Whether you are new to knitting or have been clicking the needles for decades, you probably have learned that there are countless tools out there to help you simplify your knitting life. How do you know where to start and which tools are absolutely necessary to invest in? In my 16 years of knitting, I have returned again and again to a handful of game-changing knitting tools that are indispensable to my knitting kit. Here are my three favorites.
1. Crochet Hook
If I were to suggest only one tool to add to your kit that will help you with your knitting more than any other (assuming you already have yarn and needles), it would be a crochet hook. Crochet hooks are great assistants for picking up dropped stitches, 3-needle bind-offs, and making cables if you have misplaced your cable needle. I use these skinny small ones, which work well for most yarn weights. Consider investing in a larger one if you like to knit with yarns thicker than worsted weight.
Photo by Hannah Rose Baker
2. Embroidery Scissors
Scissors are a crafting necessity. You probably have a pair or two at home that work just fine for most of your knitting needs. However, sometimes they aren’t where they should be or someone else is using them. That’s why I recommend getting a small pair of dedicated yarn scissors. Keep them in your knitting kit and separate from regular household tools.
Furthermore, I specifically recommend embroidery scissors because of the small, sharp tips. These are the scissors you’ll use to cut steeked knitting. Even though I personally haven’t ever cut my knitting, I use the embroidery scissors in my knitting kit daily, and I can always count on them to be ready and available to use.
Photo by Hannah Rose Baker
3. Knitting-Needle Organizer
If your knitting needles are in need of being organized, take an inventory of the needles you have and decide what style of case would work for you best. Do you need a case for straight needles, circulars, dpns, or some combination? Do you want your cases to be stationary or to be able to travel with them? Maybe you want a stationary case for your home and a second one you can travel with. Knitting-needle organizers come in a wide array of styles, colors, and for any knitting needle; if you or someone you know is a sewist, there are a plethora of sewing patterns out there as well.
I swear by my knitting-needle case, which is a small zip-up container that can hold all of my circular needles. It keeps my needles organized, it doesn’t take up much space, and I can travel with it. It is everything I need in a needle case. Find what works best for you!
Photo by Hannah Rose Baker
Those are my absolute favorite game-changing knitting tools to keep on hand. What are your favorites, and why?
–Hannah
Hannah Rose is a freelance writer, editor, and knitwear designer. She lives and knits in Northern Colorado. Find her on Ravelry and Instagram at @bakeyknits.
Related Video: Extra Tools for Knitting: Scissors
I found a knit tool kit on Etsy. It is the size of an Altoid tin and has everything you need. Yarn cutter, mini crochet hook, darning needle, stitch markers, cable hook, measuring tape, needle sizer and miniature sticky notes. They also had round ones with a screw on lid that won’t pop open. I bought several and keep them in the various project bags that I have working. I also found Japanese knot bags that work great as a portable yarn bowl. And I can just use that for small projects.
I bought a fishing lure zip case to travel with my needles and it works great (and it’s sturdier and cheaper than a case made specifically for knitting). Since I don’t travel with the case often, I also have a 3-level fishing tackle box for home; it has many sections to sort my interchangeable needle tips, crochet hooks, and notions, and a big section in the bottom to hold the cables.
I love to learn more
I really hated knitting when I was a teenager. But when I had my first child I started making him jerseys. I will be 80 next year and have 18 grandchilren that I knit for now, so look forward to receiving new ideas! Thank you!
Can you please tell me where can I source the fixed circular needle case that your Game-changing Knitting article? Whenever I search, I can only find cases for interchangeable needles.
Hello Anita,
Thank you for contacting us.
The one in the article has sadly been discontinued. You can find one for fixed circulars here: https://www.knitpicks.com/fixed-circular-cable-cases/g/FCCableCase
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
This looks, so much easier to travel on the plane with
I’m a beginner my aunt taught the beginning but I try though no where near being a knitting pro
I keep a small makeup bag with a tapemeasure, embroidery scissors, various sizes of row counters, a red biro to highlight the size I am knitting in multiple sized patterns, pencil, small notepad , plastic ends to stop stitches falling off, cable needles and a couple of stitch holders This is now my knitting project resource kit and everything is in one place!
Where do you find that knitting binder ??
Hello Isabella,
Thank you for contacting us.
The binder shown in that blog post is sadly discontinued. You can find a similar one here: https://www.knitpicks.com/options-needle-binders/g/OptionsNB
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
OK no. 3 the needle organizer, I dislike ads that promote a product but don’t appear to have concrete suggestions as to what these are called and suggestions of links that this hardware can be found. I don’t want vague info. I want the name of the item and stores or online site addresses that these can be found for purchase. I have a painters brush holder for my long needles and it fits in my bag nicely. I would love something that would help me organize my insular needles and double need ones. I don’t have time to search online for a nameless item nor to try and locate this page again for a possible answer. So given that my name and email is required, I trust I will receive an email response with a real answer! Thank would be so awesome. Thank you. Louise
Hi Louise. The particular one in the article is no longer commercially available, which is why no additional information was provided. You can find many similar needle cases at yarn stores and online. Here’s an example of one: https://www.knitpicks.com/options-needle-binder-rose-gold/p/84030. You can also find zippered binders at office supply stores and can create your own!
Jen
The Knitting Circle
Several years ago, I purchased a bait/hook binder from Bass Pro Shop with lots of ziplock-type dividers. Looked just like the above binder. I also bought a package of extra bags and I’m glad I did. Works like a charm! Think I’ll go get another one for my crochet hooks.
Hi Louise, I’m from Australia so I found them online @Ebay and instore @ spotlight. Just look for circular needle cases/holders. Happy hunting.🙂
Try your local sporting goods story; fishing lure organizers work great.
I sort my scissors and notions in extramakeup bags
What kind of embroidery scissors were pictured in this article?
I like the notebook idea for needles and/or other supplies. I love recycling when I can. I use an accordion file (thrift store buy) to permanently store my circular needles. I recycled a zippered makeup travel kit (thrift store find) for my other knit/crochet tools. I recently found a notebook with note pads at the thrift store and use it for keeping project notes. It does have rings also; so, I may look for zipper cases for it. Or maybe just use regular ziplock bags and use a hole punch. Years ago, I bought a Knit Kit online. Best gift I ever bought myself. It goes everywhere with me because it is compact and has everything one needs including a small crochet hook. The current one I saw online is larger and not as attractive. I hope my ideas help others to keep their supplies organized. All crafters are great recyclers.
stitch markers!
don’t go anywhere without them.
I use scraps of yarn and weave them in, they can be easily pulled out.
yarn bowls are another great tool
I agree totally ! Keeping these items and other “things” you yourself consider essential in a dedicated bag, help the process along greatly.
I use an old CD case that looks very similar to the zippered case you show in the photo. I have a few lying around and found they work great for circs!
Some great ideas here…I will definitely use the needle storage idea!
Stitch markers. I find I use my simple hoop ones more than the fancy ones that I have bought. I have both plastic & metal. My keyhole one are also nice. I have some fancy cute ones but never seem to use them…
My favorite knitting tool is the pair of small stitch removal scissors that my physician daughter gave me. They have a handy curved end for getting under a stitch which is perfect for getting the correct cutting point on the yarn.
Where did you find that knitting needle case…for circular needles? Looks neat
Hello Shirley,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
That particular needle case is no longer available, unfortunately. You can find many needle cases at yarn stores and online. Here’s an example of one: https://www.knitpicks.com/options-needle-binder-rose-gold/p/84030. You can also find zippered binders at office supply stores and can create your own!
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Danesha
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
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Sarah
The Knitting Circle
You can also buy one at a fishing shop, I got a nice canvas one at Bass Pro Shops, and they also have extra pages!
The circular needle organizer interests me alot. H
Forget about
When at home, I keep my knitting needles w/the cables in the case provided, and I keep my various size crochet hooks in 2 old travel toothbrush holders (or they might be tampon holders, yikes! I’m dating myself here folks, you could probably find them in some flea market). Depending on the size of your hooks, they hold quite a few of the hooks each, and are quite portable when traveling. When I am traveling, I put everything into any zip-loc gallon size freezer bag. The bag will contain my folding scissors, darning needle, circular knitting needles (or crochet hook depending on what project I happen to be working on at the time), closing stitch markers (which I place on a closing cable stitch holder to keep them all together), pencil (to mark my rows), measuring tape, and my pattern (which I fold in half). I carry this bag with me in my project bag, pull it out take out what I need as I need it, and back in the project bag it goes until I need another item. This also keeps me from having to dig around in the bottom of my project bag trying to find things. I hope these tips will help someone out there. Happy knitting, and crocheting!
Susan Bates makes an aluminum tool with a small crochet hook on one end and a point on the other end. I use the hook for everything you need a crochet hook for but the pointy end unties knots. Helps me count stitch and row gauge. I couldn’t live without it. I have about eight or ten and keep them anywhere I might sit and knit.
Great Idea 💡 thanks
I hang circular needles on hooks, this keeps them straight.
My “knit kit” includes stitch markers, gauge, stitch holders, cable needles, lip balm and chocolate…
I also have all my easy access tools (scissors, interchangeable needle key, crochet hook) on a key ring..that way I don’t lose them!
Do you put the crochet needle in a bag the on the key ring?
Hello Rebecca,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
There are crochet hooks that you can purchase that have a key ring attached to them. Or you can just take a regular crochet hook and put it inside your project or notions bag.
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Danesha
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
Since I mostly use interchangeable needles, the cases they come in I use for needles only. For. the cords, fixed needles and other stuff, I use a fishing tackle/bait ( think that’s what’s it’s for) binder. Mine has double binder area, many sleeves, and other storage cubbies/pockets for whatever you want. I was unable to find it again though. However This one at Amazon would work nicely, the extra sleeves are available right there too. https://www.amazon.com/Rodeel-Organized-Baits，Rigs，Jigs-8-5×8-5×1-1-Inches，Suitable/dp/B085422K91/ref=pd_bxgy_3/134-7175886-9218961?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B085422K91&pd_rd_r=bea53db6-cb64-4e04-a9b1-b2c9a225b0d8&pd_rd_w=0PBYv&pd_rd_wg=pS79T&pf_rd_p=f325d01c-4658-4593-be83-3e12ca663f0e&pf_rd_r=EN1HZKGXE706HNWK87G3&psc=1&refRID=EN1HZKGXE706HNWK87G3
How do you “straighten” the kinks in your circular needles. I find it very frustrating when my work gets twirled around the cord.
Hi Kitty. When I have a circular needle that has too many kinks, I will straighten it and place it under some heavy books for a few days. I’ll have only the cord under the books. That usually helps significantly!
Jen
The Knitting Circle
I make a cup of hot tea and dip only the cord in the hot water by holding the tips out of the water. Plus, the tea relaxes me!
To relax circular needles soak them I’m hot water for 5-10 minutes. The heat will relax the cord so it won’t curl so much.
Place the circular needle in a bowl of boiling water for a few minutes. Then, take it out of the water and on a towel, straighten it out. Works like a charm.
I soak my cords in very warm water then lay straight to dry.
I straighten my circular needles by briefly putting the connector cords in very hot water and pulling them straight as I use tongs to take them out of the hot water.
I heat some water and drop my kinked circulars into a large bowl, then I pour the water over them so they’re JUST submerged. After a minute or so I use tongs to pull them out. The cord is straight and the metal cools quickly.
I carry my needles in a 3 ring binder! My DPN’s are in envelopes which I have placed in page protectors. My circulars are in any small flat bags I can find, which are then put in page protectors. The I have labelled each page with the size and arranged them numerically.
Forgot to add that the binder is one of those zippered ones!
I love your needle case. Can you tell me who makes it or where I might find it?
Hi Barbara. That particular needle case is no longer available, unfortunately. You can find many needle cases at yarn stores and online. Here’s an example of one: https://www.knitpicks.com/options-needle-binder-rose-gold/p/84030. You can also find zippered binders at office supply stores and can create your own!
Jen
The Knitting Circle
I use large, school-type pencil pouches with clear fronts to keep my knitting and crochet tools sorted. My game-changer item in each is a Susan Bates finishing needle, which is basically a double-pointed yarn needle with an eye that runs the full length. If you’ve ever woven in a short tail with a regular yarn needle, you know how hard and frustrating the process can be. I prefer to follow the stitchwork when weaving in my ends, so being able to slide the yarn to the other end of the needle has been incredibly helpful.
I use large, school-type pencil pouches with clear fronts to keep my knitting and crochet tools sorted. My game-changer item in each is a Susan Bates finishing needle, which is basically a double-pointed needle with an eye that runs the full length. If you’ve ever woven in a short tail with a regular yarn needle, you know how hard and frustrating the process can be. I prefer to follow the stitchwork when weaving in my ends, so being able to slide the yarn to the other end of the needle has been incredibly helpful.
I love those Susan Bates needles. I ended up buying more so I can have them in more than one place.
I really like how you organized your needles where did you find the zip up container for a notebook?
Hi Jenny. You can find many needle cases at yarn stores and online. Here’s an example of one: https://www.knitpicks.com/options-needle-binder-rose-gold/p/84030. You can also find zippered binders at office supply stores and can create your own!
Thanks
Jen
The Knitting Circle
I found a fishing lure binder. It was inexpensive and I can get extra envelopes. I ordered it from Bass Pro. I think it was called a fly fishing binder.
Can you post a link or a picture of one, please? And where did you buy it from?
Looking for the circular needle case and where you purchased it
I carry tools in a clear small Tupperware case, and I INCLUDE LOCKABLE MARKERS, A TAPE MEASURE AND A GAUGE MEASURING TOOL AND NEEDLE SIZING TOOL.