Hopefully the
Free Cowl Knitting Pattern has inspired many of you to learn (or relearn) to knit this fall. When you're just starting out, the volume and variety of knitting supplies available can be overwhelming, not to mention, expensive. Some of you have been asking where to start. Here's a list of basic knitting supplies for beginners to get you started.
Most patterns will tell you which size and shape of needle you will need. Because there are thousands of size-shape combinations available, I recommend selecting a pattern you love first, and then buy the needles required. If you do this for each project, you will eventually build up a nice collection.
Needles
Materials: Knitting needles come in metal, wood, acrylic, and plastic. I have always used bamboo needles. They're relatively affordable, not too slippery, and bamboo is an environmentally friendly material.
Shape: Needles come in straight, double pointed, and circular. With straight or single point needles, you work your knitting back and forth. These range from 9 to 14 inches long. Double pointed and circular allow you to knit "in the round" as in a hat or sock. Double pointed needles usually come in sets of five, at lengths ranging from 5 to 8 inches. Circular needles are a little easier for beginners because they accomplish the same thing with only two needles instead of five. They come in different lengths ranging from 16 to 48 inches, depending on the size of your project.
Sizes: Knitting needles are sized based on their diameter. US sizes range from 0 (1.75 mm) to 50 (25 mm) and above. The size you select is related to the weight of yarn you're using and the relative tightness or looseness of the stitches desired.
All the rest
Stitch Markers: These help you remember where you are in the pattern without having to count all the stitches. There are some very cute handmade ones available on Etsy. Check out sellers
Reignbow Designs or
Lynn Bates Designs, or you can tie a bow with a different colored scrap of yarn.
Tapestry Needles: These are fat, blunt end needles, with a big eye. You will need this in almost any project to weave in the tails of yarn left at the beginning and end of your work.
Needle Point Protectors: Slide these on the end of your needles when you take a break to stop all your hard work from sliding off the end.
"LillyElla" is also a fellow Etsian and has a shop full of cute home decor pillows. I especially love the Map pillow, so fun! Visit the LillyEllaCollections Shop and check them out!
I had been shopping around for a knitting needle case for about a year, but none of the ones I found seemed right for me. Most were specialized and only held either circulars, or straights, but not an assortment of types that I actually own. None had room for my other supplies. Many didn't seem to hold needles securley, and mostly they were just plain expensive! The situation with my needles and supplies was really getting dire, as you can see, so I finally decided to create my own knitting needle case that would work perfectly for my needs, and I hope for yours as well. 
This knitting needle case is perfect for storing an assortment of your straight, double pointed, and circular needles. Now you can store all your knitting supplies in one organizer. The case has a large zipper pocket to hold all your knitting accessories including stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape, tapestry needles, needle point protectors, cabling needles, and more. The organizer folds up and ties to securely to store all your needles in a compact space. If you'd like to make your own, the pattern is available at the following link at Skadoot on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/listing/67980580/knitting-needle-case-pdf-pattern-by
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