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February 26, 2007
I've Been Organizing
My craft room is one of those rooms that always manages to get away from me. The table gets piled with yarn and books, fabric and paper. Just stuff. Clutter. I know I'm lucky to have a craft room, but I seem to prefer crafting on the couch and just use that room as a catch all for all the stuff I don't want to put away. Travis calls it "The Room of Death" - cute isn't he. I decided that this weekend was the weekend I would clean things up. I bought a closet organization system a while ago, but I hadn't followed through and really finished with the room. This weekend I did that.
The closet is the home for all my fiber - yarn and fiber, books, bags, and a few other crafting things.
I put shelves and drawers in to hold yarn and books. The fiber sits in baskets and bins on the floor and spinning stuff rests on shelves with the yarn and knitting supplies. There wasn't any room in the closet for knitting needles, so I decided to make wall holders. I looked around a long time, but couldn't find anything that fit my needs, so I made some fabric covered pockets. I made organizers for circular needles, one for dpns, and one for straight needles and crochet hooks.
The circulars and straights are hung behind the door in what would have been wasted space.
And the dpns are hung in a small space between the bookcase and the window.
I have a great table for the room. Travis gave it to me for Christmas a year ago (well, a year and a couple of months). It's huge and pine and takes a beating and cutting and pounding doesn't hurt the finish. The one bad thing about the table is that it's huge and it makes a great place for dumping crap. So, I spent a large portion of my time on Saturday putting things away, throwing things out, and cleaning off the table.
I transformed a flee market chair by spray painting it red and making a chair cushion using leftover fabric from the window shades.
The only other things in the room are a filing cabinet Travis grandfather made, a shelf that I use to hold my sewing machine and craft stuff, and a bookcase that is already full. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all the books that I'll buy, but what can you do when you love books?
So, that's my craft room organization. What do you think?
Comments
It's a beautiful room! I have a craft room too, and I have a really hard time keeping it clean. I really like the needle cases on your walls. They're both decorative and functional.
Posted by: Kristy at February 26, 2007 3:33 PM
wow! i have been rendered speechless by your craft room! it is so beautiful! the shelves, the furniture (the table is to die for), the chairs, all of it! great way to get a jump start on spring cleaning!
Posted by: kaetlyn at February 26, 2007 3:39 PM
Your craft room looks great, and I love the needle holders too. You seem very organised now, and I love the paisley fabric on the chair. Now you will have to spend some time in there so you can appreciate it. Lucky you having your own craft room.
Posted by: Sue at February 26, 2007 4:11 PM
Looks nice! The needle holders hanging on the wall look especially functional. Are the needle sizes embroidered on the fabric?
Congrats on getting the room organized!
Posted by: Cyndi at February 26, 2007 4:29 PM
I think you did a wonderful job. The hard part will be keeping it that way!
Posted by: Carole at February 26, 2007 4:31 PM
Your room looks awesome. I particularly love the wall organizers for your needles.
Posted by: caitlyn at February 26, 2007 4:35 PM
It looks great - the needle holders are very ingenious. I'm just like you - I have a whole room for crafting, but I end up just using it for storage, while I work on projects in the living room.
Posted by: Zarah at February 26, 2007 4:43 PM
I definitely could knit in there. Nice!
Posted by: claudia at February 26, 2007 4:44 PM
Fabulous!! I'd love to have a whole room for crafting stuff, but at least I DO Have an entire closet, right? And, organizing is FUN!
Posted by: --Deb at February 26, 2007 4:46 PM
While walking this afternoon I wa wondering where you had disappeared to and there you were...being productive! The room looks great. It's nice to have a space to use as we see fit and when it gets to be a mess it feels good to reorganize. Clutter means something is getting done. The jar beside your book case would be a nice place to show off your hand spun!
Posted by: margene at February 26, 2007 4:47 PM
I think I want a tutorial on how you made all those needle organizers. Wow! Especially the ones with the numbers...did you use stencils?
Posted by: Lee Ann at February 26, 2007 4:48 PM
You did a GREAT job on the wall pockets! I think I'll have to make those for my craft room, when I get one.
Posted by: yaiAnn at February 26, 2007 4:49 PM
Your craft room looks fantastic! And I LOVE your needle pockets. I would love to see how you made them, and how you did the needle sizes on the fabric - stencils? I'm inspired to clean my craft room/office/guest room now!
Posted by: mari at February 26, 2007 4:56 PM
ooooh! If i weren't packing to move, I'd feel motivated to reorganize my own space. Inspiration for the new house :)
Congrats on the reorganization. Now you have a space you'll love to be in!
Posted by: jennie at February 26, 2007 4:59 PM
Such wonderful organization and a gorgeous and peaceful result. I am envious!
Posted by: diana at February 26, 2007 5:05 PM
I love the fabric covered pockets you made for your needles! Were you inspired by Sally at Shim & Sons, or came up with it independently? And how did you put those numbers on there - stencils?
Posted by: grumperina at February 26, 2007 5:05 PM
I love the whole room. The table is my favorite though. I'd love to have a big table like yours.
Posted by: Kaitie Tee at February 26, 2007 5:24 PM
I've been organizing a large closet, too, so I know the amount of work it takes to make it work! Your room looks great, especially the needle pockets. Very cool.
Posted by: Leslie at February 26, 2007 5:34 PM
I'm impressed almost to the point of motivation! (Which is saying a lot considering my level of laziness!)
I'm also curious about the numbers... how'd you do them?
Posted by: laura b at February 26, 2007 5:35 PM
I LOVE posts like this. Honestly, I like them even more than knitting posts, it's just a lot easier to produce knitted items on a regular basis than to reorganize entire rooms often enough to be interesting! I'm with you that even if it's the craft room, I'd knit somewhere else, but then I think that's just part of "a place for everything"--knitting supplies live in the knitting supplies areas, and knitting goes on in the knitting areas! Anyway, great job, beautiful room--hope it inspires you every day!
Posted by: Molly at February 26, 2007 5:56 PM
Dang, girl! You did an amazing job! It's got to feel so much nicer to work in there now that you're all organized.
Posted by: Kelly at February 26, 2007 6:25 PM
I'm so envious of all your storage solutions!
Posted by: Chrissy at February 26, 2007 7:20 PM
what do i think? i think that i'm jealous :)
Posted by: gleek at February 26, 2007 7:21 PM
Wow - that is really organized! What kind of closet system did you use? I'm needing a new system in one of my closets. And the wall needle holders - what a great idea!
Posted by: Jessica at February 26, 2007 7:57 PM
Your craft room looks great. It must feel great to get organized. I have a messy spare bedroom that I dream of turning into a craft room, but I have yet to get motivated enough to do anything about it! Love the needle storage - they are awesome!
Posted by: Coleen at February 26, 2007 8:55 PM
yay for organization! I love the idea of wall-hung needle organizers.
Posted by: Elli at February 26, 2007 8:58 PM
What a great space! I LOVE the needle organizers!!
Posted by: Meredith at February 26, 2007 9:06 PM
Your adoring Public definitely wants a tutorial on those incredible wall pockets for your needles! Great job on organizing...how about you hop on a plane and come redo my craft room? I've been poking away at it for a week and haven't made a dent. No photos of my craft room, unh uh.
Posted by: Marcia at February 26, 2007 9:18 PM
What a terrific craft room. I'm also wondering about those numbers on your dp holder. What an inspiration. And I have a whole day off tomorrow... I am going to follow your lead and clean up my room of death too!
Posted by: wendee at February 26, 2007 9:54 PM
I love it! The needleholders in particular are fabulous, that's exactly what I need, mine are all over the place. I especially like that you've labeled the sizes and included pockets for needles that maybe you don't have or are in a project. Fab!
Posted by: anne at February 26, 2007 9:57 PM
Wow! So much better than my "stuff it in a container and try to find it later" method.
Posted by: Diane at February 26, 2007 9:58 PM
It looks great! The needle holders are very clever. I like your chair with its new cushion.
Posted by: Expat knits at February 26, 2007 11:39 PM
This is a beautiful craft room! And the needle holders are just awesome!
Posted by: Siow Chin at February 27, 2007 12:09 AM
I love it! It's so satisfying when it's clear and tidy. If it's anything like my work room, though, it will be back to normal by the weekend!! (sorry to be the bringer of such tidings!!)
Posted by: liz at February 27, 2007 5:51 AM
Hi,
I have been lurking for a very long time. This is the first blog comment for me as well. I have to say that I have also made some needle holders for myself. I am absolutely impressed with yours. I had a quick question if you do not mind, where did you get or how did you put the numbers on the holders. Those would be really useful for me. Thanks for your time:)!
Posted by: Sara at February 27, 2007 6:07 AM
Wow. It looks great. I really, really need to do that too. And I love your idea of hanging your needles on the wall. I might have to copy that one!
Posted by: Emily at February 27, 2007 7:10 AM
Wow. It looks great. I really, really need to do that too. And I love your idea of hanging your needles on the wall. I might have to copy that one!
Posted by: Emily at February 27, 2007 7:10 AM
you inspire me to start cleaning and re-organizing my craft room! mine is the same way - I tend to do my crafting on the couch, so I just end up dumping finished patterns, yarn scraps and fabric remnants everwhere.....the wall hanging organizers are a great idea!!
Posted by: stacey at February 27, 2007 7:27 AM
That looks so fantastic. My next house will definitely have a craft room just for me. Right now we suffer with the office/storage/guest bedroom and my yarn and supplies are split throughout the house. Well, it probably makes for good exercise while I try to hunt down what I'm seeking.
Posted by: Lori at February 27, 2007 8:33 AM
That is one lovely room! The table is a great size and the bookshelves are as full as bookshelves should be!
Posted by: Lin at February 27, 2007 9:45 AM
I'm thinking my futon will totally fit in there. :-). I agree that we need a little tutorial on the needle holders. They rock out loud!
Posted by: Holly J at February 27, 2007 9:57 AM
Wonderful, as everyone is saying. Your needle holders are worthy of hanging, and I too want to know how you did the labels.
Also, I feel better that a took over my daughter's room for a knitting room, even bought a chair specially for it, and use it for storage. Unorganized, but maybe I'll get inspired. Thanks for showing us.
Posted by: Judith Crossett at February 27, 2007 9:59 AM
wow, I love the organization! and the fabrics match too.. its beautiful :-)
Posted by: Diana at February 27, 2007 10:33 AM
I am so envious - both of the space itself and its tidyness! Love the needle holders.
Posted by: PumpkinMama at February 27, 2007 10:41 AM
Inspiring!! I love the way you can see everything, yet the surfaces are clear and make you want to do something - Right now my room is the "grenade room"!
Posted by: Ruthanne (in Seattle) at February 27, 2007 12:35 PM
Love your craft room! Your holders are great - I should get mine organized too!
Posted by: No Longer Blogless Kim at February 27, 2007 1:20 PM
I am impressed!
Posted by: Valerie at February 27, 2007 3:08 PM
fantastic! i am so impressed, and also a bit embarrassed by my own room of death ...
Posted by: kris at February 27, 2007 3:10 PM
Wow. That is pretty great. I love all the hung and organized knitting needles.
Posted by: Erin at February 27, 2007 3:29 PM
Great room! It has a very traditional feel to it. And like everyone else, I love your needle organization. This makes me want to get cracking on my craft room, which still looks like a bomb went off in it (ever since Christmas).
Posted by: Gaile at February 27, 2007 4:22 PM
Your needles on the wall look like little works of art!! BRAVO!
Posted by: ~Kristie at February 27, 2007 11:20 PM
Excellent job, really! I love the needle wallholders!
Posted by: Mei at February 28, 2007 5:38 AM
It looks so pretty! and so easy to find things! I just love those needle cases :)
Posted by: Lolly at February 28, 2007 7:04 AM
Most impressive! Will you come to Chicago and help me?
Posted by: christine at February 28, 2007 8:17 AM
That is fabulous! When I finally get a craft room instead of just the cupboards in the hallway, I'll need to give you a call! LOL. It looks great.
Posted by: Rachel H (the other one) at February 28, 2007 8:29 AM
Wow that's great! I'm suitably impressed. I love your organizers for your needles.
Posted by: Rebekah at February 28, 2007 9:42 AM
I'm impressed - especially with the wall hangings!
Posted by: Theresa at February 28, 2007 2:56 PM
Wow, that room is my dream come true!! I love your desk so much.
You also have a lovely blog. This is my first visit.
:)
Posted by: Natalie at February 28, 2007 4:44 PM
you're welcomed to come over and do the same at my place...or just you know clean a bit or umm bake!
Posted by: yahaira at February 28, 2007 6:34 PM
I wish I had that kind of commitment - and that desk!
Posted by: Cara at February 28, 2007 7:22 PM
Gorgeous room! I absolutely love the pockets for your knitting needles, talk about great store/organization!
Posted by: AJ at February 28, 2007 7:48 PM
I love your knitting needle organizers. I also understand the bookshelf problem. Even if I know I am never going to read it again (or read it all, at the rate I buy books), I can't part with a book!
Posted by: Sara at March 1, 2007 10:05 AM
Ohhhhhhhhhhh...............please please please share how you did the knitting needle organizers?!?!?!?!?!?! I used plain-ol' pre-bought shoe holder pockets to hold my needles, but OH! aren't yours nicer & better and much more in line with what I need!!!
...and here I was wondering what I was going to do with myself this weekend! ;>
Posted by: Susan B at March 1, 2007 2:30 PM
Stephanie-
you've inspired me to clean - my craft room looks like a bomb dropped in it and I can't find anything! I love the needle holders, any tips? How did you get the numbers on?
cheers!
Posted by: Heidi at March 2, 2007 3:52 AM
Ooooo, those needle organizers are ingenious!! I want a craft room NOW!
Posted by: Vifslan at March 2, 2007 8:49 AM
Wow! I especially love your needle organizers. Are you interested in making some for sale???
Posted by: Knittripps at March 3, 2007 7:35 AM
It's beautiful!
Posted by: Nora at March 3, 2007 1:20 PM
I am so inspired, looks amazing
Posted by: Keanalee at March 4, 2007 3:31 PM
I love it! I love those needle holders. How much?
Posted by: Stephanie at March 4, 2007 5:54 PM
Wow! LOVE your room...so organized. And that red chair is terrific! So many ideas here...
Thank you!
(((hugs)))
Posted by: knitnana at March 5, 2007 1:41 PM
Looks awesome......looks so good, I think I will work on mine:)
Posted by: Jeanie at March 5, 2007 8:28 PM
I'm so envious that you have a craft room! I love that big desk. And your needle holders are just awesome!
Posted by: Shumei at March 11, 2007 1:59 AM
I saw a link to this post over at Craft Critique today (www.craftcritique.com). Great information!! Keep up the good work!!
Posted by: Melissa at June 13, 2007 10:10 AM
Wow, I love getting my "fix" looking at other peoples organizing projects! It looks terrific. I LOVE your desk, it is just beautiful.
Laura (the organizing junkie)
Posted by: Laura at June 13, 2007 10:23 AM
