Pattern, needles, yarn - what else?
The basic materials that you need to knit a project include the pattern (or set of instructions for making the item), the yarn (in the quantity and weight specified by the pattern), and the knitting needles (in the size required to obtain the gauge for which the pattern is written). But there may be other materials that you will need or want to have on hand as you work on your project. These materials are commonly referred to as "accessories;" they are items that either (1) enable you to complete your project, (2) make it easier to execute certain steps in the knitting process; or (3) ensure the proper size and shape of the finished item. The list, below, includes a few of the commonly used knitting accessories that fall within each of these categories.
Commonly Required Accessories
Scissors are generally requierd to cut the yarn and, with certain tubular construction technques, may be required to cut steeks (slits or openings) into the knitted fabric
Cable needles are often required to achieve the criss-crossing of yarn when the knitting pattern employs cable stitches, especially large or intricate cables
Stitch holders or a length of waste yarn are needed to hold a set of stitches that are temporarily removed from the active knitting needles until those stitches are worked, once again, at a subsequent point in the knitting process
Buttons, zippers, or other fasteners are often required accessories for coats, jackets, sweaters, skirts, pants, and dresses
Bobbins, around which small quantities of yarn are wound, are usually required for Intarsia color work
Yarn needles are required for seaming and for weaving yarn tails into the fabric
Commonly Desired Accessories
Stitch markers are helpful when working with a pattern that contains repeated stitch sequences
Point protectors protect the tips of knitting needles when not in use and prevent the loss of stitches from the ends of the needles tips when the project is at rest
Row counters are useful for keeping track of each completed row, especially when the stitch pattern on each row is the same
Ball winders turn skeins of yarn in to little "cakes" of yarn from which the strand is easier to pull and less likely to tangle
Steel crochet hooks are quite useful for picking up dropped stitches, particularly over several rows of knitting
Size, Shape, and Fit Accessories
Needle gauges will verify the size of a needle when the size is no longer visible on the needle, itself
Tape measures or rulers are indispensible for checking stitch and row gauge and measuring the dimensions of a piece of knitted fabric
Forms for blocking knitting, such as blocking boards, foam shapes, sock blockers, and even household items like dinner plates, aid in the sizing and shaping of individual pieces of knitted fabric as well as the finished item
Straight pins help in the determination of knitting gauge (stitch and row)
T-pins secured knitted fabric that has been stretched into the desired size and shape
This list is not exhaustive of the many accessories available to knitters. It will, however, give you an idea of some of the most frequently used accessories that you may want to consider adding to your own knitting bag (which, itself, is a highly desirable accessory!).
You may also wish to refer to Alice Seidel's article, My Top 6 Favorite Knitting Gadgets, to learn about her favorite accessories. As Alice notes:
If you are very serious about knitting, and like to see your project look its best when finished, then these *6* wonderful knitting gadgets should always be close by.
Every knitter will find a set of core accessories that are most useful to his or her knitting. Don't be afraid to experiment with a variety of tools to learn which are your favorites. If you are considering a tool that is bit more expensive, ask whether a friend has the tool that you might try before making the purchase, yourself. Or become acquainted with the owner of your local yarn shop (LYS) and ask whether a demo product might be available for you to test drive. When it comes time to buy, the staff at your LYS and other knowledgeable knitters may be able to advise you regarding the features and benefits of various makes and models for the more costly accessories. Have fun with your new accessories - and happy knitting!
. . . Linda, the well-rounded knitter
