Knitting Notions I NEVER Use
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- Опубліковано 13 сер 2024
- Are there knitting notions you don't use? I have a lot that I've tried and don't use anymore!
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🧶 LINKS:
Master Hand Knitting Program from @TKGA-knits
Lightbulb Stitch Markers
shrsl.com/3qpnw
Locking Stitch Markers
shrsl.com/3190v
Enamel Ring Markers
shrsl.com/49rrt
Colorwork Snap Bag from @knitpicksOfficial
shrsl.com/49rrp
Cable Needles
shrsl.com/3okbt
Flox Stitch Marker
theknittingloft.ca/products/f...
Needle Keepers
shrsl.com/2g4a8
Double Ended Stitch Holder
shrsl.com/2g49s
Circular Stitch Holder
shrsl.com/49rs5
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📌 CHAPTER LINKS:
00:00 Notions I don't use
2:33 Yarn bowl
4:21 Row counters
8:18 Stitch markers
11:42 Intarsia bobbins
14:16 Stitch gauge ruler
15:33 Cable needles
20:11 Needle stoppers
22:12 Sock blockers
23:10 Barber cord
25:23 More comments
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One of my best and newest tools I have are the foot inserts that came with my Adidas trainers I bought earlier this year! They are made of moulded stiff cardboard, has an instep and heel. I've marked the exact spot on them where I need to start knitting my toe - I just slip the sock on the foot insert to see how close to my mark is and so far it's worked! I think it's magical! 🤣🤣🤣
That's a great idea! I love repurposing like that.
That's brilliant!
I'm always good with making socks for me and people with similar feet, but way bigger feet? I'm doomed. I will keep my eye out
That's a GREAT idea! TY for mentioning it! I just never thought about it, and the little cardboard cut out I've been using (per Fish Lips Recipe) is about to wear out! I think I have some of these, so it's perfect timing too! TY.
Needle stopper/protector hack: I use foam ear plugs as needle stoppers (all different kinds). You don’t have to worry about finding the right size to fit your needle. Also, if you don’t push them all the way through the plug, your needles won’t poke your bag fabric. You can find these in big tubs much cheaper than actual stoppers.
I love that tip - thank you!
Brilliant!
This is a great tip! I’m going to try this when I start buying smaller needles. (I’ve already wasted money on large needle stoppers. 😂)
I also use cork or packaging peanuts
Yes! A woman in my knitting / crochet group was looking for something to keep her stuff from slipping off and my first idea was to use foam earplugs.
I think having a crochet hook handy is key. They really come in handy when you drop a stitch or need to fix something.
Yes! Love my little crochet hooks for fixing things!
My sister-in-law gave me a tiny latch hook for picking up stitches and seaming. She says you can get them in knitting machine supplies. They work even better than plain hooks.
agree! a crochet hook works just as good as those "special" tools that are being sold for dropped stitches
I really love my HandiTool, and now have one per project bag! They're inexpensive ($3-4.00 USD) so handy, as you've got the hook on one end, comes in various sizes down to a 2mm, and a straight needle on other so it can be used to temp hold stitches, cable needle, etc. I just love them as they fit anywhere, are only 3.5-4", and work great! Before I found this, I used a regular crochet hook, and it does work fine, too. This just fits better into my notions bag and size is perfect.
For needle stoppers I find wine bottle corks work best. So, naturally you've got to open a bottle whenever you start a new project!😃
Never thought about these - but in trying to find stoppers for size 0-2, it's hard. So I am now trying out those little foam circles that stick on the end of needles. The other stoppers with the 2 holes that close around needles - I just never seem to have the right size! Either way too small for Size 5-7 or too large for size 1! Maybe that's a "me" problem! LOL.
Finally - a knitting presenter who actually talks about knitting, rather than all that “personal stuff”. (Sorry, I know I sound very callous with that comment and hope you won’t judge me too harshly.) I have looked at a LOT of these videos, trying to find something that I can identify with as well as be of interest to someone, like me, who has been knitting for over 60 years. So, I hit the subscribe button and am looking forward to seeing what you have planned for your next video.
Welcome!
I have been crocheting or knitting for about 58 years and hear you. Just subscribed myself. 🐨🦘👋🏻
@@lesleyoliver3310 Hello Lesley - nice to have contact with someone from Australia all the way to Cornwall.
I had hoped not to sound to “nasty” with my comment, so I thank you very sincerely for your supportive message. Now - let’s see what the next video serves up.
@@Angela-en6oh not nasty at all and 40 others gave a thumbs up to the your comment. Have a great crafting week. 🐨👋🏻
@@lesleyoliver3310 Hello Lesley. Thank you. I appreciate your comment. As to my “knitting week”, I was asked by a friend, whose daughter works with premature babies, to knit some really tiny covers to hold drips in place for some of the children she is helping. She even gave me a proper knitting pattern to follow! So I’m off to my wool stash ….. Have a great creative week too.
Circular needles didn't exist when I first learned how to knit back in the Dark Ages. The technique that my mom taught me was to tuck a needle in my arm pit which provides leverage in such a way that you can just manipulate the lefthanded needle (English style here) to create stitches. I later learned that this technique is called Irish production knitting and is also similar to the Shetland Is. knitting style. You can build up a lot of speed with this knitting style and I find it takes pressure off my wrists. I do use circular needles as I am not stuck in a time warp but I cannot knit as rapidly with circular needles. Not having to sew up seams is a plus in favor of circulars. Straight needles now have few fans but they served me well for many years.
I'm going to have to try that method of tucking the needle under my arm - that sounds so much more comfortable than just holding both (and having the right needle constantly hit my forearm). Thanks for sharing!
A good example of "pit knitting" with a twist - check out Hazel Tindall who uses a knitting belt. The famed Shetland Is. knitters used knitting belts which provided the leverage that tucking the right hand needle under your arm does. Also you don't throw the yarn but "flick" it. Hope this technique works well for you! 😊 It really is an ergonomic knitting style.
I learned the same way and I'm still trying to "learn" to use circular needles. I want to be able to knit without a seam and to do stockinette without purling!
@@nuriagiralt617 It takes some time to adjust to circular needles if you have been using straight ones so try to be patient with yourself and the process.
This is how I learned to knit as well. But once I tried circulars, I was hooked. Now I am too lazy to use anything else, whatever I knit.
Those split rings are absolutely wonderful in crochet.
Good to know! I'm doing some crochet so I'll put those with my crochet projects instead of my knit projects! Thanks!
Yep, a pain in the neck while knitting, but perfect for crocheting!
How so? I think of myself as a crocheter more than a knitter but I’m competent in both. However for stitch markers I also prefer the light bulb pins for several reasons:1- can remove easily from crochet projects as well as use them at the end of a row or in the middle to stop last stitch from unraveling, 2- slide easily for row repeats in knitting and sit nicely on circular needles (not a fan of the single use circle ones like the Chiaagoo but that’s personal preference because I value easy removablity), 3- are magnetic so easy to keep track of if you have magnet handy (also a good notion to use with metal cable needles- and yes I too like the “hook”/u shaped ones vs. nasty plastic) and 4- cheap to buy in large batches with lots of contrasting colors that you can spread across those multiple project bags as needed so if lost you don’t care as much (vs. expensive but cute lobster claws - and yes I love the look of charm bracelets but totally hate the dangling effect!)
I like the metal ones for my knitting, but not the big old plastic rings. The metal ones seem to stay in place better when knitting - for me, anyway.
@@leaj3799 I love the ones from ChiaGoo - but they only belong in specific places, and in other places, I use removeable SM's. I like the ChiaGoo resin ones for BOR type markers, or for socks, but mostly do use the smaller ones. Mine have held up really well for several years now. Removable ones do tend to have more uses, so I use both.
I love a good stitch counter, especially when I'm doing a new pattern. They help me remember where I am when I get back to my project sometimes days after I stopped.
And I can never remember if I've punched it or not! So not working well for me. I tend to mark up my patterns with hatch marks or use a homemade chain of lightbulb marks (add 1 each round) so that I know my exact place.
I tried an analog row counter on a whim, and I just place it at the beginning of my row (if in the round) or somewhere in the middle (if knitting flat) and it's honestly been the best. Its hard to forget about it because it's literally a stitch marker
Those are the best ones. I actually love the ones that are a stich markers. The other ones that are not right in project I will forget 😅
@@becci8099 I have one of these, and do use it often! I like it also.
I like to use yarn bowls to keep my yarn cakes from collapsing when they get used up. Especially if I am using cotton cakes. It keeps tangling at a minimum.
Have you seen the newer holders/feeders that hold a cake/ball and have a hook neck like a swan? They're not too big and are really fabulous! It's like you never need to tug or pull yarn - like yarn just floats through the air and lands perfectly at your needles! I really love it! They keep balls from collapsing too! I now have 2, where I'll use one for each color, and it works so well. This is something I don't ever see knitting without again, unless I'm traveling. I loved it so much I just bought a tad different style that can hang from wrist or the glove compartment in car, that I hope will be just as smooth! We'll see! Thought I'd try it.
I don’t use the lobster claw markers in knitting, but they work great in crochet! You can clip them around the body of a stitch easily. While theme sets are great, I try to look for ones that don’t have a lot of sticky-out bits so they don’t grab the yarn when I am slinging my projects around.
Those lobster claws can be very heavy and drag down my knitting - even had some pull my stitches way out of shape! I personally avoid them, as I have other things I can use and that work better, in their place. I think it's just a cheap alternative that is easy to find for some resellers/crafters.
I am with you on most of your “don’t likes”. What I have come to love and have learned to make are chain row counters. It took me quite a while to figure them out - I’m a 55+ year paper and pen user 😂 - I like them because they are light and they stay IN your project so can’t be lost and they move like a stitch marker so there is no forgetting about it. I am the poster woman for the fact that old dogs CAN learn new tricks 😉
I also like the plastic end with the elastic in the middle to hold my dpn’s- I think they are called Needle Huggers. They protect the tips and keep the project in the needles.
Do you have a tutorial for making one of these row counter chains?
I agree! I like the ones with the little wooden number markings because they're very light! I tried the ones with the metal numbers on the rings, but they got heavy on my needles and drug me down! I decided to try one with wood that had the row #'s on it and they worked great - even on Size 1 needles! They're lightweight, and don't feel like anything on the needle, and I also use it in place of a marker for BOR, so I don't miss counting my row! Great idea.
I cannot live without a row counter but I use a row counting app on my smart watch so it’s always convenient for me to use and never worry of losing it. Lobster claw stitch markers are amazing for crochet ~ I cannot stand using them for knitting 😂
I hadn't thought about using the lobster claw markers for crochet instead - I'll have to give that a try!
Hi Tonia,
I really like using #3 crochet cotton (the doily thread) for lifelines, provisional cast on and even to keep completed pieces of projects (like knit toys or amigurumi) together until I'm ready to assemble.
One of my favorite "notions" is a Barbie doll sized knit beanie. I use it to keep my life line pieces in and to keep my darning needles where I can always find them. I like small hinged tins or empty prescription bottles (the ones that are about the same diameter as a silver dollar) for holding a pair of folding scissors, a row counter, stitch markers, a few bobby pins (they can be used in so many ways, even as a cable needle in a pinch), buttons - if my project requires them, a short measuring tape, a yarn needle and any else I can squeeze in that I might need. They're small enough to toss into any and all my project bags.
💜✌️🧶
I like your organizational methods!
@@NerdyKnitting thank you. I've got plenty of prescription meds for my type 2 diabetes so I'm always looking for ways to recycle the empties. Plus I like the fact that the child proof lids keep my smaller tools safely away from the kiddos (and my cats too).
I'd like to add that I love the dental floss samples that are sometimes included in the bag-o-goodies the dentist gives you when you visit their office. Unwaxed floss also works well for lifelines and the cutter part of the dispenser will cut your smaller gauge yarns in a pinch. Also, when the floss runs out you can open the outer container and reload the spool with cotton doily thread.
Prescription bottles are also useful for keeping scraps, across the ocean we don't have the safety bottles but we do have a lot of sizes. And I like to reuse them as well. Even give them away to caretakers, friends and so on. Everyone can find use for them somewhere. 😂
@@christielamb2894 Wonderful ideas!
@@Wanda-R-etc I've always used them in my sewing/quilting machines to put used needles into (I poke a hole in the lid) and it keeps them safe from little hands and my puppy! Works great, and can hold alot, and fits in a very small space. Good idea to use for knitting notion too!
I use a row counter - it’s a green Clover one with a lock. I started knitting with British patterns that used row counts. I still use them because it helps me make sure increases or decreases are done properly, and my garment pieces are the same length. My go to is using a lanyard for snips, measuring tape, and row counter. I don’t put it around my neck, but it makes them easy to find. I do use a yarn bowl, but only for specific projects. I have smaller projects that roam with me. Excited to have found your channel.
I didn't like cable needles until I picked up a spiral cable needle, it was a game changer for me and that year I did a TON of cable projects just because I loved using it so much. This year I picked up a few more so I can have one in every bag and have spares.
Haven't heard of a spiral cable needle - I'll have to check that out!
Agree! I love my spiral cable needles. All the others were constantly in my way.
@@bethbaker9492 not heard of spiral cable needles, but the worst I used was one of those rainbow painted wooden ones that had notches in the middle. I know the idea was to hold the stitches but it felt horrible trying to remove them.
I just got a spiral one myself. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I can't wait! I'm so excited to hear that others really like them.
In Norway everybody has started using silicone beads as needle protectors/needle stoppers, they work great and you can find them in many cute designs.
As a Norwegian who knits a lot of colorwork I find the colorwork rings useless, more hassle than help.
I do love progresskeepers (the stitchmarkers with a clawclip) for showing me how far I have knitted and marking the rightside if I knit something in the round with magic loop.
That's how I use the lobster clasp stitchmarkers as well.
And a Dutch girl here but I learned how to do colorwork without any yarn gadgets too. Once you learn it, you will never unlearn! 😊
I prefer a lightbulb saftey pin over the lobster type.
Is the pearls the ones that are sold for baby "fake nipple" bands? I don't know the English word for the thing babies use to suck on.
@@flickslandan8262 Me, too! Lightbulb markers are lighter weight, don't stretch my stiches, and I can add a new one each round, thus counting my rounds. Since they stay in place at BOR, I know right where I am.
I use the square button push row counters and like them. But I do use markers for sleeves counting decreases. I don’t use needle covers. I just pull my circulars when I put them away and no problem. The only time I lose stitches is when I accidentally pull them off while knitting or when my dog jumps in my lap.😊
My favorite thing for keeping dpns and sock projects is dpn sleeves or coozies. I sew rectangles together leaving one long end open. I add two snaps on each of the open ends it allows the project to hang freely and the snaps keep the project from falling off the needles. I usually sew them to match my project bags. Best option I have found for making dpn projects portable.
I use the green Clover row counters (that clock) all the time while knitting socks. Pehaps I could count, but the row counters make it a lot easier for me. In addition, a yarn bowl is great, as you mentioned, for a single project in a single location, but don't work very well if you draw your yarn from the center as I do.
Or travel!
A couple months ago I've bought a digital row counter. It was a real game changer for me.Now I just cannot imagine how could I knit socks (2 identical) without it. The best notion ever, sorry.
Mikey, you are so patient and extremely nice to explain all this in a calm manner. My first thought was “ oh, P.O.!!”
But in retrospect, wow, I had no idea exactly how much time and effort it took for a new Free pattern to be made available to us, your devoted followers.❤
Facts!
I was a very reluctant knitter. I’ve always been a crocheter. But, my grandma, my husband’s grandma, and various other women in my life have passed and I inherited all of their knitting supplies.
Since I had all of the supplies, I felt the need to use it and I’ve really enjoyed it. Most of my supplies ranges from lace crochet hooks from the 1920s to cable needle kits from the 1970s. It’s bittersweet to use all of my supplies.
What a lovely way to remember them! ❤️
I use my yarn bowl for the project I keep on my desk in my office - it keeps the yarn from getting nasty. The row counter I use is the one on my phone - it does stitches as well, and is customizable for repeat patterns.
I use stitch markers like CRAZY. I have several kinds, but I make them myself, so not a big issue of cost. I don't mind the dangling. I can't keep numbers in my head - I have dyscalculia. I use stitch holders, too! For thumbs on mitts, which I make a lot.
I don't cable much, but when I do, I use a cable needle. Especially since arthritis kicked in. My fingers end up losing grip if I'm holding the stitches.
One thing I did was buy a big bag of notions at an estate sale. ALLLLL the things for about $5 total. So now I can use what I want.
Thank you for talking about barber cords - I'd never heard of them! I found a spool of a neon colored one on amazon for $9. That seems right up my alley.
I tried the colorwork ring and NOPE. lol. I looked like an uncoordinated spider with yarn everywhere.
You just popped up in my recommends, and I've subbed now. Thank you!
I love those little needle topers! When I use DPN's I'm always worried my stitches are going to slide off, so I just put the needle toppers on each DPN and rotate them as I knit, works great!
I never thought about using them as I was knitting - just for storing. Now I might have to rethink them! 😁
Me too. They keep stitches from slipping off.
My DPNs drop out of my hands and into the side of the chair. These toppers help with that problem
I love the color work ring. I tried doing the Seaglass tee as a first time colorwork without one until about halfway through. It was a slog-until I got that ring. I knit continental and can’t figure out how to use both hands, so this is what works for me.
I've just bought one, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I'm glad to hear you like it. On Social Media, I've seen a lot of people really DO like them! So thought I'd try it too.
I love the knitting bags with snaps - it is great for knitting two socks at once but also for a single ball because I have a cat and it keeps her from playing with the yarn. I have bought two of them and again I LOVE it!
I like how you talk down to earth. Thank you
I used plastic needles until 1 day my needle broke. So I've used steali ones since
I learned how to knit later in life. In my mid 40s.so, i had to learn quickly what works for me. For double point needles, i made tip protectors from plastic caps i got from an automotive supply store. I forget what they are called. I used 2 of them and threaded an elastic cord too keep them snig. I have made different sizes for different size needles. All 5 needles fit in the one cap. That tube thing you showed, i was gifted one. It broke. I agree 100% on the row counters. I use a notebook and make mark after every row. This also comes in handy when i can't finish the project right away. I prefer circular over straight needles. If i need to put something on the tips, i use a rubber band. I also used the bands from my sons braces as stich markers. The safety pin ones are my preferred ones. I've used the rings that are used on cafe curtains.
I love plastic needle stoppers with cute designs or plain ball shape. They really keep the stitches together. They can be a bit pricey. I’m lucky I won a giveaway and also a dyer gave it as a thank you for patronizing.
I grabbed a gourd bowl off the shelf and used it to keep my wool dry whilst I knitted outside on a wet lawn. It worked really well. I like my wool to sit at my feet, so a bag gets wet. Very enjoyable video, thanks. 👍 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘
I was gifted a rope yarn bowl. I used it at first, but like you, I knit from a bag or a basket that houses my project. I used a row counter when I first started knitting, but now I use the counter that's on my knit companion on my tablet.
Nice podcast to help out new knitters on what NOT to waste money on. Personally, I like the barber cords but never purchased those expensive ones you see all over the place. Instead I got the ones in spools which are the exact thing without the ridiculous LYS markup. Someone posted a video on how to use them without them slipping off your needles and I find them so helpful. Similar to the comment you read, I got a cheap set(about $12) of bamboo straight needles when I decided to learn to knit.After a few hours, I knew I was going to stick with knitting and decided to invest in a nice circular needle set and went with Chiaogoo. Best decision although I got a bit Chiaogoo crazy and purchased just about every set they offered 😂- this was pre-pandemic and the prices were much better.
Thanks for sharing this video and I can't wait to see your video on your favorite notions.
We sound very similar - I started with the cheap needles too and immediately purchased a set of Chiaogoos (not all of them though! 😆)
I'm surprised you use a barber cord instead of using the soppers that came with your ChiaGoo sets! I just quickly put on a stopper, and I'm ready to try it on, or put it up. If I need to, I can add another cable quickly (I often have to do this). I found that barber cords was clumsy and slow for me, and this just seemed so much faster. Hope this gives you another option, at the least!
@@maryfrank2175 I see what you mean but if I'm trying on a sweater, the chiaogoo cables can be finicky and I like to see how the sweater drapes without it being cinched in.
@Enig_Mata I just add another cable, if needed. Works for me, but if I really wanted to see how it flows/drapes, then I may put on waste yarns as to not change the drape at all. But that would only be required once, I'd think. Otherwise, it seems to work fine. Make sense? (May not be what you mean?)
@@maryfrank2175 I get it - I've tried both methods you've mentioned(also have the longest CG cable) and waste yarn too, and using barber cords is my preferred method - quick to just slip them on and off. Hey, whatever works. 😄
I stumbled across your UA-cam this week. I found this topic very interesting. I have been knitting for over 50 years and never used stitch markers for the first 50! I grew up in the North East of England and use long straight needles for most of my knitting. I like short straight cable needles. So quite a lot of the things you don't like I use! Also watching the notions you like and quite a few I have. Erm, never used a lifeline either.......
I like the little coils for holding dpns together in storage
I use the row counter in the knit companion app. I love it.
Thank you for the shout out 🥰. This was a really cool video and it was interesting to see some of the ways other knitters have improvised different notions!
I use a row counter app and it is absolutely amazing! For my cardigan I just made you can have a separate row counting parts for the front panels, back panel and sleeves. Absolutely wonderful.
I use yarn bowls for holding a ball or cake of yarn when winding bobbins for weaving, or when re-winding a cake to make it looser. For DPNs I just put a rubber band around them, wrapping it around both ends after bundling them. I’ve heard about DPN coozies with snaps that I might try making. I have a couple row counters made from a chain of loops with numbered beads. They can count up to 99 by moving a lobster claw bead for the 10s digit. They work great for me, but I don’t mind dangly charm bracelets. 😂 I cut off the leg portion of worn out commercial socks to make yarn cozies. They squeeze the yarn cake together as I pull yarn from the center, and also help keep them from tangling. I knit socks and gloves 2 at a time, so I’m always splitting my skeins into 2 cakes which both live in my project bag.
I do cables A LOT. Bought spiral circle shaped cable needles. Came as a pack of 5 on Amazon. I love these the best. Small size and can hook into work to keep it handy.
To keep keep my double pointed needles from poking through my bag, I use a bag that's made from recycled billboards(sounds weird, but apparently billboards are made from like a reniforced plastic tarp material thats still flexible). They were selling the bags in my local knitting shop and I originally bought it because it seemed sturdy enough to keep my cats out of my yarn.
I think another thing that helps is using a bag just large enough for your project. That way everything is in their snuggly and your project isn't bouncing around with needles and stitch markers falling off.
I agree with you about the yarnbowls,, and stitch holders. I have tried so many stitch holders and cry when they routinely become unclasped and I lose all the stitches. Waste yarn works just fine.
things I am never without are the following: Post-it notes. They are so good for keeping your place on the chart and hiding the chart rows underneath m. I do use needle point protectors and stitch markers, because I work in a lot of lace, and it is very convenient to mark the repeats .
Lastly, I have a little 5 inch plastic ruler, which also has a needle sizer. That is my indispensable. I guess it’s good that we all like different things. Trial and error has taught me what works well for my style of knitting.
I'm watching this one in May 2024, and it's right up my alley. I keep a big wide broccoli rubber band in my knitting stuff. I poke my needle tips right through it for stitch stoppers. It's also great for twisting my interchangeable needle tips onto the cord.
Great idea!
Not a notion, but I use Knit Companion for my patterns and the built in row counters. since it tend to work on multiple projects it helps me to know where I am when I pick the project up again. I use my yarn bowl cause I primarily knit in one location. Love the flox cable needle.
I like the idea of passing the stuff I don’t like to someone else. We might save that person some money in case they wanted to buy it.
I love my lovely wooden cable needle’s-the set was 3 different sizes. I bought sock blockers-I had a sense I really needed them, but then realized they weren’t that necessary. I learned from trying! I have a counter-just in case. I loved this episode! Thank you! It’s fun what people like and don’t like. FUN!
So glad you also like the Snap Bags! I recommended it awhile back to others after getting my set and seeing how well it worked. My set came with a large carry-all bag, a project snap bag (like you showed), a small notions zipped bag, and a scissors holder - all in one color! The largest tote bag also snaps, a shoulder strap or hand handles, and a scissor holder attached to it. My set was inexpensive (like $14 USD) and I got an extra set to use for boating (towels, sunscreen, snacks, etc.) or traveling goodies! I do love these mesh snap sets and now have one color for each of my 3 projects. All are ready to go! They're easy to knit from and hold so much, yet fold up small. Good choice!
For needle keepers, I use a piece of hollow beading cable to connect my tips (especially on small circulars). It's similar to the barber cables, but 10x cheaper. I don't know that it would work for the bigger size needles, but it's a lifesaver for my "travel knits".
Needle stopper: I use a piece of an inch or two of the green rubber band that's used for binding roses and other bushes. It's hollow, completely bendable and a little stretchy. Keeps the needle points together. Be careful not to slide it on the needle tips too far or you'll have trouble getting it off. The stuff costs almost nothing, esp. not when you already got a whole ball of the stuff in your garden shed (like I do, and maybe your kind neighbour too. Ask us and we'll gladly give you a foot or two.)
Now we need vlog on notions you use❤
Next month, I think!
DPD needle holders: Clover make sheep ones, green for smaller needles, purple for larger. They come in a pair. The base of the sheep has five holes, one for each needle in a set of five, and you line up your needles and place them on each end. I love using them for socks when I’m knitting socks with dpns. You can also use them for few needles, I’ve used them when knitting my scrappy ten stitch blanket, and just had two dpns.
Row counters are literally the most useful tool!
(This is just a long comment that boils down to: love this video, love circular needles, and I use yarn as my financial basis to rationalize whether or not I need one notion or another.)
This was a really interesting video! There are so many things on this list that I've looked at and thought, "maybe that'd be really helpful" or "that's super cute!" but I'm always so concerned about buying things that I potentially might never use. Most of the notions I've forgotten about or don't use now were little things that came in beginners kits or notion bundles. I also have sewing supplies that are multi-functional which cuts down on costs as well.
Ever since I discovered the magic that is the circular needle I haven't touched a straight needle since. With hEDS and joint pain, knitting with straight needles made it so hard to enjoy the process especially when I wanted to spend more than an hour at a time on a project. I remember my first visit to a local yarn shop where they had a knitting bowl with a super short circular needle to try out one of their new arrival yarns and I was filled with such childish glee.
Now I have interchangable circular needles, various additional cables, and those stoppers you put on the cables when I want to travel or switch to another project. And with the power of the magic loop I don't have to use DPNs now that I have circular needles that go down to US 1! I have such a hard time with DPNs and avoid them as much as I can, but if I do a cable project I'll give them a try to see if I like them more than the cable hooks or not based on what some of the commenters you highlighted here said.
I also love my swift despite not having a ball winder. I used to hold skeins around my knees to wind balls and each one would take like half an hour to do.... and then I started a project that needs 10 skeins so I caved and my goodness what a life saver. I'm sure a ball winder would be a great investment but with how much a good quality costs it's been hard to rationalize buying one (my logic basically comes down to "how many skeins of yarn could I get instead" vs just how badly I need another notion).
There are a lot of notions that I've never tried either because they feel superfluous or I can't get past the cost vs necessity. I already have a bunch of plastic locking stitch markers, darning needles, a cute project pouch and a notions pouch. I used to use those plastic stitch marker that came with some kit and they have disappeared to the void - they were always too big for my needle size and didn't lock so they'd slip off the circular needle cables constantly!
I'm sorry you suffer with EDS. My daughter was diagnosed at age 2. It's hard. But I did find something that helps me. It holds a ball of yarn, and you never have to tug or catch a runaway ball and they don't collapse either! It's one those new Swan-necked magnetic yarn holders. It feels like your yarn is moving through the air and just landing at your needles!
I got one just to try it (I have Rheumatoid Arthritis) and even with swollen joints, it doesn't hurt me at all! The yarn just floats off, never requiring a tug or yank and the yarn balls have never collapsed - it just constantly spools off as you knit! Feels like the yarn just floats through the air and magically lands on your needles. I don't feel it at all. Maybe consider taking a look at them? I have seen them on TEMU, Amazon and in several LYS. I loved mine so much, I bought a second one to use for colorwork! It's really working very well for me. HTH.
I don’t like split ring markers but I recently found a use for them. They are good to catch the dropped stitch, just hooked through the stitch and several rows above. Turn it until the pointy end is facing downward so it doesn’t drop off. Split ring marker is good as a hook to hold the bulb ring markers or other stitch markers.
A quick way to making a lifeline is to thread the dental floss through the tiny hole at base of your interchangeable needles and secure it with a small knot. Knit as usual and you will be threading the floss through your knitting.
When I started knitting about a year and a half ago I almost fell for the “you need all the things” gimmick. Except cable needles. The gears in my brain said why would you need that? Lol Also, I’m very happy to hear a lot of the things on your list are things I haven’t bought. Very helpful!! I think my favorite tip is that when we start wanting to work with higher quality fiber we want to protect it more by using tools that won’t damage the work. I just splurged $48 to make a hat with baby alpaca. I will definitely use my ciao goos for it!
I’ve use the progress keepers as zipper pulls on some of my project bags. These bags have the standard zipper pull.
I don’t like the lobster claw either. I slip a light bulb marker through the lobster claw if I want to place it on my work. I use them often to mark the starting point for counting.
Love the idea of using the progress keepers as zipper pulls!
I do use a row counter when knitting sleeves because there are usually several things going on at once. I use the right number to count rows knitted between the increase/decrease rows and the left number to keep track of the number of times I knit that set of rows. I then mark the end of that set with a bulb marker (my favorite tool). I can't get the hang of the colorwork rings and gave up on that. I dislike the lobster markers and will only use them to mark a place and doesn't need to be moved (like the front of a sweater). I started out with straight needles because they were the only things available. I have since jumped ship and only use circulars or DPNs. I will sometimes drag out a straight needle to cast something on that is giving me fits on DPNs and then move the stitches over. I do use sock blockers to dry socks that don't go in the dryer. I hang them on a rod in the water heater closet for a gentle dry. I may make up notions bags of the stuff I don't use and donate them to the next church bazaar.
Thanks for sharing. I've used the cords from my interchangeable needles to hold a sleeve for baby raglan sweater. When the body is done just swap the needle tips onto the cord in the sleeve and I'm ready to go. Also I've been using cheap earplugs to put on needles tips as protection and keep stitches from dropping off.
Earplugs! That's brilliant (and cost-effective!). And it never really crossed my mind to use the cable from interchangeables as a stitch holder but that's a really great idea too. Thanks for sharing your tips!
I invested in some seriously expensive straight needles a long while back, they didn't last a month because I soon found out about circular needles.. now they are just being pretty in a jar.. really, circulars are where its at!
I have this yarn bowl. It Was a gift from my taughter. I use it for filet crochet yarn espacially when I take it outdoor. So it is protected from dirt.
I love my row counters. I attached it to an orphaned dangle earring and it goes between the 1st and 2nd stitch which means I have to touch it and turn it. And I love my cable needles. Dpns slide out. In a pinch I will use an oversized safety pin.
I love crafting of any kind... but when I saw your title, I had to smile. Everything you talk about makes so much sense. I thought it was just me, or I wasn't using those notions right. now know I am not crazy for like those stitch counter among some other items that you mentioned.
I agree about the yarn bowls! I *LOVE* their beauty - but I'm a "bag full o' yarn" kinda girl!!
Stitch markers: I make my own, and I use the LARGE Lobster Claw/Clasps, which are much less aggravating than the smaller ones, which I agree with you are annoying 🙂
I have a lot of yarn bowls, but last year I invested in a couple Hansen Crafts yarn spinners that I really love. They have a great weight for staying in place, plus removable rods to hold the yarn. I bought extra rods so that I can keep them in my yarn balls when I'm working on multiple projects. The yarn bowls really are lovely for holding notions.
I mainly stick to metal ring stitch markers. I'll use the ones with the lobster clamps for marking the right side of a project if it's not obvious. I tend to do tallies directly on my patterns, so no row counters for me. I will use a spreadsheet at times for increase/decrease work. And my cheap hack for repeats in a pattern is writing the instructions down for each row on an index card, keeping the stack together with a binder clip.
I like the barber cords, but they are a little tough to put stitches on. I'm hoping they'll come out with some slightly smoother ones in the future.
I lost so many stiches on the barber cords, that I went right back to using my cord soppers that came with my ChiaGoo needle set! Then I just have to screw them on - and done! I can add another cable for trying on, if needed, and that works very well and quickly, too.
Your comparison of the lobster clasps markers to a charm bracelet was a total "Aha!" moment for me 😅 I hate charm bracelets and I hate those lobster clasps!
Haha - glad it wasn't just me! 😁
I love your videos! They are direct and to the point. I do use those plastic cable needles. And the yarn bowl I also use ! Thanks for your advice!
I just use rubber bands to make loose knots at ends of circular needles. It’s a really inexpensive but effective way to not lose my work when pulling it out of the bag
I use my sock ruler for every pair too. I find it helps me be consistent in measuring the length as it doesn’t stretch or move like a fabric tape measure might.
I have a makeshift yarn bowl, which is a cauldron shaped halloween candy bowl with a binder clip clipped to the side with the handles up to thread the yarn through.
I do not have a great tip for keeping the needles safe or stopping them from poking, BUT if I want to make sure a project will not slide off, I wrap a rubber band or two firmly around the ends of the needles, trapping the project inside (especially on circulars, the project stays on the wire as the edges of the needles are now bound). This works great with metal needles, as rubber sticks to them and doesn't slide off. Just wrap the bands again and again, as tight as possible.
For stitch markers, my favourite trick I came up with was these colourful plastic rings that come with your electric toothbrush replacements. I live alone, so I don't need to mark off my own toothbrush head, and I get to use the plastic rings as stitch markers! They are very durable, they have different colours, and they don't snug on the yarn.
Great tips!
I use my knitting bowl all the time. My son made it for me and I love to use it!💕
Me too I have two of them and use them.
I use the bobbins to keep scrap thread or barber cords on for lifelines. I have one in most project bags. I’ve also used them to tidy up yarn remainders which makes scrap projects easier because the little bits and bobs are ready to go! Also, I do most of my cables with a locking stitch marker, slipping the stitches off and back on my needles is so easy and the stitch marker attaches to my work when I don’t need it so I don’t lose it at the bottom of my bag! So fun to see what other knitters use!
I actually use my knitting bowl! I mostly knit in two places and like to be able to set my yarn in a place where it doesn't run away when I pull on the ball. I hate having my yarn fall on the floor because I have long haired pets and no amount of vacuuming keeps the floor entirely clear of hair.
I also use the dangly progress keepers (on a lightbulb stitch marker because I don't like the lobster claw) to mark what side of a project is the right side in some projects. I work with a lot of rustic worsted wool and they hold up to the weight just fine.
I like my DPN holder. It's a fabric pouch with snaps, you put the needles in and close the snaps and there's a space for your sock to poke out.
I've never blocked my socks. I don't see the point, they'll mold to my foot without blocking.
I use the little plastic "safety pin" stitch markers (because I mostly crochet). When I first started knitting cables, I used very large actual safety pins to hold the stitches I wanted to cross.
I like my yarn bowl and stitch counter (the ones you click and it has a lock so it doesn’t click accidentally; sometimes I use 2 different colors-1 for rows, 1 for sections or repeats. (The cylinders are a no)I agree about the coco knit rings that are spiral like. I do a lot of lace on fingering or lace and it’s always catching or rolling to the wrong place. The cheap locking ones are the best. My best cable needle is one my son whittled and sanded or a smaller interchangeable needle I’m using. I’ve seen needle keeper made of cloth or leather but haven’t bought them since I rarely use double points. Since I use interchangeable needles I unscrew and screw on the stopper. I inherited and learned on straights and loved to hear the clicking but that was when I only knitted scarves.
I don't use stitch holders, I just use extra interchangeable cords. I also don't like the dangly charm stitch markers. I use circular interchangeable needles almost exclusively at this point so when (not if!) I drop a needle, it can only go so far. I gave up on needle stoppers and just shove my project back off the needles onto the cord. I don't like the split rings as they tend to work their way loose and fall off the project. I don't usually use the little metal light bulbs because they're small and I overlook them. When a friend started knitting earlier this year, I took the opportunity to pass on a lot of my straight needles, as well as a lot of notions that just weren't working for me. More recently, I was knitting on a trip with friends and one of them had never used stitch markers before. I believe I converted her from using scraps of yarn to mark her repeats!
the lobster clasp stitch markers are definitely better suited as keychain additions or charms on a bracelet 😂 i love my notebook more than row counters but sometimes i stick one on my needle to keep my place when i know a project is going into hibernation
Yes - and I tend to use lightbulb stitch markers, and just one each BOR. It works great - and I never have to worder if I've marked my round! I just chain them together on/by the 1st stitch, and it's always accurate.
I find the split ring stitch markers are fantastic for crochet!
I just started tetting and am testing knitting/crochet tricks to scale the patters I can deal with
When it comes to stitch markers I like the closed circle ones too, I've got some silicone ones from clover. I've also got the plastic saftey pin style ones which sometime come in handy. I've generally been avoiding patterns where I need to count much though for example using the cardboard foot method for socks though I still have to count for the heel.
I agree with the circular needles instead of straight needles comment so so much! When I started knitting I got some very slippery straight metal needles. They worked okay-ish for my first project (a headband). my 2nd project was a scarf, which I worked flat on a circular needle -- omg the difference! it was so much easier! I also work all of my socks on those mini circular needles, since I can't figure out how to work with 5 needles. but I have to add that I knit the tip of my socks with 3 straight needles tho, which is always my least fav part about knitting a sock.
The stitch marker with the lobster claw clasp is actually a progress keeper. Not meant to go on your needle! It hooks into your knitted fabric to keep track of how much progress you make each time you work on something,
And it pulls my stitches until they stretch out! So, I don't use the lobster claws on my knitted fabric.
Best purchase I ever made were my interchangeable needles which I found I prefer because of how short the needles are and they just fit in my hands better. I use them for literally everything. I have the Knitters Pride which I can use as circular or straight needles, flexible DPN for cabling, stitch holder and probably a few other uses I haven't discovered yet. I even got the matching interchangeable Tunisian Crochet hook set so I can screw on a knitting needle or crochet hook right onto the cord my project stays on. I quit using actual row counters when I discovered the "Row Counter" app on my phone which stores the patterns of all my current projects and keeps track of their progress including rows and time I spend on them. Row counting is situational but most of the time I don't bother. I've saved so much space by getting rid of the crap my interchangeables have replaced the use for that my whole knitting collection fits into a small fishing tackle organizer that then fits into whatever bag my project is in that I can take anywhere so everything I need is always with my project. I only have my interchangeable needle and hook sets and stitch markers which I use the most of, and DPN's in every size, needles stoppers, loom hooks, and pom pom makers which is use "occasionally" so I keep them around. You really don't need that much stuff to knit or crochet anything. Two hands! 👐
I must be the only person who likes my row counters! Use them on every project. Do not like the silicone cords- they never stay on the needle! When I want to try my garment on I use a second needle of the same size and knit halfway around. After trying the garment on, I complete the round and then go back to my original interchangeable needle the next round.
You're not the only one who likes row counters - there have been LOTS of comments from people who use them! And great tip about using a second needle when trying things on!
What an interesting topic! Thank you for this video, I absolutely love it! And, naturally, I had to give you a thumbs up and subcribe.
Yarn bowls: I have two of different sizes, I use them sometimes, but mostly, I use something else to hold my yarn.
Row counter: I have a dozen, for around the neck, for the finger, the ones to put on your needles and so on. I really use them, because I often do things, where I do not only count the rows, but also the row in the pattern, and the rows between decreases or increases. So yes, I use them a lot.
Stitch markers: I dont like the open ones, I like the metal pearshaped ones. The plastic ones often are too thick for the yarn that I use. I mark my de-/increases with one of those pearshaped safety needles, and also the overall row count. Sometimes, my sweaters are really heavy with all the stitch markers that I use. So, I have tons of those stitch holders everywhere. They are basic for me!
The little inch measure: I would never use them, out of the reasons you stated.
Cable needles: Yeah, I use them. Not a lot, because I prefer lace patterns, but if I do knit (wider) cables, I use them. And mine are also out of metal.
The needle tips: they always fall off on me - I hate them. To prevent my needles to loose stitches, I again use one of the pear shaped stitch markers which I slide through the holes of my circulars, my Chiaogoos (the holes are for changing the tips or to put a safe yarn through).
To park stitches, I use cables from the Chiaogoos and I - again - secure them with my pear shaped stitch markers, using the little hole. To continue to knit, for example arms, you just need to add the tips to the ends, any you are ready to go.
Thanks again for this great video and greetings from Germany!
Welcome!
We're like Knitting Sisters! I am the exact same way.
I think the rings that’s aren’t closed are way more useful for crochet! I also love my stitch markers and absolutely love love those that have numbers on them, very easy to use! And before I had those? I used a ton of earrings instead! They look cute and are pretty easy to use as stitch markers
I use my knitting bowl all the time. The crazy runaway ball drives me nuts. I use paper and pen for my row counter. I'm old school like that. I use my handmade lobster claw stitch markers to mark the front of my work so I dont absent mindedly purl on a knitting row. I use a closed jumper ring from the jewelry dept as a stitch marker. No dangly beads just the ring. They dont snag and they come in pkgs of 10 so I always have enough. I use a small dollar store hairclip for when I have a long sewing tail dangling in my way. I have those wooden gauge rulers and I use them all the time for gauge. Works perfectly for me. Mine came with a needle and hook mm measurer and use that all the time too. I'm with you on those cable needles. I have all those plastic ones. Hate them. I have a custom made bamboo wooden set which I use all the time. I also have used long toothpicks and shortie polished wood Knitpicks Caspian DPNs which work well too. I bought a set of stitch holders and never use them. I just use a shortie circ and have also figured out how how to ignore stitches on my needles and do short rows. I dont bother with needle tip keepers. No kids no pets no problem. I dont use any socks gadgets. Like you, wash , stick in drawer and wear. Those hollow wire things are a hard no for me. A tapestry needle and waste yarn is good enough for me. You have a good channel and great vids.
I bought a set of colored metal needle keepers. Love them.
I use rubber bands as needle keepers or on the ends of DPNs to prevent stitches from falling off. I bought the silicone tubing for beading for holding stitches. It's plentiful! It is dicey about falling off needle tips when you're loading stitches, but if holds the stitches so you can try things on or use needles elsewhere.
I like the split rings for crochet. I use them for a temporary marker to be removed soon. If it needs to stay in my crochet a while, I use the plastic safety pin style. For knitting I prefer closed rings, hard plastic, not the rubbery kind that drag when sliding the needle. I also use jewelry double split rings. Those are the kind that coil around twice. They do not snag the yarn, slide easily, and do not get in the way. I never had a charm bracelet, but I think I would hate it, lol.
That u-shaped cable needle you held up is my favorite shape. I can't find mine, so I am using the small bamboo straight ones. They are also very nice.
As a continental style Scandinavian knitter, I avoid purling whenever possible. Most of what I knit is done in the round on circular needles:socks, sweaters, cardigans, hats, mittens, even triangular shawls. I do a lot of colour work too, where trying to purl and read the pattern backwards is totally beyond my tiny brain. So I rarely use any of my nice straight needles except to knit swatches on. (Minimum 50 stitches so I can measure properly:) I use dpns for cables, I can't remember to use a row counter, and as for tip protectors, I just tuck the needles into the fabric of the knitting and hope for the best. If I have a ridiculous number of stitches on a circular needle I wrap an elastic band around the tips so the stitches don't slide off.
I have only used the Barber cords, not the off brand ones. If you tug on it after you put it on(like the Chinese finger trap), it is really hard to get it off. Haven't lost a single stitch to it.
I really am not liking the Barber cords. They're hard to manage and awkward to put stitches on/remove. I just use the cord stoppers from the set of needles I bought - and it works great. Since they're always with me, and don't take up any space, it works for me.
When working a stitch where it is difficult to tell the right side from the wrong side, I use one lobster claw marker fastened on the right side of my work a little bit in from the edge. I have a couple of them that are relatively light weight.
Great tip!
And I use regular stitch marks for this purpose also!
When I started knitting, I was given my grandmother's straight needles. I decided to use my commute time to knit. There were many passengers sitting next to me on the South Shore Line dodging those needles! I learned quickly about circular needles and my grandmothers needles now sit in a vase.
I've been casually knitting off and on since I was.... I guess 10 or so? My grandma taught me on straight needles and I remember she only ever had like half a dozen or so straight needles she used since she also mostly knit casually. When I started buying my own needles Clover had only recently come to local craft stores with their bamboo needles but (as a teen with limited funds) I just kept buying the metal ones even though I was never really a fan. Once I finally invested in a nice pair of bamboo needles I LOVED them, but the thrifty side of me lamented the possibility of needing to buy more. The cost to return ratio for a casual knitter like me was one of the biggest factors that turned me off of knitting for a few years. Especially since I'd reached a skill level where I was really sick of making scarf after scarf, but found it hard to do anything of a slightly higher skill level without making the switch to paying for single size circulars in addition to my straight needles.
I didn't even know that interchangeable needle sets existed until this latest wave of knitting fans cropped up and saw so many knitting Ytbers using them. Now I have a beautiful LYKKE color set that my gf got me as a gift and I LOVE it. If I'd known, I'd never ever have wasted so much on straight needles and my knitting world could have opened up so much sooner. Even better, I don't have to exchange or buy new needles if I find the gauge I thought I needed isn't giving me the look I want. Absolutely could go on for hours and hours about how much more I love knitting with these.
Welcome to the Knitting Today side! Glad you like your new needles. I love mine (ChiaGoo & Addi's both! LOL.) Having the cords makes all the difference in knitting! And they're so useful for trying on, holding stiches, etc. Just screw on the stopper, and you're ready to change/store/try on! Makes good financial sense instead of buying a million and one gadgets! Glad you're liking the Lykke's - they are lovely needles. I looked at those once, but really prefer fast quick SS needles. But they were lovely!
I only normally use straight needles and am not keen on knitting in the round. I mark my stitches with little knots of coloured wool that can easily be slid off and reused. You don't notice they're there until you come across them. I can't think of any other item I've needed in my fifty years of knitting. I've only ever used a dpn as a cable needle, and I think that is what is classed as a cable needle here in the UK. I don't know of any other kind. I enjoyed this, you are very interesting and speak well.
I wear a CritSuccess clicking ring counter on my thumb. Also love Twice Sheared Sheep's circular knitting chain row counter. To keep track or repeats, Knit Companion's built in programable counters.
It’s so interesting to hear others opinions on various supplies. I ADORE my yarn bowl. Mine is a sheep and I use it daily. I wish I had gotten one years ago. I also HATE the closed loop stitch markers and much prefer the ones that you twist on. I tend to forget to take them off and I somehow get them stuck in the fabric and have to cut them out. I also don’t like circular needles. I prefer double pointed or straight needles because that’s what I learned on as a kid.
I am primarily a crocheter and am just now getting back into knitting after a 10 year break so maybe my thoughts will change after I really start knitting more.
Thanks for making this video!
My two ladies adjustable straight needles. They were a game changer for me.
I use the point protectors all the time! I use the rubber tips. Red for "right" hand needle, and blue for "left" hand needle. Haven't tried the needle keepers. I leave my knitting for long periods, and forget where I left off, so if I make sure I end leaving the R(ed) needle for the right hand and the blue/left needle for the left hand, then I know where to start again.
Thank you for the lovely, informative video! Really appreciate all the info!!!
When i started knit I bought all the notions I could find because I thought I needed them all. LOL.
I have several row counters and I don't use them. I bought several cable needles and like the ones you prefer. I like using needle protectors with my projects. I use the coil ones to keep the same size dpns together. I like stitch markers and use them all the time. Sometimes I use the pin type stitch markers and attach another to it to use as a row counter. I like the silicon markers.