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On the topic of financial accessibility in knitting, here's a thread with some tricks for knitting on the cheap that I've picked up over the years, paired with links to higher-priced products from small businesses, for those who do have the money to spend. #NoShame #SkintVsMint
Stitch markers
SKINT: There are tons of things you can use, e.g.
- cross-sections of straws
- your kids' old Rainbow Loom elastics
- safety pins
- slip knots in scrap bits of yarn
MINT: Check out these hand-sculpted stitch markers: https://whitneymarieanderson.com/collections/stitch-markers-and-charms
SKINT: There are tons of things you can use, e.g.
- cross-sections of straws
- your kids' old Rainbow Loom elastics
- safety pins
- slip knots in scrap bits of yarn
MINT: Check out these hand-sculpted stitch markers: https://whitneymarieanderson.com/collections/stitch-markers-and-charms
Yarn bobbins
SKINT:
- those little tabs that close up bread bags work great for thin yarns
- a Google search for 'make yarn butterfly' will yield tutorials for how to hand-wind good bobbins
MINT: I found these sweet animal-shaped wooden yarn bobbins: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/592950978/cat-bunny-wood-bobbins-for-thread-and
SKINT:
- those little tabs that close up bread bags work great for thin yarns
- a Google search for 'make yarn butterfly' will yield tutorials for how to hand-wind good bobbins
MINT: I found these sweet animal-shaped wooden yarn bobbins: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/592950978/cat-bunny-wood-bobbins-for-thread-and
Knitting needles
SKINT: Try sources like
- garage sales
- thrift stores
- dollar stores
- estate sales
MINT: These needles are made from sustainably harvested birch and black walnut: http://www.brittanyneedles.com/
SKINT: Try sources like
- garage sales
- thrift stores
- dollar stores
- estate sales
MINT: These needles are made from sustainably harvested birch and black walnut: http://www.brittanyneedles.com/
Cable needles
SKINT:
- bobby or bun pins
- take some 14 or 16 gauge galvanized wire and bend it in the middle
- or just learn to cable without 'em, there are lots of online tutorials on this
MINT: I think this handmade spiral cable needle looks cool: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/399929551/spiral-cable-needle-handmade-knitting
SKINT:
- bobby or bun pins
- take some 14 or 16 gauge galvanized wire and bend it in the middle
- or just learn to cable without 'em, there are lots of online tutorials on this
MINT: I think this handmade spiral cable needle looks cool: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/399929551/spiral-cable-needle-handmade-knitting
Ball winding
SKINT:
- a Google search for 'centre pull ball' will yield tutorials on winding yarn nicely by hand
- some clever DIY projects can be found; Google 'make your own ball winder'
MINT: Many local yarn stores sell ball winders. To find one, see https://www.knitmap.com/
SKINT:
- a Google search for 'centre pull ball' will yield tutorials on winding yarn nicely by hand
- some clever DIY projects can be found; Google 'make your own ball winder'
MINT: Many local yarn stores sell ball winders. To find one, see https://www.knitmap.com/
Swift
SKINT:
- sit on a bed with your knees up, and use your knees
- back of a chair (or two chairs back-to-back)
- someone else's arms
- you can make one out of Tinker Toys
MINT: This is the one I splurged on: https://yarns-untangled.myshopify.com/collections/equipment/products/beech-acacia-yarn-swift
SKINT:
- sit on a bed with your knees up, and use your knees
- back of a chair (or two chairs back-to-back)
- someone else's arms
- you can make one out of Tinker Toys
MINT: This is the one I splurged on: https://yarns-untangled.myshopify.com/collections/equipment/products/beech-acacia-yarn-swift
Yarn
SKINT:
- frog thrift store sweaters (NON-steeked!)
- some LYSes (online or local) have deep sales on stock they're trying to move
- big box stores
MINT: I can't possibly choose just one indie dyer, but here's a starting point: https://bipocinfiber.com/people/?search_keywords=&search_location=&search_category=208
SKINT:
- frog thrift store sweaters (NON-steeked!)
- some LYSes (online or local) have deep sales on stock they're trying to move
- big box stores
MINT: I can't possibly choose just one indie dyer, but here's a starting point: https://bipocinfiber.com/people/?search_keywords=&search_location=&search_category=208
Patterns
SKINT:
- library materials
- thrift stores
- garage sales
- free patterns online (no guarantees as to quality of course)
MINT: There are too many designers out there to pick just one! To find us, try checking out knitting hashtags on IG and see whose work jazzes you.
SKINT:
- library materials
- thrift stores
- garage sales
- free patterns online (no guarantees as to quality of course)
MINT: There are too many designers out there to pick just one! To find us, try checking out knitting hashtags on IG and see whose work jazzes you.
Hope this helps? Feel free to add your own!
I believe knitting is a hobby which can cost anything from a little to a lot. IMNSHO, the rules are:
- Spend what you can
- Don't shame anyone who's spending what they can
- Ignore anyone trying to shame you for spending what you can
I believe knitting is a hobby which can cost anything from a little to a lot. IMNSHO, the rules are:
- Spend what you can
- Don't shame anyone who's spending what they can
- Ignore anyone trying to shame you for spending what you can
