Here's a list of my little extras that just make knitting even more of a joy. Feel free to add your own items and favourites!
- Sturdy knitting bag: My favourite is one with a drawstring at the top. Make sure it's not made of thin plastic, or else your needles will poke through and you may loose some of your projects, and it just looks sloppy. There's tons of options out there. Another suggestion is a sturdy woven bag or an unbleached cloth bag that can double as a knitting tote and a grocery sac.
- Bamboo needles: they warm to the touch and the yarn slides on them oh so nicely.
- Alpaca yarn: Not only is it more environmentally friendly than their synthetic counterparts, but it's soft and offers just the right amount of warmth. Perfect for a pair of fall or winter mittens!
- A crochet hook: This is a definite helper when threading the ends of the yarn back into your work. It creates a seamless finish to get rid off all the tails, especially if you're working in more than one colour.
- Hand lotion: After all the constant hand movement, the last thing you want is cracking skin. Keep a little bottle in your yarning bag and keep your hands soft.
- Stitch marker: This little rubber guard is perfect to keep you and your knitting counting right, especially if you're knitting in a round and you don't want to loose where you've started off.
- Circular knitting needles: Maybe this is just preference, but I always get lost in knitting with 5 needles. As Debbie Stoler has said in Stitch n' Bitch, "it's like wrestling with a porcupine". Circular needles just make it a cinch.
- Grandma: Although she doesn't fit in your knitting tote, or she comes in the form of your mom, your sister, our videos it's always great to have a helping hand and that's what's going to get you through surviving!
