Hi everyone!
When I go travelling in the Motorhome, I like to take my craft with me. How to carry my knitting needles? At home they stand up in a cardboard tube but that wouldn’t work in the confined space so Nanny had to get thinking!!
I had a set of placemats so I took one and with some thought, fashioned a knitting needle roll!
The flap at the top folds over the needles so that they cannot fall out and then it rolls up and ties!
A crafty friend saw said roll and commented “Yes, you can make me one of those please!”
As I am catching up with this friend tomorrow, I thought it time I got busy and that I would share the making with you:
You need:
A placemat
A fat 1/4 of coordinating fabric
Something to act as lining – I used calico because that’s what I could find!!
In between the taking of this photo and the next stage, the fabric changed – not sure how or why, but I guess the universe knew something I didn’t!! lol
So, measure the length of your placemat – mine was 19″ – add 1/2″ and cut a rectangle 191/2″ x 11″. Cut a piece of calico or lining the same size. With right sides together, sew around the outside leaving a gap to turn it through. Snip corners and turn right side out.
Roll seams between your thumbs and fingers and then press. Then topstitch about 1’4″ from the edge along the long side opposite your opening. This will be the top of the holder, where you insert the needles.
You then position the rectangle on the placemat and using a walking foot (if you have one) sew around the other three sides ie the sides and the bottom.
It now has to be divided up into slots for the needles. I did 7 at 5/8″, 13 at 9/8″ and then divided the remainder in half to make two larger slots. I used the walking foot and sewed from the bottom up.
Now take the remainder of the fabric fat 1/4 and cut a strip about 8″ wide (this will be determined by your piece of fabric) and a strip about 1 3/4″ wide for the tie.
Fold the 8″ piece in half with right sides together and press. Then stitch around edge leaving gap for turning right side out. Clip corners, turn right side out, roll between thumbs and fingers and press. Topstitch around the 3 sides as far from the edge as you are comfortable – mine is about1/8″.
Take the tie strip and fold it in half, stitch, clip and turn through. Close end and stitch (I do this by hand but you can use the machine)
Take the flap piece and fold it in half and mark with a pin – do the same with the placemat. Position the flap along the top of the placemat matching the pins and stitch about 1’4″ from the edge.
Take the tie and stitch it to the centre on the placemat side – I didn’t stitch it in the centre but rather about 2/3 of the way along its length. (This will make it easier to tie)
Now all it needs is some knitting needles – roll it up and tie and it is ready to go!
I am really happy with this and I am sure you will be too!! Maybe you know a knitter – it would make a great gift!!
I hope my friend thinks so anyway!!
Until next time
Nanny xx
This is really a surprise I was going to buy my daughter one of these for her knitting. She is really good at it and knits the year around. This time I will surprise her and make her one of these.I can hardly wait.
Thank you Alice! I love mine – it travels everywhere with me. I hope your daughter loves it too! 🙂