How to: make a knitting needle roll

Now, I'm not the most tidy of people - particularly when I'm in the middle of a project, but all the knitting I've been doing lately has reminded me how useful it is to have all my needles and other bits and pieces easily accessible and neatly ordered instead of in a Jenga-style jumble at the bottom of a bag. One of the most useful things I have crafted for myself is a knitting needle roll - it helped to make me feel the part when I first started knitting and it's great to be in control and organised of at least a tiny bit of life! I've been meaning to write a how-to for ages. So, here goes - I hope it's easy to follow and helps make you feel like a knitting expert too!

What you need:

• Plain fabric for outside and lining (I used a linen canvas): 1/2 yard /46cm
• Fleece interfacing: 1/2 yard /46cm
• Large patterned fabric (I used vintage barkcloth) for small inner pocket, needle guard and contrast strip on outside: 1/2 yard /46cm
• Contrasting small patterned fabric for large inner pocket: 10"/25cm should be plenty
• Double fold bias binding: 65"/165cm
• Ribbon: 51"/130cm
• Thread to match

Step 1: Cut out the following:

Plain fabric:

• Cut two pieces 16" tall x 15" wide (40.5cm x 38cm) for outside and inside.

Fleece interfacing:

• Cut one piece 16 inches/40.5cm tall and 15 inches/38cm wide

Large patterned fabric:

• Cut one piece 4 1/2 inches/11.5cm tall and 15 inches/38cm wide for small inner pocket
• Cut one piece 4 inches/10cm tall and 15 inches/38cm wide for outside contrast strip
• Cut one piece 3 inches/7.5cm tall and 15 inches/38cm wide for upper needle guard
  

Contrasting small patterned fabric:

• Cut one piece 8 1/2 inches/21.5cm tall and 15 inches/38cm wide for large inner pocket

Now all the pieces are ready, we can get on with the construction. (If you are anything like me, you will have them all laid out in front of you in neat little piles and will be talking to yourself in a Blue Peter fashion... no? Just me then!)

Step 2: Pin the bias binding to the top long edge of the small and large inner pocket pieces and to the bottom edge of the upper needle guard.

Then top stitch the binding in place, using a matching thread.


Step 3: Pin the fleece interlining to the wrong side of the inside piece.


Step 4: Place the large inner pocket on the right side of the inside, making sure the bottom edges line up neatly. Pin around the outside edges to keep pocket in place.

Measure and mark out the lines for stitching the needle pockets using the following intervals:

in inches: | 2 1/2" | 1" | 1 1/2" | 1 1/2" | 1 1/2" | 1 1/2" | 1 1/2" | 1 1/2" | 2 1/2" |
in cm: | 64mm | 25mm | 38mm | 38mm | 38mm | 38mm | 38mm | 38mm | 64mm |


You could use pins to mark out the dividing lines or draw directly onto the fleece on the wrong side.

Carefully stitch along the lines you have marked out, using a contrasting or matching thread. Make sure you reinforce the stitching at the top end of the pocket a couple of times for added strength.

Step 5: Place the small inner pocket on top of the large inner pocket making sure the bottom edges line up neatly. Pin around the outside edges to keep pocket in place.

Measure and mark out the lines for stitching the needle pockets using the following intervals:

in inches: | 3" | 1" | 3" | 1 1/2" | 3" | 1 1/2" | 2 1/2" |
in cm: |76mm | 25mm | 76mm | 38mm | 76mm | 38mm | 64mm |


Carefully stitch along the lines you have marked out, using a contrasting or matching thread, as before.


Step 6: Place the upper needle guard at the top of the inside piece making sure the top edges line up neatly. Pin around the outside edges to keep in place.

Step 7: Turn under and press 1/4" / 6mm along both long edges of the outside contrast strip.

Pin the outside contrast strip to the centre of the right side of the outside piece. Carefully top stitch along the long edges of the outside contrast strip in a contrasting or matching thread to secure in place. To add further decoration, position a strip of ribbon along the centre of the outside contrast strip and top stitch in place using a contrasting thread.



Step 8: Fold the remaining strip of ribbon in half. Position the folded edge of the ribbon against one edge of the outside piece, making sure it lines up with the ribbon on the outside contrast strip, and pin in place.


Step 9: Place the outside and inside pieces on top of each other with right sides facing, and pin together. If you would prefer the corners of your needle roll to be slightly curved, as mine is, I suggest you draw the curve you want on each of the 4 corners as a stitching guide . I used a cotton reel as my template.


Sew along all edges using a 1/2" / 13mm seam allowance, but make sure you leave a sufficient gap in the stitching along one edge for turning.

Trim the seam allowance, clip the corners then turn through the gap in the stitching. Press flat for a nice finish, slip stitch the gap in the edge and voila! - you should now have a gorgeous new needle holder!

Now, place your needles inside and marvel at the wonder of your organised new life!!