The quality of the content is more important than any duration considerations. This episode was extremely helpful and as concise as it could be given the topic. Quality tools in any given craft are essential. They make you a more efficient maker and send a subliminal message that you are special and worth it. Safe travels!
Oh, what an enabler you are. I just spent a ton of money on Annie's keepers. When you said spending hours and hours on a craft, it makes sense to make an investment. Thanks for the validation.
My notions look almost the same as yours! I’ve been sewing since age 9, crocheting and knitting since 11. Some came from my mom and grandmother, but i bought 2 pairs of those guggenheim scissors! I love to use them! I even have the same pink and green bag you showed! One thing I have that probably no one else would even want…living near the Mississippi River, I have collected over 100,000 River pearl buttons in every color of the rainbow! I would like to market them, but at age 68, I don’t have the time or inclination to put down my sewing and knitting long enough to get it done!
I love the scissors! And wow, the river pearl buttons sound so beautiful; I hope you can find a way to share them! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment :)
Newly subscribed love your channel and watched beginning to end. Would love recommendations patterns on how to knit top down sweaters. I’ve only done piece work.
"my husband" how cute!!! i can't get enough of finding more people from our queer community in the fiber arts. absolutely an enabler because im eyeing that yarn winder... aaanndd love your ring!! reminds me of bisoulovely!
By far, one of the most comprehensive videos on notions. Fair, balanced , and to the point. I have been knitting over 40 years and I have most of these same items and we agree on the functionality of most of them. Thanks for doing this. It will save some people a bunch of money. Well-done.
For many years I have wound hanks into cakes by hand with the hank wrapped around my knees (I had a ball winder). Then my niece gave me a gift card for Knitpicks. I bought a swift! The same one in your video. Best investment ever!
Normally I don't have patience to watch a long video and give up after 20 to 30 minutes but your style of communicating and the detail you provide keeps me interested. Where did the last hour go?!
I love your videos in general, but I find the long ones even better at the end of stressful days. Your video style, the tone and tempo of your speech are really soothing to me. I feel instantly calmer when I watch your videos. Also compliments on the actual content of your videos. You always manage to give details and nuance without it being too much.
Hi Mark. Discovered your channel and videos yesterday and have subsequently watched a bunch. As i cast on and work on my first sweater. I love the long "rambly" type videos especially when they're informative!!! I just started to teach myself to knit last month and so seeing what is essential and what is gimmicky is really helpful! I also love seeing the POV of another male (and gay) fiber arts maker. Your energy and enthusiasm is really lovely to see!
My most versatile notion is a ball of heavy-ish crochet cotton that I use as stitch holders, barber cords, provisional cast-ons, marking rows and replacing stitches that will be removed later, such as before-thought/afterthought heels or pocket openings. It stands out from my regular knitting and doesn't stick to the wooly wools that I prefer to use when I am ready to pull it or pick it out.
I have a small winder, like you showed. My husband saw my frustration with the small base and he designed and 3D printed a disk that slides over it to give me a larger base for working with.
I loved seeing all the different notions, - being in the beginner mode, it gave me good explanation on all the different things that are useable, or not necessary. Thanks for all the work, so informative and as always, enjoyable.👏🏻☺️
Absolutely need to check my needle size, both my needles and myself are getting old!!! Not to mention English vs old English vs US sizes in a 60 year old collection.
I love the long videos! Your voice is very calming and I enjoy the stories you tell! You also give great advice! Long or short, I watch them all! Thank you!!
My stepmother outfitted me in the last years of the '80's with a comprehensive set of straight needles. Over time I converted to individual circulars per project and only this year am I shopping for an exchangeable set. The technology and thought process for points and loops just wasn't around back then. My starter gift also had stitch holders and cable needle and split ring markers so she set me up very well to try anything. I'm using one of the aluminum locking stitch holders to roll up a triangle shawl I'm working on today. I went all this time without a swift or a winder but I just got into spending $$ on natural fibers and small shop dyed fingering yarn sold in hanks. A swift and a small plastic winder were my best 2023 purchases. Plus It took my becoming interested in spinning to make the swift worth my investment to hank up what I was spinning. I chose the Amish tabletop over the umbrella type. My best discovery is that the small winder makes a cake I can put in a dice bag to act as a snugger and a hangable minder at the same time. I wanted more use of my dice bags and now they're ready to take my crafting camping. But I am eying that larger winder for heavier yarns; it looks more durable and smoother. My struggle now is to find a way to store all my tools together in a portable way.
I like all of your videos. My mom taught me to knit over 50 or more years ago and I did t take it up. Now that my children and grown and I’m retired I am getting back into it and I rely on UA-cam channels like yours for info and advice. I commented on a recent video of yours that I found your explanation of yarn types very helpful. This video is similarly helpful. I like your calm and soothing voice and your well-informed, honest approach. You don’t sound like you are trying to sell anything and you present your opinions based on your experience which is considerable so it can be trusted. I’d like to understand what yarn types called base yarns are. I’ve seen yarns on some websites categorized this way. Thank you again for your videos!
That's such helpful feedback, thank you! Does this description match what you mean by "base yarns?" The other possibility would be undyed fiber that some sellers offer. skillfullytangled.com/yarn-bases/ Thank you for watching!
Long, short knitting, travelling anything love it all I am a fan when I nit I watch your podcast and I appreciate you your time and your expertise. Thank you once again from the UK
If you put your small yarn ends in the garden the birds use them to make their nests. Just put them on a shrub or a tree. We found a discarded nest one year and it had a heap of my yarn ends woven in
I have a pair of fingernail clippers in every project bag. They work to cut yarn and I don't have to worry about packing scissors. I use beaded stitch markers for the beginning of a round and lightbulb markers everywhere else. If I am doing a repeating pattern, I place a marker at every repeat so I can make sure I am not off in my count before the end of a row. Thanks for your content. I enjoy your channel.
Such great advice on how you use your markers! And great idea on having nail clippers in your project bags. I appreciate you taking time to watch the channel!
I have a glass nail file at my desk. I started working with Madelinetosh single ply and like it was said, every little imperfection grabs into the yarn.
I've found yarn butlers a nice sanity saver for any yarn that's extremely slippery and tends to collapse in on itself when it's in a cake. Silk lace and fingering weight yarns used to give me a lot of trouble. I've also found the yarn butler useful for two at a time socks since I don't tend to travel with that project. One big downside is that sometimes if it's getting a little loose some yarn might get tangled between the stick and the base.
Thank you. Currently sitting in a hotel in Madrid, knitting for sanity after the same airline that misplaced my luggage last year has done it again (my lost luggage includes a LOT of yarn purchased in Copenhagen and Oslo - great yarn shopping in Copenhagen btw). Watching your show is the perfect antidote to stress. :) I'd love to see a video in which you teach cabling with and without a cable needle. I have yet to learn. For my notions, I have a flat pencil case/pouch that I keep the basics in for travel. My scissors go in my checked luggage, but I have a plastic tapestry needle in my pouch, stitch markers, measuring tape, crochet hook, and a small clear zip lock silicone pouch with spare yarn cut offs for holding stitches. I've only just purchased the silicone cord replacement in Copenhagen, but I'm sure I'll revert back to the offcuts method to hold stitches from time to time. I have metal stitch markers in a magnetic Coco Knits case, which is great, and plastic markers in a small zippered pouch that I bought cheap at a shrine in Tokyo many years ago - it has flower print fabric that makes me smile. I've just bought a small Toiletries bag to keep a sock project in as I travel. It's a bit tight, but I love the fabric and couldn't resist. haven't watched all of your shows yet, so if you haven't done one on making Christmas stocking and gift knits, I'd love to see that too. 'Tis the season. And please include zned and his ideas and opinions, the two of you are fab!! Thanks for all that you contribute. You've made my unhappy day so much better.
Wow! Thank you so much! I'm sorry for your airport and luggage woes. That can be such a headache, especially when you have really valuable and meaningful items in your luggage. I also appreciate hearing your recommendations for future videos. I've added them to my list 🙂
I have only watched a little bit of the video but I just HAD TO come here to say: "I LOVE YOUR MOOMIN NOTEBOOK!!!" (I actually have a mini notebook with the same print, I use it for my knitting notes. It fits in my notions pouch!) ❤❤❤❤ With love, a Finn 😂
On the topic of needle gauge: I have multiple but my favorite one is a slotted (vs holes) where it has measures as low as 000 and works with square needles as well. I know of multiple systems for needle sizing: US, English, older needles, and Japanese. Also, one more tip is size 6 is sometimes 4 mm and other times 4.25 mm.
Hello Mark! I just found your videos and I really loved this one, You present everything very structured and objective. It also made me smile - because I think I have almost everything except for 1 or 2 items such as the magnifying gauge ruler, but as a knitter you have a LOT of notions, project bags, scissors and measuring tapes, not to forget needles, yarn bowls or holders (I own 4 and use them always). Good tools are as essential as good yarn, so there is nothing wrong to spend some money on it.
I LOVE my Leuchtturms! I have a grid style and a dot style and I love them both. Also, that cobalt blue notions bag from Bloomingdale's is now on my wishlist. I'm obsessed with the color and function of it.
I was going to purchase a moleskin, but I read somewhere about Leuchtturms! I got that cobalt blue case at a boutique near my local yarn shop, and I immediately loved the color - I think that the number of clear pouches work really well for stitch markers! They make a matching small crossbody bag that I want to eventually get for my camera when I travel.
Hello Mark, Just found your channel all about knitting crochet, I learned how to crochet in 2020 lockdown by a UA-cam lovely lady, as people before tried to show me however all I could see was all fingers . As I’m registered blind - this lady had the camera very close so that I could see her crocheting brilliant, I only do babies blankets but I use & love the plastic coloured locking stitch markers, so I use them ie 1 colour for all 3 corners & 1 bright colour for start straight line that helps me. I’m going to try to knit myself a jumper but never done before (a bit scared) but in 1 of your videos you are saying it all around ( but what does that mean ? ) see you using circular needles (love them needles especially the interchangeable ones too. Hope to see more videos 😊
Thanks for this great video. I am new to crochet at age 69. I enjoyed the slow informational style of this video. I watched/listened & learned while I crocheted.
This is very helpful. A good knitter has to be organized so you are not wasting time when you need to move on to the next step of your project. But you also have to be careful to not spend money on tools that you don’t need.
I have the same orange ATTY tape measure. It was a “gift with purchase” this weekend at Wild and Wooly. 😂 You can never have too many and I was thankful when I found it in my bag when unpacking my purchases.
I have to say this is a super video about notions and gadgets. You provide a balance to each critique. Ive been knitting since I was 8 and have almost all of the things you show. The missing items are ones you don't think are worth the time or money. Thanks for sharing.
Great informative video, especially for new knitters, I am always on the lookout for notions to add to my collection. It's great to have an experienced knitters opinion on options and helpful hints in making future purchases. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I know I appreciate hearing reviews and seeing others test products…especially if they are expensive investments! Happy knitting to you!
If you like the red lace cable, you must try the knitpro (knitter's pride) mindful cables, they are swivel AND they are like the red lace cables. They are hands down the best cables I have ever used. They will work with your current set of needles.
I have a yarn butler that hangs on the spindle from a magnet, the arm that it hangs from looks like a banana holder. There is very minimal resistance & the platform spins freely. I use it all the time when I'm making a large project.
I use my scale all the time. I have a large stash - many of which have no label. By using a combination of the weight, and using my swift to determine the length of yarn I have, it gives me some of the information that the label would give me. Of course, I'm a bit obsessive compulsive regarding my craft / tools - including but not exclusively inventorying my yarn, tools, notions, etc.
I bought a KnitPicks chart keeper (same as CoCo Knits maker board) for a color work cowl. I had to tape the chart together and it was too long to fit on the board so I had to keep moving it across, which caused the magnets to move, losing my place etc etc. I bought Knit Companion for my iPad and it’s amazing. You can zoom in/out, keep stitch/row count, change colors and what I love…. The highlight line doesn’t move no matter how many times you exit or change patterns. I can’t tell you how many times my highlighter tape fell off on my bag or just with time and use. And boy, that’s trouble. So glad I found your podcast!
Oh that sounds like a headache! I am a musician and use the app ForeScore to read and mark my music scores. Usually I just open up my patterns there and mark my place, make notes, etc. I know a little bit about KnitCompanion, but I still haven’t jumped in to try it! It sounds like it’s the best tool out there!
@@MakerMarkKnits it is by far (IMHO) the best tool. Very Pink Knits and KnittyNatty have intro videos on it. There is limited free version and a very small fee paid version. Definately worth it since it has the more used options. Check it out!
Great video! I like the way that you've described why you like or dislike each product. The barber cords are great! I ended up finding them (called lacing cord or lanyard string) on Amazon in packs of 100 for about $15 and gave away a bunch to knitting friends. They also sell them on spools so if you need really long cords for a larger sweater or blanket, you can cut a piece as large as you need.
I never thought I‘d need a scale for knitting but I got one just like yours along with my first advent last year and it has really been so helpful! Not just with managing the fade on that single project but also keeping track of other leftover yarn quantities to figure out how much I used or will need for a project. The most underrated tool ever in my opinion.
I guess the small counting scale my friend showed me should be in my Amazon cart. He said it was accurate to dose beehives with Oxalic Acid so should do nicely for light items.
6:13 I made one of these with some small magnet boards and a three ring binder from dollar tree. I could of gotten fancier and sewed and blah blah to make it all fabric covered pretty; but for less than $5 and did the job I needed it to do then. Haven’t used it since soooo it was a good call.
Great info. I'll add my two cents from 60 years of knitting. Skein winder: I love mine, but for beginners, most local yarn stores (not big box craft stores) will wind skeins into balls for you, so it's an expense that can be postponed. I've also seen instructions on making one using yard sticks. My favorite point protector is from Knitpicks. It's an aluminum tube about 6" long with a rubber cap on one end with a slit. The cable needle tips go into the tube through the slit. They do NOT slip off. Our knitting group tested them by making a sample swatch, putting the tips into the protectors, then playing catch with it. If using larger needles, one needle tip per tube, smaller needles 2 tips per tube. Note: these are designed for circulars, a different solution is needed for DPNs or single points. The floopy stitch markers. Any chance they're elastic? They look exactly like the hair rubber bands we used as kids (mid century) for pony tails. The metal clasps that hold the elastic ends ALWAYS got tangled in the hair. It would explain why they are so oversized. Keep up the good work and I'll keep watching.
Thank you so much for that brilliant advice! Yes, the floops markers are stretchy. Those that I show in the video are also the jumbo size, I believe they come in a range of sizes like several fixed stitch markers do. Thank you so much for watching and again, for sharing your beautiful ideas 🙂
Excellent well organized video. Enjoyed every moment. A real nice summary. Saw gadgets I don’t have and I think would be useful! I love your long videos. Never get bored. Keep up the great work.
This was one of the best reviews I have seen, as opposed to haul posts, I often thought what I want is a haul 6 months later and what they think of what they bought, and here you are with a very fair, pro and con, example of notions. A useful list of things for my someday when I finally earn a fair wage has been compiled!😊
Wow, thank you! I agree with you--it's so valuable to see how things hold up, if they are worth buying, and any quirks they may present. Thank you for watching!
I love the long format, Mark! I got so much knitting done on my Artus Shawl. The rows are getting long and you kept me occupied through all those stitches. We have so many of the same notions, but I’m inspired by your organizational efforts. Also, I think I’m going to put some larger items on eBay (like my old plastic ball winder) so that somebody else can enjoy them.
That's a good point! I often like to put on a video and commit to a certain amount of project time 😊 Great idea about eBay. I'm sure people look for gently used notions there!
This was a great format! Although I’m sure you can produce a really informative quick and dirty as well. I love the sweater you are wearing and would have loved to hear about it. Is it fields of gold or something like that? Congratulations on the marriage. You have made me feel much better about my own notion obsession. I have wayyyy too many…but I continue to buy them as I always think they are going to be the next great thing. I love all of my project bags (Magner, Della q, madder root) and I do use the makers board.
Thank you for watching! I hope to get a big della q bag in the future. They are so beautiful! My sweater is the "Field Sweater" by Camilla Vad. I should start noting what I'm wearing in the description box. :)
I love the CocoKnits metal stitch markers. I also love the metal lightbulb pins. I keep my markers in a magnetized bowl I found at Harbor Freight for under $5. The bowls are meant for mechanics, but I use them for sewing pins, clips, and notions too.
Very informative and well documented. I love your format and the calm way of the presentation. I recently watched the wedding video and also loved that. Thank you.
Again, another informative, very articulate segment. I really appreciate all your input and review of your Knitting tools. Thanks for bringing us such great content. A big fan from Vienna Austria.
Thank you so much! I don't think I've ever been to Vienna--I've traveled to Germany a couple of times in my life...maybe one day I can see your city and country!
Just found you today, thank you for being so informative. I have been knitting for a long time and love hearing other knitters feedback. This was a great video my favorite was the mytagalong case for markers a little spendy but something I think is worth the investment for me. Keep sharing and know you are appreciated.
i've only been crocheting/weaving for about a year but there's definitely some things in here i hadn't really thought about to pick up and seem like real great ideas, the thing about the needles and getting nice ones was really good to hear just as i'm looking at getting some proper tunisian hooks..
You really are doing God's work here 😂 I'm a brand new knitter and have been overwhelmed by all the notions, and i have learned so much from this video! Thank you!
This video has been so interesting, and I have to say, as a newbie knitter, I absolutely love how informative you are when talking about your knitting needles (as well as everything else), I learned a lot about what I don't want and what will feel worth the money when I do invest in a nice knitting needle set eventually. You are just so concise in how you deliver information and my brain greatly appreciates it! Cheers. -S.
As a woman who really used to love to buy make up, I have scads of make up pouches that I got when you got the free little kits from the cosmetic companies. I’ll never run out of notions pouches. Also, my favorite tins are Altoids tins. And the other knitting notion that I use, that’s just something that you save our bread ties to bind up yarn tails. Local yarn shop owner showed me that one. I’ll never net with a yarn tail again. My favorite Dela Q bag isn’t really even a bag. It’s a fixed circular needles storage that you hang up on a hanger and over the back of a door. It virtually eliminates the memory from your needle cables.
thank you for making this video! I don't knit, but I've inherited a fair number of supplies from my grandmother (which is a little baffling, as I've only ever seen her crochet). Some of them, I didn't know the purpose of. This made almost all of them make sense.
There is another reason for using the yarn "butler". The best way I can think of to illustrate this thought is to ask if you've ever pulled toilet paper off the roll - without it being on a holder - from above. You'll notice it starts twisting quickly. Your yarn already has a twist to it, and depending on your knitting style, you're probably adding or reducing the twist in the yarn as you use it. Your yarn butler will prevent that from happening, just like the toilet paper holder prevents the paper from twisting as you pull it off the roll.
I definitely enjoyed seeing all your notions. Who doesn’t love notions? It’s always fun to see what other people like to use. I was pleased to see that we both like the same crochet hooks and the needles. I have only one red tulip Adam lough Cook, but I have a full set of the black and gold, in an adorable pouch, and several of my favorite sizes in the pink that came in a really cute little pouch that zips up. IQ tried both the higher higher sharps and the shell goo red lays, and chose the red lace. The chords are fantastic. Please excuse spelling mistakes, as I am using the speaker feature of my iPad to type this message. It’s very hard for me to see the keyboard, as I have severe glaucoma. And thanks for the very interesting video. I am Sandy from Cincinnati.
I’m just finding your channel. But found your video to be representational of my own except for the Chao Goo which I haven’t tried. I have 3 sets of Knit Picks wood, metal and oversized wooden needles. I love the Stanwood yarn winder and swift. I tried the plastic one and it was awful so it was returned. I thought I would love the knitting bowls, but I prefer a handmade pottery bowl I got from a neighbor’s tag sale. Lastly, the yarn spindle is definitely used on the daily. It does work better on a cake. Thanks for the great video. I would rather it be longer than rushed. Best regards, Sherry
Thank you for watching! I'm glad you like to use your spindle. I might eventually find more use for mine. I really love using my Chiaogoo needles--if you ever get tired of your usual needles, I'd recommend giving Chiaogoo a try! Happy crafting, Sherry!
Although this video is already a few months old (I just found you a few days ago), I wanted to say something about the circular needles. I didn´t really see any comments on that topic. I just tried out a few different needles and systems to try to find out which one I liked best. Since I really hate the way most of the cables coil, I tried different spinning or swiveling cords. I tried the spin interchanchable cable from Chiaogoo with their bamboo needles (I like wood better than metal) but I didn´t really like the needles. The cord is really light so it doesn´t really coil. I settled on the KnitPro Symphonie interchangable needles you showed as the ones you started out with and combine those with the lantern moon swivel cords. Those are nylon coated stainless steel and therefore also don´t really have the memory the regular plastic cords have.
I make notes on scrap paper, and transfer them to a word document for each project I do. And I use excel to create my charts, or to transfer them into something more scalable than a pic. And I use PowerPoint to capture specific portions of information. I'm not organized enough up front to use a notebook. I need something more editable.
I really loved this video! Now I want to go through all my own notions (some are the same as yours) and rank and organize them better. Thanks for the inspiration!
The blue Tulip Etimo crochet hook set was released in a strictly limited edition for the company's 60th anniversary. It is so expensive because it follows a special Japanese aesthetic concept called Wabi. I don't fully understand why, because I once learned that Wabi means the beauty of the not-so-perfect, like crooked ceramics. In any case, a lot of effort has been put into this set. The box is made of fine wood, handmade. The fabric bag is made of fine fabric, also handmade, and the aluminum needles are covered with Japanese blue, which is very difficult and very expensive to create. These are no hooks you should really crochet with, they are for collectors. I had the great pleasure to pick up these hooks at a craft fair and also could crochet something with them. They are just as good as the ones in pink, red or gray, feel the same and are just as smooth. No difference. They look special, come with the box and the bag and are 15 times more expensive . Although the price has fallen by $800, at least in Europe. But you have to be very careful, because there are now also copies from China - as always.
Wow, thank you for that thorough explanation! That definitely explains the cost to an extent. How cool that you got to see a set and try them out! Thank you for watching :)
YES on the Kitchener stitch key chain! Even though I have made tons of socks, I don’t make them in quick succession, so I can never remember how to close the toes! I have a video saved on my phone, but I’m usually watching something else while I’m knitting.
Very interesting to see some more unusual tools. I really appreciate your review of each, to help us spend our craft money wisely. I personally have been really struggling to find stitch markers: those I like for knitting don’t seem as compatible with my crocheting. Now I know I need different ones! 🙂 And it’s so sweet that you mentioned your spouse! We’d all be very fortunate to have such a supportive spouse!! 🤗
I'm only part way through this and already have a couple thoughts. I use an Amish type swift, much prefer it to the umbrella, and I can set it directly on top of my Oxo digital scale to let me know exactly how many grams of yarn I've wound off when I'm dividing a skein. There is an alternative interchangeable set to ChiaoGoo now, I think from Knitters Pride? I don't remember the name but do remember I first heard about them from Norman at Nimble Needles. They are much less expensive than the ChiaoGoo and have the no-memory cords.
I'm a little late to the game on this video, but oh my goodness! I'm going to a yarn festival this weekend and this has been really helpful to get a list together of helpful things to look out for! Glad I watched it when I did, super super helpful!
I love your content, short or long..doesn’t matter..and I feel like I’m having tea with a friend! We have similar taste in patterns and yarn etc. one thing I can’t do without..not mentioned is a row counter. I have a cocoknits brand that’s magnetic and sticks to my maker board and has a lock so I don’t have to worry about accidentally losing my place. I need a better tape measure. I only have a heavy metal one and it kinda sucks! 😮 After speaking with other knitters and hearing you I really think it’s time to invest in a set of better quality interchangeables. Mine are ok but I’m tired of fighting with the wonky cables. 🍋 Keep on keepin on Mark! 🎉
I always avoid digging out my row counter, and then I lose my place of what row I'm on...I need to be better about that! I think having a good retractable tape measure is a lifesaver! It's one of the tools I reach for most often. And YES! I'm on a trip at the moment, and I forgot to bring one size of needles needed for a project - I ended up purchasing a pair from a brand I'm not used to using, and while they are adequate, they aren't as enjoyable to use as my ChiaoGoos! I know that needle sets are big investments, but it's one of those things that I think makes the BIGGEST difference in day to day crafting :)
knitting talk is never meandering. long format, short format, I'll take it all! your video seemed outlined and on point. I have a lot of the same notions, views you do. places where I lack like your review of scissors was very helpful! you introduced a few gadget notions I may try. also, I snagged a pattern or two from your journal. thanks for sharing!🧶😊
Knitpro and knitter’s pride are the same company by the way! I think knitpro is their european name. In their day and nite set they use some quite flexible swivel cords with a steel core like the chiaogoo red lace, if you’re interested in trying new things I‘d really recommend those, they’re my favorite needles to use.
Thank you for a very informative video, I have most of these types of notions myself, a few are now on my "required to function properly" needs list. I too have cats- 3 white 1 rescue and 2 of her children, I am amazed that I have never seen the cake protector anywhere, I usually listen not watch so now I have a mission to find a pattern, don't want to squish the yarn too much. Thanks much!! Be safe
I’m fascinated by people’s knitting notion stashes. Thanks for sharing your stash, it was fun to see! Number one for me is far and away my interchangeable ChiaGoo’s red lace set. I took the leap and invested in the big set of 5” and am so happy with them. I bought one fixed circular prior to getting the set and loved them immediately. Second, not really a notion, but a massively useful tool, is my IPad. Is it necessary? No, but I don’t need to print out patterns any more, I can make notes right on the pattern, I can zoom in when my eyes are tired. great for tutorials. I’ve had it for years and has made following patterns so much easier. Third, good scissors. They don’t need to be expensive, I got a cheap set from Amazon, as long as you’re just cutting yarn or thread, they’ll stay sharp for a long time. After that, light bulb stitch markers, tapestry/darning needles, crochet hook for fixing dropped stitches, measuring tape, and a bag for small notions, and a larger bag for WIPs, my neck light is pretty useful when I’m working on a more intricate pattern although it can get a little heavy sometimes. Knitting doesn’t have to break the bank. I picked up a lot of my supplies over almost 20 years knitting. I started with one pair of straights, ball of yarn, one little notion box with some stitch markers and a plastic tapestry needle, and an old pair of scissors. I added a more to my collection as my love for knitting grew. I only started adding more expensive items last year, I couldn’t really afford to invest much into knitting before that. I never want my collection of notions to overwhelm me, so I try to keep it simple because my knitting time = my relaxation time, most of the time my project is on my side table and the most used items are cluttering up the drawer that’s supposed to be for remote controls, it’s my knitting “junk drawer”.
I thought I collected a lot of notions. start out with certain things and then as time goes on I feel like our notions get better and better because we learn what we need. we all have different needs and wants. You use the stitch fixer, I'll just use my crochet hooks. I might pick up some of that barber cord though.
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I love long podcasts! I knit or crochet while watching and the longer the podcast, the more I get done.
The quality of the content is more important than any duration considerations. This episode was extremely helpful and as concise as it could be given the topic. Quality tools in any given craft are essential. They make you a more efficient maker and send a subliminal message that you are special and worth it.
Safe travels!
Oh, what an enabler you are. I just spent a ton of money on Annie's keepers. When you said spending hours and hours on a craft, it makes sense to make an investment. Thanks for the validation.
I'm glad you have notions you love!!
Ps. It sounds so good. The way you say my husband picked this up for me. Easy to see you are one proud husband yourself😊
😊😊😊
I love your sweater so much. It looks so comfy. And warm It's absolutely beautiful.
My notions look almost the same as yours! I’ve been sewing since age 9, crocheting and knitting since 11. Some came from my mom and grandmother, but i bought 2 pairs of those guggenheim scissors! I love to use them! I even have the same pink and green bag you showed! One thing I have that probably no one else would even want…living near the Mississippi River, I have collected over 100,000 River pearl buttons in every color of the rainbow! I would like to market them, but at age 68, I don’t have the time or inclination to put down my sewing and knitting long enough to get it done!
I love the scissors! And wow, the river pearl buttons sound so beautiful; I hope you can find a way to share them! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment :)
I love your long format. You get straight to the point in a detailed soothing way without being annoying. New subscriber here.
Wow, thanks! I appreciate the positive feedback 😊
Feel the same , appreciate the comments , seeing the items , no music competing with the commentary and proper volume
Wow, thank you!
Newly subscribed love your channel and watched beginning to end. Would love recommendations patterns on how to knit top down sweaters. I’ve only done piece work.
Great suggestion, thank you! I'll work on some videos covering that :)
"my husband" how cute!!! i can't get enough of finding more people from our queer community in the fiber arts. absolutely an enabler because im eyeing that yarn winder... aaanndd love your ring!! reminds me of bisoulovely!
Wow, thank you so much!!
By far, one of the most comprehensive videos on notions. Fair, balanced , and to the point. I have been knitting over 40 years and I have most of these same items and we agree on the functionality of most of them. Thanks for doing this. It will save some people a bunch of money. Well-done.
Wow, thank you! I really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment! Happy crafting :)
For many years I have wound hanks into cakes by hand with the hank wrapped around my knees (I had a ball winder). Then my niece gave me a gift card for Knitpicks. I bought a swift! The same one in your video. Best investment ever!
Hooray! It always feels good to pick up a valuable tool with a gift card! :)
My sister bought me the knit picks swift and I love it so much. I feel loved and remember her every time I wind up a skein.
Normally I don't have patience to watch a long video and give up after 20 to 30 minutes but your style of communicating and the detail you provide keeps me interested. Where did the last hour go?!
Wow, that’s very kind of you! Thank you for spending the hour with me :)
I love your videos in general, but I find the long ones even better at the end of stressful days. Your video style, the tone and tempo of your speech are really soothing to me. I feel instantly calmer when I watch your videos. Also compliments on the actual content of your videos. You always manage to give details and nuance without it being too much.
The mini minder was exactly what I have been looking for. Thanks!
Hi Mark. Discovered your channel and videos yesterday and have subsequently watched a bunch. As i cast on and work on my first sweater. I love the long "rambly" type videos especially when they're informative!!! I just started to teach myself to knit last month and so seeing what is essential and what is gimmicky is really helpful!
I also love seeing the POV of another male (and gay) fiber arts maker. Your energy and enthusiasm is really lovely to see!
My most versatile notion is a ball of heavy-ish crochet cotton that I use as stitch holders, barber cords, provisional cast-ons, marking rows and replacing stitches that will be removed later, such as before-thought/afterthought heels or pocket openings. It stands out from my regular knitting and doesn't stick to the wooly wools that I prefer to use when I am ready to pull it or pick it out.
How clever is that? Sounds like an indispensable tool!
I have a small winder, like you showed. My husband saw my frustration with the small base and he designed and 3D printed a disk that slides over it to give me a larger base for working with.
That is awesome! I love a functional solution.
Genius!!! Thinks about random thin things about the place that can be butchered to my purpose. Thanks for commenting this!
I loved this video! It gave me some shopping ideas for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May! By the way, your sweater is outstanding!!!❤
Thank you so much! It's the Field Sweater by Camilla Vad. I hope you enjoy Maryland Sheep and Wool!
I loved seeing all the different notions, - being in the beginner mode, it gave me good explanation on all the different things that are useable, or not necessary. Thanks for all the work, so informative and as always, enjoyable.👏🏻☺️
I'm so glad it was helpful! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment 😊
Same :)
Absolutely need to check my needle size, both my needles and myself are getting old!!! Not to mention English vs old English vs US sizes in a 60 year old collection.
Great point! I'm glad it's a worthwhile tool in your collection!
I love long videos where you talk about all parts of your experience around knitting. I love your honest feedback and tips.
Thank you for the most comprehensive notions review I’ve ever seen. Love the dog blanket on your right. Do you remember where you got the pattern?
Thanks! As a total newbie, I learned a lot. 💞
I'm so glad!
@@MakerMarkKnits 😊
:)
I love the long meandering videos like this! more please!
Thank you SO much :)
I love the long videos! Your voice is very calming and I enjoy the stories you tell! You also give great advice!
Long or short, I watch them all!
Thank you!!
Oh thank you! I really appreciate that 😊
these videos are very calming. I have it on in the background as I clean my house. I keep looking up to see what he's talking about.
Wow, thanks!
My stepmother outfitted me in the last years of the '80's with a comprehensive set of straight needles. Over time I converted to individual circulars per project and only this year am I shopping for an exchangeable set. The technology and thought process for points and loops just wasn't around back then. My starter gift also had stitch holders and cable needle and split ring markers so she set me up very well to try anything. I'm using one of the aluminum locking stitch holders to roll up a triangle shawl I'm working on today. I went all this time without a swift or a winder but I just got into spending $$ on natural fibers and small shop dyed fingering yarn sold in hanks. A swift and a small plastic winder were my best 2023 purchases. Plus It took my becoming interested in spinning to make the swift worth my investment to hank up what I was spinning. I chose the Amish tabletop over the umbrella type. My best discovery is that the small winder makes a cake I can put in a dice bag to act as a snugger and a hangable minder at the same time. I wanted more use of my dice bags and now they're ready to take my crafting camping. But I am eying that larger winder for heavier yarns; it looks more durable and smoother. My struggle now is to find a way to store all my tools together in a portable way.
That's fantastic! I love that your dice bags double as yarn cozies and hanging minders :)
I like all of your videos. My mom taught me to knit over 50 or more years ago and I did t take it up. Now that my children and grown and I’m retired I am getting back into it and I rely on UA-cam channels like yours for info and advice.
I commented on a recent video of yours that I found your explanation of yarn types very helpful. This video is similarly helpful.
I like your calm and soothing voice and your well-informed, honest approach. You don’t sound like you are trying to sell anything and you present your opinions based on your experience which is considerable so it can be trusted.
I’d like to understand what yarn types called base yarns are. I’ve seen yarns on some websites categorized this way. Thank you again for your videos!
That's such helpful feedback, thank you! Does this description match what you mean by "base yarns?" The other possibility would be undyed fiber that some sellers offer.
skillfullytangled.com/yarn-bases/
Thank you for watching!
Long, short knitting, travelling anything love it all I am a fan when I nit I watch your podcast and I appreciate you your time and your expertise. Thank you once again from the UK
Thank you so much!
If you put your small yarn ends in the garden the birds use them to make their nests. Just put them on a shrub or a tree. We found a discarded nest one year and it had a heap of my yarn ends woven in
Oh interesting! Thank you for the suggestion :)
I have a pair of fingernail clippers in every project bag. They work to cut yarn and I don't have to worry about packing scissors.
I use beaded stitch markers for the beginning of a round and lightbulb markers everywhere else. If I am doing a repeating pattern, I place a marker at every repeat so I can make sure I am not off in my count before the end of a row.
Thanks for your content. I enjoy your channel.
Such great advice on how you use your markers! And great idea on having nail clippers in your project bags. I appreciate you taking time to watch the channel!
I have a glass nail file at my desk. I started working with Madelinetosh single ply and like it was said, every little imperfection grabs into the yarn.
Thank you for this very informative video of Knitting tools.
Thank you so much for watching!
I love your long videos! Lots of great info. Thanks, Mark! With your soft, comfortable voice, you could read books while the rest of us knit! ❤
Wow, thank you! "Story time" meets "knitting time" would be lovely!
I've found yarn butlers a nice sanity saver for any yarn that's extremely slippery and tends to collapse in on itself when it's in a cake. Silk lace and fingering weight yarns used to give me a lot of trouble. I've also found the yarn butler useful for two at a time socks since I don't tend to travel with that project.
One big downside is that sometimes if it's getting a little loose some yarn might get tangled between the stick and the base.
That's a great idea! I'll keep that in mind for future projects :)
Thank you. Currently sitting in a hotel in Madrid, knitting for sanity after the same airline that misplaced my luggage last year has done it again (my lost luggage includes a LOT of yarn purchased in Copenhagen and Oslo - great yarn shopping in Copenhagen btw). Watching your show is the perfect antidote to stress. :) I'd love to see a video in which you teach cabling with and without a cable needle. I have yet to learn. For my notions, I have a flat pencil case/pouch that I keep the basics in for travel. My scissors go in my checked luggage, but I have a plastic tapestry needle in my pouch, stitch markers, measuring tape, crochet hook, and a small clear zip lock silicone pouch with spare yarn cut offs for holding stitches. I've only just purchased the silicone cord replacement in Copenhagen, but I'm sure I'll revert back to the offcuts method to hold stitches from time to time. I have metal stitch markers in a magnetic Coco Knits case, which is great, and plastic markers in a small zippered pouch that I bought cheap at a shrine in Tokyo many years ago - it has flower print fabric that makes me smile. I've just bought a small Toiletries bag to keep a sock project in as I travel. It's a bit tight, but I love the fabric and couldn't resist. haven't watched all of your shows yet, so if you haven't done one on making Christmas stocking and gift knits, I'd love to see that too. 'Tis the season. And please include zned and his ideas and opinions, the two of you are fab!! Thanks for all that you contribute. You've made my unhappy day so much better.
Wow! Thank you so much! I'm sorry for your airport and luggage woes. That can be such a headache, especially when you have really valuable and meaningful items in your luggage. I also appreciate hearing your recommendations for future videos. I've added them to my list 🙂
I have only watched a little bit of the video but I just HAD TO come here to say: "I LOVE YOUR MOOMIN NOTEBOOK!!!" (I actually have a mini notebook with the same print, I use it for my knitting notes. It fits in my notions pouch!) ❤❤❤❤ With love, a Finn 😂
Ooh yay! I got mine at a Waterstones years ago!
Hi Mark, I love long podcasts! I usually knit or crochet while I watch, so the longer you talk, the more I get done!!😊
That’s a great point! I hope you got some good progress done on your current project! Thank you for spending the hour with me :)
Thanks Mark! Organization is crucial if one wants to get things done!
On the topic of needle gauge: I have multiple but my favorite one is a slotted (vs holes) where it has measures as low as 000 and works with square needles as well. I know of multiple systems for needle sizing: US, English, older needles, and Japanese. Also, one more tip is size 6 is sometimes 4 mm and other times 4.25 mm.
I am brand spanking new to your channel. . I love your videos and the content you are sharing! Keep up the excellent work!
Wow, thank you so much!
Hello Mark! I just found your videos and I really loved this one, You present everything very structured and objective. It also made me smile - because I think I have almost everything except for 1 or 2 items such as the magnifying gauge ruler, but as a knitter you have a LOT of notions, project bags, scissors and measuring tapes, not to forget needles, yarn bowls or holders (I own 4 and use them always). Good tools are as essential as good yarn, so there is nothing wrong to spend some money on it.
Thank you so much for watching! I agree with everything you've said here :)
I LOVE my Leuchtturms! I have a grid style and a dot style and I love them both. Also, that cobalt blue notions bag from Bloomingdale's is now on my wishlist. I'm obsessed with the color and function of it.
I was going to purchase a moleskin, but I read somewhere about Leuchtturms! I got that cobalt blue case at a boutique near my local yarn shop, and I immediately loved the color - I think that the number of clear pouches work really well for stitch markers!
They make a matching small crossbody bag that I want to eventually get for my camera when I travel.
Hello Mark,
Just found your channel all about knitting crochet, I learned how to crochet in 2020 lockdown by a UA-cam lovely lady, as people before tried to show me however all I could see was all fingers .
As I’m registered blind - this lady had the camera very close so that I could see her crocheting
brilliant, I only do babies blankets but I use & love the plastic coloured locking stitch markers, so I use them ie 1 colour for all 3 corners & 1 bright colour for start straight line that helps me.
I’m going to try to knit myself a jumper but never done before (a bit scared)
but in 1 of your videos you are saying it all around ( but what does that mean ? )
see you using circular needles (love them needles especially the interchangeable ones too.
Hope to see more videos 😊
A scale is handy to help in making multicolored sweaters from leftover yarn. I weigh each color so I can divide it evenly across sleeves and body.
Yes! That's a great use!
Thanks for this great video.
I am new to crochet at age 69. I enjoyed the slow informational style of this video. I watched/listened & learned while I crocheted.
Thank you so much for watching! I love that people are crafting along with me as they watch :)
Loving the long video Mark!wonderful Sunday morning viewing for me in the UK 🥰
Thank you, Pippa! I thought of you as I decided what time the video should go public!
@@MakerMarkKnits oh bless you 🥰 really made my day xxx (been hunting for some notions that I don’t have already 😉)
:)
39:44 I love that you included the audio of the snipping 😊 and the yarn you use for it is so pretty I love it❤
Thank you! I was hoping someone would appreciate that part.
This is very helpful. A good knitter has to be organized so you are not wasting time when you need to move on to the next step of your project. But you also have to be careful to not spend money on tools that you don’t need.
Precisely! Very good advice, Stephanie! Thank you for watching :)
I have the same orange ATTY tape measure. It was a “gift with purchase” this weekend at Wild and Wooly. 😂 You can never have too many and I was thankful when I found it in my bag when unpacking my purchases.
Hooray! I agree, you can never have too many :)
I have to say this is a super video about notions and gadgets. You provide a balance to each critique. Ive been knitting since I was 8 and have almost all of the things you show. The missing items are ones you don't think are worth the time or money. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to watch 🙂
Great informative video, especially for new knitters, I am always on the lookout for notions to add to my collection. It's great to have an experienced knitters opinion on options and helpful hints in making future purchases. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I know I appreciate hearing reviews and seeing others test products…especially if they are expensive investments! Happy knitting to you!
If you like the red lace cable, you must try the knitpro (knitter's pride) mindful cables, they are swivel AND they are like the red lace cables. They are hands down the best cables I have ever used. They will work with your current set of needles.
I have a yarn butler that hangs on the spindle from a magnet, the arm that it hangs from looks like a banana holder. There is very minimal resistance & the platform spins freely. I use it all the time when I'm making a large project.
I need to look for one of those spindles to use with my yarn butler! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
I use my scale all the time. I have a large stash - many of which have no label. By using a combination of the weight, and using my swift to determine the length of yarn I have, it gives me some of the information that the label would give me. Of course, I'm a bit obsessive compulsive regarding my craft / tools - including but not exclusively inventorying my yarn, tools, notions, etc.
I bought a KnitPicks chart keeper (same as CoCo Knits maker board) for a color work cowl. I had to tape the chart together and it was too long to fit on the board so I had to keep moving it across, which caused the magnets to move, losing my place etc etc. I bought Knit Companion for my iPad and it’s amazing. You can zoom in/out, keep stitch/row count, change colors and what I love…. The highlight line doesn’t move no matter how many times you exit or change patterns. I can’t tell you how many times my highlighter tape fell off on my bag or just with time and use. And boy, that’s trouble. So glad I found your podcast!
Oh that sounds like a headache! I am a musician and use the app ForeScore to read and mark my music scores. Usually I just open up my patterns there and mark my place, make notes, etc. I know a little bit about KnitCompanion, but I still haven’t jumped in to try it! It sounds like it’s the best tool out there!
@@MakerMarkKnits it is by far (IMHO) the best tool. Very Pink Knits and KnittyNatty have intro videos on it. There is limited free version and a very small fee paid version. Definately worth it since it has the more used options. Check it out!
Thank you, I will!
Great video! I like the way that you've described why you like or dislike each product. The barber cords are great! I ended up finding them (called lacing cord or lanyard string) on Amazon in packs of 100 for about $15 and gave away a bunch to knitting friends. They also sell them on spools so if you need really long cords for a larger sweater or blanket, you can cut a piece as large as you need.
I never thought I‘d need a scale for knitting but I got one just like yours along with my first advent last year and it has really been so helpful! Not just with managing the fade on that single project but also keeping track of other leftover yarn quantities to figure out how much I used or will need for a project. The most underrated tool ever in my opinion.
That is awesome! It's so handy with leftover and stash yarn!
I guess the small counting scale my friend showed me should be in my Amazon cart. He said it was accurate to dose beehives with Oxalic Acid so should do nicely for light items.
6:13 I made one of these with some small magnet boards and a three ring binder from dollar tree. I could of gotten fancier and sewed and blah blah to make it all fabric covered pretty; but for less than $5 and did the job I needed it to do then. Haven’t used it since soooo it was a good call.
I love what you're doing. I'm trying to get back to making stuff, so this is helpful as a positive .
Great info. I'll add my two cents from 60 years of knitting.
Skein winder: I love mine, but for beginners, most local yarn stores (not big box craft stores) will wind skeins into balls for you, so it's an expense that can be postponed. I've also seen instructions on making one using yard sticks.
My favorite point protector is from Knitpicks. It's an aluminum tube about 6" long with a rubber cap on one end with a slit. The cable needle tips go into the tube through the slit. They do NOT slip off. Our knitting group tested them by making a sample swatch, putting the tips into the protectors, then playing catch with it. If using larger needles, one needle tip per tube, smaller needles 2 tips per tube. Note: these are designed for circulars, a different solution is needed for DPNs or single points.
The floopy stitch markers. Any chance they're elastic? They look exactly like the hair rubber bands we used as kids (mid century) for pony tails. The metal clasps that hold the elastic ends ALWAYS got tangled in the hair. It would explain why they are so oversized.
Keep up the good work and I'll keep watching.
Thank you so much for that brilliant advice! Yes, the floops markers are stretchy. Those that I show in the video are also the jumbo size, I believe they come in a range of sizes like several fixed stitch markers do. Thank you so much for watching and again, for sharing your beautiful ideas 🙂
I loved this video and appreciate the length. It’s perfect for me! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you from the UK for your time most enjoyable
Thank you for watching!
Excellent well organized video. Enjoyed every moment. A real nice summary. Saw gadgets I don’t have and I think would be useful! I love your long videos. Never get bored. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much, Debbie! Your feedback is much appreciated :)
This was one of the best reviews I have seen, as opposed to haul posts, I often thought what I want is a haul 6 months later and what they think of what they bought, and here you are with a very fair, pro and con, example of notions. A useful list of things for my someday when I finally earn a fair wage has been compiled!😊
Wow, thank you! I agree with you--it's so valuable to see how things hold up, if they are worth buying, and any quirks they may present. Thank you for watching!
I love the long format, Mark! I got so much knitting done on my Artus Shawl. The rows are getting long and you kept me occupied through all those stitches. We have so many of the same notions, but I’m inspired by your organizational efforts. Also, I think I’m going to put some larger items on eBay (like my old plastic ball winder) so that somebody else can enjoy them.
That's a good point! I often like to put on a video and commit to a certain amount of project time 😊
Great idea about eBay. I'm sure people look for gently used notions there!
I just love the idea that you have favourite tape measures!!!
This was a great format! Although I’m sure you can produce a really informative quick and dirty as well. I love the sweater you are wearing and would have loved to hear about it. Is it fields of gold or something like that? Congratulations on the marriage. You have made me feel much better about my own notion obsession. I have wayyyy too many…but I continue to buy them as I always think they are going to be the next great thing. I love all of my project bags (Magner, Della q, madder root) and I do use the makers board.
Thank you for watching! I hope to get a big della q bag in the future. They are so beautiful!
My sweater is the "Field Sweater" by Camilla Vad. I should start noting what I'm wearing in the description box. :)
I love the CocoKnits metal stitch markers. I also love the metal lightbulb pins. I keep my markers in a magnetized bowl I found at Harbor Freight for under $5. The bowls are meant for mechanics, but I use them for sewing pins, clips, and notions too.
What a great idea! Now I want magnetized bowls!
Very informative and well documented. I love your format and the calm way of the presentation. I recently watched the wedding video and also loved that. Thank you.
Wow, thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to watch :)
Again, another informative, very articulate segment. I really appreciate all your input and review of your Knitting tools. Thanks for bringing us such great content. A big fan from Vienna Austria.
Thank you so much! I don't think I've ever been to Vienna--I've traveled to Germany a couple of times in my life...maybe one day I can see your city and country!
Just found you today, thank you for being so informative. I have been knitting for a long time and love hearing other knitters feedback. This was a great video my favorite was the mytagalong case for markers a little spendy but something I think is worth the investment for me. Keep sharing and know you are appreciated.
i've only been crocheting/weaving for about a year but there's definitely some things in here i hadn't really thought about to pick up and seem like real great ideas, the thing about the needles and getting nice ones was really good to hear just as i'm looking at getting some proper tunisian hooks..
Hooray for Tunisian crochet! Yes, make the investment and buy a set you'll enjoy using for years to come!
You really are doing God's work here 😂 I'm a brand new knitter and have been overwhelmed by all the notions, and i have learned so much from this video! Thank you!
Hi there Mark, the blue tulip hooks are limited edition and dyed with Awa-Ai called “Blue Japan” I believe that is why they are so expensive
This video has been so interesting, and I have to say, as a newbie knitter, I absolutely love how informative you are when talking about your knitting needles (as well as everything else), I learned a lot about what I don't want and what will feel worth the money when I do invest in a nice knitting needle set eventually. You are just so concise in how you deliver information and my brain greatly appreciates it! Cheers. -S.
As a woman who really used to love to buy make up, I have scads of make up pouches that I got when you got the free little kits from the cosmetic companies. I’ll never run out of notions pouches. Also, my favorite tins are Altoids tins. And the other knitting notion that I use, that’s just something that you save our bread ties to bind up yarn tails. Local yarn shop owner showed me that one. I’ll never net with a yarn tail again.
My favorite Dela Q bag isn’t really even a bag. It’s a fixed circular needles storage that you hang up on a hanger and over the back of a door. It virtually eliminates the memory from your needle cables.
Tins make for great storage! Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment :)
thank you for making this video! I don't knit, but I've inherited a fair number of supplies from my grandmother (which is a little baffling, as I've only ever seen her crochet). Some of them, I didn't know the purpose of. This made almost all of them make sense.
There is another reason for using the yarn "butler". The best way I can think of to illustrate this thought is to ask if you've ever pulled toilet paper off the roll - without it being on a holder - from above. You'll notice it starts twisting quickly. Your yarn already has a twist to it, and depending on your knitting style, you're probably adding or reducing the twist in the yarn as you use it. Your yarn butler will prevent that from happening, just like the toilet paper holder prevents the paper from twisting as you pull it off the roll.
I definitely enjoyed seeing all your notions. Who doesn’t love notions? It’s always fun to see what other people like to use. I was pleased to see that we both like the same crochet hooks and the needles. I have only one red tulip Adam lough Cook, but I have a full set of the black and gold, in an adorable pouch, and several of my favorite sizes in the pink that came in a really cute little pouch that zips up. IQ tried both the higher higher sharps and the shell goo red lays, and chose the red lace. The chords are fantastic. Please excuse spelling mistakes, as I am using the speaker feature of my iPad to type this message. It’s very hard for me to see the keyboard, as I have severe glaucoma. And thanks for the very interesting video. I am Sandy from Cincinnati.
Hi Sandy from Cincinnati! Thank you for watching :) It sounds like we are on the same page regarding our knitting and crochet tools.
Love the Field. So stunning. On my short list. And the notion discussion was helpful.
I’m just finding your channel. But found your video to be representational of my own except for the Chao Goo which I haven’t tried. I have 3 sets of Knit Picks wood, metal and oversized wooden needles. I love the Stanwood yarn winder and swift. I tried the plastic one and it was awful so it was returned. I thought I would love the knitting bowls, but I prefer a handmade pottery bowl I got from a neighbor’s tag sale. Lastly, the yarn spindle is definitely used on the daily. It does work better on a cake.
Thanks for the great video. I would rather it be longer than rushed. Best regards, Sherry
Thank you for watching! I'm glad you like to use your spindle. I might eventually find more use for mine. I really love using my Chiaogoo needles--if you ever get tired of your usual needles, I'd recommend giving Chiaogoo a try! Happy crafting, Sherry!
Although this video is already a few months old (I just found you a few days ago), I wanted to say something about the circular needles. I didn´t really see any comments on that topic.
I just tried out a few different needles and systems to try to find out which one I liked best. Since I really hate the way most of the cables coil, I tried different spinning or swiveling cords. I tried the spin interchanchable cable from Chiaogoo with their bamboo needles (I like wood better than metal) but I didn´t really like the needles. The cord is really light so it doesn´t really coil. I settled on the KnitPro Symphonie interchangable needles you showed as the ones you started out with and combine those with the lantern moon swivel cords. Those are nylon coated stainless steel and therefore also don´t really have the memory the regular plastic cords have.
I make notes on scrap paper, and transfer them to a word document for each project I do. And I use excel to create my charts, or to transfer them into something more scalable than a pic. And I use PowerPoint to capture specific portions of information. I'm not organized enough up front to use a notebook. I need something more editable.
I really loved this video! Now I want to go through all my own notions (some are the same as yours) and rank and organize them better. Thanks for the inspiration!
The blue Tulip Etimo crochet hook set was released in a strictly limited edition for the company's 60th anniversary. It is so expensive because it follows a special Japanese aesthetic concept called Wabi. I don't fully understand why, because I once learned that Wabi means the beauty of the not-so-perfect, like crooked ceramics.
In any case, a lot of effort has been put into this set. The box is made of fine wood, handmade. The fabric bag is made of fine fabric, also handmade, and the aluminum needles are covered with Japanese blue, which is very difficult and very expensive to create.
These are no hooks you should really crochet with, they are for collectors. I had the great pleasure to pick up these hooks at a craft fair and also could crochet something with them. They are just as good as the ones in pink, red or gray, feel the same and are just as smooth. No difference. They look special, come with the box and the bag and are 15 times more expensive . Although the price has fallen by $800, at least in Europe. But you have to be very careful, because there are now also copies from China - as always.
Wow, thank you for that thorough explanation! That definitely explains the cost to an extent. How cool that you got to see a set and try them out! Thank you for watching :)
You are thinking of wabi sabi.
I thoroughly enjoyed you going over all you favorite bags, totes and even beautiful luggage. Thank you.
YES on the Kitchener stitch key chain! Even though I have made tons of socks, I don’t make them in quick succession, so I can never remember how to close the toes! I have a video saved on my phone, but I’m usually watching something else while I’m knitting.
That's exactly how I feel! Some stitches and techniques are ingrained in my memory, but others always require a refresher :)
LOVE YOUR BUYS!! I also keep my medicine bottles for holding stitch markers and needles in my project bags.
Very interesting to see some more unusual tools. I really appreciate your review of each, to help us spend our craft money wisely. I personally have been really struggling to find stitch markers: those I like for knitting don’t seem as compatible with my crocheting. Now I know I need different ones! 🙂 And it’s so sweet that you mentioned your spouse! We’d all be very fortunate to have such a supportive spouse!! 🤗
I'm only part way through this and already have a couple thoughts. I use an Amish type swift, much prefer it to the umbrella, and I can set it directly on top of my Oxo digital scale to let me know exactly how many grams of yarn I've wound off when I'm dividing a skein.
There is an alternative interchangeable set to ChiaoGoo now, I think from Knitters Pride? I don't remember the name but do remember I first heard about them from Norman at Nimble Needles. They are much less expensive than the ChiaoGoo and have the no-memory cords.
I'm a little late to the game on this video, but oh my goodness! I'm going to a yarn festival this weekend and this has been really helpful to get a list together of helpful things to look out for! Glad I watched it when I did, super super helpful!
I love your content, short or long..doesn’t matter..and I feel like I’m having tea with a friend!
We have similar taste in patterns and yarn etc.
one thing I can’t do without..not mentioned is a row counter. I have a cocoknits brand that’s magnetic and sticks to my maker board and has a lock so I don’t have to worry about accidentally losing my place.
I need a better tape measure. I only have a heavy metal one and it kinda sucks! 😮
After speaking with other knitters and hearing you I really think it’s time to invest in a set of better quality interchangeables. Mine are ok but I’m tired of fighting with the wonky cables. 🍋
Keep on keepin on Mark! 🎉
I always avoid digging out my row counter, and then I lose my place of what row I'm on...I need to be better about that! I think having a good retractable tape measure is a lifesaver! It's one of the tools I reach for most often. And YES! I'm on a trip at the moment, and I forgot to bring one size of needles needed for a project - I ended up purchasing a pair from a brand I'm not used to using, and while they are adequate, they aren't as enjoyable to use as my ChiaoGoos! I know that needle sets are big investments, but it's one of those things that I think makes the BIGGEST difference in day to day crafting :)
This was a wonderful and comprehensive collection. I enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing. ❤
Thank you SO much :)
Yes yes yes! Love the long, informative content. Thank you!
Thank you!
knitting talk is never meandering. long format, short format, I'll take it all! your video seemed outlined and on point. I have a lot of the same notions, views you do. places where I lack like your review of scissors was very helpful! you introduced a few gadget notions I may try. also, I snagged a pattern or two from your journal. thanks for sharing!🧶😊
Love the icord maker!!!! You can make rope baskets if you make enough. I'm definitely not there yet to make them on my own.
Knitpro and knitter’s pride are the same company by the way! I think knitpro is their european name. In their day and nite set they use some quite flexible swivel cords with a steel core like the chiaogoo red lace, if you’re interested in trying new things I‘d really recommend those, they’re my favorite needles to use.
Oh interesting! I'll have to look at those 😊 Thank you for the great recommendation!
Thank you for a very informative video, I have most of these types of notions myself, a few are now on my "required to function properly" needs list. I too have cats- 3 white 1 rescue and 2 of her children, I am amazed that I have never seen the cake protector anywhere, I usually listen not watch so now I have a mission to find a pattern, don't want to squish the yarn too much.
Thanks much!! Be safe
Thank you for watching! Hello to your cats :)
Yes, I think the cake protectors are great especially for curious pets!
I’m fascinated by people’s knitting notion stashes. Thanks for sharing your stash, it was fun to see! Number one for me is far and away my interchangeable ChiaGoo’s red lace set. I took the leap and invested in the big set of 5” and am so happy with them. I bought one fixed circular prior to getting the set and loved them immediately. Second, not really a notion, but a massively useful tool, is my IPad. Is it necessary? No, but I don’t need to print out patterns any more, I can make notes right on the pattern, I can zoom in when my eyes are tired. great for tutorials. I’ve had it for years and has made following patterns so much easier. Third, good scissors. They don’t need to be expensive, I got a cheap set from Amazon, as long as you’re just cutting yarn or thread, they’ll stay sharp for a long time. After that, light bulb stitch markers, tapestry/darning needles, crochet hook for fixing dropped stitches, measuring tape, and a bag for small notions, and a larger bag for WIPs, my neck light is pretty useful when I’m working on a more intricate pattern although it can get a little heavy sometimes.
Knitting doesn’t have to break the bank. I picked up a lot of my supplies over almost 20 years knitting. I started with one pair of straights, ball of yarn, one little notion box with some stitch markers and a plastic tapestry needle, and an old pair of scissors. I added a more to my collection as my love for knitting grew. I only started adding more expensive items last year, I couldn’t really afford to invest much into knitting before that. I never want my collection of notions to overwhelm me, so I try to keep it simple because my knitting time = my relaxation time, most of the time my project is on my side table and the most used items are cluttering up the drawer that’s supposed to be for remote controls, it’s my knitting “junk drawer”.
I'd love to know where the blue pouch you have your stitch markers in from. the divided little pouch that has clear windows is great!
I got mine in person at a local boutique! Here is the link:
lustergifts.com/products/mytagalongs-jewelry-organizer?_pos=3&_psq=tagalong&_ss=e&_v=1.0
I thought I collected a lot of notions. start out with certain things and then as time goes on I feel like our notions get better and better because we learn what we need.
we all have different needs and wants. You use the stitch fixer, I'll just use my crochet hooks. I might pick up some of that barber cord though.
Right you are! It's wonderful to arrive at that place where we know what we need!
Love your videos, Mark! I found your review very helpful