Everyone who knits has some “stuff” they keep with them. Some people keep a lot of stuff in theirs, others keep just the essentials. I’ve found it can be helpful to see what other people have and use, and sometimes I find tools that I like better than what I already have, or something completely new that I’ve never heard of before! I keep a small set of essential things, and this goes with me (I don’t keep separate sets of notions with each project).
What’s in My Knitting Notions Bag
- Gauge Ruler – Akerworks Swatch Gauge is the best! It has Imperial and Metric markings, the “teeth” keep you honest about your actual gauge and the window in the ruler makes it really easy to count your stitches and rows.
- Darning Needles – Clover’s Chibi with Needles. I like this needle case in that it’s bright and keeps the needles safely tucked away until I need them.
- Measuring Tape – Clover’s Shiro Tape Measure. This retractable tape measure is compact, reliably retracts and has both Imperial and Metric markings.
- Stitch Markers – Clover’s Ring Lock Stitch Markers. I’ve used other markers but keep coming back to these ones. I like that I can use them for both knitting and crochet. If I was looking for knitting-only stitch markers, I like the “metal ring with a bead” markers like Miss Babs Favorite Stitch Markers.
- Row Counter – Clover’s Knitting Register. You’ll never accidentally advance the row count, and it will stay on your needles and won’t ever be misplaced!
- Fix-it Tool – Susan Bates’ Handi Tool. It’s great for fixing dropped stitches and I use it as a cable needle as well. I keep two (one was a freebee from the DFW Fiber Fest class tote).
- Snips – Cohana Mini Scissors. These scissors are a splurge but I absolutely love using them. They are solid little snips.
- Page Flags – Post-It Page Flags. I also like using decorative page flags I get from Japanese stationary shops. I find it’s useful to have a movable marker for where I am in a pattern.
- Waste Yarn – Several yards of fingering weight yarn from an old project. This is useful for holding stitches for later, making running stitch markers or doing a provisional cast on.
- Bag – LeSportSac Square Cosmetic Bag. I use a bunch of small LeSportSac zipper bags for travel or storing cosmetics or other small items. The small square bag is just the right size for keeping everything together! I love using LeSportSac cosmetics bags for kits of all kinds. The fabric is very easy to care for and the patterns are beautiful!
Check out this short video with Stephanie Pearl McPhee if you want to see what a real pro keeps in her bag, and you can always find my latest set of tools in My Current Equipment page. What do you keep in your knitting notions bag? Have I missed a must-have notion for you? I’d love to know what you use and find helpful to your creative process!
