Knitting Needle Case - Tutorial

Since I rediscovered knitting in July, I have finished quite a few projects (you can see them all here on my Ravelry page) and collected a lot of stuff - knitting needles, circular needles, cable needles, a crochet hook etc. With our upcoming move to a temporary smaller place in mind, I decided to make a case to keep it all together.

It was a quick and easy project (finished in less than two hours) and I thought I'd share the instructions here for those of you who would like to make a case of their own. You don't need to be an experienced sewer to make this case - it is enough if you can sew a straight line.

You will need:
Outer fabric (I used a heavyweight home dec fabric from Ikea):
- 18'' x 20'' (46 cm x 51 cm) rectangle
Inner fabric (I used plain muslin/calico):
- 18'' x 20'' (46 cm x 51 cm) rectangle
- 18'' x 26'' (46 cm x 66 cm) rectangle , folded in half to create a 18'' x 13'' pocket
- 18'' x 16'' (46 cm x 41 cm) rectangle, folded in half to create a 18'' x 8'' pocket
- 18'' x 8'' (46 cm x 20 cm) rectangle, folded in half to create a 18'' x 4'' pocket
Ribbon: 36'' (90 cm)

Note: If you want to use a lightweight cotton fabric for the outside, I would add a layer of batting between the outer and inner fabric.

You will also need:
- measuring tape
- thread in a matching colour,
- pins,
- scissors,
- fabric marker and ruler,
- sewing machine,
- iron and ironing board.

1. Lay down the 18'' x 20'' inner fabric rectangle. Lay the 18'' x 13'' pocket on top with the bottom edges matching. Lay the 18'' x 8'' pocket on top of that one, bottom edges matching, and the 18'' x 4'' pocket on top of that one (see photo below).



2. Lay the 18'' x 20'' outer fabric rectangle on top of the inner fabrics with the right side facing down. Trim off both top corners as shown in the photo below and pin the layers together:



3. Sew around the edges using a 1/2'' seam allowance, leaving a 6'' gap in the middle of the top edge. Trim the corners. Turn the case right side out through the gap. Use a pointy tool to push out the corners (I use the end of a paint brush). Press the case, folding in the fabric edges at the gap. Top-stitch all around, a few millimetres from the edge, thereby closing the gap.

4. Use a fabric marker and a ruler to draw vertical lines on the inside of the case. I decided to make (from left to right) two 1'' sections, four 2'' sections and two 3'' sections, but you may want to use different sizes. Sew along those lines, starting at the bottom edge, and backstitching at both ends.



5. Find the middle of the ribbon. Sew it to the front of the case, just above the middle pocket. Stitch back and forth a few times, over the top-stitching that was already there.



6. Fold down and press the flap at the top.



I decided that the bottom row of pockets was too deep (the darning needle got lost in it), so stitched a horizontal line 1'' from the bottom edge.



Put your knitting stuff in the pockets, roll up the case, tie the ribbon and admire your handiwork!