Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
Knitting is a wonderfully relaxing and rewarding hobby, but starting can feel a little overwhelming with so many different supplies available.
If you’re new to knitting, knowing which tools you need (and which ones can wait) makes all the difference.
This guide will walk you through the must-have knitting supplies for beginners, helping you start your first project with confidence.
Besides needles and yarn, a few accessories will make your knitting journey smoother.
A small, sharp pair is best for cutting yarn cleanly.
Also called darning needles, these help you weave in ends and sew pieces together.
Small rings or clips that help track pattern changes, especially useful for beginners.
Ensures your project stays the right size, especially for garments.
These are simple but essential tools that you’ll use in almost every knitting project.
Visit Knit in a Box to view versatile kits for every knitter.
Knitting needles are the foundation of your craft, so it’s important to pick the right ones.
As a beginner, you’ll want to focus on options that are easy to handle and work well with simple patterns.
Best for flat knitting, such as scarves and dishcloths. They come in pairs and are a great starting point.
These have a flexible cable connecting two needles, making them ideal for knitting in the round or handling large projects like blankets.
Typically used for knitting small, seamless items like socks and hats. These require a bit more experience to manage.
Lightweight, warm to the touch, and great for beginners because they provide a bit of grip, helping to prevent stitches from slipping.
Smooth and fast, perfect for speed knitting, but they can be slippery for beginners.
A budget-friendly option, though not as durable or comfortable as other materials.
Needle size matters because it affects stitch size and tension.
Most beginner-friendly patterns recommend 4mm–5.5mm needles (UK size 8–5), as they work well with medium-weight yarns and are easy to handle.
Always check your pattern for the recommended needle size.
With so many colours, textures, and fibre types available, choosing yarn can be exciting but also a little confusing.
Here’s what to look for when selecting yarn as a beginner.
Yarn comes in different thicknesses, known as weights.
The most beginner-friendly weight is “Aran” or “DK” (double knitting) because it’s easy to work with, not too thin, and gives good stitch definition.
Super chunky yarns are also great for quick projects but can be harder to manoeuvre.
Affordable, widely available, and easy to care for – a great choice for practising stitches.
Warm and slightly stretchy, making it forgiving for beginners, but requires more care when washing.
Strong and durable, ideal for dishcloths and summer knits, though it has less stretch, which can make it tricky for new knitters.
A yarn label contains essential information, including:
When in doubt, choose a medium-weight acrylic or wool blend yarn in a light colour – darker colours can make it harder to see stitches.
Are you wondering whether getting a knitting subscription is worth the hype?
First, know that this is something you can try and cancel whenever you like. When you pay on a month-to-month basis, this allows you to adjust your subscription.
So, if you’re a keen knitter, this can be a box that you try out and see if you like it.
If you’re not yet convinced about getting a subscription box, let’s take a closer look at why so many people think they’re great.
If you’re always knitting, you’re going to get to the stage where you struggle to get new patterns. You’ve done everything that your local store provides.
Well, this is where a subscription comes in. The companies do their best to provide unique boxes, which means different patterns every month.
It can be a great way to get something that you’ve never done before and that you can’t easily get in stores.
Knitting is supposed to be something fun. If you want to keep the energy alive, you need to find a way to make it exciting. This is exactly what a subscription box can do.
It gives you something to look forward to every month and you can’t wait to see what’s been sent to you. Some boxes will give you a sneak peak while others are a complete surprise.
If you have a busy schedule, you don’t have time to go out and get all of the knitting materials you need. Well, when you have a subscription box, you don’t have to.
They’re delivered to your door on a certain date each month, which means you know when they’re arriving. It’s easy and convenient to have everything you need for a project.
Starting your knitting journey is much easier when you have the right supplies.
A good pair of needles, beginner-friendly yarn, and a few essential tools will set you up for success.
As you gain confidence, you can explore different materials and upgrade your accessories.
Whether you’re making a simple scarf or working towards bigger projects, knitting is a fun and rewarding skill that only gets better with practice.
What are you planning to knit first?
