5 Essential Tools You’ll Need to Finally Take Up Knitting

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, “learning a new skill” is one of the most popular vows people make, ranking right up there with saving money, exercising, and eating healthier. If you’re one of the many people looking to pick up a new hobby in the coming year,  we’d be willing to bet that knitting just may have crossed your mind. As one of the most popular recreational activities around (as of 2016, 28.8 million Americans were knitting or crocheting), knitting is a fun, therapeutic activity that can be enjoyed at any age, as long as you’re equipped with the best knitting tools for beginners. 

How to Start Knitting

However fun and relaxing a pastime it may be, taking up knitting can feel a little intimidating to those who’ve never tried it. To help you get better acquainted with your new potential pastime, we’ve rounded up three tips for how to get started. 

Pick up a beginner’s kit: The easiest way to get started knitting it to pick up an introductory kit, like this one from Wool and the Gang ($57.50, Wool and the Gang). Like most of its kind, this set comes with yarn, a pair of needles, a tapestry needle, and an easy-to-follow pattern. What makes it extra-special, however, are the convenient YouTube tutorials the company offers, which provide how-to visuals should you get stuck. 

Invest in a course: If you’re someone who learns best with a little bit of guidance, consider an online course, like this beginner adult class from craft superstore JOANN ($35, JOANN Stores). In one two-and-a-half hour session, you’ll learn basic knitting terminology, find out how to cast on (aka beginning your knit), how to knit, how to purl (aka the most common kind of stitch), and how to bind off, meaning how to wrap up your piece, Essentially, it will allow you to follow your creativity to make the piece of your dreams. 

Stock up on essentials: As a final step in your knitting journey, you’ll want to get a head start on supplies by stocking up on a handy guide ($23.24, Amazon) and several key knitting essentials, which we’ve broken down for you below. 

Best Knitting Essentials

Whether you’re a knitting newbie or simply looking for a great gift for another knitter, we’ve rounded up five of the most important pieces every knitting beginner needs in their kit. Keep scrolling for Woman’s World’s picks for the best knitting tools for beginners. 

We write about products we think our readers will like. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the supplier. 

Best Merino Wool 

Wool and the Gang Super Trouper Wool

Where to buy: $8.99, Wool & the Gang

You can’t knit without top-notch yarn — the ultimate knitting staple. Our favorite? Wool and the Gang’s Super Trouper wool. Made from 100-percent biodegradable, renewable merino wool, its skein (this is the name for loose twist wool before you turn it into a ball) is incredibly soft, making it perfect for any crafting project, from hats and gloves to the coziest of blankets. Best of all, it’s available in 14 gorgeous colors and comes with 87 yards of machine washable yarn. 

Best Knitting Needles 

Brittany Single-Point 10-Inch Knitting Needles 

Where to buy: $12, Amazon

In order to knit, you need knitting needles — the tools that help you stitch together your yarn. For a gorgeous set, try Brittany’s single-point knitting needles. Crafted from durable birch wood and made in the USA, these straight, art Deco needles are exactly what you’ll need to complete your next project. They’re available in nine different sizes. 

Best Tape Measure

GDMINLO Soft Tape Measure 

Where to buy: $3.89, Amazon

No matter the project, a tape measure is integral to your success. After all, the first step of any knitted piece is to measure out your yarn! We love this soft option from GDMINLO. Measuring 60 inches and featuring a centimeter scale on the reverse side, this tool is made from a durable vinyl tape that won’t stretch or deform, giving you consistent measurements you can rely on.

Best Yarn Scissors 

Shapenty Portable Travel Scissors

Where to buy: $7.99, Amazon

While many underestimate the need for a good pair of crafting scissors, this tool can really come in handy when snipping your yarn. You’ll want to be sure you’re using the sharpest pair of scissors you can find for the cleanest cut, and this pair from Shapenty does the job nicely. Made from a durable stainless steel, these scissors are foldable (down to less than 2 inches), portable, and lightweight, making them a great addition to your expanding kit. 

Best Tapestry Needle

CLOVER Jumbo Tapestry Needles 

Where to buy: $4.03, Amazon

Though it’s last on this list, don’t be fooled — a good tapestry needle might be the most important tool a knitter could ever want for. Necessary for weaving in the tails of your projects (you wouldn’t want a string handing from the middle of your scarf, now would you?), finds like this Clover needle are just what you’ll need to tie up any loose ends. We love its bright color, which makes it harder to misplace, large eye (perfect for knitting thick yarn), and bent tip, which makes it even easier to weave, 

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