Knitting and Crochet Tools – Do You Remember What You Already Own?

We have all been in this situation before. You unexpectedly run across some used knitting needles at a thrift shop or garage sale. Or, you happen to be at Jo-Ann, Michaels, or your LYS and they are having a mega sale. What a great time to pick up some knitting tools for cheap! Your internal dialogue goes something like this... “I should get some size 6 needles because I don't have any...I think. Or did I not have size 7s? And I know I need size 8 circulars for that cool sweater project, but what length did the pattern call for? 24 inches? 32 inches? Uh...um...oh fiddlesticks!!!”

Once you start knitting in earnest, you typically build up a large collection of needles. Keeping track of them in your head is an impossible task. It's especially frustrating if you are confronted with a fabulous opportunity like one of the scenarios described above, but don't remember what you already own. Fortunately, help is here! Last weekend, I found some cheap used knitting needles at the Alameda Pointe Antiques Faire and Urban Ore. Key to the happy ending in my story was that I had downloaded the Android app Knitting Stash on my phone and used it to document all my knitting needles and crochet hooks. The app allows you to record the sizes (US and metric), type (straight, double pointed, circular), and length of your needles amongst other attributes. All the information is stored on your phone for easy access. There is also functionality to create row counters and record your current projects (haven't used this stuff much yet, but they seem useful). Instead of being stymied, I knew exactly which needles I didn't have and walked away with several pairs to round out my collection for only $2. Not too shabby!

You can read more about the app on Google Play's web page for Knitting Stash. See below for a screen print of the app I got from Google Play.

The solution to knitting needle and crochet hook augmentation anxiety!