THE VERY BEGINNERS, PRE-KNITTING BUYing GUIDE

When I first started knitting, I really struggled. I had borrowed a pair of my stepmoms knitting needles after she patiently showed me how to cast on, and cast on, and on and on, and taught me the knit stitch. What resulted was my first “scarf” not fit for a stuffed rat. After weeks of practice I finally got my tension right and I was able to knit flat rows- short story. We all know there was quite a bit of anger, swearing and maybe a few tears involved.

            Of course, after the usual trials and tribulations of learning a new craft, I dove right in and started purchasing all the needles and all the supplies, many of which I truly didn’t need and later lent out and gifted to friends and neighbors that I got to teach their first stitches too. So, I’m here not to teach you your first knit stitch (that comes later), but to tell you what you need, and what you don’t need while deciding if this is the craft for you.

As a beginner what should I buy?

 ·      My very first recommendation is to borrow or thrift a pair of needles and some scrap yarn. Not only is this the more affordable option, but it’s the more environmentally friendly one. I love buying shiny new toys just as much as the next person, but your first project is going to be trash. Valuable learning, but trash. In addition to this, you’re still learning your tension. Are you a tight knitter or a loose knitter? My stepmom’s needles were wooden because her tension was very loose, and it prevented the yarn from slipping off the needles. My tension was the opposite early on and I would get stuck, so I eventually opted for metal needles which made it easier for me to work because it was easier for me to get that iron clad knit stitch on and off the needle.  

·      If you don’t have any you can borrow or thrift, just buy ONE pair of a cable needles for learning. You can later lend this to your friends when you teach them how to knit.

·      A bag. Yup, just a bag whether it be grocery store bag or a canvas bag, for your work in progress. You can also get a little pouch, think pencil holder, for your needles and scissors.

·      Once you’ve learned how to knit and you know if you want metal or wooden needles, don’t even bother with straight needles. This is probably my biggest piece of advice. EVERYTHING can be done on cable needles- they can be straight, you can work in the round, you can add a stopper to the end, you can buy longer cables for larger projects. Feel free to disagree, maybe you like the old timey feel of straight needles. But if you want to save time and money, just get a set of interchangeable cable needles, and add supplies to it as needed. RARELY, will I use double pointed needles for smaller finishes, but now I have short interchangeable needles and I just use the magic loop method (a method of looping the cable when working in the round without having to stretch the yarn).

·      Scissors. Once a was knitting regularly on the go, I treated myself to some cute little embroidery scissors that fit easily in my knitting kit.

·      Scrap yarn for “beginning of the round” and “stitch markers”. I just take a little piece of yarn that’s a different color from my work, tie it around the needle where I want it and Voilà! A stitch marker. I’ll use different colors for different needs. But it’s free and it doesn’t have a tendency of falling off the way the plastic ones do.

·       Later when you start to advance you can get cable needles, there are so many options out there. I am a fan of the Knit picks interchangeable needle sets. Once I had my tension down I treated myself to the “radiant options interchangeable needle set”. They’re smooth, like butter... and they’re pretty. I also have the shorts for smaller works. These have held up well for me, don’t come loose if I tighten them with the key and I can change them out with the shorts. Knit picks also has other fun colors and options. This isn’t a plug, I just love this set. Honestly there are a ton of options out there. You can go to your local knitting store and see what they have.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get cute supplies and cater to your style. Check out my sweet knitting bag below, we’ve been together 5 years and it still gives me endless laughs… and looks of disapproval in public. There are tons of personalized stitch holders, bags, and knitting needle organizers (I love Twig & Horn’s products, super thoughtful products made in the US). I’m just trying to help you save money as you learn, so that when it’s time to buy the fun stuff, you can! Once you grow out of something remember not to throw it away but gift it to a new learner or donate! Thrift stores support local communities and if you use them, you should always be giving back to them.

Enjoy the journey and happy knitting!