Unexpected Helpers: Everyday Items with Knitting Superpowers

Every knitter knows that sometimes the best tools aren’t found in their knitting bag. Our editors have discovered clever ways to improvise when they’re in need of a tool they don’t have, and we’ve asked them to share their favorite creative substitutions that make their knitting life a little easier.

Nailed It

Katrina King, assistant editor of Farm & Fiber Knits, keeps a manicure kit in her knitter’s toolbox. She uses nail clippers to cut yarn or thread, a file to smooth out a rough spot on a needle, and hand lotion to tame static while handling yarn.

Katrina also suggests having a variety of sizes of safety pins on hand. “Small pins can help tighten interchangeable needles or hold the cables together if you need to remove the tips. Large ones can hold stitches for gussets or become makeshift cable needles.”

Have a Seat

According to Pamela K. Schultz, editor of Spin Off magazine: “When I’m traveling and don’t have a swift, the back of a chair is great for holding a skein of yarn open. Two chairs pushed back-to-back are even better.”

And Pamela always has sticky notes at the ready for keeping her place on a chart, scribbling notes about which row she’s on, or tearing into thin strips to serve as stitch markers.

Many household items can be used as knitting tools when you’re in a bind. Photo by Debbie Blair

Rethink the Commonplace

Anne Merrow, editorial director and co-founder of Long Thread Media, says, “Mostly I use tools for other purposes: DPNs as cable needles, locking markers as stitch holders or cable needles, and tapestry needles as stitch fixers or cable needles.”

Flying with Floss

Farm & Fiber Knits editor Kate Larson carries a floss container when she travels. “In order to get through TSA (security checkpoints in the airport), I take a floss container with me and use the thread cutter instead of scissors.” And when you don’t have enough stitch markers, Kate suggests making your own with a loop of yarn.

Another tip she was recently reminded of by a fellow knitter is that plastic bread clips are great for intarsia. Instead of heavy yarn bobbins, simply wind your yarn around a lightweight and ubiquitous bread clip.

A plastic bread clip makes a great lightweight bobbin. Photo by Kate Larson

Lighten Up

Karen Brock, editor of PieceWork magazine, has a great suggestion when knitting with dark-colored yarns. “I place a white cloth or pillowcase over my lap when I’m knitting dark blue or black so I can see my work better.”

Storage Solutions

And Farm & Fiber Knits associate editor Debbie Blair repurposes storage containers. “I use an Altoids or other small tin to hold my small notions, like stitch markers, tapestry needles, row counters, and stitch holders. I’ve also repurposed a zipper-type bag from a set of pillowcases to hold my current project so I can take it on the go. It’s compact, sturdy, and waterproof, and holds everything in one place even if I drop it.”

The next time you find yourself without a particular knitting tool, take a look around—you might find the perfect substitution in the objects around you.