Tools of the trade

Before I get started, I want to give a disclaimer, do not get overwhelmed with this list. I am going to include all of the essentials for knitting. BUT I suggest if it is your first time knitting, buy some practice yarn, and size 8 needles (their average and good for beginners). You can't know if you are going to love or hate it. There is no reason to invest money in a hobby you will not enjoy. I recently taught my friend Elle to knit, after two days, she realized the strain on her neck from looking down and her arms from holding them upright for too long was too much. $30 on brand new materials down the drain.

Necessities

• Scissors-to cut yarn
• Stitch Markers-sometimes you'll need to count and mark stitches, to remind you to do something when you get to that point. i.e. increase or drop a stitch.
• Tapestry Needle-large blunt ended needles with a hole big enough to pass yarn through it helps with putting away loose ends or sewing pieces of fabric together.
• Needle Gauge- A metal or plastic device that helps you identify what size your needles are after you have rubbed off the numbers or thrown away the packaging.
• Tape Measure- To measure a work once you get started.
• Circle Needles- These make knitting a circle (socks, beanies, gloves scarves) so easy. It is two needles attached together with a piece of plastic. They can also hold more stitches than regular needles.
• Double Pointed Needles- Can also knit thingsin a circle. They are necessary when knitting smaller projects. For example I transfer my work to double points when I am finishing the top of a hat.
• Needle Card- It is a piece of paper, about the size of a business card. It has blocks on it so you can put X's in the place of needles you have already bought. It is very annoying to buy a pair of $8 needles only to get home and realize you already own them. Keep it in your wallet and this problem is easly solved.