In my last post, I waxed poetic about fibres (I am aware that I am embracing my inner nerd on that subject). This time, I wanted to write about another subject close to my heart: the search for the perfect project bag.
Fair warning: the answer is not here. What I have realised, however, is that there is a perfect project bag/receptacle for each project, just not necessarily one bag to suit every project.
Crates
Let’s start with less of a ‘bag’ and more of a ‘receptacle’. I favour crates that measure around 12” by 9”, and are 6” deep. Mostly I buy plastic ones from Ikea, but I’ve picked up similar in B&Q and The Range. These are rigid, open ‘baskets’, that are easily moved from room to room, hold all the bits of yarn/notebooks/hooks/stitch markers/tape/scissors in one place and, when not in use, store easily in my works-in-progress cupboard. For a really big project (think large throws), I might upsize to one of the lidded crates that I inherited from my mum. She had a garage full of these, stacked up full of nothing very much. They each measure about 13” by 9.5” and are 8” deep. Not hugely bigger than my open crates, but enough to store the bigger project. I also have a range of felt crates, in various sizes. These I decorate with freeform crochet (well, why wouldn’t you).
Laundry baskets
Also more in the ‘receptacle’ line, I favour a nice basket. My mum had a vast collection of wicker baskets, which I don’t find comfortable to use as the wicker can snag on your work. I like a nice coiled rope basket (Ikea sell them). Many of the supermarket and homeware stores sell laundry baskets in cotton or linen, often with lids, which would work well too, especially for the bigger projects.
You could crochet your own, smaller basket. Chunky yarn and a smaller hook makes a very rigid basket for smaller projects. (Also made my hands ache, so I don’t make these very often).
Bags
The ‘go to’ item for any project. Who amongst us hasn’t used the nearest carrier bag in an emergency for stuffing all that we need to bring a project along with us on holiday. You have spent money on the pattern and fibre, you’ve invested time in the project – it deserves better protection than being stuffed in a crinkly plastic bag. I favour a large canvas bag with a drawstring top to keep my precious project clean on my travels. On a holiday recently, when my project outgrew the bag it had started off in, I purchased a very colourful, cheap, shopping bag because the colours made me smile.
You could, of course, crochet your own project bag. I made Toni Lipsey’s pattern for her Square One Project Bag from scrap yarns and use it for smaller projects when I’m travelling, or decorate a hessian bag with freeform crochet.
Lay Flat Bags
Who hasn’t drooled over the big name leather project bags – I know I have. However, I can’t justify spending £100 on a bag when I would rather spend the money on fibre. I did watch a video blog of someone comparing fake leather alternatives to these expensive bags, which set me off on my own research of ‘lay flat wash/cosmetic bags’. I settled on a quilted polyester travel bag from Amazon that cost me £14. I’m delighted with it – it opens out to lay flat which means I can see everything easily, and it zips up neatly into a compact shape that is easy to carry.
One of the advantages of having dedicated project storage is that you can put a project aside when it isn’t working for you, without losing the pattern, yarn, hooks and notes. Then, when you’re ready to revisit it, everything is still together. There isn’t a single “best” project bag —only the best one for the project you want to make. Perhaps that is why I’m having fun exploring the options.
If you’d like to see more of my ‘good ideas’, I share regular updates every Top Tip Monday on Facebook and Instagram. I’d love for you to join me there.
Until next time, happy crafting!
Sue
Pearson Handmade 