Knitting Confidence Part 2: Your Tool Glossary

It's been a while since we got back to basics around here! With so many new people trying out this knitting thing, we think now is a perfect time to help you feel less overwhelmed by all of the jargon and information that comes with learning a new skill.

We know many of you have been knitting for years, so this may not be for you, but but you could always forward it someone you are hoping will join you in your favorite pasttime!

Last time, we explained some of the basics of yarn terminolgoy and our yarn FAQs (read that Blog post by clicking here!) - this time let's talk tools. Of course, all you really need is just your needles and yarn, but if you want to get comfy with going beyond just knitting and purling straight scarves, these things will really help you out!

If we were starting brand new and needed the "most essential" of essentials, here's what we'd grab & what it does for you:

• Tape measure: This is the ultimate helper for when you're trying to get the size and fit of a knitted piece just the way you want it! Most garment patterns ask you measure yourself to pick what size will fit you, plus this will help you measure your gauge (more on all things gauge swatching in an upcoming blog post!). Also, as you are knitting on a piece, you can tell how far you've knit and how far you still have to go. We all measure our knitting in progress almost constantly around here.

• Stitch markers, closed and/or opening: These act as your visual cues so you never get lost in your knitting. Most patterns will tell you where to place your marker (often you'll see it just as pm) but you can add them wherever you feel you need to remember "oh, this is where a repeat starts and ends" or "this is the beginning of my round." The closed markers are great for actually being on your needles while the opening ones are great to hang on the front of your work to remember which side is the right side or maybe which sleeve is right and left. And remember, you can always remove them if they aren't helping!

• Scissors: For cutting your yarn! It happens more often than you'd imagine!

• Awesome tool: We like to use these to pick up dropped stitches or loosen tight yarn. Also great for when your yarn ball is tangled or knotted and you don't want to just pull at it with your fingers.

• Tapestry needles: Surprisingly specifc compared to any other needle or awesome tool, these are for when you're done and need to weave in ends. The little loop on the end is great for threading your yarn tail through.

• Oh Snap Bag: Having a small portable bag that everything you're using for one project can zip up into is so, so helpful. This one is nice because of how much it holds, how the snaps let you thread yarn through them while you work (helps with tangling!) and the front pocket to keep all the little stuff in. 

• Goat tubing: For garments and sweaters especially, this is how we try on what's on our needles. You basically attach the tube to your needle tips and it makes your cord much longer so that you can really stretch out your knit stitches enough to fit it over your head and see what it's looking like. 

• Stitch holders: Another one for our sweater knitters, this is how we put stitches on hold, often used for our sleeves while we knit the body. Many new knitters just use spare needles, but these really help with the awkwardness of knitting a large project!

• Highlight tape: We rely SO heavily on this to keep track of where we are in our pattern (especially patterns with charts!). You can see through the tape to read your instructions and it can be peeled off and moved plenty of times so you can move it as you work. 

No one likes to feel stalled in their progress because they don't have the right tool on hand, so we hope this can help you prevent that!

Next up, we'll guide you through how we make sense of yarn when we're shopping. See you then!

Have any other topics you want us to cover to help ease you into knitting? Let us know in a comment or email!

PS: We'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention what may feel like a scary investment, but would be our number one recommendation for someone who wants to commit to the craft. Interchangeable Needle Sets are a way to literally never feel like you're out of the needle size and length you need.