Tools You Can't Live Without

New or redesigned tools in all of our needlecrafts are always being made to encourage us to buy, buy, buy. Perhaps you have been tempted to pick up this gadget or that tool?

Question: What tool or tools has turned out to be the BEST thing/s ever—enough so that you wouldn't want to live without it?

Note: this topic inspired by the other topic about the things we desire...

I'm going to have more of a think on this, but, at the moment, what comes to mind isthe rotary cutter. This would win my top prize. I did several quilts in the early 80s the old way, marking and then cutting with scissors, a piece at a time. I'd rather NOT go back to that era.

I've tried several different "stoppers" on my knitting needles (to keep the project from coming off the needles when I'm idle), and my favorite is a clip that goes around the needles and snaps closed. It's such a snug fit, I never worry about it falling off and my project coming unraveled. I bought a set of two clips after they were publicized in a knitting magazine; sadly it looks like the Etsy shop is no longer active. I will guard these clips with my life!

Today I used a pom pom maker for the first time and what a little miracle tool that is!

I love the humble needle threader. It was useful when I was younger, but now, with aging vision and dexterity, I'd be lost without it.

I also have multiple sizes of wooden embroidery hoops, which are easier on delicate fabrics, and never make a crease on a finished project.

>3 lauralkeet: I've never heard of a "stopper." How interesting. And I have never used a pom pom maker; it was cardboard all the way. LOL.

>4 Lyndatrue: The day is soon coming when I will need to use a humble needle threader. I keep talking about going back into Victorian Crazy Quilting, but my arthritic hands are not as nimble. I have not seen the wooden hoops, but way back in the 80s I had wooden quilting hoops.

>5 avaland: Google "knitting needle stoppers" and you'll see a myriad of different images. I have several types, most some variation on a cap placed on the end of the needle. Most seem prone to falling off, which makes me anxious when I'm toting the knitting around i.e., in luggage. That's why I love the clips.

On a related note, my other lifesaver is for projects like socks, which are knit on double-pointed needles. Because there's a point on each end, a single stopper won't do. For that, I use a little tube that completely encloses both needles: Knitter's Pride DPN tubes

I have to agree with Lois that the rotary cutter is my go to tool. I'm not sure I'd even think about quilting if I had to cut pieces of fabric by hand.

>6 lauralkeet: That makes sense!

I use a different kind of cutter as I am a rug hooker. The cutter will cut strips of fabric, usually wool, in 1/32" increments from 1/16" to 1.5", depending of the size of the cutter head and the user's preference for strip width. The cutter heads are easy to change, as they just drop into the cutter. I couldn't do without it.



What I would love to have for no good reason is an old fashioned wooden knitting egg, which was worn on the belt to stabilize the receiving needle,so that the knitter could walk and knit at the same time. I can't find a photo right now, but this is how the modern version, in leather, is worn:



Sorry to take up the space with images, but sometimes they just work better than trying to explain!

>9 SassyLassy: That is so interesting! And I have never heard of a knitting egg...until now.

>9 SassyLassy: Not that I'm a shill for ebay (though I love the site for its many and odd wonderments), but is this what you looking high and low for: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leather-Knitting-Belt-choose-a-color/271957923522. Or did you want the old fashioned kind? 'cause old fashioned is often better. :)

>11 lesmel: Thanks for that link. That is indeed a knitting belt, and a nice one too, however, I am holding out for the old fashioned kind. I have a (very) small collection of old wooden tools used for various kinds of work, and since I am a knitter, the wooden one really appealed. You could probably do with one too!

Having recently returned to quilting some of my own quilts, something I have not done for quite a while, I would like to give a nod of appreciation to the walking foot.

>12 SassyLassy: You might also search on "knitting sheath", which is another version of the same idea. I have never heard them called eggs; when I read your first message, I thought of a darning egg!

>13 avaland: I am late to say this; but if I could, I would write odes to my machine's walking foot.

Look! A post about knitting belts!
https://www.hazeltindall.com/knitting-belts1#.W7gV9aROmaM There are some comments about where to buy belts, too!

>15 lesmel: We shall then sing together!

>16 lesmel: Thanks for that link. I will get one some day. I also had a look at some of the patterns on the link and it filled a certain need for knitting inspiration - Winter is coming!

I have a variety of embroidery stands that allow me to work without gripping my frame: One clamps onto tables, one is floor standing, and the other is for sitting/table top use. My wrists and hands have been developing issues over the years, and I couldn't keep embroidering without these stands.

6 That sounds interesting - it's such a nuisance to put down work if it's on double points - thanks for the link. Think I might chase that up. Can't think of any special items atm - maybe my large holding pins for the tops of items - stitch holders.

>20 justmum: great, hope it helps!