When I first started knitting, I used to just throw my project into my purse and go. (Okay, if I’m being perfectly honest, I still do that sometimes.) The thing is, back in the day, I didn’t realize that this was a risky strategy for my knits. I had to learn that lesson the hard way.
After several incidents of double pointed needles sliding out of the socks I was working on or getting snagged on something else in my purse, I realized there had to be a better way. I did a little bit of poking around on the knitting internet. That led me to the concept of project bags for knitting WIPs.
My first project bag was just a Ziploc baggie. I popped my socks in there along with whatever notions I needed, and away I went. It worked okay. After regular use, the needles did poke holes in the bag, but it got the job done.
Eventually, though, I realized I wanted something a little less disposable. As I tried to reduce the amount of plastic I used in my life, I looked for cloth project bags. In the intervening years, I’ve built up a very small collection that is just big enough to house my various ongoing projects.
And while any bag could theoretically be a project bag, there’s something special about using a bag designed specifically for that purpose. They often have whimsical prints or fun constructions. Maybe, if the person who made it is a knitter themselves, there might be thoughtful little details, too. My favorites have an interior pocket for holding small notions.
This blog post is an exploration of why project bags are so great and a celebration of some of the cutest ones I’ve seen lately. I’ll have an easy round up for you at the bottom of this post where you can maybe find one that fits your needs, too.
Reason #1 to Love Project Bags for Knitting: Everything You Need is in One Place
I’ll confess that I am fairly chaotic even under the best of circumstances. I am constantly misplacing things I need. Project bags help cut down on those wandering tools.
Each project bag can hold all the necessities. They have my in-progress project, waste yarn for holding stitches, additional yarn for larger projects that require more than one skein, a printed copy of the pattern if that’s something I need, and all the various notions like scissors, darning needles, stitch markers, etc.
It’s a lot of stuff to keep track of! And having it all in one bag that I can just grab and go helps cut down on the mental load of making sure I have all of the little things I need.
My project bags also help reduce the amount of duplication I need to do with all of my various tools. I don’t need to have a set of scissors in every single project bag. I just need to check the one I’m using. If there aren’t scissors in that one, I can grab some from one of the other bags.
Of course, this does require that I remember to put the scissors back in the project bags instead of leaving them around the house, but that’s another issue altogether.
Reason #2: the Project Bag Protects Your WIP
I wish I could blame the chaos of my purse on my status as a mom. That’s definitely part of it, of course, but it’s not the whole story. I’ve been carrying massive tote bags for two decades now. They’ve been a mess since long before my daughter came into this world.
Which means that, pretty much since I first started knitting, I’ve had to figure out how to protect my projects from the rest of the junk I’m hauling around. Sometimes a drink leaks, or a pen explodes, or a tangerine tucked in the bag for a snack gets forgotten and smushed. Things happen.
With a good project bag, though, I know that my WIP inside my purse is protected. Of course, it still may not be safe if I pour an entire 16-ounce coffee all over the purse. Most minor spills will have no effect if there is a project bag acting as a barrier, though.
Here’s an example from just the other week. See, my kid and I went to the beach with some friends, and we stopped to pick up burritos for lunch on the way. The restaurant wrapped the burritos in paper and foil, and then tucked each into a paper bag. I popped my burrito into my large leather tote along with a lot of other stuff, including my knitting.
And wouldn’t you know it, but the burrito still leaked. When I pulled the bag out of my purse a few minutes later, there was visible chorizo grease on the outside. There was also chorizo grease on my project bag. Do you know where there wasn’t any chorizo grease? On my actual knitting project. The project bag protected it.
Reason #3: Projects Bags are a Way to Support Other Makers
One thing I love about fellow makers is that they understand and appreciate the value of handmade things. When we buy something from another maker, we know just how special it is.
All of my favorite project bags have been made by fellow small-business owners. I love getting to know bag makers and then buying one of their beautiful creations as a way to celebrate their creativity.
Each bag is slightly different and reflects the maker. I think that’s so cool. Whenever I pick up a project and see the bag I’ve used to store it, I think of the person who made it. The project bags don’t just hold knitting. They hold warm memories.
It’s also pretty cool to know that the tools I use every day have helped support fellow makers and small business owners. That’s the kind of economy I love participating in.
Reason #4: Aesthetics Have Meaning
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ve probably noticed that I like to use pretty things when I can. A plain ceramic mug is all well and good, for example, but why do that when I could use hand-thrown pottery or delicately painted china?
There’s just something special about using beautiful tools for our everyday activities. A project bag is no exception. While just about any old bag could serve that purpose (including, honestly, a trash bag), it feels special to use a bag that you think is pretty to look at.
I don’t think that’s shallow or superficial. Many scientists suggest human beings are hardwired to seek and enjoy beauty. In fact, sometimes having beautiful tools can make an unpleasant task more enjoyable.
Of course, knitting is not an unpleasant task! But maybe weaving in those pesky ends is.
A Handy Dandy Round-Up of Project Bags for Knitting
I went hunting on Etsy this week to find some cute project bags for you. If you’d like to buy your first bag or to add a new one to your collection, these are all so cute that I feel tempted to snag some for myself.
These are all affiliate links. This means if you choose to buy something through those links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I will always identify affiliate links for you. Thanks for supporting my work!
