Explore the Knitting Supplies I Actually Use 🧶
Let’s chat real knitting. Not the curated basket‑on‑a‑white‑couch fantasy. Not the twelve‑hundred‑dollar set of heirloom needles your neighbor pretends she uses. This is the gear I actually knit with. These are the supplies that sit next to my coffee, the ones that get tossed in my tote bag, and the exact things I recommend to anyone learning or coming back to knitting.
Grab your yarn, your coffee, and zero perfection pressure. We knit here. We do not stress.
To make things easier to find, I’ve included Amazon affiliate links throughout this list. They’ll take you to the yarn and tools I usually order. Happy knitting!
Start Here: Your Beginner Knitting Kit
Brand new? Restarting after life took over? (Welcome back.💞 ) This simple setup will carry you through the first wins without overwhelm.
Choose your beginner knitting path:
- Fast + useful: Knit washcloths and face scrubbies (free pattern here)
- Yarn: Lily Sugar ’n Cream (100 percent cotton, worsted weight)
- Needles: US No. 7 (4.5 mm)
- Why: Quick finishes, super practical, confidence boosters
- Cozy + wearable: Knit your first scarf (free pattern here)
- Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (worsted weight)
- Needles: US No. 8 (5 mm)
- Why: Slower, soothing, and you get something you can wear and brag about
- Fastest dopamine hit: Super‑bulky coaster (free pattern here)
- Yarn: Lion Brand Wool‑Ease Thick & Quick (super bulky)
- Needles: US No. 13 (9 mm)
- Why: Instant gratification, fat stitches, big win energy
- P.S. – When your coaster is done, you can make my super bulky scarf and placemat with the same tools
Then grab:
- A tapestry needle
- Super sharp scissors (or use whatever you already have)
- Stitch markers (or scrap yarn loops because we are resourceful)
I teach all the basics step‑by‑step here at PurlsAndPixels. Start learning here: Free Beginner Knitting Lessons.
Books and Learning
My Learn‑to‑Knit Book
Liz Chandler’s Knitting Guide: Learn to Knit with Practical Patterns
In addition to my free online lessons, you can learn to knit in my complete guide book. I wrote this book because nobody else had. My complete instruction manual for true beginners has full‑color photos for every single step and patterns you will keep using long after you learn.
My Practical Knitting Pattern Book
Liz Chandler’s Knitting The Simple Things: A Collection of Practical Patterns
Want all the patterns from my Knitting Guide without the knitting lessons? Grab Liz Chandler’s Knitting the Simple Things. My pattern-only book has 15 designs all in multiple sizes (65 total patterns are included). This high-gloss color-printed pattern book has all the classic knits you’ll want to knit over and over: washcloths, scarves, hats, gloves, and more!
Yarn Staples
Buy what feels good in your hands. If you pick it up and your brain immediately goes, “ooooh, squishy!” that is your yarn.
Cotton
For dishcloths, towels, or anything you’ll wash often, Lily Sugar ’n Cream 100% cotton yarn is your best friend. It’s durable, absorbent, and feels amazing to work with.
Acrylic
If you want something smooth, washable, and easy to find, try Caron Simply Soft. It comes in every color imaginable and is perfect for scarves, blankets, and beginner projects.
Super Bulky
For instant-gratification knitting, you can’t beat Lion Brand Wool‑Ease Thick & Quick. It’s perfect for chunky scarves, cowls, or anything you want to finish fast and love forever.
Merino Wool
When you’re ready for something softer and more luxurious, try Malabrigo Merino Wool. It’s beautifully dyed, smooth as butter, and perfect for special gifts or long-lasting wearables.
Knitting Needles
If you’ve ever wondered which knitting needles are best for beginners, here’s the short answer: it depends on what kind of knitter you are. Bamboo needles are warm to the touch, slightly grippy, and help keep your stitches from sliding off. They’re perfect for relaxed, meditative knitters or anyone just getting started. Metal needles, like Addi Turbo, are slick, fast, and great for those who love speed and precision.
Needles also come in many shapes. You’ll see straight, circular, and double point needles line the shelves. Each has its perks, so the best choice is whichever one makes your hands (and your mood) happiest. Circular needles are the most versatile of all; they can handle everything from scarves to hats and blankets without taking up much space. Here’s a quick guide that makes sense:
If you’re knitting washcloths or towels, use US No. 7 (4.5 mm) needles. For scarves and cozy basics, reach for US No. 8 (5 mm). And when you’re in the mood for fast, super‑bulky projects, go big with US No. 13 (9 mm).
If you’re only buying one kind of needle, circular needles around 16 inches long will handle most projects, from scarves to hats to washcloths.
Bamboo needles, like Clover Bamboo, are my go-to for calm, quiet knitting sessions. They have just the right grip to keep your stitches from slipping, and they feel warm and natural in your hands. Plus, they are much quieter to work with than metal needles that make a clinking noise when you work them.
Metal needles, like Addi Turbo, glide smoothly and are perfect for when you want to move quickly through a project. They’re strong, durable, and ideal for knitters who like speed with precision.
Bamboo Knitting Needles
Calm, cozy, gentle. Clover Takumi Bamboo when I want quiet knitting.
- Bamboo US No. 7 (4.5 mm) 16 inch (14 cm) circular needle
- Bamboo US No. 8 (5 mm) 16 inch (14 cm) circular needle
- Bamboo US No. 13 (9 mm) 16 inch (14 cm) circular needle
Metal Knitting Needles
Smooth and fast. Knit with ChiaoGoo Red Lace needles when caffeine meets ambition. I like the thick cable on this brand. And, they’re good for everything, not just lace. 😉
- Metal US No. 7 (4.5 mm) 16 inch (14 cm) circular needle
- Metal US No. 8 (5 mm) 16 inch (14 cm) circular needle
- Metal US No. 13 (9 mm) 16 inch (14 cm) circular needle
Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles
I’ll be honest, these are an indulgence I have not yet tried. But, oh do I wish I could work with a set of interchangeable needles! They come with tons of needle tip sizes and cord lengths. It looks very handy to be able to mix and match! Here are some sets I’ve been drooling over. Have you tried them? Let me know how it went!
- Clover Takumi Combo Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needle Set
- ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace 4-Inch Complete 7400-C Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needle Set
Finishing Tools
These little helpers make your finished pieces look tidy and professional. You’ll want tapestry needles for weaving in yarn ends, small scissors for trimming, stitch markers for tracking sections, and a row counter if you like to stay organized. Each tool makes your knitting just a little smoother.
If you want to see exactly how I use each one, check out my detailed post: Choosing Knitting Tools.
Keeping Notes
Always jot down what yarn you used and where you left off. You’ll thank yourself later. Whether you use a notebook or an app, keeping notes helps you remember what worked and what didn’t. It also saves you from trying to guess which shade of blue you used six months ago.
Smart Storage
Hear me out. Fancy baskets are lovely, but containers that stack, travel, and survive kids, dogs, and gravity make the best yarn holders. Practical wins.
Containers I unapologetically use:
Keep Learning
🧶 Learn to Knit with Liz Chandler’s Complete Free Lessons
✅ Beginner’s Guide to Knitting and Free Skills Checklist
🧺 Choosing Knitting Tools for Beginners
🎁 Make a DIY Learn to Knit Set for a Loved One
Read More
Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶
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