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Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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10 Must-Have Knitting Notions

October 7, 2015 Leave a Comment

The 10 notions every knitter should have in their craft cupboard!

It’s no secret that there’s gear involved when you take up a craft. Luckily with knitting, you can get a long way with just a ball of yarn, scissors and a pair or two of needles. Once you level up to more advanced projects that involve buying your yarn by the hank (they’re the twisty skeins) or try a garment that needs blocking, you might want to consider investing in some go-to accessories (a.k.a. notions) you’ll use again and again.

What are the 10 notions every knitter can't live without?

In an effort to guide those looking to add to their knitting supplies, I thought I’d share my my top 10 most-used notions & why I can’t live without ’em.

  1. ball winder
  2. tapestry needle
  3. scissors (particularly travel scissors)
  4. cable needle
  5. stitch holder
  6. small crochet hook
  7. pom pom maker
  8. needle tip protectors
  9. stitch markers
  10. coil knitting needle holders

The 10 notions every knitter should have in their craft cupboard!

  • A ball winder is great because it saves you time. Once you start buying yarn that doesn’t come in end-pull skeins, a ball winder is an investment you won’t regret.
  • I find that weaving in my ends with a tapestry needle to be the easiest and most efficient way of getting that sometimes-arduous finish task done. When my yarn is too fickle or fine, though, I turn to a good old crochet hook (see notion #6).
  • Scissors… obviously. ;)
  • If you hate cable knitting, you might think this tool isn’t necessary for your stash. However, don’t come crying to me when a cable needle would have been the perfect tool for rescuing an accidentally-dropped stitch. The shepherd’s hook style cable needles are a total hero for slip-ups like those!
  • I tend to travel with multiple knitting projects, so stitch holders are great to have on hand for  transporting your projects. They’re also great for sock and sweater and mitten knitting anytime!

The 10 notions every knitter should have in their craft cupboard!

  • A small crochet hook? I thought we were talking knitting notions?! See #2 above. :)
  • If you are at ALL a fan of finishing projects with poms, a pom pom maker (or a few in different sizes) will save you time. If you’re only an occasional pom pom user, you can always go the DIY route with this tutorial.
  • Just like stitch holders, needle tip protectors are great for taking your knitting on the go. For the intermittent knitter, they’re great for storing your projects too.
  • Stitch markers are used to keep track of where you are in your pattern: when to start and end a motif section in a given row, where to work increases & decreases, etc. The thing with stitch markers is that even a safety pin or paper clip can to the job!
  • Coil knitting needle holders might not be on every knitter’s must-have list, but I love them. They’re great for storing double-pointed needles together, and they work for holding good old straight needles together too, particularly when you’re on the go.

What are the 10 notions every knitter can't live without?

Filed Under: Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: 10 must have knitting supplies, beginner knitting supplies, knitting notions, knitting supplies knitting accessories, notions

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #fridayintroduction #heidigustad #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #yarncrafts #latchhookbook
Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
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