Everything You Need in a Knitting Toolkit

Here are some handy tools that every knitter should have at her or his disposal. Why not get them miniature sized and store them all in a travel case for convenience?

Cable hook

Used to hold stitches aside and work later to cross one group of stitches over another. There are different types of cable hooks, shown above, and it all depends upon your preference. I prefer the J Hook (in blue), though I've found the Bird's Wing Hook (in purple) just as easy to use. 

For the daring out there, check out this tutorial to show you how to makes cables without a cable hook. It only works if you're holding aside two or three stitches maximum.

Stitch markers

Placed in between two live stitches on the needle and used to mark specific points in your row or round. Especially helpful to mark between the first and last stitches when working in the round.

Measuring tape

Keep track of how long your piece is. Hat and sock patterns often call for you to work "X inches" from the beginning, and guestimating inches usually never turns out well. The smaller cloth measuring tapes are the most convenient for easy transport.

Crochet hook

Why have a crochet hook in a knitting toolkit? Pick up any dropped stitches with crochet hooks, as demonstrated here. Finish your piece and hide yarn ends by hooking them through your work. A size H hook is a good universal size.

Knitting needle caps

Put these stoppers on the tips of your needles holding a work in progress to prevent any stitches (or the whole piece!) from slipping off. Very useful for travel.

Sewing needle

Always handy to hide yarn ends.

Counter

Put this counter on your needle and keep track of how many rows you work. Convenient when following patterns and making socks to make sure both socks have the same amount of rows worked.

Gauge

Check the size of your needles. Some even have a chart detailing what needle size is appropriate for different types of yarn.

Stitch holder

Holds a section of stitches aside to be worked later. A stitch holder is different from a cable hook because the former is meant to hold aside larger sections of live stitches. It is most commonly used to make a thumb gusset in gloves or mittens.

Scissors

Need I explain their use? The smaller, the better, to take up less space in your travel kit.

Scrap Yarn

There are many uses for scrap yarn so it's always good to save your yarn ends (even a few inches). For smaller projects like socks, you only need a few inches of scrap yarn to use the provisional cast on method. Also, some people prefer tying scrap yarn around the needle and in between live stitches as a stitch marker because it does not get in the way as much as the harder, plastic stitch markers.

Now go out and make your knitting toolkits!