What Are Your Knitting Bag Must-Haves?
Tuesday July 7, 2009
For the most part I insist on a tape measure, scissors and a crochet hook for fixing mistakes, but I know there are people who pack a lot heavier when they take their knitting out of the house.
Check as many of the items as apply to you when you take your knitting on the go; unfortunately I can only have 10 choices, so if you always carry something else I haven't mentioned, click the last one and let us know about it in the comments.
Comments
I have a little knitting kit that I carry when I’m seriously traveling that contains most of the items you listed, as well a couple of don’t leave without them knitting books (Knitter’s Almanac and Knitting Rules) to advise and inspire me. But, for routine everyday leaving the house with my knitting, I just grab the project(s) I’m working on and go.
Safety pins, for easily removed stitch markers (and they’re useful to hold dropped stitches, stitches set aside for later in the project, etc.), and chocolate for when something goes wrong and I just need to think about something else and relax for a while.
I carry Post-It “arrows” that I use to keep track of where I am on the pattern sheet. These have become invaluable. I also carry regular Post-Its to write notes to myself instead of writing all over my pattern sheet.
A small cosmetic case holds tylenol, bandaids, cough drops, antacids, a granola bar, and an extra writing pen. I usually place my wallet and cell phone in my bag when I go to knitting group; space is limited and I just lock my purse in the trunk to avoid having one more thing to carry inside.
I carry the larger, lined post-it notes and a pen to keep track of anything that comes up or things to keep in mind while knitting the current project.
The only other item I carry which has not yet been mentioned is a small tube of hand lotion. I hate when my beautiful yarn snags on my dry skin! Gardening and housework and correcting papers are all hard on my hands.
I usually carry everything listed plus a #2 pencil (never a pen) for note taking and a group of colored pencils to mark stitches to watch for on my pattern. Also in my bag is a tube of non-greasy hand lotion, a small calculator and a picture of my 10-year old granddaughter learning to knit. She’s precious.
I never leave home without my pattern.
I carry several of the things you listed plus a pencil.
Thanks Lynne I think I will try the postit arrows .That is a great idea.
I always carry a needlegauge (combined needle size gauge and 2″ measure for gauge calculations). I fly a lot, so scissors aren’t in my kit but nail clippers are. Also, my sewing-up needle is always plastic.
All of the above plus a nail file. Hate having a rough nail snagging my yarn!
Yes, that’s a good idea. And nailfiles are good for dealing with rough wooden or bamboo needles, which I use a lot during my travels.
I keep all the little things in an Altoids tin that also includes a needle threader – useful when the yarn is hard to thread into the yarn needle. Also carry a tiny flashlight and a small magnifying glass in addition to all of the other things that have been mentioned by others! I knit on the go a lot!
I keep a gull wing cable needle in mine, and now travel with some of the see-through highlighter tape. It’s not just for charts, but for some of those patterns where even in the print you can lose your place easily.
Aside from my project and pattern, I have a few must-bring items. I have a little mesh zip pouch (about 6.5″x3.5″) where I keep folding scissors, a crochet hook, a 6″ ruler, little post-its (about 1″x2″) and a small tin (about altoids sized)that has stitch/row markers, stitch holders, darning needle and cable needle. Depending on what I’m working on, I may also slip in a tape measure and/or row counter. It’s a lot of stuff, but it’s very compact! If I’m taking multiple projects or a longer trip, I also bring my interchangable needles in their case (with six sizes of DP sock needles tucked in the back). Lately, I’ve started slipping a KnitKit (sort of a palm-sized swiss army knife for knitters) into my briefcase or purse with my latest WIP.
What an extra pair of cheaters for us 40+ folks? Sometimes the bifocals work and sometimes not. Thanks for all the great suggestions.
I always carry a backup project and a scrap ball of yarn and needles with a swatch on it. I have found that a lot of times i will meet someone that wants to learn or needs help with a pattern st and I can use the scrap swatch to help show them how or help figure out the st they are haveing trouble with without upsetting the pattern I am working on.
I have gained new friends this way.
And there is nothing I like more than to teach or help someone learn wether it be knit or crochet.
Amongst my must-haves, I also have 20 differing lengths of wool from special projects past all in a tiny plastic ziplock bag in my knitting zipper purse … handy for indicating the right side of work, the start row of a pattern, and when knitting in the round each side 2P ridge. But they also provide the most wonderful visual memories!
I carry all that you mentioned plus nail clippers, cable needles, pen, pencil, small pics of grandkids, safety pins, needle stoppers, stitch holders, needle threader, extra lead for my pencil and several different sizes of crochet hooks.