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How to Organize and Store Knitting Needles

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I feel like I have my yarn stash pretty well organized (I was going to say under control but we all know that’s a lie) but where I really struggle is keeping my knitting needles organized. It’s something I want to work on this year so let’s explore some options!

Currently I have a big mug (if you must know it’s a novelty beer stein with the names of everyone who graduated from my high school that year on it, because the 1990s were weird) that holds most of my straight needles, and my DPNs and circulars are a jumble along with crochet hooks in a couple of different bags. 

Once I made some storage pouches that fit a little box I had to store needles of different sizes, but I made the first 3 in 2014 and never finished. I still think this is a solid plan and intend to finish them…sometime this year. 

I like this idea because theoretically it’s easy to slip the needles back into the pouch for their size instead of just leaving them on my desk for six months. They also could hold both DPNs and circulars, which I need. If I had to go to two different places I’m not sure I’d keep up with it. 

A needle roll is another popular option, which you can buy (for example this pretty linen one from Knitting Bag and Case) or make your own, say with a pattern from Pretty Patterns Design. I like this one because it has some big sections for circulars, but I have a much bigger needle collection that would fit in a single roll.

There are also storage solutions like these wooden organizers from Kainor Design and Embrcraft to name a couple, which have holes made to fit needles of different sizes. This looks pretty cluttered to me so I don’t know that I would enjoy it, but if you’d like to be able to see what you have all the time maybe it’s for you. 

If you have pro-level numbers of knitting needles you might want to use a photo storage option like Nimble Needles shares in their post about needle organization options. I like that each section can be labeled and you can easily pull out all the needles of the same size and mix DPNs and circulars or keep them in individual cases. 

Do you have a great method for keeping knitting needles organized? I need to hear it!

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Vintage Knitted Coat Pattern PDF – Pembroke Coat

Oh, this one has proper old-Hollywood winter charm.

The Pembroke Coat is a vintage knitted coat pattern that instantly made me think of crisp winter walks, leather gloves, polished boots, and the sort of coat your grandmother would have casually worn while looking impossibly elegant. It has that beautiful longline shape, a classic collar, button front, sleeve tabs, pockets, and a smart plaid-style design that gives it such a tailored finish.

This is not a quick “knit it while watching one movie” sort of project — and honestly, that is part of the appeal. The Pembroke Coat is one for knitters who love a satisfying vintage knitting pattern with a proper garment construction feel. The updated PDF includes the original vintage reference image along with a modern mockup, which makes it much easier to picture how this coat could look in today’s wardrobe.

I especially love that this pattern still feels wearable. Made in grey, camel, forest green, burgundy, or navy, it would be a gorgeous handmade winter coat with that timeless “where did you get that?” look.

As with most vintage patterns, I’d recommend reading through the instructions first, checking your gauge carefully, and being prepared to make small adjustments for fit and modern yarn substitutions. But for confident knitters who enjoy heirloom-style projects, this is a really lovely one to add to the queue.

You can find the Vintage Knitted Coat Pattern PDF in the CraftGossipStore on Etsy.