They're great to mark lengths to measure from, like the top of a shoulder and also to string together under your arms to try on top-down garments before you've joined the fronts and backs. I've also got a bunch of removable markers and these are so useful when you're knitting garments. I have a selection of round rubber rings, metal rings with a bead on them and some gorgeous hexagons that I'm loving using. I'm not a huge fan of dangling stitch markers, instead preferring small round or slightly shaped markers. Of course you can make-do and use waste yarn but I prefer stitch markers and I have my favourites. Stitch markers, including plenty of removable markers I've got several curved cable needles, they have a kink in the middle of the needle, and they're great for keeping stitches just where you want them and not slipping off the ends. Size isn't that important so long as you're using a needle size the same or smaller than your working needle but the shape of your cable needle can make things easier. I mostly cable without a cable needle, but when I'm crossing a large number of stitches or using very slippery yarn, a cable needle is invaluable. Your knitting needle brand will have cable caps that fit the ends of your cables. They're great to use when you're trying on top-down garments, as well as when you're leaving stitches live to pick up later. Because I keep my live stitches on cables instead of scrap yarn, I use screw in cable caps to keep my stitches from falling off the ends. I've recently discovered needle caps and I love them! I've got a selection of squishy cones that fit neatly on the ends of my needles to stop my stitches falling off.Ĭable caps are essential tools in my kit. I’m not a fan and to be honest, I prefer a teeny crochet hook with a slightly pointed end. I bought a fancy tool to pick up stitches that looks like a double-ended crochet hook. The Cocoknits row counter not only looks stylish but it's super easy to use and it locks! I’ve even got the fancy magnetic strap to stick it to my wrist and although my teenagers scoff, it’s absolutely brilliant for making sure my row counter and various stitch markers don’t disappear into the sofa! Crochet hooks/tool to pick up dropped stitches I've tried a few row counters including manually marking off rows with pen and paper and I think I've finally found the row counter I love the best. A small safety pin is great to catch a dropped stitch until you're ready to deal with it and the 'old school' blunt stitch holders that look like giant safety pins are useful to quickly pick up and hold a handful of stitches, like a shoulder for example. I also have safety pins in several lengths to hold stitches. My knitting needles are interchangeable so I tend to use spare cables to keep live stitches on instead of waste yarn. If you're a garment knitter, stitch holders and/or waste yarn is essential. I love how my needles have their sizes printed on them, but mine are metal and at night I find it impossible to read the print when the light reflects off them! Stitch holders/Waste yarn I do however keep a needle gauge in my bag. But I try to keep my notions pouch and my needle case in my current project bag or within easy reach so I don't have to move )

Strictly speaking I don't keep my knitting needles in my notions pouch. So if you're after a good pouch I'd recommend looking out for these features: It has a long leather pull on the heavy duty zip and a leather tab at the other end to make opening and closing easy and secure. Plus, I love how it opens right up, isn't too deep and has a light coloured lining, so I can easily see everything inside.

She modified the Open Wide Zippered Pouch from Noodlehead with a curved top and I love how it's long enough for my pens and stitch holders. The one I'm currently using was made for me by a friend. Somewhere along the way I decided to bite the bullet and keep all my tools in one place. Invariably, rather than getting up from my comfy, warm seat and going to find the tool I needed, I'd attempt some long-winded or tricky way of doing something or approximate the length of something. When I really needed something, more often than not it wasn't handy. I had random little bags, bowls and boxes, but no one bag that kept all my notions together. Here’s what I keep in my notions pouch these days, including a few knitting bits and bobs I can't live without.įor the longest time I didn't have a notions pouch or bag. Do you have a notions pouch? I’ve road-tested a lot of tools over the years.

Giant safety pins