YoungFolk Knits: My TOP 20 KNITTING TOOLS (I actually use) 

I have a separate small notebook where I keep the measurements of all of my family members. All of the people I knit for frequently. Very handy to have around Christmas time.

Hi Kaci, love watching your podcasts. One tool that I find I can’t live without is the Knit Companion app for IOS or ANDROID. This app keeps track of all my projects especially intricate lace and cable charts. I travel a lot and can take my IPad with lots of different projects to work on without worrying about losing paper patterns. There is a free version but I highly recommend the paid version of $14.99 per year or approximately $1.25 per month. You have the availability to mark right on your pattern or type info in notes. You also have the ability to voice control your next row on your chart without taking your hands off your knitting, simply by saying ‘next’. You can highlight all your sizes in your pattern and so much more. I have been using this app for 8 or 9 years. There are wonderful videos by Very Pink Knits to get you started.

Perhaps not an actual ‘tool’ but an informative, upbeat podcast that spurs you on to try something new -like your, Kacie- is a must!

Loved it! Something that I’ve been doing for awhile is keeping a pencil case or notions pouch to keep a pencil or pen and a highlighter to help me make notes and mark where I’m at in a pattern. I always have to print my patterns out because my brain went to school when paper was the only option. 🤣

Because I really dislike tossing any yarn out, my daughters chipped in and bought me a Kriskrafter yarn twister. I've had so much fun making new yarn from 2 and even 3 skeins and then knitting mittens or a hat from leftover yarn.

I haven't read the comments to see if this was mentioned, but a ball winder can be used without a swift by putting the skein on the upside down legs of a chair or on the back of a plain chair. I have a ball winder and no swift, and I've made many cakes with this method. I may purchase a swift.... or tell family that it would be a nice birthday present. I love your farm (my sister raises bees, and it's such a cool enterprise - I grow many pollinator friendly plants just for the bees). You have a very engaging demeanor. I look forward to watching more of your podcasts (this was my first). Subscribed!

I agree with most of your suggestions except that the only point protectors that actually stay on my needles are the stitch stoppers by fox and Pine. The ones that you showed pop off my needles. It is a challenge to keep point protectors on my 14” Signature straight needles with stiletto tips. When trying on a sweater knit in the round, I use an interchangeable needle from knitters Pride with stoppers at the ends. I can attach needles to the ends when taking stitches on or off and put the stoppers on when trying the garment on. I find their new teal cords are very flexible so there’s no need to go through all the rigmarole of using a special Barber cord. I’ve also used two circular needles with stoppers at the ends to try items on.

A swatch gauge tool is essential!

Excellent list! I've only two things to add, and at least one won't apply to everybody. 1. For blocking larger lace items, like a shawl or blanket, blocking wires do the job faster, easier, and usually better, so I file it under Essential (for those doing those kinds of projects). 2. To speed up the blocking/drying process, I've repurposed our old salad spinner after we got a new one. It doesn't work on big squishy blankets, but it can handle a fingering weight sweater, a skirt, shawls, or a collection of socks. Yay for not soaking more towels! 🙂

Hi Kaci. I would challenge the 'stitch markers are essential' thing lol. I hate stitch markers and progress keepers! I'm sorry, I've tried to use them and find them to be a faff! I bought all the fancy coco knits ones, lightbulb ones...and in the back of the drawer they sit lol. When I knit socks, I do 2 at a time and I use my tail as the indicator of BOR. If I do them toe up, then I will keep my tail on the outside and use that as BOR too, although it will be the opposite side from cuff down. When I do sleeves, I also do them 2 at a time, so when I do an increase/decrease it will be done at the same time for both. Now, in the event I absolutely need them (raglans for some reason trip me up) then I only use a piece of yarn tied in a loop. I don't kniw of any knitter that shares my view on this but that's ok! :)

I love my Susan Bates "peg it" counter board. I've used it for over 40 years. It helps me keep track of decreasing, rows, and pattern stitches all at the same time. Great for cardigans! Unfortunately you can't buy it anymore 😢

I have been knitting for over a decade and discovered so many things in this episode that will make it easier, thank you!

So I actually just started watching your podcast about two weeks ago. I watched one or two more current ones realized I loved it! So, went to the beginning and I’m working my way through consecutively. Just got to this episode. Even though I’ve been knitting over 40 years I have never ordered blocking mats, which is ridiculous. I also loved the neck light idea, so I ordered that too. Just have to say this is a lovely podcast. Even my husband who is absolutely not a knitter will just sit in the room and listen to your soothing voice.

Love this!! I have everything except the blocking mat and pins, and I now I must purchase them!! I also use sticky notes a lot - I always print the pattern and move it along as I progress through, and make notes on to help with counting repeats. I know it is ‘old fashioned’ but I am old!!

One of the things I find more useful with each project (and I've been knitting for 12 yrs) is interchangeable needle sets with lots of cables of every size (and the stoppers, of course). Then I can make a project that uses a zillion diff needle sizes (or one having lots of cut yarn / restart knitting elsewhere instructions) without having to even use the TKB plastic gizmos. It's more streamlined. And I learned this best when I was on a CocoKnits method tear a while back. Those patterns would be a misery without interchangeables. I do realize, though, that this isn't an inexpensive "must have". I also need a cable needle (unless doing 1x1 cables) and one of those metallic boards that holds charts - with a magnet that's a long bar you can put at the row you're working and move it up as you go. FWIW, I got one from Knit Picks years ago and it was really inexpensive and works as well as ever. (It was the only time I bought from there because the shipping cost to Canada was stupid and the exchange rate doesn't make it worthwhile. When I order from outside Canada, it's usually to UK as it's much more cost effective, if much farther away than the NY border.) I also bought a CocoKnits version that became popular recently and I don't like it half as much. It's too magnetic, so the magnets don't move smoothly, and it's made of cardboard so it dings up quickly.

Barber Cables are fantastic and fun to use as stitch holder, I have three sets.

This was truly helpful, Kaci! There are items you included that I never would have thought of like the neck light, food scale and needle sizer. Thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences! I look forward and enjoy all your podcasts. 😍

As you get older, eyesight becomes an issue. They have magnifying glasses that mount on your head with lights. Cable needles are very helpful of you knit cables. My absolute essential is a 3-ringed binder and sleeve protectors to store my printed patterns. My nice to have is a magnetic pattern holder.

This is a great list. I love my neck light. I have the same one you have in pink. I bought my mom one in blue. She said it’s the best gift she has ever gotten. Not only does she use it to knit but she uses it when she works on jigsaw puzzles and reading. Great buy. So many uses.

A highlighter! Couldn’t track a pattern size without it.

I've discovered your channel a few weeks ago and I love your videos!!! there are so lovely to watch!!! Your list of tools is so interesting, I discovered a few tool I didn't know about. and the tip of putting stitch markers after every 50 stitches while casting on is so CLEAR. I would add a cable needle because I'm addicted with cables 😊

This is excellent. Just love your podcast. You are an absolute joy to watch!

I learned so much with this video!! Thank you!

Synthetic chamois has been super helpful in removing the excess water right after blocking! Way better than three or four giant cotton towels. I can reside it 2-4 x just by ringing out in between. Just air dry when finished!

I loved this, Kaci! Thanks for showing us what you use!!! 🌸

Really helpful! 😊

Loved this video! One tool that is really helpful to me is a spin dryer to speed up the blocking process

After 30+years of knitting I thought I didn't NEED to watch this video, but b/c it was YOUR video of course I WANTED to watch! AND I learned a few things! Love the knitting light and small project notebook idea! Going now to order. As usual a super deluxe video. Thanks!💚

A very important tool that I use is wine! Lol! Not every project and not definitely not necessary 😉but sometimes a glass of wine while knitting is the perfect tool!

Great suggestions! Just ordered the neck light and the mash drying rack. and love your 'me-made' project bags. I like to color coordinate my project and the bags !Love making them!!

This isn't a tool, but a comment on the "all you need is yarn and needles". Always buy quality yarn and needles. I know some who were just starting to knit that became discouraged because they had either cheap,inflexible neddles,or cheap icky yarn. You don't have to spend a fortune right off on hand dyed,there are a lot of quality,affordable yarns, and one pair of good,fixed circulars will make a project joyful to knit. The only notion I use a lot ,besides the ones you listed, is a magnetic pattern holder. I'm old school printed patterns!

I have a 12 x 12 rechargeable fan so you don't always need electricity for my blocked projects. Also, I use different colored pens and highlighters to outline my paper patterns. I highlight tricky parts, all right leaning increases, for example, different colors from left leaning decreases, sizes and anywhere I find it useful.

This is a belated mention: love my SOCK RULER!

These are so helpful! I definitely think I need a neck light and the mesh drying rack!

I Really enjoyed this podcast!!!! Not only for all the tips but Also your soothing color coordination for everything you use!!!!! I definitely plan to order a neck light and look into your stitch holder cone !!! thank you for all the great suggestions!!!

I love all your videos, you really are so clever at putting them together, quite beautiful 🤩

Beautiful production , editing, and music Love your outtakes 😀

If anyone is looking to buy just one item to cover nearly all of the notions you need, I recommend The Knit Kit. It has a measuring tape, row counter, crochet hook, scissors, tapestry needle, needle gauge, stitch markers, progress keepers, and needle stoppers all in one tidy kit that is about the size of your hand.

I have made do with many things I have around the house - I used to sell my artwork at a lot of art shows, so I had mats similar to blocking mats, for standing on pavement (and I brought them along at shows in parks too, because you never know until you get there what the grass will look like in your 10 x 10 spot, sometime you need to cover up pine needles, or patchy spots), a huge flexible plastic tub my kiddos outside toys are gathered in by the front door, I dump them all onto the floor whenever I need to soak my knits, then let the tub dry in the sun with my knitting and re-fill the toys. I also picked up an organizer for fishing lures (I think) at a garage sale, and use that to store my circular knitting needles by size. I hand stitched a lot of different scraps of fabric over the entire outside to cover up the bass pro logo and such. I love it. I have a little magnetized dish I picked up at an electronics store while waiting in an insanely long black friday line, $2 and it contains all of my stitch markers, and provides easy access.

I’d love to see WHERE you keep these knots as they block…I don’t have a lot of space & it’s hard not to take over the entire house

you are a Gem! great info , I would add highlighter tape

This is a great list. I found out about the neck light from another channel and it has been so helpful. Really comes in handy at night or during the winter months when it felt like we had 6 months of darkness. The spool and light bulb pins from amazon are excellent deals. I just added the mesh drying rack to my cart. I like that it folds up to a compact form when not in use. These days, I use yarn in cones more than hanks and my ball winder is very useful since the cones are mainly fingering weight. I ball up a certain amount and then hold double for DK weight.

Wonderful!

Very informative and helpful video. I've been knitting for over 50 years off and on. I also crochet and can sew. But Knitting has been a lifesaver for me since retiring. I have acquired many of the items you mentioned. I will be ordering a light and a mesh laundry drying thing as well as the tubie spool (it's already in my amazon cart). I have lots of needles and struggled with keeping track of them all. Since I started knitting way back, I have a few straight needles, but sold most of them years ago when I bought my very first set of circulars - Denise brand. They are plastic and I do still use them. I have purchased knitting needle cases for all my needles(on amazon and at knitpicks they come in a variety of styles and are for all types of needles) Those that are all one piece and various sets of circular. Depending on what I am knitting (type of yarn and project) depends on which needles I use. I love metal for wool and wool based yarns but sometimes they are too slick and it causes me issues, so when that happens I use my wooden needles as they are more grippie on the yarn. Lastly, I use bamboo needles a lot when knitting really slick yarn like bamboo or silk based. Bamboo needles are more grippie than other wood so it is great for that. I worry less about speed and more about keeping my needles and yarn together at this point in my life. Most of mine are Knitters Pride brand or Knitpicks brand as they work well together. My recent purchase has been the swivel cords that go with the mindful collection. I can use them on other needle sets besides that particular set. Which brings me to the length of the needles - those short needles are awesome for small projects and I didn't know how awesome till I decided to make hats for Christmas gifts. I love seeing all the gadgets people use. My swift is a very simple one that has legs and 2 pieces of wood with holes drilled in them for the dowels that hold the yarn - (amish I think it is designed after)from amazon. Cheaper and it comes apart and can be stored in a small space. It's a joy to see all the younger people enjoying knitting....

I use most of these things…I actually don’t have a ball winder (I have a nostepinne) and usually “cheat” and put my skein around my knees instead of my swift (though I’ve had some close calls on tangles when I have to move mid cake) I enjoy all your videos so much!!!

Thank you for another lovely podcast, I always look forward to seeing you come up in my queue! While it definitely is not a necessity my spin dryer is a frequently used tool. I bought one because I dye a lot of our farm to yarn and it cuts the drying time down significantly. I can dry a sweater in a day when I use it to spin the excess water out. I use it for my hand makes, my skeins of wool and even for fleece that I have washed, it gets used a lot!

You are so awesome!!

Loved the video! Susan Bates finishing needles are in my top 20 for sure. They come in super handy if you have an end to weave in that is too short for a tapestry needle.

This was so fun! I def need to get that neck light 👀

I feel like you read my mind!! I was just wanting a video like this 🤣🤣

I love your videos! I need to get the blocking kit 😅

i dont have a swift but have been using my ball winder for years

Instead of the journal I use Ravelry. I love knit companion to put my patterns in

This is wild! I watched this video this morning and you inspired me to order the 2 items I mentioned. The Amazon guy was just here, and delivered my package. I immediately opened the light and put it on! How ever have I survived without this!!! Think I will order them as Christmas gifts for the knitters and readers on my list! ( I won't open the dryer rack until I'm ready to use it. I am always a fail at folding those kind of things!) Thanks again for the GREAT tips!!!

I also keep a small pkg of dental floss in my kit to use as a life line in my knitting.

I’ve been wanting to try those barber cords but thought they were always a little expensive I didn’t think about buying a whole thing of hallow tubing like that?! I just ordered some what a great idea

I am a project bag lover. Loosing needles and tools out of plastic bags was a lesson sadly learnt. The other hard lesson, always using pins for blocking, that are designed for blocking. KP and Clover T pins or the blockers you showed, 100% 🙌🏽 ... I used grocery store end display, inexpensive pins, -and they rusted my freshly finished colourwork cowl ☹️

I use my washing machine’s “drain and spin” setting after a wet block. The item is barely damp afterwards and I’ve never had any problems! (We don’t count when my just finished Rock It Tee ended up in a load of clothes and went through the wash cycle. 😭😭😭)

Other than yarn I definitely spend a lot of money on tools. Good tools make knitting all the much better for me. 😊 I can’t live without my short tip needles for necklines, sleeves & hats!

Hi, I was watching your video and there was something you said thats not true. You can use a ball winder without a swift. I do it all the time with my yarns. So, I just wanted to clarify that for others and you....thanks for doing this video it is very informative.

Hi Kaci! I love watching your podcast - especially when you go outside and show your lovely property. And you're obviously a prolific knitter - thanks so much for sharing all your amazing projects. Can you please tell me what needle set you have? I've been knitting for years and have plenty of needles but have never had a set with its own case etc. And since I knit only with circulars I think it's time I invested in a nice all-inclusive set. Thanks so much for your help!

I use hairdryer when I have to block my shawls. I just pin them down in my matress while they are damp and then just dry with hairdryer. I knit lot of charted patterns so for me KnitCompanion or some kind of magnetic ruler or similar to keep track what row of chart I am on is essential.

😁👍

Hello from Mounds Illinois.

The stitch holders. What is the name of the spool u ordered on Amazon. I just started watching your podcast today and love it. Will start from beginning and subscribe.

I found an entire bag of the cords at Mother Knitter for under $10!

Oops don’t know how some text got striked thru love your pleasant persona

Love the podcast, but the music way too loud.

Swatch guage

I’m absolutely one of your biggest fans and certainly do not want you to see me as a “complainer”. I’m definitely not. ☺️ I must have an undiagnosed disorder in which “noises” distract me. 😬 You did a loving thing by reducing the floor creeks yet replaced with “constant” background music. 🥺 I love your intro & change of topic musical interludes. My favorite production style.😁 But why play music while you are talking? 😭

Hello!! I have a question I hope I done sound stupid! I am new to sock knitting I made my first sock last week during shock week. And now I am obsessed I am working on my first official set and I have been so worried about blocking them. I don’t have sock blockers at the moment it is just not in our budget! So I really need tips on blocking sock with out the blockers! Oh and I love your podcast I am from Kentucky so it’s cool to hear another knitter that sounds like me!!!

Nice commercial 👌

I am not a sewer myselg