in my studio: notions and tools

This has been going around Instagram recently (after @fringesupplyco asked...) and I'm a bit late, but in the end I just couldn't help sharing. I'm facinated by the tools knitters choose to use, and what's in their notions pouch or project bags. Since it's hard to put a whole bunch of info & links into an Instagram post, I thought I would share today here as well and provide a little bit more information on where I got all these tools and how I use them!

I've really pared down my notions pouch in the last few months, and now only carry the essentials with me. Here is what I consider essential to happy and comfortable knitting:

a good-sized zip pouch: Mine is handmade in India, purchased from a friend (through this project) years ago. (The button says "Needles to say: I knit" and is from this Dawanda shop)

a small gauge ruler: this is so essential not only for gauge swatches but also for checking progress on WIP's. I use a metal one I inherited from my grandmother but have been thinking of switching to this one for ages!

extra needles: I always keep a few extra needles for whatever project I've got with me. (pictured above are two pairs of Addi Bamboo circular needles- I basically always use bamboo needles and, whenever possible, circulars!)

stitch markers: I use basic black safety pins. These work great both as removable and basic markers. Sometimes I attach a small piece of paper or a bit of coloured yarn to the safety pins if the yarn I'm working with is dark coloured, as they can be hard to see.

small scissors: absolutely essential for knitting on the go! I love my small crane scissors, purchased at a craft store here in Marburg (but these are the same) and I've totally become known among friends for always having scissors on me.

row counter: depending on the project I'm working on, I quite often have this with me to mark my place when having to stop suddenly while knitting on the go. I also inherited this from my Grandmother and love how tiny it is- so easy to take with me.

hand carved crochet hook: I always keep a crochet hook with me for repair work, or picking up a dropped stitch. My favorite hooks were hand carved by a friend of my mom's- a few even from branches in my parent's backyard. They're for sale in this Etsy shop.

beeswax hand balm and lip balm: I never EVER go anywhere without lip balm. My favorite has always been Burt's Bees (pomegranate) but they're a bit hard to find here in Germany, so I found a similar alternative that I've been using recently called Bee Natural. The hand balm was a gift from my aunt, and I've been using it consistantly during the winter as I always have dry hands from the cold.

So there you go. Those are the essential items I alway have with me for knitting in comfort and on-the-go. I suppose not pictured are also my fingerless mitts. I've always got those with me to make sure I don't knit with cold hands as this causes pain in my wrists.

And of course, now I wanna know: what in your tool kit or notions pouch? Or what are your essential tools for happy knitting?