In addition to your knitting needles and yarn, you need to have some tools (aka “notions”) handy as you’re working on your project. This list covers all of the knitting notions you’ll need from making your gauge swatch to weaving in your ends so that you can create your own ultimate knitting notions kit.
Here are the things I’ll discuss:
- Akerworks Swatch Gauge
- Stitch Markers
- Small Scissors
- Retractable Tape Measure
- Cable Needle
- Knitting Barber Cords
- Darning Needle
If you are not a knitter but are looking for gifts for your loved ones who are, these are great knitting presents. Any combination of these notions would make excellent stocking stuffers for knitters. And if you want to become a knitter, I’ll teach you.
Item #1 or item #6 are special on their own, as is item #2 if you find a special handmade version. Or package them all together for the ultimate gift basket for the knitter in your life.
Notions for Swatching
If gauge matters for your project, you’ll need to make a gauge swatch. If you’re going to make a gauge swatch, you want it to be as accurate as possible, which means no cheating (whether purposefully or accidentally)!
The best way that I know to prevent accidental or purposeful cheating when measuring the gauge from your swatch is to use the Akerworks Swatch Gauge (1) (not sponsored). I don’t remember which knitting podcast introduced me to this item - thank you to whoever that was!
It has teeth on the back to keep it from sliding around on your swatch, which makes accurately counting your rows and stitches easier. And it has little row and stitch windows that are exactly 4″/10cm, so you just count what you can see in the window.
If you purchase one notion from this post, this is the one to get. This thing is worth it’s weight in gold – which is $3,719.73 as of the time of this writing, in case you were wondering. Thankfully this little gadget is a mere $20, and worth every penny.
Bonus tip: line it up on your swatch, take a picture from above, and then count your stitches on the image. Then you really can’t cheat.
Notions for Knitting
I recommend keeping a set of your knitting notions inside of each of your project bags with the tools you need for that project. The efficient way to do it is to just keep a little notions bag in each of your project bags with all of these tools, and then you'll never need to scramble to find what you need or remember what you keep where.
2. Stitch Markers
Stitch markers (2) are not optional. In a pinch, you can use a paperclip or a loop made out of scrap yarn, but true stitch markers are ideal. I prefer 3 different types:
My acrylic rings came with my ChiaoGoo needle sets (which I highly recommend, by the way), and they are my favorite basic stitch marker.
Bulb Safety Pins are extra lightweight safety pins. They are super cheap and they can work as both stitch markers and progress keepers. You can get metal or plastic versions. I usually use them to mark sleeve decreases or as row counters.
I like to use one simple bead charm per project to mark the beginning of the round. It's helpful to have a beginning of round marker that is different than the other stitch markers in your project. I recommend something simple that's not going to catch your stitches with sharp corners, but use whatever makes you happy. There are some adorable handmade stitch markers out there.
Any scissors will do, but you will likely want small scissors (3) that fit easily in your notions bag. And small scissors are more likely to make it through security if you'll be flying with your knitting (but nail clippers will do the job if you're worried about taking scissors on a plane).
A small retractable tape measure (4) is so handy for measuring your progress when a pattern calls for knitting to a certain measurement.
Circumstantial Knitting Notions
Some knitting notions only apply to certain types of projects, so you may or may not need the following depending on what you are making.
Knitting Barber Cords (6) function as stitch holders and allow you to try on your work in progress. How did I ever get by without them
You can buy the tubing in large quantities on Amazon, but I can’t speak for the texture. My Knitting Barber Cords have a soft powder-like texture, which helps the stitches slide easily.
If you are making a project with a cable design element you will need a cable needle (5) (unless you prefer to cable without a cable needle). If you rarely make cabled projects, you probably don't need one in each of your notions bags. But cable needles are small and cheap, so why not?
Notions for Finishing
When you finish knitting something, you’ll need to put the final touches on the project.
No matter what you’re making, you’ll need to weave in the ends. If you’re making a sweater in pieces, you’ll need to do seaming. Either way, you need a tapestry needle. These are also called darning needles or yarn needles. Keep multiples of these in every project bag.
Bonus: Notions for Blocking
The essential finishing touch for a project is giving it a bath. I’ve written out all of the steps and supplies.
Knitting Notions You Probably Don’t Need (but you do you)
During the beginning of my knitting journey, I acquired a few standard sets of knitting notions, and there are several things in those that I never ever use.
Row Counter: Personally, I can't remember to advance the row counter every row, so I have learned to read my knitting, which means that I can count my rows at any time by looking rather than hoping I remembered to mark it somewhere. You already know how to do this because you had to count rows on your swatch gauge.
Bonus tip: Use the Bulb Safety Pins to marke every 10 or 20 rows so that you don’t have to keep counting single rows.
Needle Stoppers: I have some fun point protectors, but I forget to use them, and it's never been an issue. I only use circular needles so I just make sure that my project is scrunched into the middle of the cord. That said, if you use DPNs (double pointed needles), you might need point protectors to keep them from sliding out of your project. (P.S. If I were a DPN gal, I would use Karbonz.)
Metal Stitch Holders: Starter kits for knitters from big craft brands tend to include these metal things that look kind of like giant safety pins. These stitch holders can only hold a tiny amount of stitches (like a thumb on a mitten or the underarm on a sweater), and they just get in the way. You're better off using the Knitting Barber Cords or a piece of scrap yarn.
Final Thoughts
Having a kit (or multiple kits) with the things you need for each knitting project can make your knitting life so much easier and more enjoyable!
Once again, here are my 7 recommended items:
- Akerworks Swatch Gauge
- Stitch Markers
- Small Scissors
- Retractable Tape Measure
- Cable Needle
- Knitting Barber Cords
- Darning Needle
Happy knitting!
