I have a bad habit of making all sorts of new and exciting things that I use occasionally, meanwhile wearing something I use all the time to tatters because I technically could make a new one but just don't get around to it. Finally a need became something exciting! Meet my new crochet hook caddy.
I'm so excited to be able to share some projects with you during the next few months, partnering with Poppie Cotton for some blog tours. I have a lovely stack of their prints to play with, and my first project was quick, easy, and practical!
I've needed new crochet hook storage in my crochet bag for a long time. (That same tattered and threadbare crochet bag is a separate issue...) Combine that with the prettiest prints from Poppie Cotton's new Dots and Posies fabric line, and it was the perfect way to showcase a few of my favorite prints and meet a need.
If you're in the same boat, here is how I made this adorable roll-up caddy in just a few hours. Handy tip: if you don't crochet, it can be used for paintbrushes, or a pencil case instead.
It would be the perfect gift for a special crafter in your life.
For this project I cut two pieces of fabric to measure 19” x 8 1/2”. One will be the outside, one the inside. (If you are making a caddy for something longer than crochet hooks, cut these panels as high as your tallest article, plus a couple inches.)
From a third print I cut a piece measuring 19” x 10”.
I cut some cotton quilt batting the same size as to the first panel and made my quilt sandwich.
I highly recommend spray basting for this step.
Once basted and smooth, press the larger 19 x 10” piece in half lengthwise. This will form your pocket.
Lay it along the bottom of your sandwich on the inside, all raw edges matching and the fold toward the center.
You could pin it in place if you like – I didn't have trouble with mine shifting.
Next I marked the center with a vertical line in a water soluble pen.
On each side I marked again lines at 1” intervals, until the whole piece is covered with vertical lines.
Now stitch these lines. This does double duty of both quilting and making your pockets.
I started in the center and stitched every other line first, to keep it in place, then went back over and stitched the between lines.
Square up if needed.
Next cut a 4” piece of elastic (I used elastic lace because it is prettier) and pin it to the center of one end with the raw edges together. This will be stitched in with the binding and make a button loop for closure.
Bind just like any other quilt project. The binding will both finish the edge and stitch closed the bottom of the pockets. Make sure to catch the elastic ends and all the layers when you stitch this spot.
I needed to cut 2 2 1/4” strips WOF to have a long enough piece of binding. I stitched with the pocket side facing, but since both sides of this project are basically the right side and will be visible, it's up to you.
On the other side I made sure to take small invisible stitches to keep it as finished-looking as possible, since like I said there is no real wrong side to this project.
Fill with your crochet hooks and roll it up before you decide where to place the button.
All done! So nice that I can see them all at a glance. The smaller hooks can even be doubled up in the pockets if necessary, but when rolled up they are fairly secure and don't fall out easily.
Since I crochet quite a lot, I love that now I can handle some of this pretty fabric frequently, as well as have a solution for my crochet hook storage!
The elastic loop works perfectly to hold the roll secure with a little give if I don't roll it quite exactly the same tightness. Also this is a great way to use up one of those orphan vintage buttons!
I just love the giant rose and polka dot print, as well as the aqua polka dots...so happy to be able to use them a lot and give them a place to shine. This is just the prettiest line of vintage-inspired fabric!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will share photos if you try one yourself. Now I'm off to crochet!
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