Let me start by saying this: I am probably the worst person to be talking about essential tools; not because I don’t believe in them, but because I have a remarkable talent for misplacing them. Truly. If a tool can wander off, it will. And since I’m always on the go, many of those “essential” items disappear into project bags… only to resurface a year later attached to some forgotten WIP like a little time capsule.
And yet, tools matter. They save time, sanity, and sometimes entire projects.
The tool I resisted the longest and finally accepted is Knit Companion. Yes, it’s an app. Yes, you can download it for free. And yes, there’s an upgraded version I’ll probably invest in eventually… because I have a pattern of resisting helpful things until I experience a preventable knitting disaster.
Case in point: one afternoon, I was sitting on the back patio, happily knitting, using a sticky note to mark my place and track my row count. I went inside for just a moment. When I came back? The wind had redecorated the backyard. Pattern pages everywhere. Sticky note, totally gone (so I thought).
I found the pattern. The sticky note did not survive.
I asked my husband, who is very efficient about tidying, if he’d seen a little yellow sticky note. After I explained what a sticky note was, he said, “Yes… I threw it away.”
Deep breath, a very deep breath…… and sigh.
Now, of course, I eventually figured out where I was… but it cost me two hours of detective work reading stitches and cross-referencing the pattern. Two hours that could have been knitting time. If I had been using Knit Companion, my place would’ve been right there waiting for me.
And I know I’m not alone in this. I recently helped a customer who put her project down for a month and came back completely unsure where she left off. Her tick marks didn’t make sense anymore. Together we read the knitting, studied the pattern, and got her back on track, but it took valuable knitting time and patience.
Which brings us to the classic essentials. The little helpers that quietly protect your progress:
- A row counter
- Stitch markers
- Tip protectors
- A safe project bag
- Something to track your pattern progress
Stitch markers are my one faithful habit. Especially in the round (BOR) they mark beginning of the round, sleeves, repeats, and save you from constant counting. For beginners, they’re invaluable. For seasoned knitters, they’re sanity insurance.
Tip protectors are wonderful… when I can actually keep track of them. They keep stitches from sliding off your needles when a project rests, which is exactly when chaos tends to strike.
And then there are tools that feel like magic when you finally try them. I recently fell in love with the “Work Until…” measuring tape from Twice Sheared Sheep. You know how you measure… knit… measure… knit… and somehow the project never seems longer? This tool eliminates that cycle of disappointment. You set it once and knit until you reach your goal. Simple, clever, and surprisingly motivating.
The truth is, essential tools aren’t about perfection — they’re about protecting your time, your progress, and your enjoyment. Whether it’s an app that remembers where your brain forgets, a stitch marker that keeps you honest, or a measuring tool that stops you from obsessing… they all exist to make crafting smoother.
And honestly, some of the best moments around these little tools happen when we’re sitting together, someone realizing a stitch marker just saved their sanity, another laughing about a lost row counter, or a table full of us helping each other figure out where we left off. That’s the beauty of crafting in community. We share tools, tips, and the occasional rescue mission when a project goes sideways.
So if you ever find yourself stuck, missing a notion, or wondering which gadget might make life easier, come sit with us for a bit. We keep these little helpers in the shop; but more importantly, we keep a table full of people who’ve been there and are happy to help. Your future knitting self; and your crafting friends will thank you.
