purchasing knitting supplies online

[melanyh]

i'm an EXTREME newbie to knitting -- i still suck, but i'm plugging away at my scarf-like-looking object. it'll be the ugliest creation ever, but the first thing i ever made.

my LOCAL yarn store is closing for the summer & all i have are size 11 needles (big and long, man) and the chunky yarn i'm using. i'd like to get some smaller needles (books tend to say start w/size 8) and some balls of yarn to play around with ... where's a good online store for all that? i kinda want to sit around and perfect the art of the swatch.

and will online stores put it into a ball for you?

thanks again for entertaining the newbie questions.

[rootzdawta]

As a new knitter, it was *invaluable* to me to have an interchangeable needle set. I bought the Denise Set and it was great to have mostly all the needles I could possibly need. Now, KnitPicks (www.knitpicks.com) makes an interchangeable needle set and I have only heard rave reviews. In fact, I will probably purchase a set in the future as I think I have outgrown my Denise Set (I have a kind of love-hate relationship with them now). KnitPicks is actually a great place to get good quality supplies (yarn, needles, books, etc . . . ) for a decent price. Many of their yarns come in pull skeins so you don't have to worry about that. I'm not sure if they will wind hanks for you though. So, I highly recommend KnitPicks for a good place to begin.

[melanyh]

do you mean that $70 set? wow. i think that may be a bit much for me to invest right NOW. i hope to aspire to need all those needles ... but i don't want to set myself up for failure, having all this REALLY NICE (really for more advanced knitters) stuff and not using it.

i should mention i'm due w/ds2 in early april, so there WILL be some upcoming downtime and adjustment where knitting may not get done for a bit. see why i hesitate to spend so much at THIS point?

[sarabrynn82]

I second the knitpicks recommendation - I'd say pick up some size 8's and worsted weight yarn. As a fellow beginner, I've done the majority of my projects with that combo.

[rootzdawta]

You could get the Denise set for $50. I guess if you don't think you'll take it that seriously or won't have time to, there's no point.

You could go to http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2705 to buy needles. They often have coupons and you can get free shipping, 30% off, etc . . .

For me, as I got into the craft, it got annoying and expensive buying new needles for every new project. Then I started needing circular needles and double points and stuff . . . I stopped knitting for a while and stuck with crochet because all the stuff I needed to knit was so overwhelming. The interchangeable set was the solution for me.

But if you're only testing the water, so to speak, Joann.com is a good place to start--plus they have more selection than the store. But, you know, you can also get individual needles at KnitPicks--good quality needles.

[Glover_Girls]

First off, welcome to knitting! It can be addictive....especially while pregnant! And no question, your time to knit will be limited. But eventually it will call you back!

Is your LYS putting any yarn on sale prior to the close? I would scoop some that up if you can to stash. I also purchased the Densie interchangeable needle set which has been invaluable as I work up more projects that require different needle sizes. I am drawn to the new Knitpicks set though...

Anyway, if you are interested in just working on your skills without investing much money, I would check out any craft stores you have around you like AC Moore, Michaels, or Joann's. They don't have huge selections but for a beginner, they would be fine. For on line shopping, I second Joann's and Knitpicks. I also like PatternWorks. I think you might be on your own for balling up the hanks though! It's all part of the fun of knitting!

Have fun knitting! :

[melanyh]

Originally Posted by rootzdawta

You could get the Denise set for $50. I guess if you don't think you'll take it that seriously or won't have time to, there's no point.

You could go to http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2705 to buy needles. They often have coupons and you can get free shipping, 30% off, etc . . .

For me, as I got into the craft, it got annoying and expensive buying new needles for every new project. Then I started needing circular needles and double points and stuff . . . I stopped knitting for a while and stuck with crochet because all the stuff I needed to knit was so overwhelming. The interchangeable set was the solution for me.

But if you're only testing the water, so to speak, Joann.com is a good place to start--plus they have more selection than the store. But, you know, you can also get individual needles at KnitPicks--good quality needles.

i just didn't see the denise set ... i'll look again. i agree that it would be nice to not have to buy new needles constantly -- i just didn't see that set w/$50 being more manageable/acceptable than $70. i forgot about joann -- there's one right by my house, in fact. hmmmmm ...

[cristeen]

If you have a Tuesday Morning near you, they had the Boyes interchangeable set recently. I checked my store yesterday and they had 1 left. For $30, I now have a full set of interchangeables. I was lusting after the Knitpicks set, but couldn't justify the cost.

For yarns and other things, Joanne.com or Knitpicks are both good. You can usually find a decent coupon code for joannes, 40 or 50% off. Joanns also has several "sets" of needles, where you can buy 3 or 4 pairs in different sizes. Or if you check out Amazon, they carry full sets of DPNs, for about $25, I think, where you get a set of DPNs in each of 8 sizes or something like that.

If you want some more fun splurge yarn, you can always check out etsy for the various handspuns or hand-dyes.

[feminist~mama]

I know it sounds like a bunch of $$ for something you might not stick with- but here's my 5 cents...

I bought a bunch of less expensive needles, then found that I LOVE knitting. So I was gifted the knitpicks harmony set for Christmas. I love the harmony set and have bought a few fixed circs to supplement (1,2,3) so that I never ever have to use anything else. I even learned to magic loop just because I didn't want to spend the $$ on the harmony double pointed needles, but I just couldn't make myself use the horrible bamboo needles I already owned.

And it's all fine, but I now have tons of cheap needles I will never ever use and really I wasted $$ on them.

The harmony set has a fabulous resale value if it turns out that knitting isn't your thing.



It has all worked out for me though- I work at a domestic violence shelter and have been able to loan/give my bamboo needles out with a happy heart. So that's good.

But moneywise, if I were to do it again, I'd absolutely buy some quality needles from the beginning.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by feminist~mama

And it's all fine, but I now have tons of cheap needles I will never ever use and really I wasted $$ on them.

That's my story as well.

When I was looking into an interchangeable set though, the only options were Denise and Boye. And I still ended up buying bamboo dpn's because Denise's cords are stiff as heck.

[melanyh]

well that's actually a good point, about quality needles and i hadn't considered that, resale value just in case, etc.

i DID crack and buy some cheap(er) needles and a couple things of yarn at joann after work today just b/c i'm itching to get off the 11's and chunky yarn i'm practicing on now.

i'll keep your comments in mind ... i'd love to have great needles and wonder if it might endear me more to the craft ...

[lyttlewon]

Originally Posted by melanyh

well that's actually a good point, about quality needles and i hadn't considered that, resale value just in case, etc.

i DID crack and buy some cheap(er) needles and a couple things of yarn at joann after work today just b/c i'm itching to get off the 11's and chunky yarn i'm practicing on now.

i'll keep your comments in mind ... i'd love to have great needles and wonder if it might endear me more to the craft ...

Working with good needles and yarn makes it much more enjoyable.

[gretasmommy]

My LYS is having a fabulous sale - including their online store - and everything in stock is 20%off. She usually carries the Denise set, which I have and absolutely love!
http://theknittingexperience.com/

My favorite place to shop!!!!

[EvansMa]

I also like elann.com. I have ordered many time from them and they have great service and their yarn is really nice. I find that the colors are a bit nicer than knitpicks. They also have reasonable prices on needles.

[CallMeKelly]

Ebay is great if you can get online every day and be patient. I just got a full set of bamboo circ's size 16" (which almost all hat patterns call for, btw... and actually every pattern I've wanted to try so far, except for an afghan has called for size 16, if only for the collars) for just under $20. And a fantastic, awesome bunch of yarn, mostly wool and alpaca and even some 20%cashmere 80%wool beautiful yummy yarn... for a steal. But I had to look for a few weeks to find what I wanted at the price I like.

congrats on the new hobby!!! It is addictive!

[melanyh]

now i'm kind of obsessed w/some nice needles, but i also need to be real ... in that we're having a baby in 6 weeks, i work in non-profit & dh is freelance, taking 3 months off for maternity leave. higher-end purchases ($50-$70) being high-end for me right now need to be well-thought-out.

i've told myself to keep at knitting my damn swatches (b/c i kind of suck right now) and get better, keep going and make sure it's something i really wanna do & plan on sticking with, then in a month i can get the higher-end needles.

i feel like i'm in, but that i'm probably just going to be on the slower-end of the learning curve. i get the knit-stitch, but still, every once in a while find an extra stitch & take a couple of rows to recover. i get purl and don't so much hate it, and after i master another garter-swatch, i'll work on mastering a stockinette swatch ... but ribbing? knit2purl2? ugh, i can mess than up better than anyone around.

[rootzdawta]

I think working on a simple project might help you gauge better if you're in or not.

[dillonandmarasmom]

What do you plan to knit? I mean, will you knit socks? Soakers? Hats? Just wondering if you might have a particular reason behind taking up knitting. Or, a favorite yarn weight? I still don;t have a set (though MIL wants to buy me one, and I actually recommended she not...), I actually like having to purchase a new needle size for a project. Here's why:

1) My needles really affect how I knit, whether I enjoy my project, and how the yarn holds up. So, I buy bamboo/birch for wool, nickel-plated for cotton, and so on.

2) I decided I only enjoy certain yarn weights (after struggling with knitter's ADD and fingering weight--yeesh!), so I don't even own smaller than a size 4-5 needle now.

3) I often receive gift certificates to places like WEBS or knitpicks, and I love to buy a set of needles just to try them out.

So, if you don't want to spend the money on a set, I wouldn't. Atleast not yet. Wait to see what you really enjoy knitting, then invest in some really nice needles that suit you.

My .02.

[melanyh]

Originally Posted by dillonandmarasmom

What do you plan to knit? I mean, will you knit socks? Soakers? Hats? Just wondering if you might have a particular reason behind taking up knitting. Or, a favorite yarn weight? I still don;t have a set (though MIL wants to buy me one, and I actually recommended she not...), I actually like having to purchase a new needle size for a project. Here's why:

1) My needles really affect how I knit, whether I enjoy my project, and how the yarn holds up. So, I buy bamboo/birch for wool, nickel-plated for cotton, and so on.

2) I decided I only enjoy certain yarn weights (after struggling with knitter's ADD and fingering weight--yeesh!), so I don't even own smaller than a size 4-5 needle now.

3) I often receive gift certificates to places like WEBS or knitpicks, and I love to buy a set of needles just to try them out.

So, if you don't want to spend the money on a set, I wouldn't. Atleast not yet. Wait to see what you really enjoy knitting, then invest in some really nice needles that suit you.

My .02.

well, i recognize i need a hobby, something that can allow my mind to relax but feel creative. kind of the same way i feel about reading, find it relaxing, but not on the creative side. i also liked the idea of EVENTUALLY being able to make soakers or scarves/socks/blankies.

i've only worked w/a chunky yarn right now and just need to finish that piece (the dog-chewed-on-it-b/c-i-was-learning-new-stitches-scarf), using size 11 needles (that are REALLY LONG and kind of hard to maneuver) ... next i have some size 8's and some thinner, worsted weight wool to practice with. i think after these mammoth long 11's, i might right enjoy some slim 8's. who knows.

i think i'm too new to have a favorite yarn weight yet, but i hope to soon!

[chicagomom]

Welcome to the world of knitting!

I think you're right to trust your instincts. Get some 7s or 8s, and make a couple of scarves. Start with a garter-stitch scarf or dishcloth (knit every row), then if you want to get "fancy", go for something like BrooklynTweed's ribbed scarf, which is immensely gratifying because you're alternating self-striping yarn and it's easy to do and comes out beautiful.

To do his scarf, get 2 skeins of self-striping worsted-ish weight yarn in one colorway, and 2 in another. The scarf is a simple k1, p1 ribbing (make it as wide or skinny as you want). Knit two rows with one ball, then knit 2 rows with the other colorway. These kinds of projects are visually interesting, result in something you'll want to wear, and will give you lots of practice on the basics. And you can do them with a set of 7s or 8s.

For yarn, joann.com has variegated Patons wool frequently on sale (already in center-pull balls). Patternworks sells Boku, which makes nice scarves too, and is not as spendy as Noro. There are a lot of other online yarn stores out there - elann and knitpicks are good choices, and there are always sales out there. Just be careful when you order online to understand their shipping charges.

At this point, I would avoid a big purchase of interchangable needles. There is *much* debate and personal preference involved in these purchases - some people love knitpicks options, some people hate them. What if you buy a $60 set of US 4-8 and then discover you really like lacework and Latvian mittens (which are knitted on 00-3s)? A lot will depend on where your craft-love develops. Give yourself some time!

A pair of US7 or 8 bamboo needles will always be something you can use, and they are enjoyable to knit with.

Have fun!