Knitting Supplies

What knitting supplies do you need to get started? Well, apart from the all important knitting bag there are two obvious essentials: needles and yarn.

Knitting Needles

As a beginner, I recommend the metal needles because they glide through the yarn and are nice and light.

When I started, I knew that knitting needles vary in diameter. It took me longer to realize that needles can also vary in length and come in a set of four double pointed needles or a single circular needle!

At this stage, all you really need to remember is that the thicker the needle, the bigger the stitches will be (and so the bigger the holes will be).

If you want to find out about knitting needles in more details click here

Knitting Yarn

If you are a beginner, I suggest you start with thicker yarn such as double knit or aran. However, the most important thing is that you love the yarn you choose. If you like the colour and texture of a particular yarn, you are more likely to stay enthusiastic about your project and be proud of the finished piece.

Bear in mind, that if you choose thick yarn then you will thick needles and vice versa.

I have given more in depth advice about choosing knitting yarn

here and here.

Other Useful Items

*A sharp pair of scissors- for cutting the yarn

*A tape measure - to check your tension

*A stitch holder - to hold your spare stitches whilst knitting

*A darning needle or tapestry needle - for weaving in lose ends and sewing pieces together

*A row counter - so you don’t loose your place!

* Some long pins with large plastic heads - to hold pieces together as you sew

* Buttons and embroidery thread - for fastenings and decorations

When you start knitting, the choice of yarns, needles and other knitting materials can seem a bit overwhelming. I remember searching for a knitting kit. Kits can come in very handy, because rather than worry about having the right equipment you can concentrate on learning how to knit!

Once you get started it won’t be long before you learn what type of yarn and needles you like working with.

Have fun shopping!