Editing Knitting (section)

===Ancillary tools===
[[Image:Knitting tools.png|thumb|Some ancillary tools, also called [[Notions (sewing)|notions]], used by hand-knitters. Starting from the bottom right are two crochet hooks, two stitch holders (like big blunt safety pins), and two cable needles in pink and green. On the left are a pair of scissors, a yarn needle, green and blue stitch markers, and two orange point protectors. At the top left are two blue point protectors, one on a red needle.]]

Various tools have been developed to make hand-knitting easier.  Tools for measuring needle diameter and yarn properties have been discussed above, as well as the [[swift (textiles)|yarn swift]], ballwinder and "yarntainers".  Crochet hooks and a darning needle are often useful in [[binding off (knitting)|binding/casting off]] or in [[grafting (knitting)|joining two knitted pieces edge-to-edge]].  The darning needle is used in duplicate stitch (also known as Swiss darning). The crochet hook is also essential for repairing dropped stitches and some specialty stitches such as [[tufting]].  Other tools such as [[spool knitting|knitting spool]]s or [[pom-pom]] makers are used to prepare specific ornaments.  For large or complex [[knitting patterns]], it is sometimes difficult to keep track of which stitch should be knit in a particular way; therefore, several tools have been developed to identify the number of a particular row or stitch, including circular stitch markers, hanging markers, extra yarn and [[Row counter (hand knitting)|row counters]].   A second potential difficulty is that the knitted piece will slide off the tapered end of the needles when unattended; this is prevented by "point protectors" that cap the tapered ends.  Another problem is that too much knitting may lead to hand and wrist troubles; for this, special stress-relieving gloves are available. In traditional Shetland knitting a special belt is often used to support the end of one needle allowing the knitting greater speed. Finally, there are sundry bags and containers for holding knitting, yarns and needles.