My Top 6 Favorite Knitting Gadgets

Posted on September 20, 2007
Filed Under Craft Gadgets |


My Top 6 Favorite Knitting Gadgets
By Alice Seidel

One of the best things about having a hobby is buying
everything you need and even some things that you don’t! If
you are into cars or motorcycles, chances are you spend a
lot of extra money on accessories, don’t you? Cooking,
exercising, camping, gardening, hiking, - you name it, there
are accessories for every amusement under the sun!

Knitting is no different. Gadgets abound, and you can
get lost in a sea of extras. They all look good, but what
is necessary, and what can you leave for another time? Let
me tell you about some of the knitting gadgets that are
available to knitters, and then I will tell you my top *6*
favorite knitting gadgets.

Needles and yarn aside, if you look around there are
numerous knitting gadgets. There are stitch markers, used
for marking a particular place in your knitting where
decreases or increases take place; row counters which keep
track of each row as you are knitting; point protectors
which are placed on the needle points to protect your work
as well as yourself; bobbins, pom-pom makers, stitch gauges,
graph paper, yarn swifts and ball winders, which can be
useful for certain advanced knitting projects, but will
probably spend more time collecting dust for most knitters.

So that is why now we come to my top *6* favorite
knitting gadgets,

and why I like them so:

#1 – Tape measure - for knitting, as for sewing, your
tape measure will prove to be indispensable. Whatever the
project, you always have need to know the length and width
of your knitting. Make sure if your tape measure wears out
or becomes distorted in any way, that you replace it. This
item helps to make you look good!

#2 – Scissors - I like the small variety, especially
the ones that fold up. They are handy to take anywhere
(well, almost anywhere), and you can expect to use them
frequently. But, if you have larger scissors, they work,
too. I would not recommend pinking shears, though; they are
for sewing projects only.

#3 – Cable needles - as you become more adept at
knitting, one of the easiest new stitches to add on is the
cable stitch. Cable stitches can be knitted in many
variations, but they always need the cable needle in order
to utilize the stitch. Cable needles come in various sizes,
and are always pointed at both ends. Some have a “bend” in
them, and some are “U” shaped, while most are simply
straight. They are also shorter than a traditional,
straight, knitting needle. So if a pattern calls for cable
stitches, better have some cable needles around!

#4 – Stitch holders - these look like giant safety
pins. They are especially handy when knitting sweaters and
you need to place the neck stitches someplace until you need
them again, so on to the stitch holder they go! Stitch
holders can be very small (2″ or so) up to about 10″ in
length. There are many varieties, but stay with the simple
versions, for best results.

#5 – Yarn needle - aka a tapestry needle. These
needles are longer than regular sewing needles, and have
blunter points and larger eyes. They are used to join your
patterns together when finished. For any knitter, they are
a must-have.

#6 – Pins - last but not least, pins! Anyone who
sews or knits, needs pins; straight pins, safety pins, T-
pins. When you buy straight pins, make sure they have
colored tops; these are easiest to see in your knitting. T-
pins are great for blocking your patterns, and also good for
pinning heavier knits together. Safety pins always make a
great substitute for stitch holders, or to mark a spot in
your knitting that you need to refer to later on.

So, there you have it! Six gadgets I can’t live
without when I knit. If you are very serious about
knitting, and like to see your project look its best when
finished, then these *6* wonderful knitting gadgets should
always be close by.

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Why does some people’s knitting always look better?
Keep your knitting on the “Cutting Edge” with tips and
resources that smart knitters use.
Check out ==> [http://www.TheKnitStitch.com]

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