Gear Reviews on Stitch & Co

Best Blocking Mats for Knitting 2026: Grid, Foam & Portable Options

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Blocking is the final step that turns a lumpy, uneven hand knit into a polished, professional finished piece. It sets the stitches, evens out gauge, and defines the shape of your project. A good blocking mat makes this process fast and painless.

What to Look For

Grid lines: Printed measurement grid makes it easy to measure and pin your project to exact dimensions. Essential for shawls, sweaters, and projects with exact gauge requirements.

Interlocking tiles: Modular tiles let you create a surface of any size. Most sets come with 6–9 tiles that you can arrange for small or large projects.

Thickness: 1/2" thick foam is ideal. Thinner mats won’t hold pins securely. Thicker mats are unnecessarily heavy.

Heat resistance: If you steam block, make sure the mat can handle heat from your iron. Cheaper foam mats melt at high temperatures.

Top Picks

Knitter’s Pride Blocking Mats ($35): 9 interlocking foam tiles, 1" grid printed on both sides, heat resistant up to 150°C, 1/2" thick. The standard for knitters. The grid is perfectly aligned, pins go in easily, and they don’t warp with steam blocking. Includes 100 T-pins.

Lion Brand Blocking Board ($25): One solid foam board instead of interlocking tiles. Good for small projects like hats and scarves. Not large enough for sweaters or shawls.

ChiaoGoo Interlocking Blocking Mats ($40): Higher density foam than the Knitter’s Pride mats. They hold pins more securely and last longer. Heat resistant up to 180°C. The premium option.

Budget pick: Amazon Basics Interlocking Floor Mats ($15): The same foam tiles you use for exercise floors. No grid lines, but they work if you’re on a tight budget. Buy the 1/2" thick version.

Alternative: Wire Blocking Wires

For shawls and lace projects, blocking wires let you stretch the edges perfectly straight without hundreds of pins. The Knitter’s Pride Blocking Wire Set ($30) is well worth the investment if you knit lace or shawls regularly.

Blocking Tips

Always use rust-proof T-pins — regular pins will leave brown rust stains on your project
For natural fibers, wet blocking gives the best results
For acrylic, steam blocking sets the stitches permanently
Leave the project pinned until it is 100% dry — don’t rush this step

Best Cable Needles 2026: Wooden, Metal & Curved Options

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cable needles hold stitches while you cross them. They seem simple, but a bad cable needle will slip stitches, slow you down, and frustrate you endlessly. A good cable needle disappears into the background and lets you focus on the pattern.

Types of Cable Needles

Straight cable needles: Short, double-pointed needles that taper at both ends. Classic, simple, works well for tight knitters.

Curved (bent) cable needles: Angled in the middle. The bend prevents stitches from slipping off while you work the cross. Most knitters prefer these once they try them.

U-shaped (crochet hook) cable needles: Hold stitches securely. Good for beginners and loose knitters. Slightly slower to use.

Top Picks

Clover Bamboo Curved Cable Needles ($12/set): The best all-around cable needle. Smooth bamboo surface, gentle curve that prevents stitches from slipping, and comfortable to hold. Bamboo has just the right amount of grip — stitches stay on but slide easily when you want them to.

ChiaoGoo Stainless Steel Cable Needles ($15/set): Polished stainless steel, perfectly smooth. Ideal for slippery yarns like silk and rayon. Metal cables needles slide faster than bamboo. Cold to the touch in winter.

Susan Bates Plastic Cable Needles ($5/set): Budget option. Lightweight, grippy, perfectly functional. Not as smooth as bamboo or steel but great for beginners.

HiyaHiya Curved Cable Needles ($10/set): Stainless steel with a matte finish that gives just enough grip. The best compromise between the speed of steel and the grip of bamboo.

Size Guide

Match your cable needle size to your working needle size. Using a smaller cable needle makes stitches harder to slide on and off. Using a larger cable needle stretches your stitches.

For most worsted weight projects, a US 6 or US 8 cable needle is standard. Buy a set — you’ll eventually need all sizes.

Cable Needle Tips

Always insert the cable needle tip first, not the blunt end
For 3-stitch cables, you can hold the stitches on the cable needle at the back of your work without dropping them
Curved needles hold stitches so securely you can set your project down mid-cable and come back later
You don’t need a cable needle for 2-stitch cables — you can cross them by just rearranging the stitches on your needle

Best Knitting Bags 2026: Organized Totes, Sling Bags & Backpacks

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Once you start knitting outside your living room, you need a dedicated knitting bag. The best knitting bags keep yarn untangled, protect your works in progress, and organize needles, notions, and patterns.

What to Look For

Yarn grommets (eyelets): Small holes in the side of the bag let you feed yarn out without opening the bag. Prevents tangles when you’re knitting on the go. Non-negotiable.

Multiple compartments: Separate pockets for needles, scissors, stitch markers, tapestry needles, and patterns.

Internal project dividers: Keep multiple works in progress separate so they don’t tangle with each other.

Durable bottom: A stiff or reinforced bottom means the bag stands up on its own instead of tipping over and spilling all your supplies.

Top Picks

Della Q Maker’s Tote ($80): The premium knitting tote. Multiple internal pockets, six eyelets for feeding yarn, removable needle organizer, and a stiff bottom that stands up on its own. The side pockets are perfectly sized for circular needles. This is the bag every knitter eventually buys.

Viking Tote Bag ($40): Excellent value. Sturdy canvas construction, three yarn grommets, internal pockets, and a zipper top. Not as refined as the Della Q but half the price.

ChiaoGoo Sling Bag ($60): Cross-body sling design. Perfect for knitting on buses, trains, and planes. You don’t have to put it down — it hangs at your side. Two yarn grommets, needle pockets, and a front pocket for notions.

Knit Picks Project Bag ($25): Simple, well-designed canvas tote. One large compartment, two yarn grommets, internal notion pocket. No frills, just a solid knitting bag at a budget price.

Voodoo Sock Knitting Bag ($30): Small dedicated bag for sock projects. Fits two sock WIPs, extra yarn, and a small set of needles. Perfect for throwing in your purse or backpack.

Bag vs. Tote vs. Backpack

Tote bags: Best for knitting at cafes and friends’ houses. Easy to open, lots of storage.
Sling bags: Best for public transit and travel. Keep your hands free, stays with you.
Backpacks: Best for hiking and longer trips. Most comfortable for carrying heavy projects.
Project bags: Small, dedicated bags for single projects. Great for storing WIPs at home.

Packing Tips

Feed your working yarn through the grommet before you leave the house
Keep a small notion pouch with scissors, stitch markers, and tapestry needle
Use the side pockets for circular needles and straight needles
Always keep an extra set of needles and a spare ball of yarn

Best Stitch Markers for Knitting 2026: Locking, Ring & Split Ring Picks

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Stitch markers are tiny, cheap, and absolutely essential. They mark the beginning of the round, pattern repeats, increases, decreases, and critical positions in your work. Bad markers will snag your yarn and drive you crazy. Good markers disappear into your project until you need them.

Types of Stitch Markers

Ring markers are closed rings that you slide onto your needle. They stay in place but cannot be removed without taking the needle out. Best for marking the beginning of a round and permanent pattern markers.

Locking (lever) markers open and close with a spring-loaded lever. They can be removed at any time and repositioned. More versatile, slightly bulkier. Best for temporary markers, pattern repeats, and increase/decrease positions.

Split ring markers are just small keychain split rings. Cheaper than locking markers, but they can catch on yarn. Avoid for fine yarns.

Top Picks

Clover Locking Stitch Markers ($8): The gold standard. Perfect size, smooth edges that never catch yarn, strong spring that never breaks. Available in small and large sizes. Every professional knitter has these in their bag. The best $8 you can spend on knitting accessories.

HiyaHiya Ring Markers ($10): Polished stainless steel rings with zero rough edges. They slide smoothly on any needle and never catch yarn. Available in sets with multiple sizes for different needle gauges.

Knit Picks Locking Markers ($5): Budget alternative to the Clover markers. Slightly stiffer spring, slightly larger, but perfectly functional at half the price. Great value for beginners.

Susan Bates Locking Markers ($3): The cheap drugstore option. They work, but they catch yarn occasionally and the springs break after a few months. Fine for casual knitting, not recommended for fine yarns or lace.

Bulky yarn markers: ChiaoGoo Jumbo Locking Markers ($7) work on needles up to US 19 (15mm). Most standard markers are too small for bulky and super bulky needles.

What to Avoid

Plastic markers with rough mold lines — they will snag your yarn every time
Overly large markers that pull your stitches apart
Magnetic markers — they fall off
Any marker that costs less than $1 for 10 pieces — they will be garbage

How Many Do You Need?

A set of 20 locking markers and 10 ring markers is enough for almost every project. Keep a few extra in your project bag — they have a habit of disappearing.

Best Yarn for Blankets 2026: Soft, Washable & Budget-Friendly Options

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Blanket yarn needs three things: softness against skin, washability, and durability. A blanket is one of the most satisfying knitting projects — and the most exposed to wear and tear, pet hair, and accidental spills.

Blanket Yarn Qualities

Washability: Acrylic and cotton blends are machine washable and dryable. 100% wool is beautiful but needs hand washing — fine for decorative throws, terrible for baby blankets and everyday use.

Weight: Bulky or super bulky weight knits up fast. Sport and DK weight are softer but take 2–3x longer. Aran/worsted weight is the sweet spot for most blanket projects.

Softness: Acrylic yarn quality varies wildly. Cheap acrylic feels scratchy and pills badly. Mid-range acrylic has improved dramatically — today’s premium acrylic is soft enough against bare skin.

Pilling resistance: Look for yarns labeled “anti-pilling” or “low pill”. These blend longer fibers into the yarn structure that resist pilling far better than standard acrylic.

Top Picks

Lion Brand Pound of Love ($12): The best budget blanket yarn. 100% acrylic, machine washable, low pill, 1020 yards per skein. At under $1 per 100 yards, it’s impossible to beat value-wise. Available in every color you can imagine.

Bernat Blanket Yarn ($10): Super bulky weight, ultra-soft chenille-style acrylic. This yarn knits up so fast you can finish a full-size throw in a weekend. It’s fuzzy, cozy, and feels like a cloud. Perfect for beginners who want instant gratification. Pilling can be an issue with heavy use.

Caron One Pound ($11): Worsted weight, 812 yards. The workhorse blanket yarn. More durable than the Lion Brand Pound of Love, slightly less soft. Good for everyday throws that will get used hard.

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick ($9): 80% acrylic, 20% wool blend. Super bulky weight, warm, and has the beautiful drape of wool with the washability of acrylic. Best for cold climate blankets.

Stylecraft Special DK ($6): Soft, durable, machine washable DK weight. The standard for baby blankets. 100% acrylic but surprisingly soft. Available in over 100 colors.

Best By Use Case

Baby blankets: Stylecraft Special DK, Lion Brand Pound of Love
Fast project: Bernat Blanket Yarn
Everyday throw: Caron One Pound
Cold climate: Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
Decorative throw: 100% merino or wool blend

How Much Yarn Do You Need?

Baby blanket: 1000–1500 yards
Lap throw: 1500–2500 yards
Full-size throw: 2500–3500 yards
Queen blanket: 5000–7000 yards