5 Top Tools & Accessories for Machine Knitters
Make your knitting smoother, faster, and more enjoyable with these essential add-ons. Whether you’re brand new to machine knitting or have years of experience, the right accessories can make a world of difference. From prepping your yarn to fixing (inevitable) mistakes, here are five must-have tools that streamline setup, make the knitting process more satisfying and help you get great results!
1. Have a skein of yarn? You need a yarn winder.
The best yarn for flat bed knitting machines is evenly wound and pulls smoothly and consistently. If you’re not using coned yarn, like this one from Brown Sheep, you need a yarn winder to create a center-pull cake or cone at home. This keeps your yarn feeding evenly through the carriage and helps prevent snags and tension issues.
Don’t be tempted by “creative” DIY winding hacks. I’ve tried winding yarn onto a paper towel roll with an egg beater then popped it into a milk crate on a dowel… and let’s just say it did not go well. The tension was all over the place, and I ended up wasting so much time babysitting my yarn and re-knitting tight rows. Learn from my mistakes! A proper yarn winder will save you time and stress.
🧶 Check out the one I recommend here.
2. A Swift Makes Winding Easy (and Kinda Fun)
If you’re starting with a hank of yarn, a swift is your best friend. It holds the yarn taut as you you wind, preventing tangles and knots. I’ve also used mine to frog larger projects—the yarn stays organized and ready for blocking, steaming, or reuse.
I love this one from Fiber Artist Supply Co.—it’s pretty and sturdy, and I expect it to last for decades.
👉 Check it out here
Good lighting is a game changer, especially when you’re using all the needles. I didn’t fully appreciate how important it is until I got a Passap with a built-in fluorescent light running across the needle bed. It made such a difference! Clear lighting helps reduce eye strain and lets you catch mistakes before they become disasters. I’m going to make a similar light for my Silver Reed machines soon. Until then, I use this adjustable arm table lamp from IKEA so I can direct light right where I need it: 👉 Tertial Work Lamp
4. Credit Card = Needle Latch Magic
An old credit card, gift card, or driver’s license is the best needle latch opener. Cut it half diagonally and you’re good to go. I keep one with each machine alongside my other tools.
No need to buy something fancy—this one’s free and works great.
💳 Here’s a quick social media video showing how I use mine
Bonus: I store my tools in old candle jars, planters and little bowls. Keeps everything cute and handy!
5. So 👏🏾 Many 👏🏾 Seams 👏🏾 … A Linker Is Worth It!
Seaming by machine can take longer than the knitting itself—and it’s often bulkier. Using a linker takes some practice but saves you so much time if you knit regularly.
Even in the U.S., buying direct from Hague is usually best.
🧵 Here’s the linker I use
📖 And this book by Helen Sharp is full of helpful tips: Linking Knitwear for Machine Knitters
Of course, hand seaming still has its place. A comfy chair, a tapestry needle and an audiobook can be the perfect way to finish a project—no hunching required.
Want to see these tools in action?
Join one of my machine knitting workshops or follow me on social media!
