My unnecessarily strong opinion about organizing craft supplies in particular is that if they're not organized in a way that makes sense to you (whatever that is), they might as well not exist (so you should get rid of them (and if that feels unnecessary you should organize them)). For me with knitting supplies in particular, that means
--organizing yarn by weight (laceweight, fingering, sportweight, etc. on up) in separate stackable see-through containers, each labelled with what weight they are. Can I knit this cute hat on a whim that needs two strongly contrasting colours of DK yarn? Let's open the DK box and see. Where I have a particular subtype of yarn that is its own thing (Norwegian/Shetland-y sticky wools that are interchangeable with each other and in the vague category sometimes called “jumperweight”; sock yarns with nylon), they get their own box or section of a box. I also try to keep labels with partial skeins so I know what they are and can reverse engineer their likely yardage by weighing them.
—organizing needles in a fabric needle roll where I can see what’s available in each size. Double-pointed needles have a pocket right above circular needles of the same size. This is NOT optimal as it doesn’t fit long circular needles in the right place and I constantly have to just pull them all out of their catchall pocket, but it’s the best I’ve found so far—the “flopping off the ends” circular holders are not for me.
—a zip-up project bag that fits a hat/scarf sized project, or a dedicated tote bag when I’m working on a sweater. I have a small zip-up pouch that fits my stitch markers, yarn needles, small scissors, tape measure, etc., that can easily be tossed in the current project bag or set out on the coffee table while I’m working.
If I just have something because it’s nice to look at or touch, then it needs to be stored/displayed like a decorative object. I don’t need to pretend I’m going to actually wind and knit it.
Ravelry does have a good system for keeping track of which needles you have, as long as you update it when you buy new things and check occasionally to remove anything that’s lost/damaged.
I am also a strong advocate for touching the project every day, even if just to do one stitch or reverse one mistake or weave in one end. Keep it in your brain's problem-solving rotation!
I store my circular needles in a small zippered folio binder filled with clear plastic zippered sleeves - one sleeve per needle size so it’s easy to take stock (thanks mochi things!)
It has a interior pockets perfectly sized to hold a small needle gauge and a few essential notions, and makes a convenient “go bag” to throw in with active projects when things move around
One container that sits out and easily accessible to contain current project bags. I have one for upstairs and one for downstairs for easy access.
I have bins from the container store to contain yarn, organized by weight. Decide how many are appropriate to you. I get more yarn than can fit in what I have.
Small bin with drawers for notions, and a small pouch that i can easily grab to put in any project bag.
My favorite is a huge three ring binder full of pouches for my circular and double pointed needles, labeled by size. I can always clearly see what and how many I have of each. I have a needle gauge tool attached to the binder as well to check. This keeps them out of the way and also not tangled in a crazy pile.
Great column, Bossy Dames! I love Peg Bracken and need to borrow one of your books to re-read, Kiki. I cannot wait for "All Creatures" to come back. Meanwhile, try "Yorkshire Vet," if you haven't. It is addictive and touching.
Slip stitched colorwork is my favorite! I find my tension is more consistent than true fair isle style.
Also I love a project bag, preferably one with a drawstring to keep me organized. I have a very silly little pencil case (he’s got eyes and is all zipper) to hold all my knitting notions (snips, tapestry needles, etc.) that stays in my project bag. All the other knitting supplies live in a bigger plastic storage box elsewhere.
My unnecessarily strong opinion about organizing craft supplies in particular is that if they're not organized in a way that makes sense to you (whatever that is), they might as well not exist (so you should get rid of them (and if that feels unnecessary you should organize them)). For me with knitting supplies in particular, that means
--organizing yarn by weight (laceweight, fingering, sportweight, etc. on up) in separate stackable see-through containers, each labelled with what weight they are. Can I knit this cute hat on a whim that needs two strongly contrasting colours of DK yarn? Let's open the DK box and see. Where I have a particular subtype of yarn that is its own thing (Norwegian/Shetland-y sticky wools that are interchangeable with each other and in the vague category sometimes called “jumperweight”; sock yarns with nylon), they get their own box or section of a box. I also try to keep labels with partial skeins so I know what they are and can reverse engineer their likely yardage by weighing them.
—organizing needles in a fabric needle roll where I can see what’s available in each size. Double-pointed needles have a pocket right above circular needles of the same size. This is NOT optimal as it doesn’t fit long circular needles in the right place and I constantly have to just pull them all out of their catchall pocket, but it’s the best I’ve found so far—the “flopping off the ends” circular holders are not for me.
—a zip-up project bag that fits a hat/scarf sized project, or a dedicated tote bag when I’m working on a sweater. I have a small zip-up pouch that fits my stitch markers, yarn needles, small scissors, tape measure, etc., that can easily be tossed in the current project bag or set out on the coffee table while I’m working.
If I just have something because it’s nice to look at or touch, then it needs to be stored/displayed like a decorative object. I don’t need to pretend I’m going to actually wind and knit it.
Ravelry does have a good system for keeping track of which needles you have, as long as you update it when you buy new things and check occasionally to remove anything that’s lost/damaged.
I am also a strong advocate for touching the project every day, even if just to do one stitch or reverse one mistake or weave in one end. Keep it in your brain's problem-solving rotation!
I store my circular needles in a small zippered folio binder filled with clear plastic zippered sleeves - one sleeve per needle size so it’s easy to take stock (thanks mochi things!)
It has a interior pockets perfectly sized to hold a small needle gauge and a few essential notions, and makes a convenient “go bag” to throw in with active projects when things move around
https://shop.mochithings.com/products/118088
One container that sits out and easily accessible to contain current project bags. I have one for upstairs and one for downstairs for easy access.
I have bins from the container store to contain yarn, organized by weight. Decide how many are appropriate to you. I get more yarn than can fit in what I have.
Small bin with drawers for notions, and a small pouch that i can easily grab to put in any project bag.
My favorite is a huge three ring binder full of pouches for my circular and double pointed needles, labeled by size. I can always clearly see what and how many I have of each. I have a needle gauge tool attached to the binder as well to check. This keeps them out of the way and also not tangled in a crazy pile.
Great column, Bossy Dames! I love Peg Bracken and need to borrow one of your books to re-read, Kiki. I cannot wait for "All Creatures" to come back. Meanwhile, try "Yorkshire Vet," if you haven't. It is addictive and touching.
I'm obsessed with Erma Bombeck right now and will definitely check out I Hate to Cook Book!!
I use these for my mending supplies: https://www.target.com/p/6l-stacking-clear-bin-with-lid-brightroom-8482/-/A-89050686#lnk=sametab
I like that they are see through so I don't have dig around.
Slip stitched colorwork is my favorite! I find my tension is more consistent than true fair isle style.
Also I love a project bag, preferably one with a drawstring to keep me organized. I have a very silly little pencil case (he’s got eyes and is all zipper) to hold all my knitting notions (snips, tapestry needles, etc.) that stays in my project bag. All the other knitting supplies live in a bigger plastic storage box elsewhere.