| One of the best things about having a hobby is | | | | though; they arefor sewing projects only. |
| buyingeverything you need and even some things that | | | | #3 - Cable needles - as you become more adept |
| you don't! Ifyou are into cars or motorcycles, chances | | | | atknitting, one of the easiest new stitches to add on is |
| are you spend alot of extra money on accessories, | | | | thecable stitch. Cable stitches can be knitted in |
| don't you? Cooking,exercising, camping, gardening, | | | | manyvariations, but they always need the cable needle |
| hiking, - you name it, thereare accessories for every | | | | in orderto utilize the stitch. Cable needles come in |
| amusement under the sun! | | | | various sizes,and are always pointed at both ends. |
| Knitting is no different. Gadgets abound, and you | | | | Some have a "bend" inthem, and some are "U" |
| canget lost in a sea of extras. They all look good, but | | | | shaped, while most are simplystraight. They are also |
| whatis necessary, and what can you leave for | | | | shorter than a traditional,straight, knitting needle. So if a |
| another time? Letme tell you about some of the | | | | pattern calls for cablestitches, better have some cable |
| knitting gadgets that areavailable to knitters, and then I | | | | needles around! |
| will tell you my top *6*favorite knitting gadgets. | | | | #4 - Stitch holders - these look like giant safetypins. |
| Needles and yarn aside, if you look around there | | | | They are especially handy when knitting sweaters |
| arenumerous knitting gadgets. There are stitch | | | | andyou need to place the neck stitches someplace |
| markers, usedfor marking a particular place in your | | | | until you needthem again, so on to the stitch holder |
| knitting wheredecreases or increases take place; row | | | | they go! Stitchholders can be very small (2" or so) up |
| counters which keeptrack of each row as you are | | | | to about 10" inlength. There are many varieties, but |
| knitting; point protectorswhich are placed on the needle | | | | stay with the simpleversions, for best results. |
| points to protect your workas well as yourself; bobbins, | | | | #5 - Yarn needle - aka a tapestry needle. |
| pom-pom makers, stitch gauges,graph paper, yarn | | | | Theseneedles are longer than regular sewing needles, |
| swifts and ball winders, which can beuseful for certain | | | | and haveblunter points and larger eyes. They are used |
| advanced knitting projects, but willprobably spend more | | | | to join yourpatterns together when finished. For any |
| time collecting dust for most knitters. | | | | knitter, they area must-have. |
| So that is why now we come to my top *6* | | | | #6 - Pins - last but not least, pins! Anyone whosews or |
| favoriteknitting gadgets,and why I like them so: | | | | knits, needs pins; straight pins, safety pins, T-pins. When |
| #1 - Tape measure - for knitting, as for sewing, | | | | you buy straight pins, make sure they havecolored |
| yourtape measure will prove to be indispensable. | | | | tops; these are easiest to see in your knitting. T-pins |
| Whatever theproject, you always have need to know | | | | are great for blocking your patterns, and also good |
| the length and widthof your knitting. Make sure if your | | | | forpinning heavier knits together. Safety pins always |
| tape measure wears outor becomes distorted in any | | | | make agreat substitute for stitch holders, or to mark a |
| way, that you replace it. Thisitem helps to make you | | | | spot inyour knitting that you need to refer to later on. |
| look good! | | | | So, there you have it! Six gadgets I can't livewithout |
| #2 - Scissors - I like the small variety, especiallythe | | | | when I knit. If you are very serious aboutknitting, and |
| ones that fold up. They are handy to take anywhere | | | | like to see your project look its best whenfinished, then |
| (well, almost anywhere), and you can expect to use | | | | these *6* wonderful knitting gadgets shouldalways be |
| themfrequently. But, if you have larger scissors, they | | | | close by. |
| work,too. I would not recommend pinking shears, | | | | |