Before beginning to knit, you'll need a few tools. Basically, yarn and stix.

Yarn is available in many fibers and weights (from very thin to very thick). For a beginner, we suggest selecting a chunky weight yarn spun from wool. Wool is the most elastic fiber and very forgiving. You'll find it much easier to knit with than a fancy yarn with a lot of loops and eyelashes, which make it difficult to see what you're doing and how many stitches you have on your needle.

Needles are made from a variety of materials. What you select is a matter of personal preference. There is no right or wrong. We prefer bamboo for a beginner because bamboo needles are light and warm to the touch. Bamboo also tends to grip the yarn so you'll be less likely to have problems with your stitches falling off the needles. They come in a variety of sizes that are used with various thicknesses of yarns. We usually suggest a size 11 or even 13. With a needle that size, you will see progress a little sooner than with a thin yarn and a small needle. (And that can be important for your morale in the beginning!)

Like many things in life, it takes practice. It may feel awkward at first, but don't get discouraged! This is normal and something we all experience. Soon, it will become second nature and you won't need to think about each stitch you knit or purl.

Tools Knitters Need (you can purchase these as your projects progress - you don't need to have them all at once).

1. straight needles, circular needles, double pointed needles (dpn's)
2. tapestry needle (aka - chibi)
3. scissors or yarn cutter
4. tape measure
5. row counter
6. stitch marker rings
7. stitch holders
8. knitting gauge
9. crochet hook (for picking up dropped stitches)
10. cable needle
11. knitting needle point protectors