Knitting Supplies for Beginners ~ Everything You Need
Have you always wanted to learn to knit but felt overwhelmed by all the different yarns, needles and supplies?
The good news is that knitting is actually a very simple hobby to get started with. You only need a few basic supplies, and once you’ve learned the fundamentals, you can create everything from dishcloths and scarves to hats, blankets, and jumpers (sweaters).
In this beginner’s guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to start knitting, including yarn, needles, and a few helpful tools.
What Do You Need to Start Knitting?
To get started, you only need:
- A ball of yarn
- A pair of knitting needles
- Scissors
- A tapestry needle
That’s everything.
You don’t need expensive equipment or a room full of supplies. In fact, many knitters started with just a ball of yarn and a pair of needles.
Choosing Yarn for Beginners
One of the first things you’ll notice is that there are many different types of yarns available.
Acrylic Yarn
Acrylic yarn is often the cheapest option and can be found in many craft stores, discount stores, supermarkets and of course your local yarn store.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to find
- Available in many colours
- Easy to wash
Cons:
- Doesn’t always feel as pleasant as natural fibers
- Can sometimes feel slightly synthetic
For complete beginners, acrylic yarn can be a perfectly good place to start.
Merino Wool
Merino wool is one of my favourite fibres to work with.
It’s soft, warm, and pleasant to hold while knitting. Baby merino wool is especially lovely for baby hats, baby blankets, and garments worn close to the skin.
Pros:
- Very soft
- Warm and breathable
- Comfortable to wear
Cons:
- More expensive than acrylic
- May require gentler washing
Donegal Tweed and Traditional Wool
Living in Ireland, I also enjoy working with traditional wool yarns such as Donegal tweed.
These yarns tend to be a little more rustic and slightly rougher than merino wool, but they are extremely warm and durable.
They’re ideal for:
- Winter hats
- Scarves
- Outdoor wear
- Traditional Irish knitting projects
Self-Striping Yarn
Self-striping yarn creates colour patterns automatically as you knit.
Many knitters enjoy using these yarns for:
- Socks
- Gloves
- Leg warmers
- Scarves
The stripes appear naturally without needing to change colours yourself.
Cotton Yarn
Cotton yarn is another excellent option.
Unlike wool, cotton is cool and breathable, making it perfect for:
- Dishcloths
- Washcloths
- Summer projects
- Market bags
Cotton also washes well and is very practical for everyday household items.
What Yarn Should a Beginner Choose?
If you’re buying yarn for your very first project, I recommend choosing:
- A smooth yarn
- A light or medium colour
- A medium thickness (DK, worsted weight yarn or aran weight)
Avoid very dark, fluffy, furry, or novelty yarns at first because they can make it harder to see your stitches.
Choosing Knitting Needles
Knitting needles come in many different sizes.
For beginners, I usually recommend starting with needles between 4mm and 6mm.
Larger needles make stitches easier to see and can help projects grow more quickly.
Knitting Needle Sizes Explained
One thing that can be confusing is that knitting needles use different sizing systems depending on where you live.
Metric Sizes
In Europe, needle sizes are usually measured in millimeters.
For example:
- 4mm
- 4.5mm
- 5mm
- 6mm
US Needle Sizes
In the United States, needles use a numbered system. For example a 4 mm needle in US sizes is 6.
Approximate conversions include:
- 4mm = US 6
- 4.5mm = US 7
- 5mm = US 8
- 6mm = US 10
UK Needle Sizes
Older British knitting patterns often use traditional UK needle sizes, which follow a different numbering system again.
Because there are several systems in use, I’ve created a free knitting needle conversion chart that you can download here.
👉 Free Knitting Needle Conversion Chart
How Do You Know Which Needle Size to Use?
Most yarn labels include a recommended needle size.
For example, one yarn might recommend:
4 mm–4.5 mm needles
while another might suggest:
2.5 mm–3 mm needles
When you’re starting out, simply following the recommendation on the yarn label is usually the easiest approach.
Bamboo vs Metal Knitting Needles
Many beginner knitters wonder whether they should buy wooden needles or metal needles.
I personally prefer bamboo needles.
Why?
Because bamboo has a little more grip, which helps prevent stitches from sliding off accidentally.
This can be especially helpful when you’re learning.
Metal needles are smoother and faster, but some beginners find them slightly slippery at first.
Both work well, so don’t worry too much about making the perfect choice.
Other Helpful Knitting Supplies
Scissors
Any pair of sharp scissors will do.
You’ll only need them for cutting yarn.
Tapestry or Yarn Needle
A tapestry needle is used to weave in loose yarn ends once you’ve finished a project.
Metal tapestry needles are my personal preference, but plastic needles work too.
Your Simple Knitting Supplies for Beginners Shopping List
If you’re ready to get started, here’s an easy shopping list:
- 1 ball of yarn (a chunky yarn can be good for new knitters)
- A pair of straight needles (4–6mm)
- A pair of sharp scissors
- 1 tapestry needle
That’s enough to begin learning to knit. Keeping your knitting kit in a simple project bag is a good idea, and you’ll always find everything you need. A tape measure and stitch markers can also be helpful once we get started with the first projects, but they are optional for now.
What Next?
Once you have your supplies, the next step is learning how to cast on your first stitch (link to step-by-step tutorial below).
You can follow along with my Beginner Knitting Series (with video tutorials) and learn a new technique every week:
- What You Need to Start Knitting
- How to Cast On (and how to make a slip knot)
- The Knit Stitch (your first basic stitches)
- How to Cast Off
- 17 Easy Knitting Projects Using 2 Straight Needles
