Organization to the Max

The other day I was working in the living room.  I had no idea what I wanted to make, so I pulled out all my needles and hooks and several skeins of yarn.  All laid out on the coffee table.  Needless to say, it was quite a mess.

As I rummaged through, things were falling off the table, the cats thought the hooks and needles were play things, and I may have lost something in the process.  I even left it all there to sit for a few days.  Ya, I'm not the greatest at picking up after myself unless I do it right away.  

My husband came home from work one day, looked at the mess and said, "You know I sure wish I could actually use this table for what it's for."  His indirect way of reprimanding me and getting his point through.  I knew he was right.  I knew I needed to clean it up, but I also knew that it would look the same in the cabinet I use to store all my crafting things.  (I am REALLY looking forward to the day that we can build an office for me.)

So, I started my quest for a needle organizer.   I knew what I wanted it to look like, but needed a basic template to help me get started.  (Usually, I just go with the flow and make my own patterns, but I wasn't feeling it.)  Most patterns I found were a bit small for what I wanted, until I found Alexantra's Knits Tutorial.  It was EXACTLY what I envisioned.  What I used from her tutorial was the size of the organizer.

From there I made it my own.  I didn't use the binding, but rather folded over the edges from the outside fabric.  It turns out the be like a fake binding.  It's easier since I'm a beginner sewer, but I also like the look a little better, too.   I made the number of vertical pocket number and sizes my own as well.  I felt it worked better for me compared to what she had in her template.  I still need to make ties, but the organizer still does it's job without them.  I'm thinking of a sweet knit icord in a gold.

As for fabric, I knew I needed durable.  So, I used the denim I had lying around to make most of the insides.  The floral fabric I used for a blanket in my shop, but absolutely loved it!  Luckily, the remnants from the blanket were enough to sew this organizer (since this fabric I know isn't available at the store anymore).  

In the end, I have an AWESOME organizer for all my knitting and crocheting items.  I absolutely love it and there will be no more needles lying around willy nilly!  Wish I could say the same for the yarn.  ;D

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