Julie Measures

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Beginning Knitting Supplies

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Beginning Knitting Supplies! Ready to start knitting? Check out The Ultimate Knitting Tools List and learn how to start knitting with the right tools at your disposal.

beginning knitting supplies

Of course you know that you need a skein (or skeins) of yarn and a pair of knitting needles, but what kind of yarn and what type of needles? What else do you need? What other kinds of materials, tools, and notions? Set yourself up for success with a knitting tools list.

Beginning Knitting Supplies

Below is the beginner knitting tools list. A comprehensive list of all the basic supplies you should have on hand in order to make knitting as joyful as possible.

1. Straight Knitting Needles

When you’re first learning how to knit bigger is generally better, or at least easier. Bigger needles and thicker yarns are easier to learn with and work with. 

My favorite beginner knitting needles are 6mm/US 10 wooden knitting needles. If you find that your hands hurt as you are beginning, you might switch to some 9mm or US size 13 straight knitting needles. Larger needles don’t generally hurt your hands the way smaller sizes might, particularly when you are just starting out.

You can also practice on circular needles, without needing to knit the round. You can just them just like straight needles. Then you can slide you work to the middle when you’re taking a knitting break.

Two of the most often used knitting needle sizes are 5mm/US 8 and 6mm/US 10. Many of my patterns are made using 5mm needles.

Aluminum, plastic, wood or bamboo? There are many different types of knitting needles. Aluminum or plastic are often the most budget friendly options. However these materials can be a bit slippery. Bamboo or wood needles are comfortable and not as slippery. (I primarily knit with aluminum knitting needles.)

2. Tapestry Needles (aka Yarn Needles)

Tapestry needles, or yarn needles, are just needles with an eye large enough to thread yarn through.

Tapestry needles are used to weave in ends as well as stitch seams together. These needles can be plastic or metal and are generally inexpensive.

3. Point Protectors

More than protecting the points of your needles, which they also do, often the most important function a point protector does is keep you stitches from falling off when you aren’t knitting.

Most knitting projects are not done in one sitting. So any time you take a break fro your knitting you can put a point protector on the end of the needle, or needles, that are holding stitches. Then you don’t have to worry about your stitches falling off the needles when they are left unattended.

4. Stitch Markers

Stitch markers are a great way to mark any stitch while you are working. You might be working on a pattern that is done over a certain section. You can use stitch markers to mark the first and last stitch of the section. While you are knitting the marker is simply slipped back and forth between the needles. 

If you start knitting projects on circular needles in the round then stitch markers are handy for marking the beginning stitch of each new round. Stitch markers are extremely inexpensive and you can even DIY your own.

5. Measuring Tape

If you’re a crafter you may already have a measuring tape that you love. When it comes to knitting you don’t need any special kind of measure tape, just one you like. Measuring tapes are most frequently used to check your gauge or to measure projects, like scarves, to know when they are long enough.

You can also get a specific tool called a gauge ruler. This can help with measuring your knitting gauge and it can also measure your knitting needles, in case the numbers on yours have rubbed off and you no longer know what size they are.

6. Scissors

Knitting scissors don’t need to be as precise as sewing or fabric scissors, but you won’t want to use a blunt pair either. Something small and sharp works best to snip yarn ends.

7. Knit Counters

‘Shh I’m counting’ is a phrase spoken by many knitter. While knitting you will often need to keep track of both your stitch count and your row count. Which is why it’s often helpful to have a couple knit counters nearby. You might use one to count rows and another to help with stitch counts, particularly when you are increasing or decreasing.

There are knitting counters that slip right on your knitting needles and some that are designed to hang around your neck or wear on your wrist or fingers.

8. Crochet Hook

A crochet hook for knitting? Yes! In addition to yarn needles, crochet hooks can also be used to weave in ends. Plus, there are some methods for fixing dropped stitches that use crochet hooks as well. Just like knitting needles, crochet hooks come in a wide variety of sizes. A 4.25mm/Size G crochet hook works great for most medium weight yarns.

Beginning Knitting Supplies Shopping List

If you’re just learning how to knit there’s no need to immediately buy needles in every size and material. There is no right kind of knitting needles or yarn. 

The more you knit the more you’ll find out what types of needles, yarn, and notions work best for you.

Beginning Knitting Patterns

Once you have supplies on hand you’ll be ready to start knitting! Begin with some of these simple projects:

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