DIY Projects & Crafts Knitting 11 Household Items That'll Make Your Knitting So Much Easier From rubber bands to safety pins, you may already have some of the supplies needed to make your next project. By Katelyn Chef Katelyn Chef Katelyn is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines and Alexandra Kelly Alexandra Kelly Alex is the senior home editor for Martha Stewart. She has over 10 years of experience producing digital content in the home and lifestyle space, ranging from cleaning and organizing to etiquette and home design. Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 15, 2023 03:19PM EDT We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Courtesy of Amazon, Target Any knitter, crocheter, or creative-minded do-it-yourselfer will agree that whether you're learning a new technique or have been perfecting your craft for years, there are often a number of tools and materials that make your chosen pastime a little easier. Knitters, new and seasoned, especially know this to be true. With the extensive selection of needles, yarn bowls, baskets, and (lest we forget) kinds of yarn to choose from, it can turn into a collection quite quickly at home. So, what are the knitting essentials everyone needs? As luck would have it, you may already have household items that double as supplies you need. Just tap into your own ingenuity: safety pins and paper clips can double as stitch markers, while rubber bands function as stitch stoppers. And everyone needs an on-the-go bag to tote it all in. It's this kind of resourcefulness that allows you to knit and purl fibers into fabric in the first place. We asked Alberto Bravo, co-founder of We Are Knitters, who knows what passionate knitters need to have on hand in order to make their next handmade project an effortless task. 4 Common Knitting Mistakes—and How to Quickly Fix Them Knitting Kneedles Courtesy of Amazon First, let's make sure you have the basics on hand: knitting needles. While having just one pair is a good start, this set comes in a wide variety of sizes so that you can tackle any project with ease. Buy on Amazon $13 14 of Our Most Creative Knitting Patterns and Projects—for Beginners and Experts Alike Yarn Courtesy of Michael's Be sure you have your favorite yarn handy as well—this basic yarn is extremely versatile and can be used for anything from afghans and blankets to hats and scarves. Buy on Michaels $5 Large Eye Blunt Needles Courtesy of Amazon And of course, for when you finish your knitting project, you will want to have these large-eye blunt needles to weave in loose ends and sew up seams. Buy on Amazon $6 Safety Pins Courtesy of Amazon Bravo recommends all knitters own a plethora stock of stitch markers as they're essential for keeping track of a project. "Stitch markers are must-haves to help keep count of your knitting stitches or keep your place in your pattern," he says. At home, you can just as easily use safety pins. Buy on Amazon $16 What Is Helix Knitting? Learn All About the Technique That Puts Your Leftover Yarn to Good Use Paper Clips Courtesy of Amazon Similar to safety pins, you can use paper clips as stitch markers. Slide them on and off from your needles or stitches at any point. Better yet, use different colored ones if you're learning how to count rows in knitting. Buy on Amazon $9 Rubber Bands Courtesy of Target Needle stoppers, also known as point protectors, help to keep stitches securely on your needles. And if you don't have them? "If you want to set down your knitting, tie a rubber band around the tips of your needs to keep your stitches from falling off," says Bravo. Buy on Target $3 Scissors Courtesy of Amazon Scissors and snips are seldom used in knitting. They are, however, used in steeking, which is a cutting technique used for garments knit in the round even when openings (such as cardigan fronts, armholes, or necklines) are necessary. Buy on Amazon $11 Tape Measure Courtesy of Target In the absence of a gauge measuring device, a tape measure can help to calculate rows and ensure consistency in your stitches as dictated by the pattern. Buy on Target $15 The Best Types of Yarn to Use for Arm Knitting Notebook Courtesy of Staples A journal is the best way to organize your projects, both past and in progress. Bravo calls it "essential" to list the needles and yarn used, gauge for the swatches, and any other details you need for the pattern. Buy on Staples $30 Canvas Tote Bag Courtesy of Amazon Naturally, you'll need something to store all of your supplies. Some knitters opt for a basket, but Bravo recommends a canvas tote bag. "Keep your project together in a sturdy tote bag that makes it easy to carry around so you can take your project on the go (on vacation, to work, and so on)," he says. Buy on Amazon $14 Utensil Holder Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma At home, this container serves as a tabletop place for your kitchen spoons and ladles. It also works as a carrier for your knitting needles sorted by size, type (circular or double-pointed), and material. Buy on Williams-Sonoma $50 How to Fix Twisted Stitches in Your Knitting—and Avoid Them in the First Place Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit