Tuesday, February 17, 2009

storing knitting needles...

I'm often on the look out for interesting and practical ways to store my craft supplies... and knitting needles are always a bit of a challenge. So I was delighted to discover this piece at the local 'op shop'... tagged at $1.50

knitting needle storage

I'm a little bit addicted to all things wicker. To be honest, I just can't get enough of the stuff! The textures and the colours... it all fascinates me. And it always seems to have a sense of warmth and character about it.

So I'm guessing that it is a picnic basket kind of thingy... with space to store a couple of bottles of wine, and a picnic rug. But it screamed KNITTING NEEDLES to me... the 'pockets' at the front are perfect for all my straight needles... and my circulars, stitch holders and cable needles are in an old round biscuit tin, in the back 'pocket'

Now I just need to find something equally as interesting to store my crochet hooks in...

Tell me. How do you store your hooks and needles?

16 comments:

Anabelle said...

I keep a large basket underneath my side sofa table filled with my current project and yarns.. and all my crochet hooks in a sandwich bag.. which is a bit basic, but it works and they fit
Of course my collection is far smaller than yours i'm sure :)

danielle said...

I don't have anything interesting. Just a zippered "pouch" that has a slot for each different size of crochet hook.

a Knitting Junkie! said...

What a cute basket! I am typically all about baskets, but haven't found any that are just right for my needles. I personally store my needles in vase on my coffee table. Right beside it is a crystal vase with my mini balls of leftover yarn and another vase for smaller scraps that I just know I'll need or be able to use sometime, lol.

Anonymous said...

I've just got mine in a drawer, but bundled together with elastic with the size marked on it. I inherited all my grandma's knitting needles, so I've got quite a few of each size.

heklica said...

I love wicker too. Your needle basket is fantastic but I'm mesmerized by your needle collection!

Jossan said...

How nice and handy! :D
My knitting pins are in a small bag of fabric, I woule like to display them in some other kind of way, but Im not sure how.
And my crochet hooks are in a newmade crochet-hooks-case that mum sew for me. :)

Linda said...

I made a rolled needle case to store my needles in and a smaller one for my hooks. That was a great find.

Anonymous said...

My dh had a large pewter beer mug (tankard) that he wasn't using that I confiscated for my crochet hooks. I crocheted a swatch of fabric about 5x5 inches in double crochet *American* and rolled it up and pushed it into the bottom of the mug and then pushed the non hook ends of the crochet hooks into the material. It keeps all of my hooks accessible and it looks fun and funky on my crafting desk.

Carlene said...

I have a few ziploc baggies with hooks, scissors and darning needles that I can drop into my purse or a project bag on the go. (I was trained to always keep my hook with the project.)

I also have a couple of pencil cases which I use to store larger numbers of hooks, a pair of scissors, darning needles and a baggie of buttons. One of the pencil cases is like a clamshell with a zipper all the way around. The other is a pencil bag with a zipper down one end and part of the side. This pencil case is designed to 'stand up' when open. Both offer advantages. Though I think I prefer the second case as it has more storage and it is harder to drop everything accidentally. This makes it nicer for traveling.

Big mamma frog said...

My needles are mostly stored in a tall old whisky tin (I guess that says rather alot about me and my drinking habits lol). It's the perfect height for all the longer needles.

Anonymous said...

What a great find to store both straights and circulars. My knitting needles are in a ceramic crock. Some of my hooks are in a pencil holder shaped like a moonshine jug. The rest are in a pretty mug. I've heard that toothbrush holders work, too.

Jessica Martiele said...

Brilliant.

I use a decorative umbrella holder.

Everyday Housewife said...

I love that basket but I love your needles collection more. I keep my knitting needles tied up in a bunch on my shelf, and the accessories are in a pencil case.

Anonymous said...

I store my crochet hooks in a two-piece travel toothbrush holder - the kind that comes apart at the middle. Works great. I think I have about ten in mine.

Karen said...

I loved reading what others use - got some new ideas! - an umbrella holder! - a toothbrush holder! Wow. For my frequently used needles and hooks I use one of those glass flower holders (I think they are called "frogs") which both display the 'bouquet' of hooks and needles and make them readily accessible.

Anonymous said...

I really like your basket! I have my knitting needles in tall crystal vases and my crochet hooks in a candy tin that is tall enough for them to be on end, but I crocheted a cover for it because I like wine cozies and thought that would be nice for the tin. I like to use things in unexpected ways, too! It's a secret pleasure to think outside of the box, yes?