wip project organiser
Sometimes an idea is so simple you can’t believe it never occurred to you before – and this is one of them.
I have a system for organising my crochet WIPs (works in progress): each project gets its own zip-lock bag or plastic tub, and the yarn, hook, swatches or prototypes, completed pieces, and any other project bits all stay together until the project is finished. But I have a lot of designs on the go these days, and the WIP bags and boxes were piling up all over my office. Furniture here is expensive, so I couldn’t just run out to buy an inexpensive storage solution as I would have in Canada. Then, inspiration struck!
I bought this canvas hanging closet organiser when we first moved to South Africa and our temporary apartment had no storage areas except for the built-in closets. Once we moved into our house and all our clothes arrived, we needed all our hanging space for clothes, so the organiser was forgotten, until today.
A minute with the Dremel and a tiny drill bit, a couple of white screw-in cup hooks and an offcut of rope, and voilà: an instant WIP organiser. I’ve hung it in the wasted space just beyond the door in my office – and there’s actually room to add a 2nd one next to it, if my number of projects expands further…
Each project is still contained in its bag or box, but now I have a place to store them all together for easy access. The bottom shelf is reserved for items waiting to be photographed – I had to remove several amigurumi before snapping this pic, as they aren’t quite ready to show their faces in public yet 😉
It doesn’t look bad, and it cost nothing as I already had everything I needed. Obviously, this wouldn’t be sturdy enough for heavy storage, but a canvas organiser is perfect for yarn projects. I can already tell that I’m going to love being able to see all my WIP designs at a glance and not have to hunt to find the appropriate project bag when I need it!
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Claire said
That is genius. I have a similar problem with WIPs and I’ve literally just put one of these organisers in the charity bag. Might have to retrieve it…
SilverMoon said
I have a smaller shoe sized one with 12 shelves for my yarn, so I can store it by colour. I was shocked at how much black and white I had, since I’m forever “running out” of those two colours and buying more!
sue said
Brilliant idea you can keep track of everything really easily in that!
N said
What a great idea!!!! 🙂 This is what I bought for my WIPs! As it has wheels I can take it around the house and sew wherever I want (I have my own craftsroom, but I enjoy much more sewing in the living-room…).
pam said
What Carina said! You ARE a genius! What a great solution to a perennial problem. And it can be as permanent or temporary as the assortment of projects!
Cindy G. said
This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time! If I showed you the state of the closet in my guest room, you’d be shocked. I have several WIPs in large plastic Ziploc bags, piled up in the closet and on the shelf. It makes it a challenge to pull out a project to work on.
I’m heading to the store, and I’m adding these to my list. I’ll start with 4 and see how far I get…
Brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing it!
Monica Ballinger said
It is amazing how ideas come to you, when you least expect them to! Thanks so much for sharing! I will have to use this idea as well, since I’m running low on places to stash stuff 😉 Even hanging them in my craft closet would be good too! 😀 Thanks June, I agree, you’re a genius!
Ana said
Funny! I use the same sort of storage but for my yarn!
I wish I was so organised as you are, one day… 😉
Carina said
Yup. You’re a genius. 🙂
June said
Haha! I must admit, though, I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself right now 😀