Knitting project bags are a necessary accessory for your knitting projects. They serve as a place to store your yarn, your work in progress (WIP), and all of the notions you need while working on said WIP.
There are lots of different options for project bags out there, all of which work for both knitting and crochet projects. While any old bag will do the job, it’s worth considering bags specifically for the purpose of storing your WIPs and all of the notions for that WIP.
Train Cases
Let’s start with my current favorite knitting “project bag,” the Maker’s Train Case from Jimmy Beans Wool. I got mine years ago when it was branded as Namaste; now they are under the Della Q label, so they look a little different. These things are amazing at keeping your yarn, project, and notions organized. There’s a little hole to feed your yarn through if you want to keep the lid closed. This works best if you pull from the center of a center-pull ball. But the real magic is in the lid.
The lid is magnetic! This may not sound revolutionary at first, but just wait. The lid is highlighted as being the perfect place to display your pattern, and that’s not a bad idea. The revolution is using the lid to organize all of your notions and accessories, most of which are magnetic. Grab some magnets and be amazed! It’s like being a kid in a candy store.
- Metal scissors? Attach them to the lid.
- Retractable measuring tape? There’s metal in there, attach it to the lid.
- Metal darning needle? Attach it to the lid.
- A t-pin for tightening your interchangeable needles? Attach it to the lid.
- Metal stitch markers? Attach them to the lid.
- Non-metal stitch markers? Put them in an Altoids tin (mini or regular) and attach them to the lid.
- Knitting barber cords? Use fun tak or glue to stick a magnet to the back of the tin, and attach it to the lid. (Or transfer them to their own Altoids tin)
I love it! I always have everything I need right there. My train case came with a couple of magnets, but you can easily add more.
As a bonus, it’s quick to throw my project in the train case and close the lid to keep it away from my soon-to-be toddler. TBD if she’ll figure out how to open the lid. With fabric bags, it typically takes me a bit to stuff my project back in when needed.
The train cases are also said to fit under an airline seat. I tend to prefer fabric bags for travel since I carry on my luggage, but if you check your bags, flying with the train case could be fun.
Traditional Project Bags
Traditional fabric project bags are sometimes referred to as knitting bags. Etsy has lots of indie knitting project bag makers that use beautiful, unique fabrics. There are commercial options, too. The typical knitting project bag is a soft, fabric bag, which is great because you can stuff these bags anywhere you need them – into a purse, luggage, etc. Some are open tote bags, others close with a zipper, or cinch closed with a cord.
Indie bags typically come in different sizes based on the number of balls of yarn that can easily fit. I use a 1-2 ball-of-yarn size bag to carry a small project, like socks or a Musselburgh, in my purse.
I prefer the project bags that have built in pockets for my notions. When a bag doesn’t have built in pockets, I typically add a tiny pouch to keep notions organized. A coin purse or small “gift with purchase” makeup bags are perfect for notions.
Final Thoughts
In summary, make your WIP storage work for you. If you need your WIP to fit into a tiny space, go with a fabric bag. If you need your WIP’s bag to keep you meticulously organized, consider a train case. And if you want a fabric bag to be as organized as possible, get one with built in pockets or add a notions pouch.
