New to knitting? Your beginner knitting supplies for starting to knit

So you’re taking up knitting. Hand-knitted garments are always unique and made with love. Whatever your motivation, knitting is an enjoyable, practical, worthwhile and interesting pastime.  Crucially, knitting is also relaxing and a great way to relieve stress and anxiety, and it's a brain-boosting cognitive pastime.

Knitting for beginners kit#

A basic kit is required to start knitting. Knitting kits for adults are budget-friendly and low-cost; only a few items are needed. Like most things, if you buy the best you can obtain the best results, but you don’t have to start with the most elaborate knitting kits—that can wait until later when you have the knitting bug. Until then, you’re in the right place to learn what you need to start.

Here is Icewear's beginner's knitting supplies list:

• Knitting needles

• A pair of scissors

• A sewing needle

• A crochet hook

• And, of course, wool

Wool is needed for knitting, and knitting wool is called yarn. Wool yarn varies by weight, colour, and several other factors, so selecting your yarn is the most personal (and fun) part of the process. It will also change for every knitting project you do.

About yarns: best yarn for beginners#

When you start, it’s easier to work with a thicker yarn and select a supersoft wool in a colour you love.

When you buy yarns, they are categorised by weight, which relates to thickness, not heaviness.

Icewear recommends you select a medium to heavy yarn for your first project but steer away from super-chunky since it’s a little harder to work with. Super-chunky aside, thicker yarn is easier to work with when you’re learning because any mistakes are easily spotted and corrected. You will also have quicker results with a thicker yarn, giving you faster fulfilment.

Not all yarn is wool; knitting yarn is the name given to all the material blends used for knitting. Many knitters refer to wool as natural sheep wool, but the fibre roll is called yarn in all cases. 

Fun fact: Did you know that in Iceland there are more sheep than people?

Wool or a wool/acrylic blend are the best starter options. As a beginner, you should avoid cotton or cotton-rich yarns because they lack stretch and are harder to work. Be sure to choose yarn provided in balls rather than hanks, or you will have to start your project by rolling the hanks into balls first.

Hanks, skeins, and balls#

When you buy yarn from the store, it is usually sold in hanks, skeins or balls, so it is handy to know the differences.

A hank is presented in a twisted shape that looks attractive when the yarn is displayed. It’s also an easy shape to package, ship, and store. When you untwist a hank, it becomes a large ring of yarn, and for ease of use it must be wound into a ball.

A skein of yarn is similar to a ball of yarn but formed into an oblong shape. A skein is the shape most people think of when they think of yarn. When using yarn from a skein, it can be pulled from either the outside or inside. However, as the yarn from the skein is used, the skein begins to lose shape, and there is an increased risk of the yarn getting tangled. Icewear suggests winding the remaining yarn into a ball to prevent tangling if this happens.

A ball of yarn is a continuous length of yarn in a round ball shape. The yarn is usually pulled from the outside of a ball, although sometimes it can be taken from the centre. A lot of knitters roll their skeins or hanks of yarn into balls for ease of use before they start their knitting projects.

Knitting needles#

Knitting needles are available in various materials, including aluminium, bamboo, casein, wood, and plastic. Start with a set that is the size required for your first knitting project. At the beginning of your knitting journey, you will likely need to buy new needles for each new project. Later, as your knitting needle collection builds, you can check your stock before buying more. In the early days, you can also have fun trying out the different needle materials to develop your favourites.

What size of needles are needed for knitting?#

Although the size of the needles you use will depend on the pattern requirements, you should aim for projects requiring medium-sized needles for the first few projects. 

Width sizes six (4mm), seven (4.5mm), and eight (5mm) with a needle length of 25-26cm, often known as 10 inch, are a good starter option. The length usually varies between 9-12 inches.

As well as the straight standard knitting needles, other types of knitting needles are available such as circular knitting needles for Icelandic wool jumpers and other knitting needles for other specialty projects.

Types of knitting needles#

As well as different needle materials and sizes, knitting needles also come in different styles depending on the job you want them to do. Needle types include:

• Straight needles

• Circular needles

• Interchangeable needles

• Double-pointed needles

• Cable needles

Straight needles are the best beginner option, but once you have a few projects under your belt, you may want to branch out into other projects with varying needle requirements.

Circular needles#

When you want to try to make Icelandic wool jumpers yourself, you will need circular knitting needles to make them correctly. This method works with any other style of sweaters, too. Icelandic jumpers and others made with circular needles are said to be made “in the round”, meaning the whole jumper is knitted as a tube rather than sewing the front and back together.

Traditionally, large circular needles are required for a jumper body, and either two smaller circular needles or a set of double-pointed needles are used to knit the sleeves. Circular needles have a flexible cord to connect the two needles, and some have a fixed cord. Circular needles are made from the same material options as straight needles. You will also discover that circular needles are ideal for hats, cowls, and some sock patterns that call for the “magic loop method”. You can also use them for flat objects, large items like blankets, but that’s something to learn more about in the future.

Interchangeable needles#

Interchangeable needles are useful when you anticipate several projects requiring different-sized circular needles or usage styles. They are similar to circular needles with solid tips and flexible cord, but you can separate the interchangeable parts used for different projects. 

Double-pointed needles#

Double-pointed needles, known as DPNs, offer another alternative method for smaller knitting projects. They come in sets typically of 3-5 with points at both ends. They tend to either have a bend or a flexible middle section. The curve means that you can move the knitting around with fewer needles.

DPNs are usually 5-8 inches long. The shorter DPNs are used for things like tiny socks, and the longer ones for hats. They can also be used to knit gloves, mittens, jumper sleeves, and small toys.

Cable needles#

The best way to describe cable needles is as oddly shaped, short double pointed needles that are sometimes rounded. Cables can be knitted without a cable needle (using a DPN or similar), but the purpose-made cable needle is the best option, especially when you want to keep active stitches safe when moving them. There are fewer diameter options for cable needles because they are designed to only ever hold a few stitches. You should select a diameter the same size or slightly smaller than the regular needles you are working. Cable needles are available in bamboo, metal, plastic, wood and glass.

Scissors#

You don't need fancy scissors for knitting, just a pair that effectively cuts through yarn. Choose a pair that feels comfortable in your hand.

Sewing needle#

Sewing needles are used for weaving in the ends of knits, sewing different parts of a garment together, and adding additional features to your knits, such as sewing on adornments.

Choose a sewing needle with an eye large enough for the yarn to pass through easily. Metal and plastic needles are suitable for working with yarn; outlets sell specific yarn needles or tapestry needles. Icewear recommends a low-cost set of tapestry needles because they are larger than sewing needles and a cost-effective option.

Crochet hook#

A crochet hook may not be something that comes to mind when you’re first thinking of putting your beginners knitting kit together, but Icewear recommend buying a crochet hook in size G or H as part of your initial supplies. These sizes will be easy to use with most yarn weights.

Crochet hooks are useful for repairing snags on knitted garments. You simply gently push the needle through a snag from the back and pull the loose yarn through. Say you find the ends of the yarns too short to weave in with a sewing needle—the crochet tool will come to the rescue to complete the piece. As your skills develop, you may also crochet the border on knitwear for an individual touch.

A crochet hook is very useful to easily repair other knitwear you already own, too. There’s no need to constantly buy new things, just mend the jumpers and cardigans you love.

Types of knitting stitches#

There are hundreds of knitting stitches, including many that even the most seasoned knitter will think twice before using.

The first two stitches to learn are the "knit stitch" and the "purl stitch". Once mastered, they will serve you well for many knitting projects. Frequently used together, knit stitch and purl stitch are simply opposites of each other. The knit stitch creates a loop at the back of the item, and the purl stitch creates a loop at the front. Many available variations (called patterns) using just these two stitches offer the opportunity to create varying appearances, characteristics and textures.

Another basic stitch is the “garter stitch” (sometimes called “plain stitch”). When you use garter, you knit every row to be the same, so they are consistent on both sides.

The “stockinette stitch” is another popular stitch. Stockinette is based on knit and purl; every other row is stitch, and every other row is purl.

Small knitting projects#

Things like scarves, dishcloths, hairbands, and headbands are all excellent small knitting projects to start. Once you have the knitting bug, a whole new world of individual gift options opens up. Many gift projects are surprisingly simple but have a big impact—nothing feels more magical than something you took the time to make by hand.

Here’s a list of easy knitting projects for gifts:

Gift jar toppers#

Relatively small, these jar toppers are a terrific way to use up odd bits of yarn and make thoughtful gifts for friends who make or own jams, preserves, or aromatherapy products.

Pet walk treat bag#

Knit a simple bag and attach either a long handle to be worn across body or smaller loops to secure to a belt. Make smaller versions to carry in coat pockets.

Scarf#

A personal scarf in a favourite colour is sure to be well received.

Headband/hairband#

Make wider versions to cover ears during cold weather and narrower versions to use as a hairband anytime. Give two or three in different styles and colours.

Hair scrunchie#

An alternative to headbands is to make small hair scrunchies. They’ll be a welcome gift for anyone with long hair.

Hot water bottle cover#

Buy a basic hot water bottle and knit a soft cover to go over it as a functional cold-weather gift.

Rose brooch#

A knitted rose flower with a pin attached to the back can be worn as a brooch or to adorn curtains.  It can be a romantic option for someone to use in their bedroom.

Mushroom or toadstool bookmark#

These are fun for avid readers in your life. Add one in as an extra gift when you buy someone a book.

Cowl#

A soft and cosy cowl is a perfect gift when you get the hang of circular needles.

Tassels#

Tassels have many uses: they make great gifts as key rings, bag charms, curtain ties, bathroom light pulls, and more.

Mug warmer#

A winter-themed mug warmer will be a welcome gift for the hot drink lovers in your life.

A wool pin cushion#

Lanolin in wool can help prevent pins and sewing needles from rusting. So a wool yarn knitted pin cushion offers a useful gift for sewing enthusiasts.

Final words#

Wherever you start your knitting journey, it’s a new skill that is fun to learn and will open up unique possibilities. Getting started doesn't involve a huge outlay or commitment to classes at set times. You can do knitting alone or in a group; it is the perfect choice for anyone. Icewear suggests starting with a scarf.

And did you know? The Icelandic jumper, known as the lopapeysa, is iconic; it’s a jumper made using native Icelandic sheep wool. The name means “a jumper made from unspun yarn,” because the lopapeysa is traditionally made with a yoke pattern at the top of the jumper with non-varying circles, so the back and front look the same.

Once you’re confident enough, you can learn how to make a lopapeysa jumper, too.