way while you're working, fit around most needle sizes, and are removable!
I love your list! Very honest and true!! Something I'd like to add as a yarn artist of 36 years, please watch how much yarn you buy. My stash is out of control and I will never be able to use all of this yarn in my lifetime! Buy wisely and carefully.
Yes! Yes! Yes! My stash has gotten too large for my comfort and it’s wild how I could not buy yarn for a year and still keep making projects. I’m so glad though that I learned from others before mine got too bad. I think that’s such an important tip!!! Thanks for sharing 🥰
Might I make a suggestion? One or two stash buster projects a year to go through that unused yarn, like a granny square blanket, or a patchwork blanket or sweater. Stash buster lap blankets are things that can be donated to hospitals, nursing homes, they never have enough. Or hats and scarves sets for homeless shelters and stuff...
I have this issue too, as someone who has been an avid crocheter since 12. I just recently used a skein of yarn I have had in my stash since high school, though that was more due to the fact I wasn't working with Red Heart anymore. I worked through COVID but I bought yarn because I really wanted to do projects. My queue in Ravelry shows I have at least enough projects for the next five years based on my previous activity. And then, there's scraps, which I end up using when I don't want to work on anything else or I get a huge pile of one specific type. I keep watching other RUclipsrs and their stash to scratch that buyer's itch and YarnGeek keeps me humble (She might be able to get through her stash but her mom will not be able to get through hers and I suspect it will be inherited and then, she won't be able to get through it.) I am fortunate to have other fiber enthusiasts I regularly see so when we fall out of love of a yarn, we can offer it up to the others. I do keep a stash of cotton to teach anyone interested but otherwise, the rose-colored glasses come off and it goes into someone else's stash. So that's my suggestion: reach out to your crafty friends to see if they would use it sooner than you would. See if someone wants to learn your craft. And don't feel bad about how much money it cost to purchase; as Marie Kondo would put it, you want to thank it for its purpose in your life and hope the next person gets as much joy or more out of it. If it just sits there and you don't feel like you can work with it, then it has already given you the joy that it can (aka your money's worth.)
Yes! You're taking away the fun of shopping for new pretty yarn from time to time for New projects etc. There will be always pretty yarns, and its fun to go and buy something from time to time, and not use yarn you bought 10 years ago. You're often more exited to Start New things... don't buy to much at once!
I'm a crocheter, and I bought a beginner's crochet kit online for like $22. It had 20 hooks, darning needles, stitch markers, scissors, pom pom makers, a fabric tape measure, and lots of other little things I've never even touched lol. I can't imagine how much it would've cost if I bought all those things independently. I do have a yarn winder and it is a GAME CHANGER for me. I don't buy hanks of yarn, mostly skeins & cakes, but due to how I have to store my yarn, it's nice to have them in cakes to stack them. I don't have a swift, but the winder by itself was one of the best craft gifts I've received
Bought a kit for 5 dollars at my local craft store it came with crochet needles, stitch markers, measuring tape, and other small essentials. Best thing I’ve ever bought.
@@christenagervais7303 I would like to hear more on that subject please.... I crafted my own cabled Tunisian hook by McGuyvering a cheap extra Boye hook and heavy duty guage weed whacker line (from a replacement spool), glued together with E6000 glue. The way I dipped and glued the pieces together leaves a lot of glue in between the join, so it's very flexible. I dipped the ends several times so the glue built up in length, not width, and then i glued them together with a blob and then trimmed it down where it got away from me.
@@BreathingYarnI would love your opinion on getting crochet hook grips! When I first got into crochet, it was right around my birthday, and I got gifted by my friend a crochet kit with 10 hooks and all the little things you need. I still use it (it’s been a year and a bit so far) and am now really into crochet, but I notice that my hand starts to ache. I’ve been thinking about just sticking a beauty blender on, but maybe it would be better to get a grip or hooks with grips attached?
When you get older and your eyesight changes, those needle gauges are very helpful. I love my row counter for certain intricate patterns. Kid friendly scissors with the rounded tips. I’ve found several pairs from when my children were younger. Slip these inside my home sewn project bags. 😂😊
I've been knitting for as long as I can remember and have never once used a row counter... in fact I almost never count rows at all. But I use my needle gauge all the time! Most of my needles are from secondhand shops and the markings are long since worn off. Also my needle gauge has a built in 6in ruler and row/stitch gauge square, so it's handy for measuring other things.
I was my best friend's maid of honor and she paid for our hair to get done. I had 93 bobby pins taken out the next day and I still have them. I use them as stitch markers and have a couple that are a different color for milestones like 100sts or "inc here." And with how much hair I have, I have a few extra pins in my hair in case one falls or I need to use it as a marker/secure the loop so I can check out my crochet piece. I totally agree with the pompom makers. I don't like pompoms either but when I did try it for a project once, I had seen how to make one out of two pieces of cardboard/paper board from a magazine and I still have it in my tools (make from a cheerio's box.) I also tried making a knitter out of a thicker toilet paper roll, bobby pins, and 2 hair ties before biting the bullet and getting one. I would rather see what I can do before I get the tool to see if I would use it.
So happy the algorithm led me here! I would say blocking mats & pins are an essential for anyone knitting lace! It’s so helpful to pin lace into shape for shawls, scarves, etc.
Yes, thank you this time algorithm! I use toddler foam tiles from when our kid was that age and pins that I tested to make sure they wouldn’t rust. Definitely a need.
Thanks so much for this much needed deinfluencing perspective on crafting! Sometimes it is so weird to me that crafting is supposed to be this anti-captialist, slowing-down and doing-stuff-by-yourself movement but then is turned around by so many trying to get you to buy yet another thing that you don't need! So thanks again for this reminder :)
Blocking is also essential for lace-making, so I'd recommend folks getting into typically large, lacy things (such as shawls) get mats early on. Edit: I should clarify that you don't necessarily need actual blocking mats with a grid unless you're picky about size/shape being exact. I've used kids' interlocking play mats from Aldi for many years.
I pin lace out on my mattress first thing in the morning and point a fan at it. You could also get a gingham or plaid tablecloth and use those squares to measure size.
I love this. When I was 1st starting out crocheting, I had the starter kit. The one that comes with about 6 needles, plastic darning needle, knitting needles, and a "How to" book. I worked with this for YEARs until the arthritis kicked in. Then my brother bought me an ergonomic set of 12 for Christmas and I lived for those for another few years. The last 2 year I had some disposable cash and I dabbled in more expensive crochet items and I got a rosewood yarn winder, and I got resin hooks and more aesthetic notions. I will say none of the stuff I've bought in the last 2 years are absolutely essential but i cant imagine my crochet career without them :)
Essential for me is a good craft light, I can sometimes have difficulty seeing small dark stitches; I also have needles that are darker and ones that are lighter, so I can select the opposite of my yarn color making it easier to see. I do lean to the point of buying tools that make my life easier that aren’t essential, but make the craft more enjoyable for me. I love my Knitpicks shorties for sleeves, I just love having the right tools for the job. It has taken years to assemble my collection of tools, and I too am privileged enough to be able to buy them.
I love you point that tools help make life a little easier. I think that is a beautiful way of putting it. Like, they are required, but they are nice to have and make some things a bit less frustrating or complicated.
Great video for someone just starting to knit or crochet. I do think that beginner crocheters would benefit from getting the best hooks they can afford from the get-go. If you’re just learning, struggling with an inferior hook will be very discouraging. It takes time to learn how you like to hold your hook and control yarn tension, as well as mastering the stitches…and a crummy hook will just make it harder.
I have been crocheting/ knitting for over 30 years. Self taught at 9. I loved your list and agree with everything you said. I didn’t hear any mention of yarn bowls…I find one to be essential but expensive. I often use a mixing bowl from my kitchen. It keeps yarn from rolling away and debris free!
I actually have a two yarn bowls. I use them anytime I'm working with yarn balls, because I got tired of my yarn falling onto the floor and rolling halfway across the room!
I use a heavy soup tureen. My husband was going to give it away, but it's decorative and pretty to look at. It's heavy and the lid with the slot is perfect for the yarn string! Even larger yarn balls and cakes fit in there. I can yank at the yarn and the tureen won't move. I posted about it on social media and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
@beadcomber1 yes! I have a friend who has a chicken soup tureen that she uses for her yarn. It was a thrift find so not only was it inexpensive it is unexpected and she loves it!
For me, a knitting needle gauge is a must have. I’ve been knitting for 50+ years and a lot of my circular needles aren’t marked with the size at all. It’s actually a fairly recent thing. I do a lot of knitting on small needles and there’s no way I can eyeball the difference between a 2mm and a 2.5mm for example.
I'm a very new knitter and none of the needles I bought have markers on them. I also just randomly bought two different sizes when I was starting out and completely forgot what sizes they were, so it was a real relief to know that these things existed. Also they were just around 1 EUR, so no regret there
I think stitch markers are essential for me. I need the safety pin type to let me know which side is the right side, or to keep a row count. I use the circular ones to mark increases, decreases end if row, etc. I tried using a yarn loop, but because it's not a different tactile sensation- I usually just end up knitting it INTO my project.
I've been using hair pins since I've placed my markers somewhere, and I hate it and miss my markers so much. I like the locking ones a lot and find them very useful and they are highly contrasting against dark projects so I won't lose them if I'm using black yarn
Great video. Your gray area and non essentials are spot on. I have never bought stitch markers, but use yarn, hair elastics, and even paper clips when I need one. I was gifted some cute ones but they are too heavy and bulky to use. I bought a cheap ($22) winder on Amazon when I was gifted several bags of yarn hanks and scraps of all kinds and sizes from a gentleman whose wife had recently passed but hand wound around a water bottle for decades before that . Instead of needle tip covers I use my hair elastics again. Instead of row counters I use a scrap of paper and the checkmark or tick system. It is so easy to look at all the pretty gadgets and things and blow all of our money on it, but groceries and gas and good yarn are getting more expensive, and there are so many inexpensive alternatives if we engage our creative brains and then we can spend our money on things we really want... like chocolate and ice cream and a movie or something.
I only buy things when as I need them. It is so easy to get lost in aesthetics of things. I have a number 4 hook and a number 6 hook, and I just bough a 12 for a very chunky project. Granted I'm not an avid crocheter, it's a 'for those times I need my hands busy' kind of thing. So buying slowly at first helps me to determine what I need and also makes me realise what I like to do. There is a little organic story unfolding as items get collected slowly for a new hobby. Also I have those self adhesive bandage tapes to make myself better grips. There are ones with so cute designs and I'm using it on my pens, pencils, hooks, whatever to personalise the grip. You can't buy that comfort. And they don't get sticky and are easily removable.
I agree with most of the items on your list except for the scissors, stitch markers and needle sizers. I would include these in the essentials category. Thanks for a really fun video.
So. The yarn winder: I've had one for a long time for one purpose: Frogging things. Old sweaters (thrifted or handed down to me) are so much easier to work with if you have a yarn winder. And then at some point I got the swift as well so I could retie the yarn from the frogged items into hanks, wet them, let them dry so they loose the curls. Then I would put them back on the swift and rewind them with the yarn winder. TLDR: If you do a lot of frogging for yarn, get a yarn winder and swift and live a happier, easier life :D
I agree with everything except the scissors. I think a simple basic pair is an essential. I really like how you presented this. You gave your reasoning without making it sound like you were saying someone was ridiculous for having an item or not.
Haha, that is so fair 😂 I also prefer bigger scissors over the tiny ones. Also, thank you. I really wanted everyone to know that this is my list of essentials and it’s gonna look different for everybody.
This! I have one pair I got for cross stitch, but I'll use it too for knitting. Just one little pair that stays sharp since you're only using it for one thing, and its tiny and and portable. Last I saw on TSA since I recently traveled you can take small scissors up to a certain size on a plane, which those craft scissors do fall under.
I only started using a knit/crochet journal (which is just a normal journal, nothing branded as craft-specific) when I started designing my own patterns. Having a physical journal lets me draw sketches and organize ideas better than just typing up on my phone. Definitely not essential for most people, but so useful for me (especially when people start asking for the pattern lol)
Right on! I have two books: one for scratch work, one for finished projects. Why? I copy the pattern into the scratch book. When I'm done, I copy the essential parts with notes into the finished project book. This is so I reproduce the project in the future, but customized as I desire. When she says she uses only her phone, no. She uses that as her "working" book. She still has two journals, essentially.
Ive already commented, but ive finished the video and have a few more thoughts 😅 1- its really good to have both a ruler and flexible tape measure. To get the best measurements of your body, you want to use a flexible measure, wheras you need a firm measuring tool to best measure your knitting. So having both really helps with getting the correct gauge. If you just want to buy one, go for a firm ruler and then you can measure around your body with some yarn, then measure that yarn with your ruler 2- needle gauges can be very important. The size markings have rubbed off most of my needles, but even when they havent, they can be necessary. My mum is an avid knitter with not great eyesight, who simply cant see the size markings on her needles. Her needle gauge is really important for her knitting, as she wouldnt be able to tell the needle size without it. 3- whether you need a cable needle is super dependent on the cable project you do. Bigger and tighter cables often cant be knit without a cable needle, but there are several all over cable projects that ive done where i either dont use a cable needle at all, or use a locking stitch marker as a cable needle.
Thanks for commenting this. All your points are so important for this discussion and I love the clear thought you put into it! I totally agree with all of your thoughts here. Based on the comments so far, I’m thinking a needle size will become progressively more important as I grow older.
Two comments- needle size is super important to me to know. The OCD in me? Perhaps. Anyway at the start of a project and each time I switch needles (ex. To a different length circular) I always ALWAYS check the gauge. And get a kick outta it too. I keep thee gauge with the needles. I use the measuring strip on it too. Second, Iii do relyy heavily on a collection of coin purse sized Zipp pouches for all kindsof bits and bobs. Fun!!
@@elizabethtrimble6853 it's my favourite knitting hack, because cable needles always get lost, but lockable stitch markers can just be popped onto the project when you're not working the cables!
I am a relatively novice crocheter (off and on since 2020, only really got serious in the last 6 months) and definitely agree with most of your crochet assessments! I would say that while fancy ergonomic hooks are not essential (barring mobility issues, of course), getting hooks with some kind of rubberized handle is. I started crocheting in the middle of the pandemic with the cheapest aluminum needle set I found on Amazon and thought I just couldn't handle crocheting for longer than an hour or so at a time without my hand cramping horribly. I've since bought a couple of hooks with rubber grips and it's been a game changer for me. Spring for the rubber grips!
I'm all for everyone making with whatever tools they have. When I start a new craft, I'll typically purchase inexpensive tools until I feel I know enough to appreciate the difference. That said, as a crocheter I do think it's worth spending a bit more for better hooks. It makes a difference when you aren't fighting against your hook. Susan Bates or Boyd hooks are awesome, if you can afford it, upgrade to Clover. They really do make a difference. There are lots of great budget yarns, and lots of youtubers who discuss the pros and cons so you can find what you like.
This! Also, start with the base metal hooks NOT the grippy ones. You can always add grips TO metal hooks, but you can't take OFF the grips that are built onto/into the hooks, which means if it doesn't work out for you (I hate the feeling of the grips), then you have a bunch of hooks you don't need.
Great video! One more bit of advice for folks--check your local library! I recently donated my swift and ball-winder to my library's "library of things" collection, and now other folks can borrow and use them while they otherwise would have been sitting in my closet and it makes me so happy! This collection also has some knitting needle and crochet hook sets, a couple of sewing machines, etc., and is a great way to try before you buy.
I crochet bespoke lace sweaters. I absolutely need stitch markers to know where my increase and decrease points are. It’s too easy to get lost in the stitches. I also need my tiny scissors to cut my tiny yarns. I cannot imagine my dread at cutting lace weight yarn with big scissors! I also love my blocking board because it makes the lace pop, though I have been known to use a towel in a pinch. Thank you for your comments about synthetic yarn. I completely agree.
I have really been enjoying hearing people share what is essential to them and it’s wild how different everybody’s lists are. I’m honestly so amazed. Also, BESPOKE LACE!!!! That’s awesome. 👏 I hope to even attempt a bespoke-style lace crochet pattern someday.
I totally agree with most of your opinions except with 2: a needle sizer is absolutely essential for me, because i do only have knitting needles where the size rubs off and I own a lot of the same needles just in different sizes. secondly dpns, for the most part you are correct, you can absolutely knit socks with the magic loop method, but i personally think, that for projects with a small diameter (for example gloves with seperate fingers) it is very helpful. I realy enjoy your content, have a nice day!
I’m just here for the kittycat 🐈⬛ ❤. Awesome video! I agree with pretty much everything, except for the crochet hooks. I crocheted for the better part of 25 years with cheap brand hooks and it wasn’t until I tried a Clover Amour hook that I noticed the ginormous difference these hooks make. I was totally blown away. Not only did my hands stop hurting, but the hooks are so much better on the yarn. Much smoother and the crochet experience improved a gazillion fold. So I’d recommend those, maybe not all at once but one or two sizes at a time. Also: I own both a set of dpns and circular knitting needles, but the magic loop is beyond my comprehension level for some reason. So I use dpns instead of the circular ones.
I need to applaud you - I took up knitting full time when I retired 9 years ago. All of your opinions stated here are spot on! We need so little extras but marketing is a big business (and I have purchased items I rarely use). I so enjoyed this time with you- I look forward to seeing your other podcasts!
Also, I could’t knit without some kind of stitch markers. Once I went to visit my parents and forgot my stitch markers. I told my dad and he found me a bunch of rubber o-rings in his shop. They worked great. 😂
The other day I used one of those dental floss thingies with the sharp tooth pick end as my BOR marker. The pattern did say "use a unique stitch marker for BOR" and I think it doesn´t get much more unique than that ;) (I was too lazy to reach a bit further for my actual stitch markers and truly started the project full of feral raccoon energy).
Thank you Isabella for your respect for others opinions. after decades of knitting and crocheting, I can still feel like a beginner when I watch you tube for information. Your delivery and information of each product helped me to feel confident in the skills that I have developed and how I use the tools that I am most comfortable with.
Knitting my first project right now on a borrowed pair of needles from my friend. I am making a scarf it is working up so quick! So glad I found this video so when I go to the store, I know what to buy. (First first time knitting but I’m a pretty experienced crocheter )
I've been crocheting over ten years and I think you hit the nail on the head with most of these! I personally consider stitch markers essential now just because they take so much guesswork out of my projects (I make mostly wearables now so easily marking the start of a row or remembering certain stitches makes the projects a lot more relaxing). And as for project bags, I have one really nice project bag that I got on sale from Hobbii almost 4 years ago, not a scratch on it and I used to take it to work everyday with me on a boat so it's been through some stuff lol most of my WIPs are just stored in reusable tote bags though. I'm making an effort to be more conscious of what I purchase especially as I learn more about consumerism, capitalism, sustainability, etc and even just watching my money. It's nice to see a deinfluencing video!
I agree with you on the blocking mats. They do come in handy when you knit a lot of lace but you might just get by with a big carpet or a double bed. However, T-shaped pins are a life saver. Regular pins, esp. the plain steel ones without a plastic cap, are too short and get lost very easily. And no one wants to walk into sharp pins. The needle sizer is a must if you have older relatives or your elderly neighbour gift you their entire stash and stock of needles. Also, when you use several needle sizes for a project things can get messy and putting needles back into the correct packaging is so much easier when I've identified them with a needle sizer.
I lucked out at the thrift store when I was very early in my knitting journey. I purchased a bag of vintage items for the crochet hooks and mini measuring tape. I didn’t know what the little rings (stitch markers), big plastic safety pins (cable stitch holders), and huge sewing needles (tapestry needles) were for 😅. I didn’t learn how to use the double pointed needles until a whole year later! Whoever put together this kit previously must have gotten a lot of use out of it, and I feel honored to be using it. I’ve never had to buy any supplies since save for longer needles to hold lots of blanket stitches.
I started out with dozens of loose hand me down knitting needles, so a needle gauge was essential at the beginning of my journey. I eventually invested in a set of nice interchangeables and now only use my gauge to check tension or gauge on unmarked dpns. I do quite a lot of lace projects, so (re)movable stitch markers are a godsend. To stretch out the lace, I bought cheap foam playmat tiles for kids, about 8 big tiles for 10$ years ago that work just fine with regular sewing pins and a bit of tape on them if I want to mark out a specific shape or dimension. A pencil cases will hold most of your knitting or crochet accessories, just pick whatever fits your collection and makes you happy!
This is great! I also wanted to add that thrift stores can be a great place to get supplies when you're starting out. I found a whole bag of different sizes of crochet hooks at my goodwill for about 5 dollars. And of course they usually have yarn like you mentioned.
You can also use elestic bands as needle tip stoppers, paperclips as stitch markers or loom bands and I use the yarn swift but not the ball winder because I was taught to wind the yarn by hand and still do. I think there are a lot off gadgets and gizmo's out there that we really don't need. I was taught by my Nan who didn't have a lot of money and used to make a substitute with household items. I also go told to use a small tennis ball to make my crochet hooks ergonomic when my arthritis flared up, cut a small hole either side of it and shove the hook through, it works. Great video by the way.
I didn’t buy them right away, but I’ve found blocking mats are truly essential for me for garment knitting and just drying. If you have to dry things on the floor or the kitchen table like I do they’re going to protect the wood or protect the project from a dodgy rug that might transfer dye. And yoga mats are a great sub and you can find them pretty cheap new or second hand.
i really agree about the project bag one!! my local yarn store gives out the bags the yarn gets shipped in and ive been using those as project bags for ages, it costs nothing extra, it gives plastic bags a second use and you don't have to purchase an entirely new product you know :) great video i really agree with most of this and i think we should be a lot more mindful of buying stuff bc this one person said you should lol
Unrelated but it was so heartwarming how much your cat just absolutely adores you. You can tell a lot about a person by how their animals act around them!!
I was heartbroken when I met up with a classmate in college and saw how horrible he was to his dog! It killed me. Thank goodness his roommate called him out so hard and the sweet puppy wasn't mistreated ever again.
I use the bulb/gourd shaped safety pins as stitch markers. They're just as inexpensive as the plastic, but they have lasted so much longer! In addition to stitch markers, they have also come in handy for wardrobe malfunctions! I have used them a handful of times to hold cardigans or blazers together to hide stains my "blocking boards" are interlocking exercise mats from five below. They don't have the inch grids, but if you have a tape measure that's really not a barrier. I would say it's really worth it to seek out a fabric tape measure since (especially if you're making clothing) what you are measuring is three dimensional. Yes, you could use scrap yarn cut to size and then measure on your hard ruler, but I always over-stretch my yarn when i use this method and end up with wonky sizes. Splurge on a retractable if you wish, but the one i got in a $10 sewing starter kit has served me fantastically. I will not buy a cable needle. Those cheap lil plastic ones are just begging to break, and the wood and metal ones are weirdly expensive IMO. If I have a big cable i need to carry, I use a DPN I already have on hand. So happy to have found your channel! Happily subscribed :)
I do the same thing with cables. Mine came along with my interchangeable set and its nice cuz its metal but its also like 2mm so it's practically useless for my typical 4mm projects.
I love bulb pins as stitch markers. I bought the colorful ones and they function exactly the way those big plastic safety pin style stitch markers do for me, but they’re made of metal so I’ll have them as long as I want to use them. I also use an interlocking children’s play mat to block my projects, though personally, I wish I had purchased a thicker one (or just a craft store blocking board) as the cheap Amazon ones I purchased didn’t save me a huge amount of money over the alternative. Cheers to practical crafting purchases :D
I had no idea we invented blocking mats! I recently finished a huge crocheted tablecloth and it looks horrible without blocking, but I had no idea where I could block it, it is so huge. Thank you! I realised blocking mats are absolutely essential for my crochet style.
I use cuticle scissors for my crafting since I also do cross stitch and those things are so cheap I don’t feel bad when I lose them. I also use the needle measuring tool because I inherited a bunch of needles that do not have sizes on them so that thing lives with my DPNs. I also use makeup bags and pencil cases for my sock wips. They zip up so when I travel with it, I don’t lose anything.
i do the makeup bags too!! I got some of my friend's ipsy rejects, and they're always the perfect length for my DPN's! Only issue can be with sharper ones, they usually make a cameo thru the sides of the bags lol
This is great!! As a fiber artist and someone who teaches fiber arts I completely agree with your essentials however I do suggest you look for interchangeable that have nice cords. I love chai goo needles and you can buy the set one needle size at a time. I would also add small sharp scissors and t- pins for blocking. For those on a budget tell people you are getting into knitting, look into joining local guilds. Most of the members are so happy to give and help new fiber people. I have gotten so much free and used equipment and yarns for teaching from my guilds. You don't have to buy everything at one time. Blocking textured stitches like lace and cables is very important however you can do most blocking on an open bed, carpeted floor t-pins and your tape measure. If you have the money please support your local yarn shop, they are a valuable resource for knowledge and a place for community. Lastly, If you invest in to your materials your supplies and projects will last generations.
I agree with the crochet hook advice! I got a set off of Amazon, used them for like a year, and then as I realised I wasn't going to slow down in my crochet (and I had some irks with the cheap hooks) I bought a set of nice expensive ones. I have a friend I'm starting to teach and so now I can pass on my cheaper hooks to someone else to start the craft 😊
@@BreathingYarn My cat is also a COVID cat. She loves to sit on my desk in front of my monitor as I study and do my homework. Sometimes she's even sitting on my crochet/knitting projects.
LOL. Pippin once accidentally emailed my coworker gibberish when I wasnt looking! It's also so cute that your cat likes to sit on your projects. I wonder if it smells like you or they just know you made it.
I have never knitted and I have just done a couple of granny squares for a project I never finished and hurt my hands to do 😂 BUT I'm drawn to it and videos talking about it an upcycling, unravelling, etc. Maybe one day I'll finally make the time to do it. It looks so relaxing ans slowed passed that I want more of that in my life. And all this rambling is to say thank you. Thank for seeing your craft through the eyes of a Newby, give your honest opinion and encourage discussion, thank you for the music and the aesthetics of your video too including your lovely cat and inspire me as in almost welcoming me to the world of creation, with to pressure to start.
Great: Little rechargable reading light. I have one that I can clip to my headboard and it really helps to prevent eyestrain , especially with dark yarn. Unnecessary unless needed for accessibility: tension ring. Some of them are really cute, but It can be fiddly, and I rarely end up using it.
Thank you for this informative video, I learned about stitch holder cords, and I'll look up knitting cables without a cable needle. I also love the idea of keeping notes on your cell phone! A few tricks I am using: 1. To rewind yarn, I roll a magazine or newspaper and wind yarn around it (the start goes inside the roll). RUclips recommends using toilet paper tubes, but I like the longer ones, like paper towel tubes. 2. For blocking, I bought knee pads at Dollar Store, they work for small to medium size projects. I place two next to each other when one pad is too small. 3. I cleared one shelf of a metal rack (any shelving would do) for drying and blocking (small items like hats). 4. To make a Pom Pom, you can cut two identical pieces from cardboard and cut out their centers (look it up online). 5. To keep yarn from moving away, instead of a yarn bowl, you can use any small box like a plastic storage container or cardboard box. I use a small trash bucket from Dollar Store where I keep yarn and supplies for the project (needles, stitch marker etc.). I sit in a chair and keep the yarn container on the floor, but if your yarn is at the same level as your hands, you could probably make an opening in a DIY box. I did not post any links because all these tricks are posted all over the internet.
So many good points in this video! I love the idea of using second-hand yarn - I thrifted a sweater recently and got a good amount of cotton-acrylic mix yarn from it, I can’t wait to use it to make my own sweater 🧶 And yes to a digital journal! I find it so much easier to write my project notes/ideas in my phone’s notes app than to write it in a journal (and try to decipher my messy handwriting later lol). The only time I’d use a physical journal would be if I’m sketching out a design, bc my digital artistry skills are ✨awful✨ For scissors I always use the tiny cutical scissors I got from a cheap dollar store nail kit, bc they’re small enough to pass airlines’ carry-on restrictions! Highly recommend if you want to work on projects while flying ✈️ I’d also like to add learning how to mend to the list- it’s not an essential tool, but I like to think it’s an essential skill to have! You can get your favourite clothes and makes to last even longer by learning how to mend them. There’s also a neat visible mending technique where you use a colourful thread to make running stitches over patches, my partner’s been doing this to his old clothes and it looks so cool! 🪡
Yes to everything you just said. I also super agree about learning to mend being an essential skill!! Let bring back patch work and beautiful exposed mending. 🥰
I was gifted a swift and yarn winder and have had them for 20 years. Very much used and appreciated every time it takes only 10 minutes to wind a hank (that includes set up and take down of each). I also still have my Addi click needles purchased slightly before the others. Still my faves. The only other I have are also gifts: Zings and Knit Picks wooden - both are also interchangeables. I have a set of cheap and cheerful clover crochet hooks that are the most comfortable for me. I consider all these my kit. I do have some specialty gear for Irish crochet lace and for early (i.e. 17c.) reproduction knitting. Oh, I also like stitch markers but any cheapies work for me. I like thrift shops for buying gear like the teeny crochet hooks I need. And for yarn.
I really appreciate your approach in this. When I was first starting out knitting, I tried to source a lot of the “grey area” items that I was interested in from Facebook Marketplace (or other online resale/second hand sites). That’s where I was able to find a ball winder, an interchangeable needle set, and wool yarn.
a ballwinder is a essential for me. I use it for every yarn I buy. I can't stand the oval shaped-store bought form and that you never really can find the beginning in the center. I enjoy cakes and using the beginning in the middle. This way the cake lays somewhere, don't need a yarnbowl/projectbag and doesn't bounce around. Plus the yarn doesn't nagg against each other, because the unregular tension inside a store-bought ball of yarn. Because of this improfement, I enjoy the knitting and crocheting way more :) so you were right, it is in the gray area and everybody should think about it!
I wish I'd gone for a interchangeable needle set straight out of the gate. Instead I followed some knitting instructor's recommendation to buy the needles I needed only for my first project. Then, I needed another needle for the next project. I ended up what's a bunch of crappy needles I only used for one project each. After I got my first set of interchangeable, I got rid of all of the one-offs.
I really enjoyed this video. I think of myself as a minimalist so I try not to consume much - hobbies related stuff included. My mom showed me how to knit when I was little but my interest for it only grew during the pandemic. I had a bunch of needles and crochet hooks to start of (that belonged to my mother and mother in law). I've done rookie mistakes since 2021 like buying cheap plastic needles and bad quality yarn 😅. Now, I purchase bags of random whool on Vinted or at local stores (for small projects like socks). Thank you for showing that hobbies don't need to get THAT expensive if you get a little bit creative (for example , I don't have needle tip stoppers but I definitely had that problem with knitting socks with 4 needles so I just cut list pieces from old PVC keychains and they do the job just fine). Loved this! 🤍
I do a lot of topdown baby and toddler clothes and I find dpns essential for the sleeves. Also I find a needle gauge is a really useful tool, especially with the inherited metal dpns and also to compare them with the bamboo dpns if I want to switch mid-knit.
I agree with your categories. After many years in fiber arts I have been gifted or “inherited” many of the optional items. When I see something I would like, I put it on my “wish list” and then when someone asks what I want for BD or Christmas, I have ready-made ideas. They are pleased to get something that I would not get for myself.
i love my interchangeable circulars but i also recommend having a static set of circulars for your favorite yarn size. it helps that i can zip along without having to readjust /screw back on my adjustable bits when using my favorite weight of yarn
I agree. I wish that interchangeables would screw in tighter or have a more secure locking mechanism or something. I hate when they unscrew themselves!
@@BreathingYarn Chiagoo needles are pricey, but the interchangeables are my favorite. The knit picks interchangeables are a second favorite. They don’t require adjustments at all.
Be sure to use the "key" to tighten them up! Without it, any brand will come unscrewed. Once I began using the key, I have never had one come apart on me! It's there for a reason. I know this is true for the ChiaGoo's, as that's all use for 100% of my knitting. @@BreathingYarn
I have a winder, but not a swift. I reclaim yarn from thrifted items all the time and I finally gave in and got a winder to make my life easier. And making balls helps me managing my tangly, scraggly skeins at the end of a project. I used to just use a nostepinne my husband made me from PVC pipe, but it just got to be too much to do by hand. Another essential for me, personally, is a hemostat from the dollar store. I can use it to yank stuck needles, feed laces and ties through casings, and add or remove stuffing in small areas of already-closed amigurumi. I use my hemostat in crochet, quilting, and pretty much all crafts. But, it took me years to know what is essential *to me*. You can start our with nothing but yarn and a hook/a pair of needles. Love that.
As a person who got into crochet in college partially bc of the low material need entry point (less than 10 dollars on a crochet hook and ball of dishie cotton from michaels) and now is watching this while knitting on a pair of addi interchangables (my one big family christmas gift, 160 bucks). Tools and how much one spends on them will always be a personal preference that evolves based on your unique needs, wants, and means. My big stance on garment yarn is buy what you will wear. That may mean saving up and getting nice yarn for one big project rather than making a bunch of projects. But I reach for my cotton and wool goods all the time and almost never wear the first sweater I crochet bc it was red heart and I cant stand wearing that texture. I get my money's worth for the $50+ sweater quantities of cascade wool and dishy cotton compared to the $30 acrylic. In addition to money I do not want to invest hours over months of my life into a garment I wont wear. I use a needle sizer all the time for the bent old dpns I bought at the thrift store. I really appreciated the tone of this video. It was very honestly put. Also Isabella suits you but I also think visually you could be a Megan lol.
This was a great list! I have both interchangeable and fixed knitting needles that I've acquired over the 20+ years I've been knitting. Now, I tend to use the interchangeables for quick projects, and I reserve the fixed needles for larger projects. I tend to be a slower knitter, so having the flexibility of multiple sets works for me. In the same way, I have multiple sets of crochet hooks because I like to keep the hook with the project, especially if it's a "patternless" project, like a chevron blanket. I know the pattern, so having a written one is unnecessary for me. I don't always do a good job of keeping track of my notes, but tossing the hook back in the bag ensures I'm using the same hook for the whole project. Keep in mind, I've aquired all of these sets over the course of decades. I get things off eBay and I have been gifted many supplies from my mom and aunt who also knit and crochet. Also, all my knitting and crochet supplies (hooks, needles, stitch markers, darning needles, cable holders, sock sizers, guage checkers and whatever else) all fit into a small (maybe about 1 1/2 shoe boxes in size) box that fits neatly atop my yarn shelf. I like to spin my own yarn, so a swift and ball winder is essential, but I suppose that's a whole different craft.
Great video ! I think a lot of these "grey area items" you get after getting into the craft, when you have seen a real need arise several times. I think this video is great for beginners, because the internet gives you so many lists as "essentials" when you start, but you should really wait before investing. For example, after so many struggles, I got a row counter and it changed my life! And I got a beautiful leather project bag for Christams and I take it everywhere now, but the rest of my WIPs still live in their reusable cotton totebags I got at the supermarket. I think you did great, and it's a really nice video: your beautiful co-star made it all the more enjoyable ! Happy to subscribe to your channel ❤
Loved this video & your comment on it being a conversation ♥ I agree with everything you said and will just add: 1) if you have never ever knitted/crocheted, before getting a full kit (which I highly recommend, interchangeable needles are the best thing ever), try and see if there are friends/family/knitting groups around you who could lend you supplies to try! I lend my supplies to friends who want to learn so they can discover their "knitting style" & figure out what to "invest" in (if you push yarn with your fingers, avoid sharp metal, but if you're a super tight knitter, then avoid fragile & grippy wood, etc.). 2) even if you buy tons of hanks, winders/swifters are usually not essential, they're just convenient - unless you have wrist mobility issues in which case they actually are essential - but so to justify having one I put it on my Xmas list and got them as gifts (which is how my family views gifts: they must be stuff we might want but don't dare getting for ourselves because just not necessary & slightly pricey) 3) needle stoppers are necessary if you knit on the go! If your project stays put at home, it's pretty safe without, but if like me you knit in the metro/train/etc. then I recommend you get some and save yourself the heartache of lost stitches when the yarn gets tumbled in the bag :D 4) yarn-wise: if you want to try something fancy & buy from a local business but are tight on budget, check out undyed yarns! you can get awesome fiber contents for a cheaper price, and if you're adventurous you could always dye it yourself too :)
Not using DPNs is why you don't need a needle sizer. That is literally 100% of what I use mine for, because I knit mostly on wooden DPNs I got unlabeled at thrift shops
This is a great list! I agree with almost everything, especially for beginners. The only ones I would move from nonessential to the grey area are double pointed needles if you want to make socks and gloves, and a needle sizer for when I want to quickly organize needles and avoid using 2 different sized interchangeables (learned this from experience :). Another thing to keep in mind is that there are sometimes other, cheaper sources for supplies, such as metal jewelry jump rings for stitch markers or floor mats sold for kids or at the hardware store instead of blocking mats. Finally, when choosing yarn, many wools must be hand washed and dried flat, with the exception of super wash wool. It’s not for everyone, but for people like me who can’t be trusted to keep their hand knits out of the washing machine, it’s a good choice. Thanks for all the tips and for opening this conversation. Wish I’d read it when I started knitting!
I personally find row counters to be essential for my knitting - I have trouble counting my stitches and rows visually and have dyscalculia, so having something I can click and track the number is necessary for me, especially if it’s fiddly. But I do think it’s essential *for me*. My best friend can’t use them because she constantly forgets to click it!
Discalcula here as well and I really need to get one! I'm a proficient crocheter, so I can read my work easily. But I'm still always loosing track of what I've just counted. But I'm a beginner knitter and cant keep track yet. I can't wait until I can read knitting.
I like to use the metal lap counters for sports. Hard to accidentally bump it and with a satisfying click so you remember doing it. I also use counters on my phone but I like using the clicker for when you have multiple pattern repeats happening at the same time.
Absolutely love this video and agree as a veteran crocheter who picked up knitting last year! I would add to the stitch marker part the way of using a long piece of yarn not as a loop stitch marker but instead inserting the piece of yarn it between the stitches with a needle and then zigzagging it on the go while knitting. This way when I'm done I can pull it away completely but if i have to unravel my work incase of a mistake etc the yarn is still in place on the last rounds aswell making it easier to pick the work up again.
I love everything about this, and I wanted to add my two cents for others getting started. (for reference I've crocheted/knit for over two decades, and got into circular knitting in the last 6ish years. and I am neurodivergent) 1. everything is debatable when you’re broke. I learned to knit on colored pencils in elementary school… 2. I LOVE my interchangeable knitting needles, but I didn’t purchase them until approximately 5 years ago. I don’t think they’re necessary unless you are knitting in the round. That being said, I saved up for the clover takumi set after breaking many regular cheap circular knitting needles., and I don’t regret it at all. Yes very expensive, but you can easily purchase add-on supplies, like more/different length cords, the cord stoppers, and the piece to combine cords to make a longer length. I have yet to break an actual needle, but it is also comforting knowing if I did, I could go out and buy that size specifically, and not need to replace the whole set. BUT they are definitely an investment, and I wouldn’t recommend unless you are already aware that knitting is going to be a lifelong hobby for you. I think my recommendation is very specific to neurodivergent crafters given our tendency to lose/misplace things, and to have a million projects going at once. The extra cables, and cord stoppers allow me to keep many projects going at once. I can just replace the needles with a stopper, and start a new project with a different cable and the same needle size in a matter of seconds.. 3. Metal darning needles all the way. Can’t stand the cheap plastic ones and how they bend and break. There are also aluminum options for chunky yarn as well. I can’t think of the name of them, but they look like a little wire loop on the end of the needle. 4. Another place for thrifting yarn, is church/yard sales. My childhood church did a sale to raise money once a summer, and people commonly donated their unused craft supplies for the sale. 5. Stitch markers, I have a million, and I still find myself using the tiny bits I just cut off of another project because I don’t want to get up when I realize I would like to use one. That being said, you can also DIY some more useful types as well. I personally like turning sewing pins into labeled stitch markers. I use letter beads and just put two seed beads, the hook-size letter bead, and then two more colored seed beads. I use needle nose pliers to cut off the point of the pin, and then turn the end into a loop and place them on the safety pin style stitch markers. These are really helpful when setting a project down for a while, and not forgetting which hook you were using when crocheting. You could get numbered instead of lettered beads if you’re looking to apply the same type of marker with knitting projects or to use them to mark large sets of rows(ie. Make some that count by 5s or 10s, and place to help from losing count of your rows.) 6. I hate DPNs. This last winter I purchased two clover small circular needles to use for mittens. To me, this is a bonus item that I really appreciate and has sped up my knitting for mittens specifically. That being said, they’re not needed when just starting, and neither are DPNs. You can youtube how to knit with a magic loop (I personally am not a fan, but many are) and avoid DPNs for lots of projects. 7. Pom pom makers. I have them and never use them. Doesn’t matter the size, my handmade ones are plumper and more stable than what I achieve using a pompom maker. 8. Project bags. I have several and love them. BUT they’re definitely not necessary. Even with project bags, I still find myself using plastic grocery bags, reusable tote bags, ziploc bags, both regular from the kitchen, and the style that items get shipped in from amazon. If you aren’t taking your projects outside of your home, anything can be used to keep your projects sorted and together. Bins, baskets, etc. 9. good lighting is necessary if you're eyes are tired like mine. lol. If you're overhead lighting in your home isn't working there are many options, some that you can hang around your neck, you can just use a little desk lamp, there are other options too that sometimes include a magnifine glass as well with can be helpful! 10. cable needles are nice, but not needed as mentioned in the video. I knit cables normally as you would if you were using these needles, but i have used a crochet hook, another knitting needle, a large safety pin, etc. to hold my stitches while cabeling. 11. stores like dollar tree now having surprisingly cheap options for crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarn, etc. that make it more easily accessible when funds are tight :) Once again love this video, and I hope more crafters can share the tips/tricks to help all the newbies prioritize what supplies to invest in early on! :)
Love it! My ADHD butt loses stuff like nobody's business! 😂 I finally invested in good crochet hooks, but I bought multiples of the 3 sizes I use the most because I will keep leaving them in project bags or by the bed instead of the couch or something. And I have cheap kid's safety scissors by every seat where I regularly crochet and in my hook pencil case. You have to know yourself!
Baby crocheter and knitter here, I did not know project bags were a thing. I literally use a sling bag (that i use otherwise as well) and just put that across my shoulder and crochet or knit while walking. and since its not weighing down my hand (unlike some design examples showed in the video), i count that as a win! Also love the video because i was literally looking for validation to get interchangeable set right off the bat and not separate needles of all sizes and what not. Thank you!!
Btw one podcaster made a projectbag by all her gauges she did for various projects. If you want a very nice one, I find this a great idea. And it looks just great. Isabella you are completely right. For all handmade items, no matter what it is you can spend thousands of bugs. And you are totally right, most things are not needed. But you know…., sometimes you just want to have something because you only like it so much. Normally I also use yarn scraps as stitchmarkers but one day I saw such a cute set…, well I couldn’t stand buying it. But that’s okay, I don’t need thousands but I am still happy to see and use the bought ones. Regarding the blocking mats…, well…, difficult. I knitted a giant shawl but that shawl was no triangle at the beginning🙈. So I bought a set but I wasn’t thinking that it was much too small. At the end the shawl was pinned on various cartons, a yoga mat and the 12 blocks I bought. To be honest…, I was stupid to have spent money for them…, but ok…, sometimes I am stupid. I hope the next time I will think before spending money. Thanks for all your tips and have a great time.
I agree with most of your list. A fun little side note: if you like using art yarn/super bulky yarn, you can use the yarn swift to hold the yarn as you crochet/knit, since they don't ball well. Another reason to use a ball winder is to add a small amount of extra twist to the yarn if you notice the yarn untwisting as you use it. I use needle stoppers for my small embroidery scissors 😂 so it doesn't pierce through my bag😅. I spin my own yarn and trying to break though some of the thicker or multi ply yarns by hand is not possible. I need project bags with notes (usually flashcards) otherwise my ADHD brain will forget what I'm doing. Thank you for making this video, it was fun to watch. I was thinking of getting into knitting and your opinions help!
As somebody who has been crocheting for quite a few year and just took up knitting as well: the only essentials I need are the yarn I am currently working on, the crochet hook/knitting needle and time. Everything else is something i was able to improvise from things I already had. Kitchen scissors, scrap pieces of paper to take notes. Even the wool needle I usually just use my crochet hook because I cant be bothered to get up and look for it. There is no need for a ton of different yarn, fancy gadgets, notebooks, a spread of different needles if one tends to stick to one size of yarn and stitch markers (i use a small bobbypin). I truly think it is something that should be available for everyone who is interested, there is no need to make it a privileged hobby. The only privilege i need for it is the amount of spare time to work on my projects. Loved the video, i felt like you brought sound arguments and didnt put any pressure on us❤
I'm 6 months late but this was a nice podcast-y video to listen to while crocheting. --I will say that I use a ball winder to clean up partial skeins that are all floppy, or sometimes to make a cake right before beginning a project. --Definitely a great idea to just get ergonomic hooks of the most common project sizes (4-6 mm, maybe); I basically never do micro-crochet so those hooks haven't been used at all. I taught crochet at my job (library) for about a year and honestly those new to crochet got pretty far with just a 5mm metal hook and random, unlabeled yarn that was donated probably 7 years prior. You don't need much to start with. --I began crocheting clothing this year (and some bags that need to be blocked before adding fabric) so I've been trying to find blocking mats/boards without breaking the bank. I decided on using some thick-ish foam board I already had and sewing pins before buying anything, so we'll see how that goes this week. --I've never heard of the pill shaver; it's going on my list of things to get one day. --I have tried to start crochet journals for note-taking and it never really works out lol. I swap projects so often and there's always the fear of not leaving enough space for the previous one. I've also tried Notion and Google Sheets/Docs but I just don't keep up with digital systems very well. --I have an additional non-essential: yarn bowl. They're cute and seem like they'll help keep yarn contained but the reality is that I don't keep much of my yarn in balls so it's just a giant skein sticking out of it and taking up space on my desk. Okay, sorry for long comment. I really enjoyed hearing your opinions on these items and reading the comments of others.
Just found your channel with this video! In my 65 years of life I can be fairly thrifty but a couple of things I will definitely politely disagree!! I just have to have a row counter!! And a Pom Pom maker!!😂. And-as a bag maker…….I definitely think the right bag can make your project more fun but, confession, I have used grocery bags myself at times!!! Enjoyed your show!!
I have been knitting casually for around two years. In my little toolkit I keep a pen, a crochet hook (to catch dropped stitches, iykyk), a tin of stitch markers, scissors, a measuring tape, and darning needles. It’s so funny what different people consider essential! I personally use stitch markers in repeating patterns (like fairaisle or cable) to stop me from having to figure out where I am. I also use them to count rows in socks to make them match. I’m super lucky and have some disposable income that can support local Australian independent small batch dyers, but usually only for socks or beanies. Love this video and very happy for you that it has blown up! You seem very sweet (and I think your name suits you very well 😊)
Personally, as someone who only shops at Joanne and with not a lot of money to drop, my favorite brand is big twist. It's almost always on sale and is a softer yarn with a lot of different weights. I would say that it's an amazing yarn for beginners to start off with.
I have been journalling my makes for years. As a result, I bought a knitting specific journal and hated it. It didn’t capture what I wanted to capture. Once I filled it up recently, I went back to my blank page journal. I would agree with most of your opinions on this. Especially your advice about buying some mid-tier items rather than the cheapest option. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way. Where I disagree with your opinions are about blocking mats. I love mine for blocking garments, needlepoint, etc. I also got the blocking board with pegs this year and can’t wait to use it for granny squares. I really enjoyed your video. Your couch looks so cozy and your cat is adorable.
My most essential tool is the floor lamp with a magnifying light that’s in addition to the regular long “bar” of light. In the 56 years I have been knitting, I have appreciated the lamp more in the last 2 years than any other trinket. I can work effectively with dark colours, darning, mending; I can see!!
There should be anniversary parties for knitting. 56 years is amazing! I really hope I am still in love with this craft in another 41 years. I struggle seeing dark yarns even in broad daylight, so I sit directly under a light even during the day if I am working with a dark color.
A knitting needle size guide is actually essential for me. I was gifted a large selection of circular knitting needles from a friend who was getting out of knitting right around the time I had started getting into it, already having gotten onto crochet. Most of them do not have their sizes still on them, so in order to do projects and even know what needles I'm using, I needed a knitting needle sizer to check their sizes.
thank you !! so many people have all these cute little knitting gadgets and i always feel the need to buy more stuff, but we often forget that some things aren't necessary ^^'
Isabella, thanks for this, I've been knitting since the dark ages and most people did not spend much money on MOST of the things available now! Plus I had to have a ball winder as part of the spinning stuff I used to do. I always had several knitting needles, some for knitting in the round, never DPN's until recently, a few crochet hooks, a multiple tapestry needles (I also have lots of sewing stuff), stitch markers, and I LOVE sharp small scissors for at home or swiss army knife for travel (oh yes, for 21 years I could do that, but then... well we all know what happened) like you, nail clippers or that Swiss army fake key that is a blade and a philips head (!) gosh, what else.? Having blocking tools is a game changer for me, those blocks are great for blocking scarves and other things I make, really great to have that surface over a towel on a table. Also have suddenly needed the needle sizer, becasue some metal ones are marked so faintly it's not something I can even handle trying to read them.. I'm old and only in the last few years have tried to up my game from basic designs (my own) to following patterns and learning classic and interesting techniques. Here is what I don't have: no point tips, no fancy markers, no bespoke bags to carry projects in, but the one thing that I miss having, REALLY REALLY, is one of those fur things you have on your lap watching your every move... I bet yours watches you knit too! AWWWW. Again, this is a great compilation of tools.. I appreciate your perspectives! Thanks, Valenta
Not only are the metal stitch markers more sustainable, you also can't break them! I had a horrible habit of breaking my plastic stitch markers frequently until I made the switch. Never looking back!
I bought a little crafting set at a random store for like 5 ot 10 USD and it had cutters, measuring tape, stitch markets, stitch holders, etc. It also had some cable needles which I had NO idea what were until this video, so thank you for that! I have crochet hooks and knitting needles in all different kinds of brands, so I have no idea what size most of them are. I got a little wooden square that has a 4 inch by 4 inch window for gauges, needle sizing holes, and crochet hook holes! Along with a ruler on the side. I love that thing, and use it a lot during the begining of projects.
Dear Isabella’s friends, if you get her one of those project bags as a gift, get her the last one she showed. 10/10
That looked super cute and helpful, would love a link :)
@@dingalingdongly "muud Saturn xl" is what it's called and it's EXPENSIVE lol
@@shianngalan @dingalingdongly It is super expensive but worth it in my opinion. it holds a lot and can double as a yarn bowl type situation
@@shianngalan thank you so much! Definitely a splurge or nice gift for someone 😁
@@arodnap760 thanks for letting me know! I'm bookmarking it for a special gift opportunity 😁
Isabella , pretty much suits you. As an 84yr young addicted to yarn, my latest best purchase is a portable neck light charged by a USB. Not only for craft but reading and walking around the house at night to find stuff that disappears. My precious one eye that’s remaining, loves the neck light. Much safer. Greetings from New Zealand it’s where we grow sheep.
Hello! I've been wanting so badly to go to New Zealand. Everybody I know who has seen it has fallen in love. I would love to visit a sheep farm and pick up local yarn!
I know I'll be needing a neck light eventually. I ended up installing a new light over my couch so I could see my projects better at night.
82 years old here, and I use a neck light also. You're right about its multiple uses, especially if your electricity goes off! Great for putting extra light on my crochet and needlework projects!
I think this is a really useful purchase! I am in my 30s and use a headlamp for when I work with dark yarn. It makes so much of a difference, especially when crafting at night!
40 and loving the portable light. A game changer in northern hemisphere
I just bought myself a neck light, too. I do a lot of my knitting/crochet while watching tv with my family. Having the neck light allows us to turn down or off the lights and I can continue to work while enjoying the movie or show.
“You’re buying a solution to a problem you don’t have” I really needed to hear that
I work as a knitting teacher and worked for 4 years full time in a yarn store. Here are a few of my recommendations.
On your first project a single set of mid range to nice knitting needles, not a whole interchangable set just the pair you need for your project and buy a low cost yarn. I've seen so many beginners give up or get frustrated because they were fighting with the cheapest needles like bamboo or plastic.
I do recommend spending some money on a decent interchangable set but don't even think about it until you've done a couple projects on both wood and metal to figure out which one you like most.
If you want to use nicer yarn but need to be strategic with costs plan out projects to maximize the use of the fancy yarn. There are so many shawls you can make with a single skein of nice yarn. Use the nice hand dyed just in the yoke or details of a sweater and use cotton for the rest. Etc
Let go of fomo and commit to only buying yarn that you are immediately going to use. I used to pick up stuff on sale then would need to buy more to make the thing or not even want that color anymore. I save so much more buying things full priced only when I actually need it. As for limited edition items, there has only been one thing that I legitimately regretted not buying in almost 15 years.
One thing people should spend more money on is patterns. Well written and well fitting size inclusive patterns are hard and expensive to produce. Tech Editors and sample knitters and good photos and sometimes even people to grade the pattern for you are expensive. But a well written pattern knit out of low cost yarn will always turn out better than expensive yarn with a cheap pattern. Sweater patterns should easily cost double what they are but the market has kept prices low. Support indie designers when you can.
This was a very good addition to the video. I'd also add that for those first projects you can ask to borrow needles from a friend or family member who also knits. Most knitters have a good number of needles and most are not in use at the same time so this can be a good way to get a feel of what material you prefer in needles.
Yes absolutely, I agree with trying out different tools to see what works for you, and also I think it's worth acknowledging that what's right for you can change - I was advised to start with grippy bamboo needles as I was scared of dropping stitches, and then try slicker needles as I got more comfortable, and that worked out really well for me.
Not a necessity but definitely an enjoyable item is the wool genie. I've seen people make DIY versions but for 25 bucks this was so nice. I love not having to yank my yarn while crocheting. It spins smoothly and I have been enjoying my crocheting so much more.
I agree with all of this!
This was helpful thank you.
So the takeaway is: don’t buy solutions to problems that you don’t have.
For folks on a budget, PLEASE check your local library, I get free crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarns, and notions as well as use of additional supplies and advice from my local library’s craft club. It makes fiber art so accessible especially as a newbie!
I personally have a winder without a swift. Mostly because I have “inherited” a lot of my yarn for free and it comes in all sorts of unraveled or tangled states. The winder helps turn it into a clean, center-pull ball. I rarely buy in hanks simply bc those yarns tend to be out of my budget lol
Also your cat is SO sweet and cuddly!
Thank you for the Library tip and I love you saying that fiber art can be accessible. I honestly just feel so inspired by that thought.
Oh my gosh, I know what I'll be doing this weekend @@nony_mation 🤣
Local yarn stores sometimes have loaner tools as well, or in some cases donated scrap bins! My LYS has a lively community so we're always enabling new crafters with gifts!
Last summer I was visiting friends in the Pacific Northwest. Their youngest was doing a summer reading project at the library. We stopped into the library so he could submit his achievements. While we were there, there was a community knitting project. I just had to sit down and contribute a few rows. Libraries are great!
@@knotlady2820 that’s amazing! that’s my dream. Love connecting crafting with a local community.
I like when people talk about stuff like this, because crafting hobbies can look really expensive, but they don't have to be! There are definitely affordable ways to participate that are just as fun and result in works of art that are just as beautiful and/or useful and just as meaningful.
Yes ! Also if you have a friend or relative doing that hobby already, ask if they have spare tools and materials ! I personally have much more than I need and would gladly gift some of it
@@crepe71 that's so true, my first hook was gifted to me by a friend who crochets and has a LOT of hooks (she owns her crochet and jewllery business so she needs a lot of hooks), and she had a good quality one that she gave me and I use it so much, plus it feels so much more meaningful to have your first supplies handed from someone you know, it's like knowing the products have a history
I wrap my crochet hook handles in self adhesive gauze! It lets you make super adjustable, customizable, cheap ergonomic handles on any hook!
That’s a fantastic idea! Just fyi, I’m a veterinarian, and most people don’t know that material was invented by a veterinarian for use on horses :)
Great idea. I have plenty of that tape so I will definitely try it.
honestly the yarn winder is an essential for me, being able to wind up partial skeins of yarn leftover from projects keeps my space sooo much cleaner, plus having scrap yarn in cakes makes it so much easier to use & travel with
Yes! When the yarn you’re pulling from collapses onto a tangled heap, having a way to put it back in usable shape is so helpful
I must be crazy but I so enjoy winding yarn by hand. Its so satisfying having my leftovers in neat little yarn balls. It just relaxes me
I went such a long time without one and now I would not be without one. The swift I have is very cheap, so I agree that you should buy a decent one. It’s one of those plastic and metal ones and it’s falling apart. I would love to have one of those (take apart wooden) swifts that sit on a table or the floor but where I live that would be difficult because then I would have to find a place to put the ball winder due to lack of table and counter space.
@artsymom0329 Yes! I too prefer to wind my yarn by hand - it's very meditative. Also, winding hanks into balls allows me to get to know the yarn before I start a project. If there are knots or tangles or breaks, I deal with them up front rather than getting a nasty surprise mid-project.
I ended up opting for a high end winder (local yarn shop) and a cheap umbrella swift (maybe $20 from Amazon) because I don’t think I’ll be regularly buying hanks as much and it’s probably good enough for occasional use. It helped me not tangle a whole Hank of silk embroidery floss too which those projects take years to complete
Your cat must be an amazing knitter, he listens to everything you say :), so adorable! Great video, thanks for putting it out there!
As a knitter for over 50 years - yes I'm that old - most of my needles i have had for many years and some were inherited from my husband's grandmother. Circular needles were not marked with sizes originally so a needle guage is SUPER handy. I also don't always use a cable needle, I often use a crochet hook but there are some projects where the u shaped ones are super helpful.
Just adding that on a lot of circular needles the sizing can rub off so a needle gauge is a super handy then too.
All my double pointed needles are wood or bamboo and if they were labeled it wore off by the end of the first project with them. The only way I can figure out what size is a needle gauge.
Yeah, the sizer is the only thing I consider actually essential that I disagree with.
My interchangeable needles aren't marked, and neither are my dpns or any of the fixed circulars I own. So I use my needle sizer all the time and literally wouldn't be able to knit otherwise (without guessing or needing some calipers!)
I also think that needle gauge is essential, at least to me. I have so many inherited double point needles and none of them have the size shown. Same with some of my cable needles and I can't differentiate for example 3,5mm from 4mm by feel or eye.
A lot of my needless are hand-me-downs from my grandma or second hand, none have sizes printed on them. But I was also handed down her needle gauge so I just figure out what's what the same way she did!
Can’t overstate how important a nice set of crochet hooks was for me, even as a beginner! Like a lot of beginners, I started off with excessively tight stitches, and that tension combined with my first set of cheap Amazon hooks straight-up gave me a repetitive use injury inside 6 weeks. I couldn’t believe it! Even more unbelievable, when I got myself a set of Clover Amours, I could suddenly crochet without pain again (the injury is still there, but crochet is painless and I’m taking it easy). You don’t need the $$$$ hooks, but consider the benefits of starting off with medium-nice ones. I wish I had!
Did someone teach you in-person or was this entirely online? The reason I ask is for the same reason I see kids learning the piano online. They have really horrid hand-position, and then wonder how they can practice for an hour, let alone two hours, a day. RSI I learned rather differently, and as a result I can both play piano for two hours non-stop, and type for hours at a typewriter or keyboard without any injury.
As a beginner and for YEARS I used the cheap crochet hooks with the rubber grip. I saw people talking about the clover hooks and didn’t think they’d make a difference. One day I had it in my budget so I purchased an H clover hook. LIFE CHANGING. I was actually shocked the difference it made. I do crochet everyday and have been crocheting everyday for almost 8 years but the clover hooks are worth it. I do lose my hooks a lot and if it’s not in the budget, I will repurchase cheaper hooks. But given the chance, I’m purchasing clover every time I
@SuperSHORTY247 do you crochet with a pencil or knife grip with the clover hooks?
Since I don't want to buy wool but I want to work with it, I thrift old sweaters and unravel them. I have to say, the process of unraveling is very satisfying! Sometimes you can get 500 gr of 100% merino for like 10 dollars! I love it
You’re so right! I scored a Yak wool sweater at Goodwill. I need to search a little harder at my local thrift store next time I’m itching for more yarn.
One of the nicest yarns in my stash is a super soft alpaca 2-ply that I got from a Banana Republic sweater. It was $1-2 on the clearance rack at Goodwill because it had a giant hole in the middle.
I do the same! The issue with thrifting blankets and unraveling them is it is so hard to find blankets compared to sweaters. It takes effort to unravel sweaters but it works really well! I’m actually crocheting a sweater right now from a yarn that i unraveled from a thrifted sweater.
Wow what an amazing idea!
My favorite stitch markers are the metal lightbulb-shaped safety pins that usually come off clothes. They stay out of the way while you're working, fit around most needle sizes, and are removable!
That type of stitch marker can also be used in a pinch as a needle threader for weaving in ends with a darning needle. Double duty!
I love those and wish I knew what they were called so I can buy those in bulk. Lol
I love your list! Very honest and true!! Something I'd like to add as a yarn artist of 36 years, please watch how much yarn you buy. My stash is out of control and I will never be able to use all of this yarn in my lifetime! Buy wisely and carefully.
Yes! Yes! Yes! My stash has gotten too large for my comfort and it’s wild how I could not buy yarn for a year and still keep making projects. I’m so glad though that I learned from others before mine got too bad. I think that’s such an important tip!!! Thanks for sharing 🥰
Might I make a suggestion? One or two stash buster projects a year to go through that unused yarn, like a granny square blanket, or a patchwork blanket or sweater. Stash buster lap blankets are things that can be donated to hospitals, nursing homes, they never have enough. Or hats and scarves sets for homeless shelters and stuff...
I think you can give away your yarn at some thrift stores or girl scout places. (If you want to that is)
I have this issue too, as someone who has been an avid crocheter since 12. I just recently used a skein of yarn I have had in my stash since high school, though that was more due to the fact I wasn't working with Red Heart anymore. I worked through COVID but I bought yarn because I really wanted to do projects. My queue in Ravelry shows I have at least enough projects for the next five years based on my previous activity. And then, there's scraps, which I end up using when I don't want to work on anything else or I get a huge pile of one specific type.
I keep watching other RUclipsrs and their stash to scratch that buyer's itch and YarnGeek keeps me humble (She might be able to get through her stash but her mom will not be able to get through hers and I suspect it will be inherited and then, she won't be able to get through it.) I am fortunate to have other fiber enthusiasts I regularly see so when we fall out of love of a yarn, we can offer it up to the others. I do keep a stash of cotton to teach anyone interested but otherwise, the rose-colored glasses come off and it goes into someone else's stash.
So that's my suggestion: reach out to your crafty friends to see if they would use it sooner than you would. See if someone wants to learn your craft. And don't feel bad about how much money it cost to purchase; as Marie Kondo would put it, you want to thank it for its purpose in your life and hope the next person gets as much joy or more out of it. If it just sits there and you don't feel like you can work with it, then it has already given you the joy that it can (aka your money's worth.)
Yes! You're taking away the fun of shopping for new pretty yarn from time to time for New projects etc. There will be always pretty yarns, and its fun to go and buy something from time to time, and not use yarn you bought 10 years ago. You're often more exited to Start New things... don't buy to much at once!
I'm a crocheter, and I bought a beginner's crochet kit online for like $22. It had 20 hooks, darning needles, stitch markers, scissors, pom pom makers, a fabric tape measure, and lots of other little things I've never even touched lol. I can't imagine how much it would've cost if I bought all those things independently. I do have a yarn winder and it is a GAME CHANGER for me. I don't buy hanks of yarn, mostly skeins & cakes, but due to how I have to store my yarn, it's nice to have them in cakes to stack them. I don't have a swift, but the winder by itself was one of the best craft gifts I've received
Agreed. I find that winding a cake makes a 'ball' that pulls nicely from the centre and doesn't jump around the floor.
Bought a kit for 5 dollars at my local craft store it came with crochet needles, stitch markers, measuring tape, and other small essentials. Best thing I’ve ever bought.
Love to hear that!! I feel like too many people get intimidated by the perceived cost to start crocheting when it really doesn’t have to be expensive.
@@BreathingYarn I make my own. I have specific ones for cables, and pattern repeats.
@@christenagervais7303 I would like to hear more on that subject please.... I crafted my own cabled Tunisian hook by McGuyvering a cheap extra Boye hook and heavy duty guage weed whacker line (from a replacement spool), glued together with E6000 glue. The way I dipped and glued the pieces together leaves a lot of glue in between the join, so it's very flexible. I dipped the ends several times so the glue built up in length, not width, and then i glued them together with a blob and then trimmed it down where it got away from me.
@@BreathingYarnI would love your opinion on getting crochet hook grips! When I first got into crochet, it was right around my birthday, and I got gifted by my friend a crochet kit with 10 hooks and all the little things you need. I still use it (it’s been a year and a bit so far) and am now really into crochet, but I notice that my hand starts to ache. I’ve been thinking about just sticking a beauty blender on, but maybe it would be better to get a grip or hooks with grips attached?
@@sunnydays07 depending on the hook size you can get pencil grip things. They are basically the same but cheaper
When you get older and your eyesight changes, those needle gauges are very helpful. I love my row counter for certain intricate patterns. Kid friendly scissors with the rounded tips. I’ve found several pairs from when my children were younger. Slip these inside my home sewn project bags. 😂😊
I've been knitting for as long as I can remember and have never once used a row counter... in fact I almost never count rows at all. But I use my needle gauge all the time! Most of my needles are from secondhand shops and the markings are long since worn off. Also my needle gauge has a built in 6in ruler and row/stitch gauge square, so it's handy for measuring other things.
I was my best friend's maid of honor and she paid for our hair to get done. I had 93 bobby pins taken out the next day and I still have them. I use them as stitch markers and have a couple that are a different color for milestones like 100sts or "inc here." And with how much hair I have, I have a few extra pins in my hair in case one falls or I need to use it as a marker/secure the loop so I can check out my crochet piece.
I totally agree with the pompom makers. I don't like pompoms either but when I did try it for a project once, I had seen how to make one out of two pieces of cardboard/paper board from a magazine and I still have it in my tools (make from a cheerio's box.) I also tried making a knitter out of a thicker toilet paper roll, bobby pins, and 2 hair ties before biting the bullet and getting one. I would rather see what I can do before I get the tool to see if I would use it.
So happy the algorithm led me here! I would say blocking mats & pins are an essential for anyone knitting lace! It’s so helpful to pin lace into shape for shawls, scarves, etc.
Yes, thank you this time algorithm! I use toddler foam tiles from when our kid was that age and pins that I tested to make sure they wouldn’t rust. Definitely a need.
I always just pin them straight into the carpet or a couch or a guest bed or something! Never had a problem.
Thanks so much for this much needed deinfluencing perspective on crafting! Sometimes it is so weird to me that crafting is supposed to be this anti-captialist, slowing-down and doing-stuff-by-yourself movement but then is turned around by so many trying to get you to buy yet another thing that you don't need! So thanks again for this reminder :)
Blocking is also essential for lace-making, so I'd recommend folks getting into typically large, lacy things (such as shawls) get mats early on.
Edit: I should clarify that you don't necessarily need actual blocking mats with a grid unless you're picky about size/shape being exact. I've used kids' interlocking play mats from Aldi for many years.
I pin lace out on my mattress first thing in the morning and point a fan at it.
You could also get a gingham or plaid tablecloth and use those squares to measure size.
I used those cheap folding cardboard “cutting” like mats. I can use straight pins vertically and go right through the cardboard
I love this. When I was 1st starting out crocheting, I had the starter kit. The one that comes with about 6 needles, plastic darning needle, knitting needles, and a "How to" book. I worked with this for YEARs until the arthritis kicked in. Then my brother bought me an ergonomic set of 12 for Christmas and I lived for those for another few years. The last 2 year I had some disposable cash and I dabbled in more expensive crochet items and I got a rosewood yarn winder, and I got resin hooks and more aesthetic notions. I will say none of the stuff I've bought in the last 2 years are absolutely essential but i cant imagine my crochet career without them :)
Essential for me is a good craft light, I can sometimes have difficulty seeing small dark stitches; I also have needles that are darker and ones that are lighter, so I can select the opposite of my yarn color making it easier to see.
I do lean to the point of buying tools that make my life easier that aren’t essential, but make the craft more enjoyable for me. I love my Knitpicks shorties for sleeves, I just love having the right tools for the job. It has taken years to assemble my collection of tools, and I too am privileged enough to be able to buy them.
I love you point that tools help make life a little easier. I think that is a beautiful way of putting it. Like, they are required, but they are nice to have and make some things a bit less frustrating or complicated.
Great video for someone just starting to knit or crochet. I do think that beginner crocheters would benefit from getting the best hooks they can afford from the get-go. If you’re just learning, struggling with an inferior hook will be very discouraging. It takes time to learn how you like to hold your hook and control yarn tension, as well as mastering the stitches…and a crummy hook will just make it harder.
I have been crocheting/ knitting for over 30 years. Self taught at 9. I loved your list and agree with everything you said. I didn’t hear any mention of yarn bowls…I find one to be essential but expensive. I often use a mixing bowl from my kitchen. It keeps yarn from rolling away and debris free!
I like that you mentioned yarn bowls. I feel like metal mixing bowls (or any) would be perfect!
I actually have a two yarn bowls. I use them anytime I'm working with yarn balls, because I got tired of my yarn falling onto the floor and rolling halfway across the room!
I use a ziplock bag! Far handier than a bowl, since I can just pop it into my project tote bag.
I use a heavy soup tureen. My husband was going to give it away, but it's decorative and pretty to look at. It's heavy and the lid with the slot is perfect for the yarn string! Even larger yarn balls and cakes fit in there. I can yank at the yarn and the tureen won't move. I posted about it on social media and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
@beadcomber1 yes! I have a friend who has a chicken soup tureen that she uses for her yarn. It was a thrift find so not only was it inexpensive it is unexpected and she loves it!
For me, a knitting needle gauge is a must have. I’ve been knitting for 50+ years and a lot of my circular needles aren’t marked with the size at all. It’s actually a fairly recent thing. I do a lot of knitting on small needles and there’s no way I can eyeball the difference between a 2mm and a 2.5mm for example.
And obviously a kitty is a must have. I also have a black cat. Her name is Isabella. 😊
Marked sizes are recent enough the my 10 ish year old set isn't marked but my 5 year old shorty tips are.
I'm a very new knitter and none of the needles I bought have markers on them. I also just randomly bought two different sizes when I was starting out and completely forgot what sizes they were, so it was a real relief to know that these things existed. Also they were just around 1 EUR, so no regret there
Also a gauge could be useful for people buying secondhand supplies. To keep crafting budget friendly.
I think stitch markers are essential for me. I need the safety pin type to let me know which side is the right side, or to keep a row count. I use the circular ones to mark increases, decreases end if row, etc. I tried using a yarn loop, but because it's not a different tactile sensation- I usually just end up knitting it INTO my project.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has knit the yarn stitch markers into my project 😂 😂 😂
Agreed they are essential! Especially for amigurami but pretty much all my projects need them even if just to start off.
I just use hair grips.
I've been using hair pins since I've placed my markers somewhere, and I hate it and miss my markers so much. I like the locking ones a lot and find them very useful and they are highly contrasting against dark projects so I won't lose them if I'm using black yarn
I only use the open/close kind. I used to forget to remove them when I needed to!
I will say going from a basic ergonomic hook to a clover ergonomic hook was amazing and I will never go back
Great video. Your gray area and non essentials are spot on. I have never bought stitch markers, but use yarn, hair elastics, and even paper clips when I need one. I was gifted some cute ones but they are too heavy and bulky to use. I bought a cheap ($22) winder on Amazon when I was gifted several bags of yarn hanks and scraps of all kinds and sizes from a gentleman whose wife had recently passed but hand wound around a water bottle for decades before that . Instead of needle tip covers I use my hair elastics again. Instead of row counters I use a scrap of paper and the checkmark or tick system. It is so easy to look at all the pretty gadgets and things and blow all of our money on it, but groceries and gas and good yarn are getting more expensive, and there are so many inexpensive alternatives if we engage our creative brains and then we can spend our money on things we really want... like chocolate and ice cream and a movie or something.
I only buy things when as I need them. It is so easy to get lost in aesthetics of things. I have a number 4 hook and a number 6 hook, and I just bough a 12 for a very chunky project. Granted I'm not an avid crocheter, it's a 'for those times I need my hands busy' kind of thing. So buying slowly at first helps me to determine what I need and also makes me realise what I like to do. There is a little organic story unfolding as items get collected slowly for a new hobby.
Also I have those self adhesive bandage tapes to make myself better grips. There are ones with so cute designs and I'm using it on my pens, pencils, hooks, whatever to personalise the grip. You can't buy that comfort. And they don't get sticky and are easily removable.
I agree with most of the items on your list except for the scissors, stitch markers and needle sizers. I would include these in the essentials category. Thanks for a really fun video.
Thanks and thanks for sharing your essentials! It’s awesome how different everybody’s list is, I love it!
So. The yarn winder: I've had one for a long time for one purpose: Frogging things. Old sweaters (thrifted or handed down to me) are so much easier to work with if you have a yarn winder. And then at some point I got the swift as well so I could retie the yarn from the frogged items into hanks, wet them, let them dry so they loose the curls. Then I would put them back on the swift and rewind them with the yarn winder.
TLDR: If you do a lot of frogging for yarn, get a yarn winder and swift and live a happier, easier life :D
I agree with everything except the scissors. I think a simple basic pair is an essential. I really like how you presented this. You gave your reasoning without making it sound like you were saying someone was ridiculous for having an item or not.
Haha, that is so fair 😂 I also prefer bigger scissors over the tiny ones.
Also, thank you. I really wanted everyone to know that this is my list of essentials and it’s gonna look different for everybody.
This! I have one pair I got for cross stitch, but I'll use it too for knitting. Just one little pair that stays sharp since you're only using it for one thing, and its tiny and and portable. Last I saw on TSA since I recently traveled you can take small scissors up to a certain size on a plane, which those craft scissors do fall under.
I only started using a knit/crochet journal (which is just a normal journal, nothing branded as craft-specific) when I started designing my own patterns. Having a physical journal lets me draw sketches and organize ideas better than just typing up on my phone. Definitely not essential for most people, but so useful for me (especially when people start asking for the pattern lol)
Right on! I have two books: one for scratch work, one for finished projects. Why? I copy the pattern into the scratch book. When I'm done, I copy the essential parts with notes into the finished project book. This is so I reproduce the project in the future, but customized as I desire. When she says she uses only her phone, no. She uses that as her "working" book. She still has two journals, essentially.
Ive already commented, but ive finished the video and have a few more thoughts 😅
1- its really good to have both a ruler and flexible tape measure. To get the best measurements of your body, you want to use a flexible measure, wheras you need a firm measuring tool to best measure your knitting. So having both really helps with getting the correct gauge. If you just want to buy one, go for a firm ruler and then you can measure around your body with some yarn, then measure that yarn with your ruler
2- needle gauges can be very important. The size markings have rubbed off most of my needles, but even when they havent, they can be necessary. My mum is an avid knitter with not great eyesight, who simply cant see the size markings on her needles. Her needle gauge is really important for her knitting, as she wouldnt be able to tell the needle size without it.
3- whether you need a cable needle is super dependent on the cable project you do. Bigger and tighter cables often cant be knit without a cable needle, but there are several all over cable projects that ive done where i either dont use a cable needle at all, or use a locking stitch marker as a cable needle.
Thanks for commenting this. All your points are so important for this discussion and I love the clear thought you put into it! I totally agree with all of your thoughts here. Based on the comments so far, I’m thinking a needle size will become progressively more important as I grow older.
Two comments- needle size is super important to me to know. The OCD in me? Perhaps. Anyway at the start of a project and each time I switch needles (ex. To a different length circular) I always ALWAYS check the gauge. And get a kick outta it too. I keep thee gauge with the needles. I use the measuring strip on it too. Second, Iii do relyy heavily on a collection of coin purse sized Zipp pouches for all kindsof bits and bobs. Fun!!
Ooh - locking stitch marker as a cable needle - great idea!
@@elizabethtrimble6853 it's my favourite knitting hack, because cable needles always get lost, but lockable stitch markers can just be popped onto the project when you're not working the cables!
I am a relatively novice crocheter (off and on since 2020, only really got serious in the last 6 months) and definitely agree with most of your crochet assessments! I would say that while fancy ergonomic hooks are not essential (barring mobility issues, of course), getting hooks with some kind of rubberized handle is. I started crocheting in the middle of the pandemic with the cheapest aluminum needle set I found on Amazon and thought I just couldn't handle crocheting for longer than an hour or so at a time without my hand cramping horribly. I've since bought a couple of hooks with rubber grips and it's been a game changer for me. Spring for the rubber grips!
I'm all for everyone making with whatever tools they have. When I start a new craft, I'll typically purchase inexpensive tools until I feel I know enough to appreciate the difference. That said, as a crocheter I do think it's worth spending a bit more for better hooks. It makes a difference when you aren't fighting against your hook. Susan Bates or Boyd hooks are awesome, if you can afford it, upgrade to Clover. They really do make a difference. There are lots of great budget yarns, and lots of youtubers who discuss the pros and cons so you can find what you like.
Your mind set is awesome! I personally also love Toni Lipsey of TL Yarncrafts for her yarnsnob reviews.
This! Also, start with the base metal hooks NOT the grippy ones. You can always add grips TO metal hooks, but you can't take OFF the grips that are built onto/into the hooks, which means if it doesn't work out for you (I hate the feeling of the grips), then you have a bunch of hooks you don't need.
Great video! One more bit of advice for folks--check your local library! I recently donated my swift and ball-winder to my library's "library of things" collection, and now other folks can borrow and use them while they otherwise would have been sitting in my closet and it makes me so happy! This collection also has some knitting needle and crochet hook sets, a couple of sewing machines, etc., and is a great way to try before you buy.
I crochet bespoke lace sweaters. I absolutely need stitch markers to know where my increase and decrease points are. It’s too easy to get lost in the stitches. I also need my tiny scissors to cut my tiny yarns. I cannot imagine my dread at cutting lace weight yarn with big scissors! I also love my blocking board because it makes the lace pop, though I have been known to use a towel in a pinch.
Thank you for your comments about synthetic yarn. I completely agree.
I have really been enjoying hearing people share what is essential to them and it’s wild how different everybody’s lists are. I’m honestly so amazed. Also, BESPOKE LACE!!!! That’s awesome. 👏 I hope to even attempt a bespoke-style lace crochet pattern someday.
oh man, the way my stomach dropped visualizing delicate lace so close to giant fabric shears lol i, too, am ever grateful to the tiny scissors
I totally agree with most of your opinions except with 2: a needle sizer is absolutely essential for me, because i do only have knitting needles where the size rubs off and I own a lot of the same needles just in different sizes. secondly dpns, for the most part you are correct, you can absolutely knit socks with the magic loop method, but i personally think, that for projects with a small diameter (for example gloves with seperate fingers) it is very helpful. I realy enjoy your content, have a nice day!
I’m just here for the kittycat 🐈⬛ ❤.
Awesome video! I agree with pretty much everything, except for the crochet hooks. I crocheted for the better part of 25 years with cheap brand hooks and it wasn’t until I tried a Clover Amour hook that I noticed the ginormous difference these hooks make. I was totally blown away. Not only did my hands stop hurting, but the hooks are so much better on the yarn. Much smoother and the crochet experience improved a gazillion fold. So I’d recommend those, maybe not all at once but one or two sizes at a time.
Also: I own both a set of dpns and circular knitting needles, but the magic loop is beyond my comprehension level for some reason. So I use dpns instead of the circular ones.
It took me a long time to get used to magic loop, but once I did I love it for socks
I need to applaud you - I took up knitting full time when I retired 9 years ago. All of your opinions stated here are spot on! We need so little extras but marketing is a big business (and I have purchased items I rarely use). I so enjoyed this time with you- I look forward to seeing your other podcasts!
Also, I could’t knit without some kind of stitch markers. Once I went to visit my parents and forgot my stitch markers. I told my dad and he found me a bunch of rubber o-rings in his shop. They worked great. 😂
Dad for the win! I love that story
The other day I used one of those dental floss thingies with the sharp tooth pick end as my BOR marker.
The pattern did say "use a unique stitch marker for BOR" and I think it doesn´t get much more unique than that ;) (I was too lazy to reach a bit further for my actual stitch markers and truly started the project full of feral raccoon energy).
Yes! I had to buy a set of assorted sizes of o-rings in order to get the size I wanted, and was left with a bag of assorted sized stitch markers!
Thank you Isabella for your respect for others opinions. after decades of knitting and crocheting, I can still feel like a beginner when I watch you tube for information. Your delivery and information of each product helped me to feel confident in the skills that I have developed and how I use the tools that I am most comfortable with.
Knitting my first project right now on a borrowed pair of needles from my friend. I am making a scarf it is working up so quick! So glad I found this video so when I go to the store, I know what to buy. (First first time knitting but I’m a pretty experienced crocheter )
I've been crocheting over ten years and I think you hit the nail on the head with most of these! I personally consider stitch markers essential now just because they take so much guesswork out of my projects (I make mostly wearables now so easily marking the start of a row or remembering certain stitches makes the projects a lot more relaxing). And as for project bags, I have one really nice project bag that I got on sale from Hobbii almost 4 years ago, not a scratch on it and I used to take it to work everyday with me on a boat so it's been through some stuff lol most of my WIPs are just stored in reusable tote bags though. I'm making an effort to be more conscious of what I purchase especially as I learn more about consumerism, capitalism, sustainability, etc and even just watching my money. It's nice to see a deinfluencing video!
I agree with you on the blocking mats. They do come in handy when you knit a lot of lace but you might just get by with a big carpet or a double bed. However, T-shaped pins are a life saver. Regular pins, esp. the plain steel ones without a plastic cap, are too short and get lost very easily. And no one wants to walk into sharp pins.
The needle sizer is a must if you have older relatives or your elderly neighbour gift you their entire stash and stock of needles. Also, when you use several needle sizes for a project things can get messy and putting needles back into the correct packaging is so much easier when I've identified them with a needle sizer.
I lucked out at the thrift store when I was very early in my knitting journey. I purchased a bag of vintage items for the crochet hooks and mini measuring tape. I didn’t know what the little rings (stitch markers), big plastic safety pins (cable stitch holders), and huge sewing needles (tapestry needles) were for 😅. I didn’t learn how to use the double pointed needles until a whole year later! Whoever put together this kit previously must have gotten a lot of use out of it, and I feel honored to be using it. I’ve never had to buy any supplies since save for longer needles to hold lots of blanket stitches.
That is such a great find!
Seconding this! At least half (if not more) of my yarn craft tools are from thrift stores or garage sales! 😂
LOL See my post above. I donated several bags like that to charity shops.
I started out with dozens of loose hand me down knitting needles, so a needle gauge was essential at the beginning of my journey. I eventually invested in a set of nice interchangeables and now only use my gauge to check tension or gauge on unmarked dpns.
I do quite a lot of lace projects, so (re)movable stitch markers are a godsend. To stretch out the lace, I bought cheap foam playmat tiles for kids, about 8 big tiles for 10$ years ago that work just fine with regular sewing pins and a bit of tape on them if I want to mark out a specific shape or dimension.
A pencil cases will hold most of your knitting or crochet accessories, just pick whatever fits your collection and makes you happy!
This is great! I also wanted to add that thrift stores can be a great place to get supplies when you're starting out. I found a whole bag of different sizes of crochet hooks at my goodwill for about 5 dollars. And of course they usually have yarn like you mentioned.
You can also use elestic bands as needle tip stoppers, paperclips as stitch markers or loom bands and I use the yarn swift but not the ball winder because I was taught to wind the yarn by hand and still do. I think there are a lot off gadgets and gizmo's out there that we really don't need. I was taught by my Nan who didn't have a lot of money and used to make a substitute with household items. I also go told to use a small tennis ball to make my crochet hooks ergonomic when my arthritis flared up, cut a small hole either side of it and shove the hook through, it works. Great video by the way.
I *love* that you made a project bag so you could know while you're on a walk. My kind of girl!! I think I'll copy that idea!
I didn’t buy them right away, but I’ve found blocking mats are truly essential for me for garment knitting and just drying. If you have to dry things on the floor or the kitchen table like I do they’re going to protect the wood or protect the project from a dodgy rug that might transfer dye. And yoga mats are a great sub and you can find them pretty cheap new or second hand.
i really agree about the project bag one!! my local yarn store gives out the bags the yarn gets shipped in and ive been using those as project bags for ages, it costs nothing extra, it gives plastic bags a second use and you don't have to purchase an entirely new product you know :) great video i really agree with most of this and i think we should be a lot more mindful of buying stuff bc this one person said you should lol
Unrelated but it was so heartwarming how much your cat just absolutely adores you. You can tell a lot about a person by how their animals act around them!!
I was heartbroken when I met up with a classmate in college and saw how horrible he was to his dog! It killed me. Thank goodness his roommate called him out so hard and the sweet puppy wasn't mistreated ever again.
I use the bulb/gourd shaped safety pins as stitch markers. They're just as inexpensive as the plastic, but they have lasted so much longer! In addition to stitch markers, they have also come in handy for wardrobe malfunctions! I have used them a handful of times to hold cardigans or blazers together to hide stains
my "blocking boards" are interlocking exercise mats from five below. They don't have the inch grids, but if you have a tape measure that's really not a barrier.
I would say it's really worth it to seek out a fabric tape measure since (especially if you're making clothing) what you are measuring is three dimensional. Yes, you could use scrap yarn cut to size and then measure on your hard ruler, but I always over-stretch my yarn when i use this method and end up with wonky sizes. Splurge on a retractable if you wish, but the one i got in a $10 sewing starter kit has served me fantastically.
I will not buy a cable needle. Those cheap lil plastic ones are just begging to break, and the wood and metal ones are weirdly expensive IMO. If I have a big cable i need to carry, I use a DPN I already have on hand.
So happy to have found your channel! Happily subscribed :)
I do the same thing with cables. Mine came along with my interchangeable set and its nice cuz its metal but its also like 2mm so it's practically useless for my typical 4mm projects.
I love bulb pins as stitch markers. I bought the colorful ones and they function exactly the way those big plastic safety pin style stitch markers do for me, but they’re made of metal so I’ll have them as long as I want to use them. I also use an interlocking children’s play mat to block my projects, though personally, I wish I had purchased a thicker one (or just a craft store blocking board) as the cheap Amazon ones I purchased didn’t save me a huge amount of money over the alternative. Cheers to practical crafting purchases :D
I had no idea we invented blocking mats! I recently finished a huge crocheted tablecloth and it looks horrible without blocking, but I had no idea where I could block it, it is so huge.
Thank you! I realised blocking mats are absolutely essential for my crochet style.
I use cuticle scissors for my crafting since I also do cross stitch and those things are so cheap I don’t feel bad when I lose them. I also use the needle measuring tool because I inherited a bunch of needles that do not have sizes on them so that thing lives with my DPNs. I also use makeup bags and pencil cases for my sock wips. They zip up so when I travel with it, I don’t lose anything.
I love my makeup bag for sock projects! The shape of makeup bags just always fits yarn balls so well.
i do the makeup bags too!! I got some of my friend's ipsy rejects, and they're always the perfect length for my DPN's! Only issue can be with sharper ones, they usually make a cameo thru the sides of the bags lol
On the sizer, I found a set of interchangeable circular needles for next to nothing with their own size gauge on top. It's also great for my DPNs
This is great!! As a fiber artist and someone who teaches fiber arts I completely agree with your essentials however I do suggest you look for interchangeable that have nice cords. I love chai goo needles and you can buy the set one needle size at a time. I would also add small sharp scissors and t- pins for blocking. For those on a budget tell people you are getting into knitting, look into joining local guilds. Most of the members are so happy to give and help new fiber people. I have gotten so much free and used equipment and yarns for teaching from my guilds. You don't have to buy everything at one time. Blocking textured stitches like lace and cables is very important however you can do most blocking on an open bed, carpeted floor t-pins and your tape measure. If you have the money please support your local yarn shop, they are a valuable resource for knowledge and a place for community. Lastly, If you invest in to your materials your supplies and projects will last generations.
I love this. I need more deinfluincing in my life!
I agree with the crochet hook advice! I got a set off of Amazon, used them for like a year, and then as I realised I wasn't going to slow down in my crochet (and I had some irks with the cheap hooks) I bought a set of nice expensive ones. I have a friend I'm starting to teach and so now I can pass on my cheaper hooks to someone else to start the craft 😊
I loved the kitty sitting patiently in the video. 🥺
She’s definitely a COVID cat. Not a moment alone with her around 😂 I love it though, wouldn’t have it any other way.
@@BreathingYarn My cat is also a COVID cat. She loves to sit on my desk in front of my monitor as I study and do my homework. Sometimes she's even sitting on my crochet/knitting projects.
LOL. Pippin once accidentally emailed my coworker gibberish when I wasnt looking! It's also so cute that your cat likes to sit on your projects. I wonder if it smells like you or they just know you made it.
@@BreathingYarn I think its both! I recently made her her own blanket and she absolutely adores it. Whenever she sees it she's goes to lay on it.
I have never knitted and I have just done a couple of granny squares for a project I never finished and hurt my hands to do 😂 BUT I'm drawn to it and videos talking about it an upcycling, unravelling, etc. Maybe one day I'll finally make the time to do it. It looks so relaxing ans slowed passed that I want more of that in my life.
And all this rambling is to say thank you. Thank for seeing your craft through the eyes of a Newby, give your honest opinion and encourage discussion, thank you for the music and the aesthetics of your video too including your lovely cat and inspire me as in almost welcoming me to the world of creation, with to pressure to start.
Great: Little rechargable reading light. I have one that I can clip to my headboard and it really helps to prevent eyestrain , especially with dark yarn.
Unnecessary unless needed for accessibility: tension ring. Some of them are really cute, but It can be fiddly, and I rarely end up using it.
Thank you for this informative video, I learned about stitch holder cords, and I'll look up knitting cables without a cable needle. I also love the idea of keeping notes on your cell phone!
A few tricks I am using:
1. To rewind yarn, I roll a magazine or newspaper and wind yarn around it (the start goes inside the roll). RUclips recommends using toilet paper tubes, but I like the longer ones, like paper towel tubes.
2. For blocking, I bought knee pads at Dollar Store, they work for small to medium size projects. I place two next to each other when one pad is too small.
3. I cleared one shelf of a metal rack (any shelving would do) for drying and blocking (small items like hats).
4. To make a Pom Pom, you can cut two identical pieces from cardboard and cut out their centers (look it up online).
5. To keep yarn from moving away, instead of a yarn bowl, you can use any small box like a plastic storage container or cardboard box. I use a small trash bucket from Dollar Store where I keep yarn and supplies for the project (needles, stitch marker etc.). I sit in a chair and keep the yarn container on the floor, but if your yarn is at the same level as your hands, you could probably make an opening in a DIY box.
I did not post any links because all these tricks are posted all over the internet.
So many good points in this video!
I love the idea of using second-hand yarn - I thrifted a sweater recently and got a good amount of cotton-acrylic mix yarn from it, I can’t wait to use it to make my own sweater 🧶
And yes to a digital journal! I find it so much easier to write my project notes/ideas in my phone’s notes app than to write it in a journal (and try to decipher my messy handwriting later lol). The only time I’d use a physical journal would be if I’m sketching out a design, bc my digital artistry skills are ✨awful✨
For scissors I always use the tiny cutical scissors I got from a cheap dollar store nail kit, bc they’re small enough to pass airlines’ carry-on restrictions! Highly recommend if you want to work on projects while flying ✈️
I’d also like to add learning how to mend to the list- it’s not an essential tool, but I like to think it’s an essential skill to have! You can get your favourite clothes and makes to last even longer by learning how to mend them.
There’s also a neat visible mending technique where you use a colourful thread to make running stitches over patches, my partner’s been doing this to his old clothes and it looks so cool! 🪡
Yes to everything you just said. I also super agree about learning to mend being an essential skill!! Let bring back patch work and beautiful exposed mending. 🥰
I was gifted a swift and yarn winder and have had them for 20 years. Very much used and appreciated every time it takes only 10 minutes to wind a hank (that includes set up and take down of each). I also still have my Addi click needles purchased slightly before the others. Still my faves. The only other I have are also gifts: Zings and Knit Picks wooden - both are also interchangeables. I have a set of cheap and cheerful clover crochet hooks that are the most comfortable for me. I consider all these my kit. I do have some specialty gear for Irish crochet lace and for early (i.e. 17c.) reproduction knitting. Oh, I also like stitch markers but any cheapies work for me. I like thrift shops for buying gear like the teeny crochet hooks I need. And for yarn.
I really appreciate your approach in this.
When I was first starting out knitting, I tried to source a lot of the “grey area” items that I was interested in from Facebook Marketplace (or other online resale/second hand sites). That’s where I was able to find a ball winder, an interchangeable needle set, and wool yarn.
a ballwinder is a essential for me. I use it for every yarn I buy. I can't stand the oval shaped-store bought form and that you never really can find the beginning in the center. I enjoy cakes and using the beginning in the middle. This way the cake lays somewhere, don't need a yarnbowl/projectbag and doesn't bounce around. Plus the yarn doesn't nagg against each other, because the unregular tension inside a store-bought ball of yarn.
Because of this improfement, I enjoy the knitting and crocheting way more :) so you were right, it is in the gray area and everybody should think about it!
I wish I'd gone for a interchangeable needle set straight out of the gate. Instead I followed some knitting instructor's recommendation to buy the needles I needed only for my first project. Then, I needed another needle for the next project. I ended up what's a bunch of crappy needles I only used for one project each. After I got my first set of interchangeable, I got rid of all of the one-offs.
I really enjoyed this video. I think of myself as a minimalist so I try not to consume much - hobbies related stuff included. My mom showed me how to knit when I was little but my interest for it only grew during the pandemic. I had a bunch of needles and crochet hooks to start of (that belonged to my mother and mother in law). I've done rookie mistakes since 2021 like buying cheap plastic needles and bad quality yarn 😅. Now, I purchase bags of random whool on Vinted or at local stores (for small projects like socks). Thank you for showing that hobbies don't need to get THAT expensive if you get a little bit creative (for example , I don't have needle tip stoppers but I definitely had that problem with knitting socks with 4 needles so I just cut list pieces from old PVC keychains and they do the job just fine). Loved this! 🤍
I do a lot of topdown baby and toddler clothes and I find dpns essential for the sleeves. Also I find a needle gauge is a really useful tool, especially with the inherited metal dpns and also to compare them with the bamboo dpns if I want to switch mid-knit.
I agree with your categories. After many years in fiber arts I have been gifted or “inherited” many of the optional items. When I see something I would like, I put it on my “wish list” and then when someone asks what I want for BD or Christmas, I have ready-made ideas. They are pleased to get something that I would not get for myself.
i love my interchangeable circulars but i also recommend having a static set of circulars for your favorite yarn size. it helps that i can zip along without having to readjust /screw back on my adjustable bits when using my favorite weight of yarn
I agree. I wish that interchangeables would screw in tighter or have a more secure locking mechanism or something. I hate when they unscrew themselves!
@@BreathingYarn Chiagoo needles are pricey, but the interchangeables are my favorite. The knit picks interchangeables are a second favorite. They don’t require adjustments at all.
Be sure to use the "key" to tighten them up! Without it, any brand will come unscrewed. Once I began using the key, I have never had one come apart on me! It's there for a reason. I know this is true for the ChiaGoo's, as that's all use for 100% of my knitting. @@BreathingYarn
I have a winder, but not a swift. I reclaim yarn from thrifted items all the time and I finally gave in and got a winder to make my life easier. And making balls helps me managing my tangly, scraggly skeins at the end of a project. I used to just use a nostepinne my husband made me from PVC pipe, but it just got to be too much to do by hand.
Another essential for me, personally, is a hemostat from the dollar store. I can use it to yank stuck needles, feed laces and ties through casings, and add or remove stuffing in small areas of already-closed amigurumi. I use my hemostat in crochet, quilting, and pretty much all crafts.
But, it took me years to know what is essential *to me*. You can start our with nothing but yarn and a hook/a pair of needles. Love that.
As a person who got into crochet in college partially bc of the low material need entry point (less than 10 dollars on a crochet hook and ball of dishie cotton from michaels) and now is watching this while knitting on a pair of addi interchangables (my one big family christmas gift, 160 bucks). Tools and how much one spends on them will always be a personal preference that evolves based on your unique needs, wants, and means.
My big stance on garment yarn is buy what you will wear. That may mean saving up and getting nice yarn for one big project rather than making a bunch of projects. But I reach for my cotton and wool goods all the time and almost never wear the first sweater I crochet bc it was red heart and I cant stand wearing that texture. I get my money's worth for the $50+ sweater quantities of cascade wool and dishy cotton compared to the $30 acrylic. In addition to money I do not want to invest hours over months of my life into a garment I wont wear.
I use a needle sizer all the time for the bent old dpns I bought at the thrift store.
I really appreciated the tone of this video. It was very honestly put. Also Isabella suits you but I also think visually you could be a Megan lol.
This comment is so great! I really love the simple and very profound “buy what you’ll wear” it’s shocking how easily that can be forgotten/ignored
This was a great list!
I have both interchangeable and fixed knitting needles that I've acquired over the 20+ years I've been knitting. Now, I tend to use the interchangeables for quick projects, and I reserve the fixed needles for larger projects. I tend to be a slower knitter, so having the flexibility of multiple sets works for me.
In the same way, I have multiple sets of crochet hooks because I like to keep the hook with the project, especially if it's a "patternless" project, like a chevron blanket. I know the pattern, so having a written one is unnecessary for me. I don't always do a good job of keeping track of my notes, but tossing the hook back in the bag ensures I'm using the same hook for the whole project.
Keep in mind, I've aquired all of these sets over the course of decades. I get things off eBay and I have been gifted many supplies from my mom and aunt who also knit and crochet. Also, all my knitting and crochet supplies (hooks, needles, stitch markers, darning needles, cable holders, sock sizers, guage checkers and whatever else) all fit into a small (maybe about 1 1/2 shoe boxes in size) box that fits neatly atop my yarn shelf.
I like to spin my own yarn, so a swift and ball winder is essential, but I suppose that's a whole different craft.
Great video ! I think a lot of these "grey area items" you get after getting into the craft, when you have seen a real need arise several times. I think this video is great for beginners, because the internet gives you so many lists as "essentials" when you start, but you should really wait before investing.
For example, after so many struggles, I got a row counter and it changed my life! And I got a beautiful leather project bag for Christams and I take it everywhere now, but the rest of my WIPs still live in their reusable cotton totebags I got at the supermarket.
I think you did great, and it's a really nice video: your beautiful co-star made it all the more enjoyable ! Happy to subscribe to your channel ❤
Loved this video & your comment on it being a conversation ♥ I agree with everything you said and will just add:
1) if you have never ever knitted/crocheted, before getting a full kit (which I highly recommend, interchangeable needles are the best thing ever), try and see if there are friends/family/knitting groups around you who could lend you supplies to try! I lend my supplies to friends who want to learn so they can discover their "knitting style" & figure out what to "invest" in (if you push yarn with your fingers, avoid sharp metal, but if you're a super tight knitter, then avoid fragile & grippy wood, etc.).
2) even if you buy tons of hanks, winders/swifters are usually not essential, they're just convenient - unless you have wrist mobility issues in which case they actually are essential - but so to justify having one I put it on my Xmas list and got them as gifts (which is how my family views gifts: they must be stuff we might want but don't dare getting for ourselves because just not necessary & slightly pricey)
3) needle stoppers are necessary if you knit on the go! If your project stays put at home, it's pretty safe without, but if like me you knit in the metro/train/etc. then I recommend you get some and save yourself the heartache of lost stitches when the yarn gets tumbled in the bag :D
4) yarn-wise: if you want to try something fancy & buy from a local business but are tight on budget, check out undyed yarns! you can get awesome fiber contents for a cheaper price, and if you're adventurous you could always dye it yourself too :)
Not using DPNs is why you don't need a needle sizer. That is literally 100% of what I use mine for, because I knit mostly on wooden DPNs I got unlabeled at thrift shops
This is a great list! I agree with almost everything, especially for beginners. The only ones I would move from nonessential to the grey area are double pointed needles if you want to make socks and gloves, and a needle sizer for when I want to quickly organize needles and avoid using 2 different sized interchangeables (learned this from experience :). Another thing to keep in mind is that there are sometimes other, cheaper sources for supplies, such as metal jewelry jump rings for stitch markers or floor mats sold for kids or at the hardware store instead of blocking mats. Finally, when choosing yarn, many wools must be hand washed and dried flat, with the exception of super wash wool. It’s not for everyone, but for people like me who can’t be trusted to keep their hand knits out of the washing machine, it’s a good choice. Thanks for all the tips and for opening this conversation. Wish I’d read it when I started knitting!
I personally find row counters to be essential for my knitting - I have trouble counting my stitches and rows visually and have dyscalculia, so having something I can click and track the number is necessary for me, especially if it’s fiddly. But I do think it’s essential *for me*. My best friend can’t use them because she constantly forgets to click it!
Discalcula here as well and I really need to get one! I'm a proficient crocheter, so I can read my work easily. But I'm still always loosing track of what I've just counted. But I'm a beginner knitter and cant keep track yet. I can't wait until I can read knitting.
There are also apps for this I believe
I like to use the metal lap counters for sports. Hard to accidentally bump it and with a satisfying click so you remember doing it. I also use counters on my phone but I like using the clicker for when you have multiple pattern repeats happening at the same time.
Absolutely love this video and agree as a veteran crocheter who picked up knitting last year! I would add to the stitch marker part the way of using a long piece of yarn not as a loop stitch marker but instead inserting the piece of yarn it between the stitches with a needle and then zigzagging it on the go while knitting. This way when I'm done I can pull it away completely but if i have to unravel my work incase of a mistake etc the yarn is still in place on the last rounds aswell making it easier to pick the work up again.
I love everything about this, and I wanted to add my two cents for others getting started. (for reference I've crocheted/knit for over two decades, and got into circular knitting in the last 6ish years. and I am neurodivergent)
1. everything is debatable when you’re broke. I learned to knit on colored pencils in elementary school…
2. I LOVE my interchangeable knitting needles, but I didn’t purchase them until approximately 5 years ago. I don’t think they’re necessary unless you are knitting in the round. That being said, I saved up for the clover takumi set after breaking many regular cheap circular knitting needles., and I don’t regret it at all. Yes very expensive, but you can easily purchase add-on supplies, like more/different length cords, the cord stoppers, and the piece to combine cords to make a longer length. I have yet to break an actual needle, but it is also comforting knowing if I did, I could go out and buy that size specifically, and not need to replace the whole set. BUT they are definitely an investment, and I wouldn’t recommend unless you are already aware that knitting is going to be a lifelong hobby for you. I think my recommendation is very specific to neurodivergent crafters given our tendency to lose/misplace things, and to have a million projects going at once. The extra cables, and cord stoppers allow me to keep many projects going at once. I can just replace the needles with a stopper, and start a new project with a different cable and the same needle size in a matter of seconds..
3. Metal darning needles all the way. Can’t stand the cheap plastic ones and how they bend and break. There are also aluminum options for chunky yarn as well. I can’t think of the name of them, but they look like a little wire loop on the end of the needle.
4. Another place for thrifting yarn, is church/yard sales. My childhood church did a sale to raise money once a summer, and people commonly donated their unused craft supplies for the sale.
5. Stitch markers, I have a million, and I still find myself using the tiny bits I just cut off of another project because I don’t want to get up when I realize I would like to use one. That being said, you can also DIY some more useful types as well. I personally like turning sewing pins into labeled stitch markers. I use letter beads and just put two seed beads, the hook-size letter bead, and then two more colored seed beads. I use needle nose pliers to cut off the point of the pin, and then turn the end into a loop and place them on the safety pin style stitch markers. These are really helpful when setting a project down for a while, and not forgetting which hook you were using when crocheting. You could get numbered instead of lettered beads if you’re looking to apply the same type of marker with knitting projects or to use them to mark large sets of rows(ie. Make some that count by 5s or 10s, and place to help from losing count of your rows.)
6. I hate DPNs. This last winter I purchased two clover small circular needles to use for mittens. To me, this is a bonus item that I really appreciate and has sped up my knitting for mittens specifically. That being said, they’re not needed when just starting, and neither are DPNs. You can youtube how to knit with a magic loop (I personally am not a fan, but many are) and avoid DPNs for lots of projects.
7. Pom pom makers. I have them and never use them. Doesn’t matter the size, my handmade ones are plumper and more stable than what I achieve using a pompom maker.
8. Project bags. I have several and love them. BUT they’re definitely not necessary. Even with project bags, I still find myself using plastic grocery bags, reusable tote bags, ziploc bags, both regular from the kitchen, and the style that items get shipped in from amazon. If you aren’t taking your projects outside of your home, anything can be used to keep your projects sorted and together. Bins, baskets, etc.
9. good lighting is necessary if you're eyes are tired like mine. lol. If you're overhead lighting in your home isn't working there are many options, some that you can hang around your neck, you can just use a little desk lamp, there are other options too that sometimes include a magnifine glass as well with can be helpful!
10. cable needles are nice, but not needed as mentioned in the video. I knit cables normally as you would if you were using these needles, but i have used a crochet hook, another knitting needle, a large safety pin, etc. to hold my stitches while cabeling.
11. stores like dollar tree now having surprisingly cheap options for crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarn, etc. that make it more easily accessible when funds are tight :)
Once again love this video, and I hope more crafters can share the tips/tricks to help all the newbies prioritize what supplies to invest in early on! :)
Love it! My ADHD butt loses stuff like nobody's business! 😂 I finally invested in good crochet hooks, but I bought multiples of the 3 sizes I use the most because I will keep leaving them in project bags or by the bed instead of the couch or something. And I have cheap kid's safety scissors by every seat where I regularly crochet and in my hook pencil case. You have to know yourself!
Baby crocheter and knitter here, I did not know project bags were a thing. I literally use a sling bag (that i use otherwise as well) and just put that across my shoulder and crochet or knit while walking. and since its not weighing down my hand (unlike some design examples showed in the video), i count that as a win!
Also love the video because i was literally looking for validation to get interchangeable set right off the bat and not separate needles of all sizes and what not. Thank you!!
Btw one podcaster made a projectbag by all her gauges she did for various projects. If you want a very nice one, I find this a great idea. And it looks just great.
Isabella you are completely right. For all handmade items, no matter what it is you can spend thousands of bugs. And you are totally right, most things are not needed. But you know…., sometimes you just want to have something because you only like it so much. Normally I also use yarn scraps as stitchmarkers but one day I saw such a cute set…, well I couldn’t stand buying it. But that’s okay, I don’t need thousands but I am still happy to see and use the bought ones.
Regarding the blocking mats…, well…, difficult. I knitted a giant shawl but that shawl was no triangle at the beginning🙈. So I bought a set but I wasn’t thinking that it was much too small. At the end the shawl was pinned on various cartons, a yoga mat and the 12 blocks I bought. To be honest…, I was stupid to have spent money for them…, but ok…, sometimes I am stupid. I hope the next time I will think before spending money.
Thanks for all your tips and have a great time.
I agree with most of your list. A fun little side note: if you like using art yarn/super bulky yarn, you can use the yarn swift to hold the yarn as you crochet/knit, since they don't ball well. Another reason to use a ball winder is to add a small amount of extra twist to the yarn if you notice the yarn untwisting as you use it. I use needle stoppers for my small embroidery scissors 😂 so it doesn't pierce through my bag😅. I spin my own yarn and trying to break though some of the thicker or multi ply yarns by hand is not possible. I need project bags with notes (usually flashcards) otherwise my ADHD brain will forget what I'm doing. Thank you for making this video, it was fun to watch. I was thinking of getting into knitting and your opinions help!
I need to start adding these index cards to my bags too! Thank you for the tip!
As somebody who has been crocheting for quite a few year and just took up knitting as well: the only essentials I need are the yarn I am currently working on, the crochet hook/knitting needle and time.
Everything else is something i was able to improvise from things I already had. Kitchen scissors, scrap pieces of paper to take notes. Even the wool needle I usually just use my crochet hook because I cant be bothered to get up and look for it.
There is no need for a ton of different yarn, fancy gadgets, notebooks, a spread of different needles if one tends to stick to one size of yarn and stitch markers (i use a small bobbypin).
I truly think it is something that should be available for everyone who is interested, there is no need to make it a privileged hobby. The only privilege i need for it is the amount of spare time to work on my projects.
Loved the video, i felt like you brought sound arguments and didnt put any pressure on us❤
Such an insightful video and I so appreciate how down-to-earth you are in this video. AND YOUR VOID CAT IS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE
🥰 thank you
I'm 6 months late but this was a nice podcast-y video to listen to while crocheting.
--I will say that I use a ball winder to clean up partial skeins that are all floppy, or sometimes to make a cake right before beginning a project.
--Definitely a great idea to just get ergonomic hooks of the most common project sizes (4-6 mm, maybe); I basically never do micro-crochet so those hooks haven't been used at all. I taught crochet at my job (library) for about a year and honestly those new to crochet got pretty far with just a 5mm metal hook and random, unlabeled yarn that was donated probably 7 years prior. You don't need much to start with.
--I began crocheting clothing this year (and some bags that need to be blocked before adding fabric) so I've been trying to find blocking mats/boards without breaking the bank. I decided on using some thick-ish foam board I already had and sewing pins before buying anything, so we'll see how that goes this week.
--I've never heard of the pill shaver; it's going on my list of things to get one day.
--I have tried to start crochet journals for note-taking and it never really works out lol. I swap projects so often and there's always the fear of not leaving enough space for the previous one. I've also tried Notion and Google Sheets/Docs but I just don't keep up with digital systems very well.
--I have an additional non-essential: yarn bowl. They're cute and seem like they'll help keep yarn contained but the reality is that I don't keep much of my yarn in balls so it's just a giant skein sticking out of it and taking up space on my desk.
Okay, sorry for long comment. I really enjoyed hearing your opinions on these items and reading the comments of others.
Just found your channel with this video! In my 65 years of life I can be fairly thrifty but a couple of things I will definitely politely disagree!! I just have to have a row counter!! And a Pom Pom maker!!😂. And-as a bag maker…….I definitely think the right bag can make your project more fun but, confession, I have used grocery bags myself at times!!! Enjoyed your show!!
I have been knitting casually for around two years. In my little toolkit I keep a pen, a crochet hook (to catch dropped stitches, iykyk), a tin of stitch markers, scissors, a measuring tape, and darning needles. It’s so funny what different people consider essential!
I personally use stitch markers in repeating patterns (like fairaisle or cable) to stop me from having to figure out where I am. I also use them to count rows in socks to make them match.
I’m super lucky and have some disposable income that can support local Australian independent small batch dyers, but usually only for socks or beanies.
Love this video and very happy for you that it has blown up! You seem very sweet (and I think your name suits you very well 😊)
Personally, as someone who only shops at Joanne and with not a lot of money to drop, my favorite brand is big twist. It's almost always on sale and is a softer yarn with a lot of different weights. I would say that it's an amazing yarn for beginners to start off with.
I have been journalling my makes for years. As a result, I bought a knitting specific journal and hated it. It didn’t capture what I wanted to capture. Once I filled it up recently, I went back to my blank page journal. I would agree with most of your opinions on this. Especially your advice about buying some mid-tier items rather than the cheapest option. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way. Where I disagree with your opinions are about blocking mats. I love mine for blocking garments, needlepoint, etc. I also got the blocking board with pegs this year and can’t wait to use it for granny squares. I really enjoyed your video. Your couch looks so cozy and your cat is adorable.
My most essential tool is the floor lamp with a magnifying light that’s in addition to the regular long “bar” of light. In the 56 years I have been knitting, I have appreciated the lamp more in the last 2 years than any other trinket. I can work effectively with dark colours, darning, mending; I can see!!
There should be anniversary parties for knitting. 56 years is amazing! I really hope I am still in love with this craft in another 41 years. I struggle seeing dark yarns even in broad daylight, so I sit directly under a light even during the day if I am working with a dark color.
A knitting needle size guide is actually essential for me. I was gifted a large selection of circular knitting needles from a friend who was getting out of knitting right around the time I had started getting into it, already having gotten onto crochet. Most of them do not have their sizes still on them, so in order to do projects and even know what needles I'm using, I needed a knitting needle sizer to check their sizes.
thank you !! so many people have all these cute little knitting gadgets and i always feel the need to buy more stuff, but we often forget that some things aren't necessary ^^'
I think this whole video is just a note for myself for when I get the urge to go on a crafty shopping spree. I have more than enough stuff as it is.
Isabella, thanks for this, I've been knitting since the dark ages and most people did not spend much money on MOST of the things available now! Plus I had to have a ball winder as part of the spinning stuff I used to do. I always had several knitting needles, some for knitting in the round, never DPN's until recently, a few crochet hooks, a multiple tapestry needles (I also have lots of sewing stuff), stitch markers, and I LOVE sharp small scissors for at home or swiss army knife for travel (oh yes, for 21 years I could do that, but then... well we all know what happened) like you, nail clippers or that Swiss army fake key that is a blade and a philips head (!) gosh, what else.? Having blocking tools is a game changer for me, those blocks are great for blocking scarves and other things I make, really great to have that surface over a towel on a table. Also have suddenly needed the needle sizer, becasue some metal ones are marked so faintly it's not something I can even handle trying to read them.. I'm old and only in the last few years have tried to up my game from basic designs (my own) to following patterns and learning classic and interesting techniques. Here is what I don't have: no point tips, no fancy markers, no bespoke bags to carry projects in, but the one thing that I miss having, REALLY REALLY, is one of those fur things you have on your lap watching your every move... I bet yours watches you knit too! AWWWW. Again, this is a great compilation of tools.. I appreciate your perspectives! Thanks, Valenta
Not only are the metal stitch markers more sustainable, you also can't break them! I had a horrible habit of breaking my plastic stitch markers frequently until I made the switch. Never looking back!
I bought a little crafting set at a random store for like 5 ot 10 USD and it had cutters, measuring tape, stitch markets, stitch holders, etc. It also had some cable needles which I had NO idea what were until this video, so thank you for that!
I have crochet hooks and knitting needles in all different kinds of brands, so I have no idea what size most of them are. I got a little wooden square that has a 4 inch by 4 inch window for gauges, needle sizing holes, and crochet hook holes! Along with a ruler on the side. I love that thing, and use it a lot during the begining of projects.