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…
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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…
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.
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