Tutorial - Knitting Needle Organizer / Paintbrush Caddy

Every time I take my massive roll or knitting needles out I get showered with praise. I decides I'd start making cute recycled caddies to feed the desires of knitters I know, and now I'm offering them in my Etsy shop. These are somewhat smaller then my original, but I assume that others are not dragging several pounds of redundant needles around

The body of mine features a piece of upcycled pants denim. One might find it easier to work with a piece of virgin heavy weight fabric. But, if you'ld like to follow along reference my tutorial on pants->bags, I use the upper sections of the legs. Each pair of pants makes two caddies. I take each leg, cut along the more diagonal side and sew the two pieces into a large loop. I then cun down the middle to make fairly squarish shapes.
Then we gather the materials. 1 piece of lining fabric at least as large as the denim. Some other pieces of fabric to be the pockets. Fabric scraps and buttons for my decor on the outside.
I then lay out and applique the denim. I arranged the flowers on one edge so that they will be mostly visible when the case is rolled up. Remember to keep a reasonable margin as you will be sewing the edge.
I then measure, cut and pin my pockets. Consider your needle stash and filling the space. Note that regular size needles are 14" tall, shorts 10" large double points are also 10" or so and socks are 6". I sometimes add full gusseted pockets with a button flap for small accessories. Once again leave a margin as you will need some space on the edge. After sewing the edges mark lines on the pockets to make needle slots. You can measure your needle widths, or make larger slots to fit several pairs.
After doing all your sewing on both sides, pin them right sides together and sew most of the edge, like making a pillow. turn right side out and choose a strap. This one is just a sewn strip, but I often use mid-sized ribbon. Fold the strap in the middle and slip it into the space in your caddy edge. Fold the edges down and pin.
Sew all around the perimeter (it's easier if you iron it flat first, but I sew in a closet without space for an ironing board. I sew the buttons on now, but it may be easier to sew them on before sewing the sides together.

Fill 'er up with shwag and bring 'er to your next knitting circle. Or, if you can't sew straight line on a piece of paper go buy this in my Etsy Shop. In fact, even if you're über crafty you could see my
line of hand-spun hand-dyed yarns.