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On the topic of financial accessibility in knitting, here's a thread with some tricks for knitting on the cheap that I've picked up over the years, paired with links to higher-priced products from small businesses, for those who do have the money to spend. #NoShame #SkintVsMint
Stitch markers

SKINT: There are tons of things you can use, e.g.
- cross-sections of straws
- your kids' old Rainbow Loom elastics
- safety pins
- slip knots in scrap bits of yarn

MINT: Check out these hand-sculpted stitch markers: whitneymarieanderson.com/collections/st…
Yarn bobbins

SKINT:
- those little tabs that close up bread bags work great for thin yarns
- a Google search for 'make yarn butterfly' will yield tutorials for how to hand-wind good bobbins

MINT: I found these sweet animal-shaped wooden yarn bobbins: etsy.com/ca/listing/592…
Knitting needles

SKINT: Try sources like
- garage sales
- thrift stores
- dollar stores
- estate sales

MINT: These needles are made from sustainably harvested birch and black walnut: brittanyneedles.com
Cable needles

SKINT:
- bobby or bun pins
- take some 14 or 16 gauge galvanized wire and bend it in the middle
- or just learn to cable without 'em, there are lots of online tutorials on this

MINT: I think this handmade spiral cable needle looks cool: etsy.com/ca/listing/399…
Ball winding

SKINT:
- a Google search for 'centre pull ball' will yield tutorials on winding yarn nicely by hand
- some clever DIY projects can be found; Google 'make your own ball winder'

MINT: Many local yarn stores sell ball winders. To find one, see knitmap.com
Swift

SKINT:
- sit on a bed with your knees up, and use your knees
- back of a chair (or two chairs back-to-back)
- someone else's arms
- you can make one out of Tinker Toys

MINT: This is the one I splurged on: yarns-untangled.myshopify.com/collections/eq…
Yarn

SKINT:
- frog thrift store sweaters (NON-steeked!)
- some LYSes (online or local) have deep sales on stock they're trying to move
- big box stores

MINT: I can't possibly choose just one indie dyer, but here's a starting point: bipocinfiber.com/people/?search…
Patterns

SKINT:
- library materials
- thrift stores
- garage sales
- free patterns online (no guarantees as to quality of course)

MINT: There are too many designers out there to pick just one! To find us, try checking out knitting hashtags on IG and see whose work jazzes you.
Hope this helps? Feel free to add your own!

I believe knitting is a hobby which can cost anything from a little to a lot. IMNSHO, the rules are:
- Spend what you can
- Don't shame anyone who's spending what they can
- Ignore anyone trying to shame you for spending what you can
ETA: I've been reading lots of great replies and I can't BELIEVE that I forgot to mention the fantastic paper clip anywhere in my thread. It's marvellous for knitting, it can be used as a stitch marker, row marker, and cable needle!
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