My 5 Must-Have Knitting Tools (and one huge waste of money)

Welcome to the Wool Needles Hands Midweek Ramble where we're exploring my top five favorite knitting tools!
Quick Bite:
In this episode, Tayler shares her top five essential knitting tools/accessories, as well as a bonus item that she considers a waste of money.
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TODAY'S LINKS:
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Gladys the Dress Form:
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Stanwood Needlecraft Ball Winder:
*amzn.to/3jmgKnQ
Knit Picks Yarn Swift:
*shrsl.com/3wr3v
Budget Yarn Winder and Swift:
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My favorite knitting needles:
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That weird hanger thing I'm using for my needles:
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Just don't...but, if you want to:
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Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool:
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[@lorindajones4563]

I agree with your 5 tools but I really like my two sets of interchangable needles and find that I knit more because I rarely need to go buy more needles. They also came with wonderful self-storing pouches which are ideal for a small living space. Even though they seem expensive, for me they have been more of an upfront investment that has paid off in the long run; I do understand the joy of adding needles as you have a need for them though and your needles sounded musical.

[@ingeborg418]

This just confirmed that i have to buy myself some interchangeables, i absolutely cannot deal with magic loops, it just takes me right out of the flow

[@fiddlestitch89]

THIS. I started out thinking I would only buy needles as I needed them and an interchangeable set would be superfluous. But once I was really getting into knitting, I bought a Chiaogoo stainless steel set and I haven't looked back. Sold all of my fixed needles except for US0-US2 for sock knitting. I even bought a Lykke set while I was at Rhinebeck last year so I could have a set of metal and wood needles. Absolutely worth it IMO! 🙌

[@Ampharb]

I love my set of addiclic interchangeable needles for all the reasons you stated. Just wish they came sizes smaller than 4.

[@lorindajones4563]

@@Ampharb I agree size 2 and 3 are great to have. For one of the interchangeable sets I just purchased these in fixed lengths and added them to my set. There is enough space to keep them in a pocket so I always know where to look for them.

[@kcwoo6320]

What sets do you have?

[@Ampharb]

My favorite knitting accessory is a crochet hook.

[@juliej6638]

I have one - really short with a different size hook on each end - brilliant for picking up dropped stitches and fixing mistakes. I inherited mine from my mother and it might be a cream coloured plastic or possibly ivory - ew? That's a bit gross I know but she lived in Africa for a while in the 1950s and could have got it there. I get really panicked if I lose it down the side of a chair or at the bottom of my knitting bag.

[@Starbeam1979]

🤣🤣🤣

[@andreat1752]

😂

[@nah_.]

Sometimes I'll purposefully drop a stitch so I can fix it with my crochet hook 😭

[@obadiahkaemmerling1474]

Omg haha😂😂

[@Pharm2be]

I just got my first ball winder today and it’s a game changer. I’ve spent 20+ years telling myself that I don’t need a winder because I can wind a ball but the ease… the time saving… the lack of hand cramps… and most importantly cakes are so much easier to stack than balls of leftover yarn

[@Pharm2be]

My big sizes that I collect are 8 32in cables and size one dpns lol.

[@deborahparis1713]

OMG....me too!! I just got a beautiful set after knitting for 50 yrs!!!!

[@lavendercottagefibrearts]

Definitely with you on the ball winder and swift. My other 3 - 1. I recently bought the pop up dryer from Cocoknits and it makes blocking a lot faster as air gets underneath the item as well so it dries a lot faster. 2. A neck light as it makes knitting in the evening so much easier as well as when travelling. Sometimes hotels have very “moody” lighting that looks nice but it’s terrible for knitting. 3. A lap desk. I have a lot of back problems and the Lao desk allows me to sit in a comfortable chair with good posture and have all my supplies (including a cup of tea) within reach. Actually can I add a number 6 - my kettle. Can’t be knitting without a cup of tea ☕️

[@flashyourknits]

That's awesome to hear about the Cocoknits pop up dryer. That is in my cart but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. My last sweater took two days to dry. And 100% on the neck light.

[@Izzybeff1974]

I have bought several Cocoknits things and I really want to love them because they are so pretty, but I'm just "meh" about them. I find myself going back to my original plastic notions far more often because they are just functional.

[@teresawagoner1469]

100% on the neck light!

[@lavendercottagefibrearts]

I just thought of one more - a crochet hook! Essential for fixing dropped stitches and picking up stitches on a bound off edge if it’s a bit tight.

[@janecadett3937]

I would love to know what kind of neck light is so good. I have one that’s unsatisfactory because the light is too focused in one area. I spend the whole time trying to get it adjusted to where I am knitting

[@zoegras4787]

Another must have - a kitchen scale! It's easy to figure out the yardage of your leftover yarn and really helps when dividing a skein for sock yarn. I'm on study abroad currently and couldn't bring my ball winder and am now doing it by hand... not fun.

[@katfinn9352]

I agree! I use a scale all the time.

[@celestial17]

I have been on the fence about the kitchen scale, but this is the push I needed. Thank you!

[@Joxxerfoxy]

100% agree! And you can also use it for cooking and baking 😆

[@lindsaybrue7387]

Just gonna throw it out there, it’s probably been said, but the Frankensweater should be called “The Gladys Sweater”

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Ooooo lala. I likeee.

[@catherinecunningham7126]

I totally agree, Lindsay! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ihesharema]

Top 5 must haves: 1. Ball winder 2. Swift 3. Interchangeable needles (just started knitting so I don’t have a wonderful needle wind chime of my own 😊) 4. My husband (he loves weaving in the ends and is my #1 supporter) 5. My knitting books

[@flashyourknits]

Ok number 4 is husband goals. I will be communicating these new expectations to my husband tonight.

[@OddWoz]

That’s adorable. A keeper for sure.

[@tlockerk]

Yes to interchangeable needles, my most expensive, yet greatest money saving buy.

[@katfinn9352]

I agree about the husband. Mine has never knit one stitch, but he knows a lot about it and is totally supportive even of my huge stash of yarns (and other things as I am also a weaver, sewer, etc.)

[@phoenixfire8978]

That’s an amazing husband

[@annikak.837]

I'm an advanced knitter but I go with quite minimal amount of tools - if needles, stitch markers, yarn, scissors etc are not counted, I would say my number one is stitch cords/wires for holding stitches. 😊 I actually love winding a ball by hand. 😁

[@robinwhite-underwood467]

Hello Annika. I understand how you could love winding a ball by hand; I love untangling yarn that was turned into a tangled mess when I hand-dyed it. Other knitters think I am nuts, but I love doing it, and it is such a portable thing to do: you can even take tangled skeins on planes, because there are no needles/hooks involved. So I get that you like hand-winding.😀

[@amieinnovascotia3237]

I drop the ball when hand winding constantly now that my hands are deformed with arthritis. I might invest in another ball winder. Just a better one than what I had and smashed with a hammer so I wouldn’t be tempted to try it yet again and not have anyone else fall victim to it.

[@kclm]

My chiaogoo interchangeables are my pride and joy! They were an absolute game changer for me that took knitting from an occasional hobby to an outright obsession.

[@alisoneichler4257]

I am lucky enough (blessed?) to have had a great aunt who did amazing handwork - I inherited her needles (all straight, including a Tunisian crochet hook!). I also inherited a collection of tools - and yarn - from a close friend of my mother after she suffered a stroke and was unable to knit. And then, Mom moved into assisted living 5 years ago and does little hand work - so I, again, inherited her tools and stash. If I am ever required to maintain total isolation for months and months, I will be well entertained.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Hi everyone! Thank you for stopping by today! I've provided all the links for anything mentioned here in the description box below the video. Also, the hat I'm wearing here is a pattern by yours truly called the Welded Cap. You can find it on Ravelry here: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-welded-cap and at woolneedleshands.com here: www.woolneedleshands.com/wnhpatterns/p/weldedcap and And get involved in the conversation! What are some of your FAVORITE knitting tools/gadgets/resources...etc? #knitting #knittingpodcast #knittingtips

[@taniaramirez6230]

To that expensive winder try knitting a cover for the middle part and wind using that to keep the yarn fromslipping. love your channel and content, thank you

[@eleanoreadams]

LOL this was a very fun video! I learned how to ball yarn by hand from my grandmother, so never had a ball winder until last year when I bought a $20 one on amazon last year... It's so fun and relaxing to ball wind! The $20 chinese ones on amazon work fine, and now i'll re-wind a ball 2x just to loosen the thread. Fun stuff. Also, I love the needle collection and totally agree. it's way more fun to collect needles than use the interchangable. Love it! My favorite item... this may be a weird one, but I have this orange, size 4.5 Boyd crochet hook I carry around to use for everything. Fixing dropped stitches, knitting in ends etc. Yeah - my favorite knitting tool is an orange crochet hook. I don't crochet - it's an old tool that fixes everything.

[@SmoreObscureLore]

A very simple and easily accesable gadget i swear by is a simple counter. The ones that keep a tally. You can get them at poundland or amazion and the like for pretty mcuh nothing. It's so great for counting rows and repeats. I used to do it on my phone but i appreciate having my phone free for youtube or video calls while i'm doing my knitting. if you want to get fancy you can also get them to go on your finger or needles

[@lindaboggess7634]

I love my Prym Ergonomic needles. I have arthritis and I find them easier to hold on to plus I drop fewer stitches. I also don't accidentally knit 2 stitches together if I am in poor lighting. The other thing I love is my neck light! That thing has been a game changer when knitting with dark colors!

[@cmangaudis]

Love ALL of this! I have been knitting for over 55 years and my Stanwood ball winder is THE BEST ball winder I have ever used, and I have used a lot of different ones 😊. Oh! I love that “Gladys” is holding your gorgeous sweater… that was my Mom’s name 💗

[@cathryncampbell8555]

*I* Love the fact that you *named* your model! What a creative mind you have.

[@Sincyn241]

The Olikraft large ball winder is AMAZING! For the swift though, I prefer the tabletop Amish-style, adjustable peg swift style.

[@hildekirchner8423]

My No. 1 thing would be my interchangeable needles. I love them especially when it comes to knitting sleeves because they give me so many choices. I can use a longer needle to knit with that rests in my knitting hand better and gives me more control but I can choose to knit off a shorter maybe even smaller needle which especially towards the end of the sleeve makes it easier for me to “get around the curve” because it makes the “needle + cord set” shorter. Hard to explain but maybe you’ll understand what I mean.

[@jancy1609]

My fav is my mini iPad, it is priceless for keeping on track of multiple projects and storing all the patterns.

[@mariab.1997]

The woman I used to buy yarn from caked her yarn on a regular winder that was hooked up to a stationary bicycle. Her wool and acrylics were on cones, maybe a 2/20 size, and you could get solids or make your own tweeds in any weight. It was not twisted together but beautiful. It was like Red heart it's a wrap rainbow, I think. Now, I don't care for yarn that splits when you use it, but having learned my craft on this yarn really helped me with keeping it on my hook or needles. The result of using it is that the garment looks very soft and romantic. The cones were moved to posts on the floor and fed through eyes on metal rods like what comes with your winder. From there to the winder and sold by weight according to the cost of the fiber. A rather ingenious gadget that had her exercising daily, and it whipped up the cakes so quickly and evenly.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

This is something I would love to see. How ingenious!

[@janetgillett7122]

Another item I’d wrestle to keep is my neck lamp for night knitting!

[@charlottecarpenter2388]

This video was very informative for me as a beginner knitter. I had been debating about the swift and ball winder as well as the mannequin. Now I will be getting them! Thank you for the links as well! 😀🧶👍

[@maritakinnula2885]

I would urge you to get the ballwinder mentioned in this video, I have one by Knitpro and it wounds reasonably well fingering-dk weight yarn but it's not so good on bulkier weights. Of course the price of these items playes a big part with these purhases so think carefully.

[@donnakuse6463]

Love the needle organization. Do you have a link to that hanger?

[@CarolinePralin89]

As a beginner knitter my absolute must-have knitting tool is a stitch wire! Being uncertain about how the project is turning out and being able to try it on without having to put all stitches on hold on a separate string of yarn is such a lifesaver. Or mindsaver.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oooo yes! I've never really considered this, but I definitely understand the value there. And "mindsaver" is right! Thank you for watching Caroline!

[@TonjaTreeceMomPlays]

Definitely agree with the ball winder and swift, but I use an Amish swift because I have had bad luck with umbrella swifts and the slats breaking. I also cannot be deprived of my interchangeable needle set, I always have what I need (most of the time lol)!

[@MyJoyanne]

Im so with you Tonja! I have the Stanwood ball winder and an Amish swift. I also love my Chiagoo interchangeable set. I would add to that my Chiagoo rubber grippers so I can ensure the join is tight enough and also my needle stoppers and stitch markers - they both save me a lot of headaches.

[@lorindajones4563]

I lovee my Amish swift too!

[@borealspirit1812]

Yes, I have an umbrella swift and one of my slats broke. As a Canuck, my first go-to is duck tape! That was years ago now and the repair job has held up just fine.

[@jonellesandel1066]

So agree with all! After struggling with a floor swift thing and ending in many yarn tangle tragedies, I got a knit picks wooden swift and it was amazing with my ball winder. I also laughed and thought “yeah she’s right” at you preferring individual rather than interchangeable sets….I own three expensive interchangeable sets and somehow I never have the right combo of needle size and cord length hahahaha.

[@mrsess5932]

I agree with you about the ball winder. I pull from the center of the skein but then it gets weird after a while. I just cake up the rest of the skein and start from the center again. Also makes scrap yarn easier/prettier to store. I could not live with out my super cute stitch markers. I love my interchangeable needles. I'm kind of spontaneous so if I see a pattern or something I want to try, I have to do it right then and there. having the correct needles and cables helps with that. Just discovered I prefer bamboo so I'm going to be purchasing another set.

[@flourchylde]

I have a sizeable needle collection and keep them in a divided accordion file folder.

[@juliedrakeArtist]

Haha, you made me laugh so much when you were getting upset about the ball winder and you said " I need to burn sage" 😂

[@elle-wp3]

For another show could you demonstrate how to be sure you have skein on swift correctly. I’m long ,long time knitter but recently had 4 different skeins get hopelessly tangled, one skein I worked on for 20 hours and still threw away.

[@GrainneDhu]

I had to laugh about your ballwinder being necessary because I feel the same way... and I rather suspect my beloved Fricke ballwinder is actually older than you are (purchased in the mid to late 1980s). Spread out over the years, it cost something like $3.00/year. I've only had to replace the drive belt once when it just got too stretched out to cut and heat weld shorter in order to be effective again. Swifts, I've had a few (imagine Freddie Mercury singing it)... like, um, five so far. A Glimåkra umbrella swift, a Japanese metal and plastic umbrella swift, a Fricke tabletop mounted skeiner that acts like a swift quite readily, a squirrel cage swift (invaluable for skeins with huge yardage or slippery yarns) and a Gecko Blooming Onion Swift (an Amish style that folds easily and neatly into a rectangular box shape the size of a large cigar box). So far as your Ashford E-ballwinder goes--have you tried roughing up the centre spindle with sandpaper to make it more grippy? Or getting some Dycem non-slip matting to make a sleeve to fit the centre spindle? Dycem is so handy for so many things, I just bought a roll of the stuff and cut it as needed for various purposes. There are similar, cheaper, knock-offs available but the occupational therapist who showed it to me was right--nothing is better than Dycem and it is worth every cent.

[@gigiw.7650]

I had an electric ball winder and I donated it pretty quick. 😂 What would have to be pried from my cold dead fingers is my digital scale. 😂

[@emilymiller4349]

Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry for your $550 regret, but thank you for talking about it! It's helping me laugh at myself for my expensive mistakes. I guess they're just a part of life. It might be time for you to get that thing out of your house. Maybe gift it to someone. Release it with love!

[@mnsusan7281]

Fairly new viewer here. After watching your review of the Ashford ball winder, I did a search for other reviews. One I found by Sally Ridgway had the same complaint as you. However, she said she re-read the instructions and they said that the yarn had to be fed at a 45-degree angle, after which she had few problems. I watched your unboxing video and it looked like the yarn was more like straight on and definitely not at 45 degrees. Sally got a clamp that had a little spot where she could feed the yarn down from the swift to the table and then back up to the ball winder. Is this something you have tried? Might be worth a shot.

[@knittingnana2939]

I have knitted for 60 years and just recently purchased a ball winder-which I use very occasionally. I have never had a swift.

[@wendibtz64]

I’m curious if you contacted Ashford to try and return your electric ball winder. I would think they’d rather accept the return rather than have a big negative review.

[@rockstarkate78]

I love seeing my sweater in progress... gotta admit I just throw it over the back of a chair haha! Works well for me to get that "oh yeah, I should be working on that" feeling

[@ElisandeWalters]

(consider roughing teh surface of the wood for the posh yarnwinder? like with a very fine sand paper, OR, even just tak eof the "finish" of the wood on that part?)

[@ceydaer]

I recently bought a spinning yarn holder (a wooden one) and it is quickly becoming one of my favourite tools, especially because I live in a tiny house and don’t have any space for baskets to hold my yarn while I’m knitting it. It even holds two yarns at a time so it’s great when I’m knitting with mohair and wool.

[@katpraeuner9794]

I've been drooling over those as well.... space being an issue here and I already have 2 yarn bowls. Just haven't justified it yet....lol

[@drumpointer]

Did you get rid of the Ashford ball winder? Stupid question-why didn’t you return it?

[@JustWriter]

I'm with you on the storage, not necessarily on displaying it. If I was stranded on a deserted island, I would need a Bible (always my number 1), someone else to make yarn for me (2), a friend/companion (3), an ally (4), and the imagination God has already given me (5). But, since God is the God Who provides for me, heals/restores me, and sees me, I wouldn't be trapped there too long. Tools are easy to improvise or work around. I couldn't very easily or even hardly replicate those things on my list.

[@annfuller7082]

If I am remembering correctly, Natalie of Knitty Natty suggested a rubber band around the ball winder for slippery yarn. I have an Amish style swift that works very well, too. I love my Stanwood! Thanks, great podcast!

[@cortneyrobinson1019]

I was thinking of using sand paper to add a little grip.

[@easterslice]

@@cortneyrobinson1019 Funny. I was thinking exactly the same thing. Or it could be some kind of flat rubber material, cut to fit just around the shaft.

[@MyParamedicAfterLife]

😀 love your reaction to the electric winder. I wouldn’t ever part with my Chiaogoo collection, but I’d gladly give up the Addi needles I have.

[@NinaKeilin]

I’m the opposite. For me Addi beats Chiaaogoo any day.

[@kristinm3729]

I actually gave away all of my Addi needles (I had many - they were my first foray into needles). I loathed the cables and I didn't much love the tips either. And they were so expensive.

[@loispatrick2594]

I bought a knitpicks ball winder years ago and didn't really use it as I found I didn't get good winding with anyone holding the yarn for me. Last year I purchased a very cheap swift and also actually watched a tutorial of how to wind a ball. Let me tell you..... total game changer! I now run the yarn just over my finger as it comes off the swift to as a bit of tension and it works great! My only problem is that if I want to wind bigger balls with more yardage, ie laceweight or Wollmeise 4ply then I definitely need to get a jumbo winder. I'll probably get another knitpicks one if they have jumbo ones (I haven't looked yet) as the one I have atm works well. With your Ashford electric winder, would putting wax or some masking tape on the stick/pole of your winder help do you think? You didn't mention any other issues so I don't know if you've t tried other things or not and they still don't work. You could also sand the polish or varnish off to make it bare wood.... that might increase the grip better as well. Good luck and happy winding 😀

[@theblacksheepknitter]

OMGGGGGGGGGGGG 🤣 "I need to burn sage or something..." This was a fantastic episode! I have been pining for that electric ball winder for two years so thank you for talking me down with this review. I am sorry that you're stuck with it though :( For me a ball winder and swift are high up there. I too prefer non interchangeable needles ! I just like having it be self contained without the bits and bobs to tighten them. But I will say that I'd swap stitch markers for Gladys. People always say you can use anything but no. I prefer that smooth metal to a hair tie or twist tie or rubber band any day! 😂 And finally stitch stoppers / tips. I knit loose enough that my stitches will work their way off the needles without a roadblock!

[@isabellemeunier9486]

One of my favourite tool must be actually (beside my interchangeable needles set) the thing that helps you get the tread into the knitting needle. Not sure what is the name in English (enfileur in French ) but I just love it so much! I have only one and would never want to loose it or I would go immediately get a new one.

[@a.b.7932]

I love that tool! I own two but left my favorite one at my parents’ home. I only have my flimsy one now that doesn’t work as well. But they are so useful!

[@yojeffschott]

Haha! We just saw Tayler's swift.

[@uschiott2146]

Hey, This was great. For me the essential tools are: my interchangeables and some sets of DPN's, various crochet hooks, my Tapestry Needles and a pair of scissors. The swift and a ball winder are on my list, because I think they really make a difference, although I like winding the balls by hand for the extra time with my yarn. Happy knitting and crafting, Uschi

[@topstitchgirl]

After years of frustration with the classic cheap plastic ball winder, I got the ball winder you have (from another brand) and am very very happy with it. I've had an umbrella swift attached to my counter for years that has been working great. A knitting "tool" that I can't live without is an Excel speeadsheet that has formulas for all kinds of knitting related numbers. It just told me that the sweater I'm knitting is going to be smaller than I want based on my gauge so to the frog pond it went.

[@wilmer4258]

Spread shee??? Do fell More Please!!

[@lainieepstein7753]

Yes, ball winder, swift and yarn storage. Love my interchangeable needles in addition to fixed circulars. I'm a magic looper so like the versatility of cord length options and stoppers to hold a project on the cord while I use the needles for something else. Barber cords have been a game changer and timesaver. Stitches slip on and off for sleeve stitches and trying on top-down sweaters are great!

[@megcarr3126]

Mine is definitely my hyiahyia sharp interchangeable set of needles, my yarn swift and ball winder. My other favourite things that I love are my sock ruler and my bulb stitch markers, which I use for progress keepers, regular stitch markers to mark out pattern repeats in my needles, also to mark my decreases on anything! 😁

[@mcoknits856]

I love my Nancy’s Knitnacks wooden (manual) ball winder. Seen your video, I’m glad I did not spring for the electric version which was at the time I got my ball wonder about 10 years ago. I’ve tried many swifts and now I have the same swift that you have i.e. the Knitpicks wooden umbrella swift and it is the best one I have tried. Although I’ve never had a moth problem, the climate in Toronto Which makes me fear them so I keep my yarn in open Ikea containers stored with cedar pieces on shelves in a cupboard. I can open the cupboard doors and admire my yarn which is organized by color.

[@sunrhyze]

"I need to burn sage." 🤣🤣 I have three sets of interchangeables but also find myself reaching for a fixed ChiaoGoo more often than anything else, especially for magic loop. I'm thinking I'd like to upgrade to a Stanwood winder from my cheap plastic Knitpicks gadget. I must be a rebel (or I just got a lemon) because I absolutely hate my umbrella swift. If I had a fireplace I'd use it for kindling. I use an Amish style swift that sits right on the table (no clamping), is as smooth as silk, and in a few seconds I can take it apart and store it flat. On a side note, the Frankensweater is reminding me of cookie dough ice cream, but I don't know if there's a name in there somewhere.

[@therealnancysteele]

I purchased an Ashford electric ball winder too and I agree with you.

[@resourcedragon]

It's astonishing that two people could have the same hobby and have so little equipment in common! My needles are all straight (there's a virgin circular needle lurking in the collection somewhere) - although, like you, I do have some duplicates. Some duplicates were purchased when I was on holiday and didn't have the right sizes with me, others were purchased because I wasn't sure whether I had that size or not. One pair of really fine ones was purchased because they can be quite hard to obtain but I use them a lot, so I wanted spares. My needles live in a robust bag. If I want more needles, I've inherited my mother's collection, hers are in a box that had a roll of scented paper in it. I live in a part of the world where moths eat anything and everything, so my stash has to be kept airtight. If I have a hank I drape it over my knees and get a lot of exercise physically winding it into a ball. Nothing like doing a decent quantity of a fine two ply where you're winding the best part of a mile of wool. (See comment above about the fine needles - that's what they get used for!) I try to be disciplined and only do one project at a time to prevent the problem of multiple projects languishing. So, my must-have knitting kit items: * crochet hooks - great for fixing mistakes * wool needles - a back, a front and two sleeves don't become a jumper until they are all assembled. Wool needles can double as cable needles in an emergency * gauge - for converting between sizes or working out what size a pair of needles is if the numbers have worn off them. All right, some of my needles are old. * lamp with a magnifying glass. My eyesight is crap, so I need the light and magnification for those crochet-hook moments - see above.

[@sarahcrooks6780]

I finish one project before moving on to another, too. Mainly it's because I'm afraid that if I put one project down to start a second, the original one will never be finished.

[@lioconnor24]

Thank you for the video! I just got a winder and swift and was worried I shouldnt have! Happier now that I’ve seen this. Also my one thing I couldn’t do without is my binder with zipped plastic pouches that I like to keep my needles in 😂, I can just flick through and see what sizes I have haha.

[@odemkowicz]

I use a day planner! I replaced all the paper pages with the see through plastic zipper pouches, its been a great portable needle case.

[@sunrhyze]

I put all my needles inside see-through plastic "envelopes" inside two binders (one for circs, the other for DPNs) when Kevin (Needles at the Ready) showed us his system. Then he and Ray went and got all fancy with some expensive leather cases, but I'm sticking with my binders. I think Tayler's circ collection is multipurpose, though, because she could hang it out on her front porch as a wind chime. 🙂

[@caraxkins]

My yarn hutch is a china cabinet from Facebook marketplace ☺️. Highly recommend!

[@lizblock9593]

Gonna go outside the box and say my favorite tool is my laptop so I can watch KZbin, movies, and other stuff to keep my mind entertained while my fingers do the work.

[@simsamsammie]

I've seen a couple people fit a handheld power drill in place of the handle on their manual ballwinder and I think its genius. Gives you more control over the speed of the winder and is inexpensive if you already have a drill

[@ileneklayman3440]

I have all these items! Except my ball winder is that off white and red one works like a charm have had it at least 10 years never a problem. I have an inexpensive set of circular(I think they cost me $10.00) from when I first start knitting they are wood with plastic "cables". They are great to have around I do use them from time to time. No one could take my Chiagoo interchangeable needles from me. I have one main set, then I ordered the shorties for sock knitting and this year I bought the new shorties the yellow and the blue! package. I don't do magic loop. I also have bamboo DPN's I bought of Amazon. At the age of 4 I started crochet(I am 60) just started knitting 3 years ago, self taught from KZbin.

[@noelleparris9451]

I love the midweek rambles. And I agree with you about the ball winder. When I have some time (or am procrastinating), I pull a skein out of the stash and get to work. I love having cakes: the look, the center pull, the uniformity of them. I don't have a swift (yes, I use a chairback), but maybe one day I'll get one. For now, I'm happy with my process. I just got a set of ChiaoGoo interchangeables, and I am thrilled. I don't know what I couldn't live without.... probably my books, I have a wonderful library of knitting/crocheting/weaving books, and they provide all kinds of help and inspiration as I learn.

[@loonybinreject]

Cube shaped wooden interchangable circular knitting needles. I had to give up knitting for a few years due to my joints and joint pain. I tried picking it up again with these new needles and haven't stopped since. Circulars seem to need less movement anyways so are better but I have tried lots of different types and these cube ones are amazing.

[@barbarabruce6412]

Are you familiar with the hanging needle holder sold by “the Circular Solution”? I think you might like it better than your current skirt hanger needle holder. Love mine!

[@margali666]

An idea for your luxury ballwinder. When it is too slippery, perhaps you could try to sand a thin line down the length of the peg for yarn to hold onto? Or try a strip of washi tape first? That could help, too.

[@charlaine8235]

Since discovering Barber cords this item makes my knitting life easier, I absolutely love them!

[@cathryncampbell8555]

Yes! Barber cords are a game-changer for me, too. No more agonizing when picking up stitches from provisional cast-ons.

[@judyfick2967]

My favorite tool is my gram scale...I am constantly playing yarn chicken and it really helps budget the last bits of yarn

[@Ampharb]

I love my scale too. Bought it at a marijuana dispensary. No one believed I was going to use it to weigh wool. Now if I‘m making booties or mittens from yarn scraps, I know for sure after knitting the first if I‘ll have enough wool for the second of the pair.

[@judyfick2967]

@@Ampharb exactly! You can really plan!

[@kellybodie6022]

I have to say my Chiagoo interchangeable needle set is my best purchase. I have been knitting since i was 7 and now at 60 it is a life changer. Having travelled everywhere with my bulky needle roll with all my long needles and dpns this just seems magical! I am going to purchase the ball winder you suggest though as mine makes yarn barf constantly.

[@AnneluvsKatz]

I just got that Stanwood ball winder within the last month and absolutely love the thing! And I got it for half price! What a great purchase!

[@verylikecheryl]

Could you pop a few elastic bands or some gaffer tape or something around the shaft of your e winder to make it more grippy? Condom anyone? 😂😂😂

[@jeanscully8511]

Lol a ribbed one! 😂😂😂

[@odemkowicz]

They do make a non slip spray that could also work.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

The innuendos in this episode were off the chain. 😂

[@GELY3161]

Maybe sanding it down a bit taking off some of the top coat would make it less smooth.

[@estherdigianvittorio5279]

Great episode.I am not one for gadgets but I absolutely love my Knitting Barber silicone cords. Why would you need 2 swifts, Love your podcasts.

[@coolsteven2]

Loved the list; part of the reason I went to go get a winder and swift. I've just hand wound everything but I guess it's time to save myself some time and effort. However, after knitting (and crocheting) for a while, my sets of interchangeable and DPNS were major game changers (especially if you get them in the material you most like)! It gives you a lot more flexibility if you need to adjust your gauge or you want more or less wire length. It also removes the question of whether or not you have the right equipment to start a project. Slight underrated tools I'd suggest is pen/pencil and a notebook or a copy of the pattern you can write notes on.

[@IamVel]

I am happy I started my knitting adventure with interchangeable Chiagoo right away when I decided to learn knitting again. It is very convenient and really help to economise space. :) Just learned the magic loop technique together with learning how to knit socks, and it was fun! Did not knit two together because I used 3 different yarns for the socks, and it would be too much to manage on one knit (6 yarns), but the result is great. Always were terrified of the 5-needles socks knitting arrangement, tried it many years ago when I was 14ish, and thought I will never touch any knitting. And here I am. So, the right tools are important.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

You're absolutely right! The right tools are so important for keeping the craft together and workable for us. I'm a firm believer in that. Thank you so much for watching. ❤️

[@abe5849]

I can’t knit without my knitting journal, which I use to keep track of what row I’m on and also any notes about my project. I don’t like the clicker row counters, they have never worked for me. My name suggestion for your sweater is the Frankie Sweater.

[@elizabeth4053]

Got a yarn winder and that swift for Christmas for myself. I use mine to frog expensive thrifted sweaters! I love them!

[@solangethompson4251]

I'm from NZ and horrified at the price of that ball winder- my Knit pro hand winder has similar issues- it's so slippery. I love your yarn storage- I want to display mine better now - thanks for another informative, fun episode.

[@marybethirwin9684]

As I am working my way through the TKGA Master's Program, I have come to appreciate a rigid, clear lucite ruler, straight pins with ball heads on a magnetic holder, and blocking matts with grid lines. Swatching and blocking are essential, and having the proper tools for blocking and measuring allows you to get the most out of the added effort it takes. :)

[@KimClinger]

I have considered (the)TKGA master knitter program. I hear it can be frustrating to knit what you think is a perfect swatch, and get it back with all of the notes. Still, I’m looking to learn, so I would probably appreciate it. Good Luck to you!

[@marybethirwin9684]

@@KimClinger The program is rigorous for sure, but I have learned so much. I would say it is not for everyone because it entails research and knitting things you may not be interested in (to demonstrate mastery of a concept or skill). I do feel I have become a much better knitter. It is humbling but rewarding!

[@apippin774]

Sell your electric ball winder on eBay, even at a hundred dollar discount at least its out of the house and the money can buy yarn!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Seriously considering it. ❤️

[@maryfoster5189]

My Chioagu interchangeable needles! I also like my digital food scale

[@bonnielundholm5535]

I couldn't live without my Chiao Goo interchangeable set.

[@JenYasha]

I got the Stanwood ball winder for Christmas, it is a bit noisy, scared both my cat and my parents (Till they figured out what the sound was, lol)

[@145iamveruca1]

I purchased a ball winder years ago for my MIL who is a wonderful woman and crochets. I am a simple crafter but find myself owning a basket full of yarn skeins. I finally purchased my own winder and love it.

[@nefraial]

One more comment. Although not essential, I'm thinking of getting one of those small scales people use to weigh their yarn. It is a great idea for wanting to know if there is enough left on the ball for another row. Weighing before and after knitting a row. Also for knowing how much yarn is left in stash.

[@rachelmitchell2144]

Oh man. This episode was so useful and unexpectedly, hilarious! First off, I’ve been on the fence about a swift and ball winder, and your recommendation definitely swayed me… especially the reminder that if you forgo a few skeins of yarn one month you can use that money towards the Swift and ball winder. Seems simple enough, but sometimes we need that reminder. 🤣 I laughed out loud when I saw the contraption that you had all of your circular needles on…. And man the way it kept chiming, and moving around as you tried to explain. It felt like it had a life of its own. Just hysterical. Points for creativity and a definite practical use of one of those pant/skirt hangers! I have a box that I got as a gift but I haven’t actually organized everything in there yet. We’ll see how it goes. I might end up using a hanger too. The labeled Ziploc bags I was using were driving me nuts….😂 Loved the Ashford review. Could feel that buyer’s remorse! You can tell it still hits a nerve. It would me too! $550 is absolutely obscene for it not to work seamlessly every single time. A marvelous video as usual. Thank you for the knitty rambles. You are one of my favorite YT knitters. I always walk away with having learned something new and inspired to pick up my needles. 💚🧶😁

[@karen2015]

My husband (before he was my husband) held my yarn for me ONE TIME and then bought me a swift. :)

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

LOL. Been there. 😉 ❤️

[@LongHairCarolyn]

That e-ballwinder is more expensive than the spinning wheel I got from the same company! (Okay, that was many years ago, it's probably more now)

[@planitsouthern3506]

Definitely my fiber artist supply ball winder, knit picks swift, my chaigoo interchangeables, my stitch markers, my measuring tape, and my iPad! I use GoodNotes for my patterns

[@katpraeuner9794]

the last 3 for me! I recently got an Ipad and love it. I use knit companion as I was using it before on my kindle but didn't have the writing ability. I use stitch markers all the time and have a measuring tape in my little bowl of odd things I need.

[@planitsouthern3506]

@@katpraeuner9794 I tried knit companion once or twice but never got the hang of it. I use GoodNotes more and love that I can mark up my patterns and erase them as well. Stitch markers and notions are all over my house 😂

[@aknitlife]

Hi Taylor: I started and love my Clover bamboo circular fixed needles! I since bought a set of Chiagoo interchangeable needles after knitting with a 9” circular needles for socks. While the set is great, I find that sometimes the interchangeable tips comes loose with 300 plus stitches in the needles to be annoying. The metal tips is rather slippery and as a result my tension is not as neat as with bamboo fixed circular needles. I have a cheaper version of your brand ball winder which is ok. However the swift is awful. It is made with cheap raffia that’s always coming undone. I have to tie it back and continue winding. I am thinking of changing the raffia with new ones or with kitchen twine. The swift’s constant falling apart is messing up my cakes and I end up with mess and tangles which I have to spend a lot of time to untangle! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thanks got sharing, love your podcast! ❤❤

[@chrissy24-7]

I adore my row counters, neck light, and knit picks Caspian interchangeables!

[@deboraharmstrong3002]

About the Swift ... The Umbrella Swift is good for most skeins, usually a 2 yd loop.... If you have one of the really HUGE skeins, you need a Squirrel Cage Swift

[@mollymollie6048]

Pry out of my cold dead hands: 1) My Knitters Pride Karbonz interchangeable needles, and all the fixed ones; 2) my OG Knit Picks interchangeable laminated birch interchangeable needles and fixed ones (not the 2.0 version that happened when Knitters Pride bought the factory or whatever, take those…please.) 3) My sock yarn stash…I need lots of socks…need (not a notion, but you can’t have it, regardless. 4) My ‘go to’ reference on how to do everything books…one is small and portable and 20 years old and I can’t remember the title, other is a 20 year old Vogue Knitting Bible book. 5) Yarn winder and swift…even tho they’re really cheap and dinky, and they need upgraded…okay, take them…force me to knuckle down and get a decent one of each, at least the swift. (Checking Knit Picks right now to see if they have a sale…) 6) My Knit Kit little ‘travels with you and has a counter, yarn cutter, tape measure, crochet hook, needle gauge measure, and under that holds knit markers. It was about $20 when it came out…I got two…and they go with every traveling project. All of this is put into an oval ½ in deep, 3 in diameter little engineering marvel. They stopped making them for some unknown reason. These two will be pried out of my cold dead hands!

[@shawnkimadopting]

I, likewise, wouldn't give up my winder and swift, although I'd love to upgrade from my KnitPicks ball winder. It does the job, but could be better. Things I wouldn't give up would also include my around-the-neck reading light. It's particularly wonderful when using darker yarn. Also, my yarn bowl. I got a ceramic one for Christmas (my first one) and am shocked at how much nicer it makes working with balls and cakes. In fact, I like it so much I've ordered a custom 2-compartment one from the artist to make TAAT socks a little easier.

[@not2old2bcrafty]

I have a ball winder and swift, which I will not part with. I would like to have all 3 the others you talked about - especially Gladys made a huge impression on me. When looking at your Amazon list, I really covet the portable spin dryer and the little knitting mill for making i-cord (something that I need TODAY!

[@emilycreager2269]

Ya know Tayler, you're probably right. I probably could afford a swift with how much I spend on yarn... Really good perspective on that!

[@lichenandmossfibre]

Lived without a swift for waaayy too long and now cannot live without the chiaogoo "amish style" swift. It breaks down to almost nothing which with little to no space is a life saver!

[@robinwhite-underwood467]

Great video! I love my ball winder from Knit Picks; it was a gift from my non-knitting daughter. And I don't know how I managed without my swift! But gosh, picking out just a couple more things? I'll try... My interchangeable needles from Knit Picks, with the square-shaped needles are my favorite set. Sadly, the 6 and the 7 have both broken: one should not sit on one's knitting. I keep all of my dpns in a lovely fabric roll from Etsy; best storage buy ever. Finally, stitch markers: my short-term memory is now so short that if a snail crawled over it, it would not even be a speed bump. I need my stitch markers, and my favorite set are these little gold-tone loops, probably jewelry findings, with a tiny glass bead over the join. I use these markers all the time, and I must have a dozen different sets, and probably over a hundred markers, total. Your yarn storage shelving unit is just lovely, btw!

[@christielamb2894]

I've been on the fence about a winder and swift. Basically because my pocketbook doesn't accommodate those beautiful, drool worthy hanks of yarn on a regular basis. My skeins get balled by hand when I'm going to use them unless I'm working from a one pounder. I have a good collection of circular needles too but, in various lengths. I've only just started trying the looper technique and collecting longer circulars. I found out that I just can not use single point needles over 7". They're just too heavy when loaded and get caught in my shirt sleeves. Since discovering circulars, I only use 7" SPN's for scarves or small flat items. Circulars are just my go to now. I do love my DPN's too for starting baby blankets that are worked in the round, fingerless mitts, baby booties and other baby items. However, once I get to a point where I'm comfortable to switch to circulars I usually do if I have the size available at the time. Lol! I can't live without my notions bag. It holds my folding scissors, red Clover row counter, stitch markers (ring, locking and split ring), yarn darning needles, pen, small notebook, unwaxed dental floss (great for life lines and small so it fits in the bag nicely plus removes easily too), Emory boards (for hang nails and rough spots or dull points on my Clover bamboo needles). That's all my faves that I can think of at the moment but, I'm sure there's more as I'm a crocheter too. Love the video and I just subscribed! ✌️💜🧶

[@helenvann3506]

I’d hand over my fixed circulars before anyone could take my Knitpro interchangeables

[@ExitSiign]

We have the exact same ball winder. ❤ agree on the swift. I think the cheap umbrella one is just okay if you don’t use that many hanks but they do tend get spinning too fast sometimes so the nicer swift would be a good investment long term. Stitch markers are another one I had to buy recently. I didn’t really like the idea of the little paper clip bulbs until I started a sock and my crochet stitch markers were too thick. I have all the sizes of crochet hooks lurking about but those are helpful for fixing dropped stitches. Maybe another thing is cables for the interchangeable set that freely swivel.

[@irishknitter17]

I do not have such tools . My knitting needles. Especially my Prym circular knitting needles, Chiao(spelling stinks), my little pouches with measuring tape, scissors, cable needles, and scissors. And i wind my yarn on the tubes taken from aluminum foil. I make them into top pull yarn winders. My felted bag I made. Yep that’s it!

[@ccsullivan9164]

A knit picks digital scale. At first I thought I was being overindulgent (I had bought lace weight cashmere on a cone and needed to ball/cake it for multiple projects) but started weighing a lot of my stash. I was shocked to find how many brands were less than the 50 grams as stated. Sometimes as much as 15-20% fewer grams. The #1 culprit? Rowan. The scale also helps prevent nail biting when it comes to sock knitting!

[@cynthiaakacyndsmith6539]

I just subscribed, I love knitting I have been knitting has been since about 1965.. No I am not good it has been hit am miss for me. I enjoy it but I feel I am a beginning knitter most times. I love making socks and do the toe up, two at a time. I hate the lonely sock thing. I do have a winder and a swift. I have fought with yarns way too much. I got mine about 6 years ago for an anniversary gift from my Mr. Cho GUI? (Spelling?). The red cable needles. I adore… they are the best in my mind. WOW!! $550…. Eegads!! Ashford spinning wheels are lovely. Thank you for sharing your fun…. I love the swift and winder for certain. And the cabled needles.. those are my favorites.

[@rk8711]

Suggestion to (maybe) salvage your e-winder - I'm wondering if it would help to put something tacky or rubbery on it to get the yarn to hold a little better. Like a (nonlubricated) condom. Seriously, that was the first thing that came to mind 😆. IDK, just a thought.