Hook book tutorial

I love my crochet hooks. I especially love the metal ones in assorted colours. I've got quite a few so how on earth have I managed to keep track of them so far? I'll tell you how - with an elastic band. That's right these poor beauties have been unceremoniously bundled together in an almost perished elastic band for longer than I can remember. I need a 4mm - hold on I'll just consult my bundle - oh no not again.

It's a sorry sight.

So after getting frustrated by not being able to find my 6mm last Sunday I had a light bulb moment - make a hook book!

I'd seen some lovely hook holders that had been knitted or crocheted, and several fabric made knitting needle holders but I had no pattern. Ready for second light bulb moment - I'm a grown up, I can make my own!

I firkled through some of my fabric 'that isn't quite big enough to make anything substantial' stash and came up with the following.

Now if you're expecting this tutorial to give accurate measurements look away now - it's what I prefer to call a 'bespoke' (yes that word sounds good) pattern.

Line up your hooks so that you can get a rough idea how wide your material needs to be. 

Leave about 5cm from the top of each needle ( enough to fold over the top - it will make sense later on) and a seam allowance all around. At this point if you want to add anything extra make sure you factor that in as well (I wanted to have enough room for a scissor pocket). Cut out your rectangle.

Then cut out some contrasting material the same width but only half the depth.

Fold over the top edge of your smaller rectangle to make a neat edge ( you don't need to stitch this as what you do next will hold it down). If you want to add an extra pocket (like I have for my scissors) add a patch by cutting out required size and stitching along three sides where you want it to go.

Is this making sense so far? It really is much easier than it sounds.

Next you need to make the slots for your hooks. Stitch vertical lines through both pieces of material at the required spacing. Mine vary between 1 and 2 cm depending on which hooks were going in.

How are we doing?

Now you need to neaten up the stitching by pulling the front thread through to the back and knotting to secure (bad picture alert).

Okay.

Using your work as a template cut out another piece of material - the one you want to be the front of your book - the same size.

Place them right sides together...

...and stitch around the outside, leaving a small gap for turning.

I'm sure you know what to do next. Clip the corners...

...then push your nearly finished book through the gap so that it is the right way around.

 

Hand stitch the opening together.

At this point I was distracted as Little Sis had made some fudge and I was forced to go and try some.

I digress.

I thought it would then be a good idea to fold over the top of the book so that the hooks wouldn't be tempted to slip out and forever be lost in the bottoms of various bags.

Pop a hook into one of the slots and measure how far you need to fold the edges over.

Then hand stitch the folded bits down.

I love this next bit - try it out and stand back!

My hooks have upgraded to a luxury 'bespoke' home!

I've put a large safety pin above my scissors that I am going to use to hold stitch markers etc. on.

Fold it in three - it will probably do this quite naturally - and add a snap fastener.

Choose your favourite button and stitch it on the front!

Look!

What do you think?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

(NB: No hooks were harmed in the making of this tutorial!)