My good friend Jena was so kind to write this up for me, sharing her journey of discovering how high quality yarn and new tools has increased her skill level with knitting and crocheting. She created a great list of some awesome must haves for your yarn crafting. I hope you enjoy it!

I taught myself to knit in high school but being left handed made it hard to understand the manuals on how to knit so

I “just figured it out.” My love for yarn crafts was soon born. When I was pregnant with my second child, my first son, I decided to learn to crochet hats for him to fill the void of not so cute cloths for boys! This time YouTube taught me!

Between the years of his birth and his third birthday I made a small amount of money making hats and scarfs for people here and there, all with store bought yarn (Michaels, Jo-Anns, Hobby Lobby type yarn) and it was fun, but little did I know it was only practice!

In the year of 2013 my eyes were opened to the world of QUALITY YARN…. oh what a new world to be in! If you have found this blog, you have stepped into the the world of quality yarn.

Yes it costs more, but once you feel it and work with it you know, you just know!

First, before I get started let me give my little speech about buying from independent people, for example on Etsy (MY favorite); not only are you supporting someone who is trying to make something of themselves but you are also able to get CUSTOM made things just for you that no one will ever have doubles of!!!

Within the short time that I have been learning this love of yarn, the time and passion that I have poured into it have helped me create a list of things that are super helpful for becoming a yarn goddess or god. Here they are!

Items needed to start your journey to move from a friend or admirer of yarn, to a yarn goddess or god

#1 ~ A yarn swift. Most quality yarn will come in what is called a ‘hank’ and if you don’t know how to ball it up it will be a huge mess. A swift is an easy way for you to ball it up yourself. Sometimes your local yarn store will ball it for you or if you are ordering from a person online, you could ask them to ball it for you if you do not want to invest in a swift. Many different websites have them for varying prices. Some places even have custom bags for your swift that make it easy for traveling.

#2 ~ A ball winder. I JUST bought one! I haven’t used it yet because I can ball yarn up for myself, but a ball winder makes a pretty little yarn “cake” as they call call them that can be pulled from the center like the yarn you can buy at a retail store.

#3 ~ Quality knitting needles or hooks. Many websites offer them as a set. Knit Picks and Paradise Fibers are a couple of my own personal favorites. And if you can’t afford to do a whole set at a time you can buy them individually until you build up your set!

#4 ~ A chart holder. I didn’t know about these until just recently either but they are super handy. There are even some DIY ones on pinterest if you want to get crafty. I was having trouble reading my first pattern ever and BOY did blocking off the lines except the one I was working on help tremendously.

#5 ~ An OttLite. They come in all sizes. They really help when you happen to be in a darker part of your home and need extra light to see those stitches or read that pattern!

#6 ~ A safe place to keep your yarn away from pets and little hands!!! Seriously!

#7 ~ Have fun with it. Try new things, step out of your typical color comfort zone and see if you like any new colors!

I hope you all have enjoyed this read!

Blessings to you!

Jena

Note: Jena and I have not received any compensation for mentioning websites like Etsy, Knit Picks, or Paradise Fibers. These are just a few of our own personal favorite online places to shop.