One of the things I absolutely hate, as a knitter, is to be out on the road and discover that I have left a key knitting accessory behind.
There I am knitting along and I suddenly discover I have no way to measure my progress or no scissors to cut the yarn or no stitch markers to put on as I begin the patterned section etc. I have my yarn, pattern and needles and I can't complete a key step in the process because I've left a key accessory in another project bag or down the side of my knitting chair etc.
Well, no more of that for me. I've come up with a solution and it started when I began to figure out what I wanted in the drawers of my new knitting room storage cabinet.
Behind drawer number one, I have decided to store ALL my accessory pouches. I will keep them stocked and ready to grab and add to a project bag when I'm heading out on the road. It's a simple system -- if there's a pouch in the project bag, I can be assured I have all the accessories I need.
But of course the system will be no good to me if I can't guarantee that each little accessory pouch has all the key tools. So I made a list:
scissors
stitch holder
open-end stitch markers
stitch marker rings
row counter
hook for picking up dropped stitches
tape measure
pen
darning needles.
I laid out the contents in the same order times 5 since I have 4 accessory kits for travel and I'll need all the same tools for knitting here at home.
I've got a list of any missing items I need to buy to make sure that each and every pouch has everything I need. AND, if I am careful to check the inventory of each pouch against the master list when I return it to the drawer, I should be able to trust my system!
Anything you think I've missed ? How do you organize your knitting accessories for knitting on the run?
Hi Joan...This is a great idea...there's nothing worse than realising you have forgotten a vital piece of equipment on a long journey when there's nothing else to do, is there? I have a travel bag too which I keep stocked all the time.
By the way, I love your new knitting room. It looks so calm and peaceful...I would love to spend the afternoon knitting with you and sipping tea!
Hope you have a lovely weekend,
Susan x
Posted by: Susan | 03/16/2013 at 03:53 AM
That is an awesome idea! I hate being without a needed tool. I have two puches at home, but there are tools missing. I should probably pick up a third pouch and stock up on missing do-dads. l
Posted by: Dina | 03/17/2013 at 09:38 AM
Great idea! I like to keep a darning needle and scrap yarn in mine too.
Posted by: Mary Lee | 03/19/2013 at 05:48 AM
I checked my 'pouch' there are only a couple of things I have that you don't list
- needle gauge
- crochet cotton for running lifelines
- note pad (with directions for kitchner and jeny's bind off on page 1)
And I have two sizes of crochet hooks - sock yarn sized and light worsted sized
Posted by: threadbndr | 04/04/2013 at 03:45 PM
I love this plan! Clear and easy to assemble. I'm definitely going to create a few of these myself.
Posted by: Kay | 05/08/2013 at 10:40 PM