Yarn and knitting needles are by far the most important tools for any knitter, but you do need a couple more things if your knitting project is going to be successful.
Scissors
In order to cut the excess yarn from your project, you need a pair of scissors. You can buy a special pair of crafting scissors if you want, or just a pair of school scissors.
Either way, leave these scissors where you normally do your knitting or in your knitting bag, because you never know when you might need them.
Sewing Needles
Sewing needles are helpful for weaving in the ends of your knitting project and for sewing together pieces of a garment, such as putting the arms on a sweater.
You can find needles suitable for working with yarn in plastic and metal. Either is fine, though plastic is preferred if you're knitting with children or the accident-prone.
Make sure you buy needles with large eyes so the yarn can easily pass through them. A needle threader might also be a handy addition to your knitting tool collection.
Crochet Hooks
Why do knitters need crochet hooks? Sometimes a crocheted border on a knitted garment is a very nice touch, but crochet hooks can come in handy even for those who don't know a single crochet from a French knot.
If the ends of your yarn are to short to be woven in with a sewing needle, a crochet hook is an invaluable tool. The size of the hook you buy doesn't matter that much, but it should be large enough to be compatible with a range of yarn thicknesses. I find a size G or H to be good for most weights of yarn and easy to use for someone who couldn't crochet if her life depended on it.
Armed with these simple tools you can easily complete your first knitted project. Of course there are many more tools for knitters out there, but these basics will get you through simple projects with ease. Happy shopping!
