pieKnits: Tutorial: No sew circular needle holder

Can't get any easier than this, the 15-minute circular needle holder.

Nothing against sewing, I do have plans to make a placemat dpn holder ala the Grumperina method but I like this one for something a little different. Circular needles are inserted through the center holes in craft supply wooden spools and dangle by their cords.

Stuff you need
Wooden spools (mine were Large Barrel, 3/16" x 7/8"; 1/4" hole, 20 pcs from a craft store)
Approx 1 1/2 - 2 yards floral wire (I believe mine was 28 gauge)
Permanent markers (I used a silver paint pen and a sharpie)
Scraps of yarn or fabric
Glue (hot glue gun was weapon of choice for me)

Note on the spools - mine have 1/4" hole which fits up to a US size 10 needle. This was adequate for me, but if you require ones for larger sizes you can drill or use a needle file to enlarge the opening, or look for a larger diameter spool.

What to do with it

First, label all your spools with the appropriate needle size. For my end spools I wound a piece of scrap yarn around the spool and secured it with a dot of glue. A piece of fabric cut to size would also look nice. You could obviously embellish these however you like. I went with simplicity (also known as "easy"). Next cut a length of wire about 1 1/2 - 2 yards long, I just kinda eyeballed it. Thread wire though first spool and hold in half so both lengths of wire are equal. Following the diagram below, weave the wire in and out of each spool.

wire threading illustration

Then, once the last spool is wired on, twist the remaining two wire lengths around each other and fold into a hook shape. Trim ends and load up with all those unruly needles.

Yes I do have more needles than this, I was impatient to take a photo

Comments

Brilliant!

Posted by: Kelly | January 29, 2007 07:17 PM

I will be up until midnight or whenever I finish making this. I love it! Did I mention I don't even knit? A fabulous present, though, for knitters I love.

Posted by: Miss Amy O | January 29, 2007 07:20 PM

This is pretty cool! Me thinks I can run with this one.

Posted by: TeAntae | January 29, 2007 08:20 PM

I LOVE this, what a great idea! Can you fit more than one needle in each spool?

Posted by: kelp! | January 29, 2007 08:36 PM

What an amazing idea! Not only you design great patterns but now this, I just love it! :)

Posted by: ~Jo~ | January 29, 2007 08:51 PM

This is a great idea! Would it be okay with you if I posted it at Craftacular.com? You'd be credited, of course, and it'd link back to your site.

Posted by: Shana | January 29, 2007 09:03 PM

Ditto Kelly - Brilliant!

Posted by: Barbp | January 29, 2007 09:37 PM

Wonderful! I've been wanting a better solution for circulars. This is it.

Posted by: verylisa | January 30, 2007 04:55 AM

Awesome! That's a great idea.

Posted by: Nanc | January 30, 2007 09:12 AM

you are just too darn creative!!! that is great!

Posted by: Stacey | January 30, 2007 10:48 AM

Brilliant indeed! I am going to advertise this tutorial on my blog. And then I'm going to collect some spools!

Posted by: Heather | January 30, 2007 11:58 AM

Oh my god, I love it! I'm totally stealing the idea!

Posted by: Kristin | January 30, 2007 03:18 PM

That's genius.

Posted by: Lauren | January 30, 2007 09:12 PM

GREAT idea!
I love it.

Posted by: filambulle | January 31, 2007 05:41 AM

Very clever! I've been also thinking about circulars holder recently, must be this time of the year... *^v^*

Posted by: Joanna | January 31, 2007 11:18 AM

Hey, just to answer a few questions I'm getting - Yes! you can fit several needles through one spool. Depending on how thick your cables are, you may need to just drill out the whole a little larger if you have a lot of one size though.
Also, the empty spools can be purchased at any craft store, no need to save up empties if you don't already have them.

Posted by: Me | January 31, 2007 05:37 PM

Well, this is sheer brilliance! And I have a ton of those dern antique wooden spools gathering dust.

Posted by: Julia | February 1, 2007 02:56 PM

this is pretty awesome. :)

Posted by: Jen da Purse Ho | February 1, 2007 11:16 PM

Now that is completely ingenious. And it's adorable too! Must make.

Posted by: Ashley | February 11, 2007 10:20 PM

That circular needle holder is the best!!!!!!

Posted by: Holly Burnham | February 13, 2007 09:18 AM

Thanks so much for a wonderful design! I just made one myself. You can see my interpretation on my blog.

Posted by: Beata Deitrick | April 15, 2007 01:50 PM

what a wonderful idea and it looks great!