Knitting and Crocheting: Yarn and Tools

Knit one, purl two … or maybe you like to crochet! With a bit of yarn and a little know-how, you can make blankets, scarves, sweaters—and other cozy creations—no matter your level of vision. Whether you already know how to knit and crochet—or you’d like to start a new hobby—let’s take a look at how to choose the tools and materials that work best for you.

And let’s begin with yarn. You might already know that yarn comes in different weights for different projects. Lighter-weight yarns are thinner, and heavier yarns are thicker.

One great tip for knitting or crocheting with vision loss is to choose thicker yarn—which makes bigger stitches. That makes it easier to tell the stitches apart—and to find the right place to insert your knitting needle or crochet hook—both by sight and by touch.

You can find a yarn’s weight on the label: It’s usually identified by a number. Worsted weight yarns are considered medium-weight, and they often have a 4 on the label. Bulky yarn is 5—and you can find yarns that are even thicker.

If you need some help reading the label, think about bringing a handheld or digital magnifier when you shop. Check out our workshop series on magnifiers to learn more.

Another way to make your projects—and your stitches—easier to see is to choose light-colored yarn. When you knit or crochet, the spaces between your stitches form shadows—and a lighter color provides more contrast. If you do choose a darker yarn, working with a light-colored blanket or other fabric in your lap can also help.

Now let’s take a look at knitting needles and crochet hooks. Like yarn, needles and hooks come in a variety of sizes for different needs. Choosing the right size is often a matter of following the pattern or the yarn weight.

But it can be helpful to work with tools that are slightly larger—especially if you’re making a blanket or another project that doesn’t need to be an exact size. Using bigger knitting needles and crochet hooks can help you get used to working with your sense of touch, instead of relying on vision.

Knitting needles and crochet hooks come in many different materials, including metal, plastic, and wood. Aluminum needles and hooks are lightweight—and you can find different colors for different sizes, which can be handy for keeping them organized. But metal can cause glare—especially if you’re working under a task lamp. Trying out different materials can help you find what’s right for you.

If you have low vision, try using dark-colored hooks and needles when you work with light-colored yarn, and light-colored hooks and needles if you have dark yarn. The contrast can make it easier to see your work as you stitch.

Crochet hooks and knitting needles usually have their size embossed on the shaft or on the end, but the small numbers and letters aren’t always easy to find—and some aren’t marked at all. To help you find the right ones more easily, it’s always helpful to keep them organized by size, and to use large-print, tactile or audio labels for marking the containers or bags you store them in. Check out our workshops on labeling for some great ideas.

If you have a set of needles or a hook that you don’t know the size of, a gauge is a handy tool to help you check. Simply slide each needle or hook through the hole that fits it best. Many gauges include holes for every size, so you can feel the holes and count up, to find out which one your needle or hook fits into.You can also personalize your gauge with large print, tactile or audio labels, to make it easier to read—especially for the sizes you often use.

Here’s another resource that’s helpful when you’re getting ready to knit or crochet with low vision: If your project calls for a pattern, many accessible patterns are available through reading services such as BARD, Bookshare, and Audible. You can learn more about BARD in our workshop series for screen readers and for low vision.

There’s also a website called the Accessible Patterns Index, which lets you search for large-print and braille patterns, as well as patterns that have been tested with screen readers. Check out the Resources, or contact a Hadley learning expert for more information. And for more tips that come in handy once you start your knitting or crochet project, check out the rest of this series.

As always, if you need more information or you've got your own tips to share, contact a Hadley learning expert. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience, and practice, and you'll get there.