My MIL is taking me shopping for my birthday present. We're going to go to a local yarn store. I'm really not sure what to get I want I guess to get the basics?! I have mostly borrowed needles from a friend. The learn to knit kit I got had stitch holders, place markers, gauge and needle sizer etc. So what else should I be looking at getting? Sizes and type of needle recommendations, something to put my needles in? A pattern to make it since I can sew to I figure I can make my own bag and needle holder once I figure out what a good one looks like.
What would you buy if you we're starting out and probably had 100 dollars to spend??
thanks so much
Janessa

I had really good luck buying needles on ebay. For about $40 I stocked myself and dd with complete sets of needles (in 14" and 10"...and a good selection of dpn's) and had enough duplicates left over to share with friends. So I probably wouldn't buy needles at a lys unless you dislike metal needles (mostly what's on ebay) or if you were going to buy circular needles (hard to get a deal on ebay for circulars). Hmmm...a birthday might be a good time to get some addi turbos :)

My local yarn store, the nice one, is really expensive. I might buy yarn with birthday money if it was yarn I really loved buy wouldn't buy myself because of the price.

Or knitting books with patterns or techniques I am likely to use. I ~*LOVE*~ books though, so take my answer with a grain of salt.

*I* probably wouldn't get a case for needles because I like mine standing in lined up jars. I like to see them :)


Enjoy your birthday shopping!!! :happy:

thanks for the advice. I think I'll focus on needles. I really love bamboo that I've borrowed. Course the pair of addi turbos I borrowed are amazing but I hear they are pricey lol
Janessa

I have several extra pairs of addis that I would be willign to sell,
3, 4, 8, & 9mm all either 12' or 16'

they are all new, adn I got a good deal on them so if you were looking for these sizes I bet I can give you a better deal than teh lys too :)

I'd buy some really yummy yarn that you normally won't buy for yourself and make something for yourself ( speaking of that, I should make myself a new pair of socks for the upcoming winter.....).

Wooden needles are also a good choice. Don't buy a case they are easy to make or just display your needles in a nice jar or vase of some sort....

Tawnya

I do get bamboo needles at my LYS. They take competitor coupons and so I use my Micheal's and JoAnn's 40% and 50% off coupons on my needles.
I am a new knitter too and have found that I get more even stitches on my bamboo needles compered to my metal ones.
I figure when I get better and have more experience I will try some Addi's.
I am going to buy them from this guy on Ebay.
Ebay Addis (http://stores.ebay.com/Your-Wonderland)

Y'know what I'd do - I'd go to the shop separately and scope it out. There might be a yarn you fall in love with, but you're unsure what to make with it. You could ask them for pattern suggestions, or you might have one in a book (or online) so that you'd want to double check amounts (heaven forbid you buy too little yarn!).

Or, there might be some neat gadget there you must have, or something else.

Either way, browse one day first to get a feel for the shop, ask when a slow day is if you'll want to browse with your benefactor, ask if they have special incentive days (I mean - if Monday is candy bar coupon day or whatever, better to come on a day when your money will get your farther, perhaps), "shop" without the pressure to buy. KWIM?

Maybe see if there's a class you want to take!

~amey

LYS tend be be very pricey.

I'd scope out things online first, to see what prices are, and *then* look into the LYS.

Usually things are much cheaper online, even with shipping.

If you're looking to stock up on bamboo needles, I highly recommend this site:

http://bopeepswoolshop.easystorecreator.net/specials.asp

Clover needles are 50% off.
It says that the Brittany are 25% off, but I got them at 50% off as well.

thank you for the suggestions. I think I will case out the store and see what catches my imagination. I prefer to buy most things on-line to find the better deal but my MIL isn't as comfortable with that I can't really complain though it's a very thoughtful gift.
Janessa

Janessa

I find that if I just buy yarn randomly, I have a hard time using it. I do better if I find specific projects, then buy the supplies for that project. I would scope out the LYS for book/patterns that you want, then spend the $$ on the supplies for that project. That way you won't get home and become frustrated because you really want to make xyz, but find you don't have half the supplies.

Have fun!!!!

Janessa

I find that if I just buy yarn randomly, I have a hard time using it. I do better if I find specific projects, then buy the supplies for that project. I would scope out the LYS for book/patterns that you want, then spend the $$ on the supplies for that project. That way you won't get home and become frustrated because you really want to make xyz, but find you don't have half the supplies.

Have fun!!!!


I think your right. I buy fabric only for projects all ready planned or it just sits so I'd probably be the same for yarn. I think I've decided that I'm going to go and buy the needles and yarn for two projects a sweater for dd and a poncho for me. I'll just pick sizes and types of other needles as I learn what I love.
Janessa