As a knitter, having a proper storage solution for your knitting needles is crucial for keeping your supplies organized and protected. With so many sizes, materials, and types of needles, determining the best storage options can be overwhelming. Whether you have just a few pairs of needles or a vast collection, using the right needle storage will keep your tools tidy and easy to find when inspiration for your next knitting project strikes.
Why is it important to store knitting needles properly?
There are several key reasons to use proper storage methods for your knitting needles:
- Protecting against damage – Knitting needles, especially higher quality wood, bamboo, and metal needles, represent an investment. Keeping them stored correctly will prevent them from being bent, scratched, or broken.
- Preventing lost needles – It’s incredibly frustrating when you can’t find the right size needle you need for a project. Organized storage prevents needles from getting misplaced.
- Avoiding clutter – Loose needles can easily get jumbled together and create clutter and frustration. Proper storage keeps your knitting area neat and tidy.
- Portability – Having needles stored in a case or pouch allows you to easily transport them to knitting groups or on trips.
- Display – Some knitters enjoy displaying their needle collection proudly. Organized storage and display options allow crafters to showcase their impressive stash.
Needle Storage Solutions
When selecting a storage method for your knitting needles, there are many options to consider. The best solution for you will depend on the amount of space you have, your budget, and your personal organizational preferences.
Needle Cases
Cases designed specifically for knitting needles provide a portable and protective storage solution. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit your collection. Many feature interior dividers or sleeves to keep different size needles separated. Popular materials include canvas, leather, plastic, and wood.
- Pros: Very portable, protect needles from damage, keep needles organized and visible, range of sizes available, often affordable
- Cons: Limited capacity depending on case size, can make it tricky to grab one specific size needle
Zippered Pouches
Zippered mesh, nylon, or vinyl pouches can be a lightweight and inexpensive needle storage option. Transparent materials allow you to easily see your needles while the zipper keeps them securely contained.
- Pros: Lightweight, portable, see-through for visibility, protect from damage, typically very affordable
- Cons: Less structure and organization than a case, may not hold up over time with frequent use
Knitting Needle Rolls
Needle rolls offer an elegant way to both store and transport your knitting needles. They roll up and tie shut sort of like a yoga mat. Interior sleeves or loops keep needles neatly in place.
- Pros: Very portable, often made of beautiful, high-quality materials, keep needles organized and secure for travel
- Cons: More expensive, limited capacity depending on roll size
Standing Floor Racks
Free standing racks let you store needles right on your craft table or desktop. They come in acrylic, wood, steel, and other materials. Slots or holes sized for different needle diameters help you easily identify and select the size you need.
- Pros: Convenient access when knitting, often holds a large quantity of needles, wide selection of attractive styles
- Cons: Takes up more space than portable options, needles not protected from dust or damage
Wall-Mounted Racks
Wall-mounted needle holders can maximize your storage space. Often made of wood, metal, or acrylic, they securely display your needles in size order while keeping them up off your work surface.
- Pros: Get needles up out of the way, organize by size for easy access, great for large collections
- Cons: Permanent installation required, needles exposed to dust and damage
Magnetic Strips
Installing metal magnetic strips allows you to store metal needles right on your wall. The magnetic pull keeps needles securely in place.
- Pros: Convenient access, maximizes space, inexpensive
- Cons: Only works for metal needles, can fall off if magnetic pull weakens over time
Jam Jars
For a budget-friendly and crafty option, simple glass jars or mugs allow you to neatly display your needles on your craft table. The heavy bottoms prevent tipping while clear glass lets you easily identify needle sizes.
- Pros: Inexpensive, handy household items easily repurposed
- Cons: No protection from damage, limited capacity
Knitting Needle Cases
These flat, folder-style cases have sleeves to neatly store your needles and other small knitting notions. They fold up when not in use for compact storage.
- Pros: Very portable, protects needles from damage, specialized storage for notions
- Cons: Limited capacity, less rigid than box-style cases
Plastic Storage Containers
Clear plastic bins and storage boxes allow you to divide up categories of needles while still being able to see contents. They come in many sizes to suit your stash.
- Pros: Visibility of contents, very affordable, protect from dust and damage, wide range of sizes
- Cons: Less portability and protection than specialized cases
Knitting Needle Organizers
Some crafters enjoy building custom needle holders using household materials like jars, vases, coffee cans, and embroidery hoops. Get creative with decorative fabric, beads, and other embellishments.
- Pros: Creative, customize to your space, great for displaying large collections
- Cons: Less protection from damage, require some DIY skills
Choosing the Best Needle Storage Method
When selecting the ideal knitting needle storage options, keep these key factors in mind:
- Portability – If you knit on-the-go, prioritize compact, lightweight storage you can easily transport. Needle cases or rolls are ideal.
- Protection – To prevent needle damage, choose storage like cases, pouches, or rolls that will keep them cushioned and secure.
- Capacity – Make sure your storage solution can comfortably accommodate the number of needles you own. Stand-alone racks offer the most room for large collections.
- Organization – Opt for storage that keeps needles sorted by size, either in individual sleeves or slots/openings sized for each diameter.
- Visibility – Being able to easily identify the size/type of needle saves frustration. Transparent plastic boxes and cases allow you to see contents.
- Accessibility – If you want to grab needles quickly while knitting, choose a wall-mounted rack, desktop stand, or magnetic strip.
- Display – For knitters who want to show off their needle collection attractively, choose beautiful needle rolls, custom organizers, or wall-mounted racks.
- Budget – If affordability is key, inexpensive options like mesh pouches, mugs, and plastic bins work well.
Recommended Needle Storage By Needle Type
Certain storage solutions tend to work especially well for specific needle materials:
Wooden Knitting Needles
The best options for wood needles include needle cases, rolls, racks, and custom organizers. The structured protection of cases prevents delicate wood from being damaged while still keeping them portable. Racks nicely display decorative wood needles as a focal point while custom organizers allow you to get creative in showing off your collection.
Metal Knitting Needles
Metal needles pair well with wall-mounted racks, magnetic strips, mugs/jars, and desktop racks. The magnetic pull of strips keeps steel needles firmly in place. Sturdy metal won’t bend or scratch if loosely stored in open mugs or racks. Size-specific slots in desktop racks make selecting the right needle easy.
Plastic Knitting Needles
Lightweight, durable plastic needles do well stored in zippered pouches, plastic bins, knitting cases, and storage containers. The softness of pouches and bins prevents scratches while their transparency makes contents visible. Cases keep plastic needles organized yet protected when on the go.
Bamboo Knitting Needles
Natural bamboo needles pair well with any option that protects their delicate finish. Needle cases, rolls, pouches, and custom organizers cushion bamboo while keeping it organized. Padded protection prevents chipping of the bamboo surface.
Double-Pointed Knitting Needles
To store delicate double-pointed needles (DPNs) safely, options like cases, pouches, rolls, and specialty DPN holders work best. Their snug compartments prevent slender DPNs from bending while also keeping needle sets together. Zippered pouches are extra secure for transporting DPN sets.
DIY Knitting Needle Storage Ideas
For crafty knitters, creating your own custom needle holders can be a fun and fulfilling way to organize your stash. Here are some inspiring DIY ideas you can make on your own:
Necktie Needle Holder
- Fold an old necktie into thirds lengthwise and stitch fabric panels together, leaving top open.
- Roll into a tube and stitch closed on one end.
- Slice small horizontal slits across the tube to hold needles.
- Decorate with ribbon, lace, or fabric glued around the outside.
Paint Can Organizer
- Thoroughly clean and dry empty metal paint cans.
- Coat exterior with decorative paper, fabric, or spray paint.
- Drill holes in lid sized to fit different needle diameters.
- Label size of each hole. Fill cans with corresponding needles.
Knitting Needle Vase
- Choose a sturdy glass vase, bowl, or jar.
- Fill vase with a bit of florist foam, rice, or beads (to hold needles upright).
- Insert needles in foam or between grains/beads by size.
- Optional: Paint or decouage vase before inserting needles.
Pegboard Wall Organizer
- Mount panel(s) of pegboard securely on wall.
- Insert pegs in formation to hold needles horizontally, grouped by size/type.
- Outline pegboard with decorative molding if desired.
Conclusion
For knitters, keeping your valuable knitting needle collection organized via proper storage methods saves time, prevents frustration, and protects your investment in quality tools. With so many innovative options available including cases, pouches, rolls, racks, jars, and custom DIY solutions, you can find a storage method that fits your budget, space, and organizational style.
A little time invested in researching and implementing the ideal knitting needle storage solutions for your needs will pay off enormously in the long run. You’ll reduce clutter, eliminate misplaced needles, gain portability, and enjoy unhindered access to the perfect needle for every knitting project.
