I spent $2,000 on NOTIONS so you don't have to | Knitting & Crochet notions, tools, & gadgets REVIEW 

Oh, what an enabler you are. I just spent a ton of money on Annie's keepers. When you said spending hours and hours on a craft, it makes sense to make an investment. Thanks for the validation.

Ps. It sounds so good. The way you say my husband picked this up for me. Easy to see you are one proud husband yourself😊

I love long podcasts! I knit or crochet while watching and the longer the podcast, the more I get done.

The quality of the content is more important than any duration considerations. This episode was extremely helpful and as concise as it could be given the topic. Quality tools in any given craft are essential. They make you a more efficient maker and send a subliminal message that you are special and worth it. Safe travels!

I love long videos where you talk about all parts of your experience around knitting. I love your honest feedback and tips.

My notions look almost the same as yours! I’ve been sewing since age 9, crocheting and knitting since 11. Some came from my mom and grandmother, but i bought 2 pairs of those guggenheim scissors! I love to use them! I even have the same pink and green bag you showed! One thing I have that probably no one else would even want…living near the Mississippi River, I have collected over 100,000 River pearl buttons in every color of the rainbow! I would like to market them, but at age 68, I don’t have the time or inclination to put down my sewing and knitting long enough to get it done!

I love your long format. You get straight to the point in a detailed soothing way without being annoying. New subscriber here.

By far, one of the most comprehensive videos on notions. Fair, balanced , and to the point. I have been knitting over 40 years and I have most of these same items and we agree on the functionality of most of them. Thanks for doing this. It will save some people a bunch of money. Well-done.

For many years I have wound hanks into cakes by hand with the hank wrapped around my knees (I had a ball winder). Then my niece gave me a gift card for Knitpicks. I bought a swift! The same one in your video. Best investment ever!

I love your sweater so much. It looks so comfy. And warm It's absolutely beautiful.

Normally I don't have patience to watch a long video and give up after 20 to 30 minutes but your style of communicating and the detail you provide keeps me interested. Where did the last hour go?!

"my husband" how cute!!! i can't get enough of finding more people from our queer community in the fiber arts. absolutely an enabler because im eyeing that yarn winder... aaanndd love your ring!! reminds me of bisoulovely!

I loved seeing all the different notions, - being in the beginner mode, it gave me good explanation on all the different things that are useable, or not necessary. Thanks for all the work, so informative and as always, enjoyable.👏🏻☺️

I have only watched a little bit of the video but I just HAD TO come here to say: "I LOVE YOUR MOOMIN NOTEBOOK!!!" (I actually have a mini notebook with the same print, I use it for my knitting notes. It fits in my notions pouch!) ❤❤❤❤ With love, a Finn 😂

Hi Mark. Discovered your channel and videos yesterday and have subsequently watched a bunch. As i cast on and work on my first sweater. I love the long "rambly" type videos especially when they're informative!!! I just started to teach myself to knit last month and so seeing what is essential and what is gimmicky is really helpful! I also love seeing the POV of another male (and gay) fiber arts maker. Your energy and enthusiasm is really lovely to see!

My most versatile notion is a ball of heavy-ish crochet cotton that I use as stitch holders, barber cords, provisional cast-ons, marking rows and replacing stitches that will be removed later, such as before-thought/afterthought heels or pocket openings. It stands out from my regular knitting and doesn't stick to the wooly wools that I prefer to use when I am ready to pull it or pick it out.

I like all of your videos. My mom taught me to knit over 50 or more years ago and I did t take it up. Now that my children and grown and I’m retired I am getting back into it and I rely on RU-vid channels like yours for info and advice. I commented on a recent video of yours that I found your explanation of yarn types very helpful. This video is similarly helpful. I like your calm and soothing voice and your well-informed, honest approach. You don’t sound like you are trying to sell anything and you present your opinions based on your experience which is considerable so it can be trusted. I’d like to understand what yarn types called base yarns are. I’ve seen yarns on some websites categorized this way. Thank you again for your videos!

Long, short knitting, travelling anything love it all I am a fan when I nit I watch your podcast and I appreciate you your time and your expertise. Thank you once again from the UK

Hi Mark, I love long podcasts! I usually knit or crochet while I watch, so the longer you talk, the more I get done!!😊

I love the long videos! Your voice is very calming and I enjoy the stories you tell! You also give great advice! Long or short, I watch them all! Thank you!!

I love your long videos! Lots of great info. Thanks, Mark! With your soft, comfortable voice, you could read books while the rest of us knit! ❤

The mini minder was exactly what I have been looking for. Thanks!

I had no idea yarn cozies were a thing. I stopped using cakes from the middle because they collapse. That is very good to know there is a tool to combat against the collapse

I love the long meandering videos like this! more please!

I have a small winder, like you showed. My husband saw my frustration with the small base and he designed and 3D printed a disk that slides over it to give me a larger base for working with.

I thoroughly enjoyed you going over all you favorite bags, totes and even beautiful luggage. Thank you.

I've found yarn butlers a nice sanity saver for any yarn that's extremely slippery and tends to collapse in on itself when it's in a cake. Silk lace and fingering weight yarns used to give me a lot of trouble. I've also found the yarn butler useful for two at a time socks since I don't tend to travel with that project. One big downside is that sometimes if it's getting a little loose some yarn might get tangled between the stick and the base.

Loving the long video Mark!wonderful Sunday morning viewing for me in the UK 🥰

I just squeeeed out loud when you hit your Moomin notebook. 😍 So much love.

I’m fascinated by people’s knitting notion stashes. Thanks for sharing your stash, it was fun to see! Number one for me is far and away my interchangeable ChiaGoo’s red lace set. I took the leap and invested in the big set of 5” and am so happy with them. I bought one fixed circular prior to getting the set and loved them immediately. Second, not really a notion, but a massively useful tool, is my IPad. Is it necessary? No, but I don’t need to print out patterns any more, I can make notes right on the pattern, I can zoom in when my eyes are tired. great for tutorials. I’ve had it for years and has made following patterns so much easier. Third, good scissors. They don’t need to be expensive, I got a cheap set from Amazon, as long as you’re just cutting yarn or thread, they’ll stay sharp for a long time. After that, light bulb stitch markers, tapestry/darning needles, crochet hook for fixing dropped stitches, measuring tape, and a bag for small notions, and a larger bag for WIPs, my neck light is pretty useful when I’m working on a more intricate pattern although it can get a little heavy sometimes. Knitting doesn’t have to break the bank. I picked up a lot of my supplies over almost 20 years knitting. I started with one pair of straights, ball of yarn, one little notion box with some stitch markers and a plastic tapestry needle, and an old pair of scissors. I added a more to my collection as my love for knitting grew. I only started adding more expensive items last year, I couldn’t really afford to invest much into knitting before that. I never want my collection of notions to overwhelm me, so I try to keep it simple because my knitting time = my relaxation time, most of the time my project is on my side table and the most used items are cluttering up the drawer that’s supposed to be for remote controls, it’s my knitting “junk drawer”.

Very interesting to see some more unusual tools. I really appreciate your review of each, to help us spend our craft money wisely. I personally have been really struggling to find stitch markers: those I like for knitting don’t seem as compatible with my crocheting. Now I know I need different ones! 🙂 And it’s so sweet that you mentioned your spouse! We’d all be very fortunate to have such a supportive spouse!! 🤗

knitting talk is never meandering. long format, short format, I'll take it all! your video seemed outlined and on point. I have a lot of the same notions, views you do. places where I lack like your review of scissors was very helpful! you introduced a few gadget notions I may try. also, I snagged a pattern or two from your journal. thanks for sharing!🧶😊

I have the same orange ATTY tape measure. It was a “gift with purchase” this weekend at Wild and Wooly. 😂 You can never have too many and I was thankful when I found it in my bag when unpacking my purchases.

Hello Mark! I just found your videos and I really loved this one, You present everything very structured and objective. It also made me smile - because I think I have almost everything except for 1 or 2 items such as the magnifying gauge ruler, but as a knitter you have a LOT of notions, project bags, scissors and measuring tapes, not to forget needles, yarn bowls or holders (I own 4 and use them always). Good tools are as essential as good yarn, so there is nothing wrong to spend some money on it.

I LOVE my Leuchtturms! I have a grid style and a dot style and I love them both. Also, that cobalt blue notions bag from Bloomingdale's is now on my wishlist. I'm obsessed with the color and function of it.

What an impressive notion collection! I also LOVED looking at your beautiful ring throughout the video❣️

Absolutely need to check my needle size, both my needles and myself are getting old!!! Not to mention English vs old English vs US sizes in a 60 year old collection.

This is very helpful. A good knitter has to be organized so you are not wasting time when you need to move on to the next step of your project. But you also have to be careful to not spend money on tools that you don’t need.

Great info. I'll add my two cents from 60 years of knitting. Skein winder: I love mine, but for beginners, most local yarn stores (not big box craft stores) will wind skeins into balls for you, so it's an expense that can be postponed. I've also seen instructions on making one using yard sticks. My favorite point protector is from Knitpicks. It's an aluminum tube about 6" long with a rubber cap on one end with a slit. The cable needle tips go into the tube through the slit. They do NOT slip off. Our knitting group tested them by making a sample swatch, putting the tips into the protectors, then playing catch with it. If using larger needles, one needle tip per tube, smaller needles 2 tips per tube. Note: these are designed for circulars, a different solution is needed for DPNs or single points. The floopy stitch markers. Any chance they're elastic? They look exactly like the hair rubber bands we used as kids (mid century) for pony tails. The metal clasps that hold the elastic ends ALWAYS got tangled in the hair. It would explain why they are so oversized. Keep up the good work and I'll keep watching.

39:44 I love that you included the audio of the snipping 😊 and the yarn you use for it is so pretty I love it❤

I loved this video! It gave me some shopping ideas for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May! By the way, your sweater is outstanding!!!❤

I never thought I‘d need a scale for knitting but I got one just like yours along with my first advent last year and it has really been so helpful! Not just with managing the fade on that single project but also keeping track of other leftover yarn quantities to figure out how much I used or will need for a project. The most underrated tool ever in my opinion.

Great informative video, especially for new knitters, I am always on the lookout for notions to add to my collection. It's great to have an experienced knitters opinion on options and helpful hints in making future purchases. Thank you!

I love your long videos. Thanks!

I bought a KnitPicks chart keeper (same as CoCo Knits maker board) for a color work cowl. I had to tape the chart together and it was too long to fit on the board so I had to keep moving it across, which caused the magnets to move, losing my place etc etc. I bought Knit Companion for my iPad and it’s amazing. You can zoom in/out, keep stitch/row count, change colors and what I love…. The highlight line doesn’t move no matter how many times you exit or change patterns. I can’t tell you how many times my highlighter tape fell off on my bag or just with time and use. And boy, that’s trouble. So glad I found your podcast!

This was one of the best reviews I have seen, as opposed to haul posts, I often thought what I want is a haul 6 months later and what they think of what they bought, and here you are with a very fair, pro and con, example of notions. A useful list of things for my someday when I finally earn a fair wage has been compiled!😊

I really loved this video! Now I want to go through all my own notions (some are the same as yours) and rank and organize them better. Thanks for the inspiration!

As a woman who really used to love to buy make up, I have scads of make up pouches that I got when you got the free little kits from the cosmetic companies. I’ll never run out of notions pouches. Also, my favorite tins are Altoids tins. And the other knitting notion that I use, that’s just something that you save our bread ties to bind up yarn tails. Local yarn shop owner showed me that one. I’ll never net with a yarn tail again. My favorite Dela Q bag isn’t really even a bag. It’s a fixed circular needles storage that you hang up on a hanger and over the back of a door. It virtually eliminates the memory from your needle cables.

Just found you today, thank you for being so informative. I have been knitting for a long time and love hearing other knitters feedback. This was a great video my favorite was the mytagalong case for markers a little spendy but something I think is worth the investment for me. Keep sharing and know you are appreciated.

I love the long format, Mark! I got so much knitting done on my Artus Shawl. The rows are getting long and you kept me occupied through all those stitches. We have so many of the same notions, but I’m inspired by your organizational efforts. Also, I think I’m going to put some larger items on eBay (like my old plastic ball winder) so that somebody else can enjoy them.

I love that your videos are long and informative. ❤

Again, another informative, very articulate segment. I really appreciate all your input and review of your Knitting tools. Thanks for bringing us such great content. A big fan from Vienna Austria.

Thanks for this great video. I am new to crochet at age 69. I enjoyed the slow informational style of this video. I watched/listened & learned while I crocheted.

Yes yes yes! Love the long, informative content. Thank you!

Thank you for this very informative video of Knitting tools.

Love the long and winding road videos. It puts the you into the content. No one would be here if we didn't enjoy you, Mark.

I have to say this is a super video about notions and gadgets. You provide a balance to each critique. Ive been knitting since I was 8 and have almost all of the things you show. The missing items are ones you don't think are worth the time or money. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent well organized video. Enjoyed every moment. A real nice summary. Saw gadgets I don’t have and I think would be useful! I love your long videos. Never get bored. Keep up the great work.

Such a fun video idea! Love this

Thank you from the UK for your time most enjoyable

Very informative and well documented. I love your format and the calm way of the presentation. I recently watched the wedding video and also loved that. Thank you.

Ohhh boy gratefulness for RU-vid recommending you! I really enjoyed listening to you, the cadence is so calming but you’re talking to my notion//gadgetry loving self. Recently I’ve been in love with Lantern Moon’s products- I have a silk case and a needle keeper and adore them. Your blue pouches remind me of them :-) also big love to tulip, they have my wallet in their beautiful clutches!

I adore your soothing yoice so much, thanks for your amazing and calming knitting related videos! Greetings from over the pond! 🙌🏻🧶✨

This was a great format! Although I’m sure you can produce a really informative quick and dirty as well. I love the sweater you are wearing and would have loved to hear about it. Is it fields of gold or something like that? Congratulations on the marriage. You have made me feel much better about my own notion obsession. I have wayyyy too many…but I continue to buy them as I always think they are going to be the next great thing. I love all of my project bags (Magner, Della q, madder root) and I do use the makers board.

This was a wonderful and comprehensive collection. I enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing. ❤

I love Around The Table! Great video.

Oh hey! Shaker Hts makes you a neighbor!!!! Happy to have found you!

Such fast little fingers! Those yarn butlers are making my health and safety alerts go off, argh!

Thanks so much Mark. Really enjoyed this video. Informative and fun 🤩

I’m TOTALLY a yarn snob & have no problem admitting it! I don’t judge nor even care what yarn others use. Knitting is supposed to be enjoyable & whatever a person uses as far as fiber, pattern, color, cost is their choice. I choose to use nice yarn, so don’t judge me either. I have found that some yarn stores, their employees & customers can be clique-y which intimidates the crap out of me. I haven’t ventured into complicated knits because it intimidates me. I don’t need to be intimidated by the people in the store, too. I can & continue to handle that just find thank you.

3rd visit. I am now a subscriber. I enjoy your content, the pace of your voice and presentation, and the "I'm visiting with you" vibe. I feel you are having a conversation "with" me not talking "at" me.

Your sweater is amazing!!!!!🤩

Great video! I like the way that you've described why you like or dislike each product. The barber cords are great! I ended up finding them (called lacing cord or lanyard string) on Amazon in packs of 100 for about $15 and gave away a bunch to knitting friends. They also sell them on spools so if you need really long cords for a larger sweater or blanket, you can cut a piece as large as you need.

Love how many different items you reference!!!

LOVE YOUR BUYS!! I also keep my medicine bottles for holding stitch markers and needles in my project bags.

I have a pair of fingernail clippers in every project bag. They work to cut yarn and I don't have to worry about packing scissors. I use beaded stitch markers for the beginning of a round and lightbulb markers everywhere else. If I am doing a repeating pattern, I place a marker at every repeat so I can make sure I am not off in my count before the end of a row. Thanks for your content. I enjoy your channel.

amazing video! can’t believe you don’t have more subscribers yet. LOVE the long format videos. i like to listen while i work from home like it’s a podcast lol

Interesting and informative😊 I love long form videos

I loved this video - thank you! Subscribed

i've only been crocheting/weaving for about a year but there's definitely some things in here i hadn't really thought about to pick up and seem like real great ideas, the thing about the needles and getting nice ones was really good to hear just as i'm looking at getting some proper tunisian hooks..

Thanks for the info....it all helps me to shop wisely.

Good and helpful video!

I need that little blue case!!!!!

I am brand spanking new to your channel. . I love your videos and the content you are sharing! Keep up the excellent work!

I prefer videos that last between 30 and 45 minutes. Thanks for this video.

Very fun video to watch and comforting to know I am not the only one loving my tools. Subscribed!

Knitpro and knitter’s pride are the same company by the way! I think knitpro is their european name. In their day and nite set they use some quite flexible swivel cords with a steel core like the chiaogoo red lace, if you’re interested in trying new things I‘d really recommend those, they’re my favorite needles to use.

YES on the Kitchener stitch key chain! Even though I have made tons of socks, I don’t make them in quick succession, so I can never remember how to close the toes! I have a video saved on my phone, but I’m usually watching something else while I’m knitting.

Instead of the yarn butler, I have a wool jeanie. It's in my top 10 knitting accessories. It allows your yarn to flow freely with no resistance. I purchased it at a yarn festival a couple of years ago. Cost: $ 25.00

Great video especially for newbies.

The blue Tulip Etimo crochet hook set was released in a strictly limited edition for the company's 60th anniversary. It is so expensive because it follows a special Japanese aesthetic concept called Wabi. I don't fully understand why, because I once learned that Wabi means the beauty of the not-so-perfect, like crooked ceramics. In any case, a lot of effort has been put into this set. The box is made of fine wood, handmade. The fabric bag is made of fine fabric, also handmade, and the aluminum needles are covered with Japanese blue, which is very difficult and very expensive to create. These are no hooks you should really crochet with, they are for collectors. I had the great pleasure to pick up these hooks at a craft fair and also could crochet something with them. They are just as good as the ones in pink, red or gray, feel the same and are just as smooth. No difference. They look special, come with the box and the bag and are 15 times more expensive . Although the price has fallen by $800, at least in Europe. But you have to be very careful, because there are now also copies from China - as always.

I definitely enjoyed seeing all your notions. Who doesn’t love notions? It’s always fun to see what other people like to use. I was pleased to see that we both like the same crochet hooks and the needles. I have only one red tulip Adam lough Cook, but I have a full set of the black and gold, in an adorable pouch, and several of my favorite sizes in the pink that came in a really cute little pouch that zips up. IQ tried both the higher higher sharps and the shell goo red lays, and chose the red lace. The chords are fantastic. Please excuse spelling mistakes, as I am using the speaker feature of my iPad to type this message. It’s very hard for me to see the keyboard, as I have severe glaucoma. And thanks for the very interesting video. I am Sandy from Cincinnati.

I love the CocoKnits metal stitch markers. I also love the metal lightbulb pins. I keep my markers in a magnetized bowl I found at Harbor Freight for under $5. The bowls are meant for mechanics, but I use them for sewing pins, clips, and notions too.

Hey "Neighbor"! I just found you and am happy to find you accidentally. I am often in Cleveland Heights, and wonder what yarn shop you go to? My shop is Long Tail Knits in Macedonia. LOVE the shop, the classes offered, the superior fibers, and the owner Jeanine, is a gem. I have crocheted since I was in the single digits. My grandmother taught me with the small hook and thread. I fell in love with needlework. Now, I have not been much of a knitter until this past year. At the age of 64 I make the kitchen cloths. Some are crooked and rather ugly, BUT, it allows me to process what I may have done wrong, and consider ways to avoid those errors. (Ahem, counting stitches and marking them is helpful. Ok, necessary.) I have been working on crocheting an afghan in King size, as a wedding gift to one of our grandsons. Once I complete that, back I go to knitting so I may practice and continue to gain skill. I wanted to note that there are some great items that I desire to purchase, for myself and both daughters. Sending gentle hugs!

Thanks! As a total newbie, I learned a lot. 💞

When I started knitting I used a lot of different yarns from Joann’s (plus single mom of 3 so small budget)Once I felt that I was good enough to try some nicer yarn I went to our local shop. The staff continually made comments about me using cheaper yarn and would I be able to “handle the higher quality”. I know it was a joke but I left feeling embarrassed and never went back in a store till 2 years ago. Just shopped online. I don’t get people shaming other people or sharing their uninvited opinions.

I’m just finding your channel. But found your video to be representational of my own except for the Chao Goo which I haven’t tried. I have 3 sets of Knit Picks wood, metal and oversized wooden needles. I love the Stanwood yarn winder and swift. I tried the plastic one and it was awful so it was returned. I thought I would love the knitting bowls, but I prefer a handmade pottery bowl I got from a neighbor’s tag sale. Lastly, the yarn spindle is definitely used on the daily. It does work better on a cake. Thanks for the great video. I would rather it be longer than rushed. Best regards, Sherry

If you like the red lace cable, you must try the knitpro (knitter's pride) mindful cables, they are swivel AND they are like the red lace cables. They are hands down the best cables I have ever used. They will work with your current set of needles.

I really enjoyed this and have subscribed, thank you from another lifelong crafter.

I thought I collected a lot of notions. start out with certain things and then as time goes on I feel like our notions get better and better because we learn what we need. we all have different needs and wants. You use the stitch fixer, I'll just use my crochet hooks. I might pick up some of that barber cord though.