Knit, Crochet, and Sew: Our Favorite Project Bags for On-the-Go Stitching

A good project bag can work wonders for your stitching game. Not only does one allow you to keep all of your knitting and crochet supplies—think: scissors, tapestry needles, stitch markers, and more—handy and organized, but you can also take it with you wherever you go. So, what elements are essential to a well-designed project bag? "For starters, it should be big enough for your tools to fit in but also comfortable for you to carry anywhere," says Alberto Bravo of We Are Knitters. "It should also be made of a durable material that won't puncture easily and that has enough compartments to organize your tools."

If you're in a crafting bind and don't have a project bag on hand, Bravo says there are a few do-it-yourself style measures you can take. For example, in lieu of stitch markers, he says you can use "wire or leftover pieces of yarn to tie around stitches or needles." No ruler or measuring tape in your purse? No problem. Bravo says you can use your own bare hands to measure materials in a pinch. "Measure the palms of your hands at home so you can use them as a reference when gauging samples on the go," he says. "You can also use pencils as an auxiliary needle and your phone as a notebook."

Ready to get your hands on a reliable project bag you can travel with, too? From foldable totes to bucket bags, here are several styles that will make knitting and crocheting, on the fly, a breeze.

If you have trouble sifting through drawstring bags to find your stuff, then Cocoknits founder, Julie Weisenberger, feels your pain. She designed the Four Corner Bag after she struggled with her fair share of drawstring styles—hers is constructed of durable linen and features a clean-lined, square-bottomed, tote structure that's every bit as easy to get into as it is to carry around.

Shop Now: Cocoknits Four Corner Bag, $18, cocoknits.com.

This bag can go wherever you want to knit; the waxed canvas is rugged and water repellent with a natural distressed finish. Spacious with pockets at every turn, this best-selling tote fits multiple projects, notions, sweaters, and knitting needles. The center zipper divider is outfitted with four grommets to feed your yarn through (and keep it tangle-free).

Shop Now: Twig and Horn Waxed Canvas Crossbody Tote, $175, twigandhorn.com.

Fringe Supply Co.'s Town Bag is specially designed for knitting on the go. Featuring a tone-on-tone waxed canvas outer pocket panel that also wraps to the underside for a triple-weight bottom, this tote provides durability and a polished finish. It also has a natural drawstring cord, heavy webbing handles, and antique brass rivet accents.

Shop Now: Fringe Supply Co. Town Bag, $95, fringesupplyco.com.

Made in the U.S., this trio of bags are sized to accommodate projects of any scale. The small size is perfect for hats, socks, or mittens—projects that require just one or two skeins of yarn—while the medium size project bags are good for slightly larger projects that require up to six skeins of yarn. The largest size holds even more than that.

Shop Now: Echoview Project Bags, starting at $10, echoviewnc.com.

Constructed from water-repellent canvas, thick cotton webbing straps, and a leather hang loop, this innovative and versatile bag can be set on the ground and knit from like a yarn bowl or carried on your forearm. Pull the straps through and you can wear it like a sling bag; split the straps and carry it like a true backpack.

Shop Now: Ritual Dyes Knitter's Backpack, in Natural, $120, ritualdyes.com.

Consider the Knitting Bag at Stitch Happy the Rolls Royce of project bags. Along with seven pockets, a four-way interior divider, and a lid with slits for threading yarn, this savvy project bag is big enough to hold nine skeins of yarn and comes with a coordinating tools case to boot.

Shop Now: Stitch Happy Knitting Bag, $30, amazon.com.

When maker Jésabelle B. took up knitting, it inspired a line of goods—leather cases, tote bags, and pouches. They come in three sizes—small, medium, and large—and they're perfect for carrying everything from needles to notions. This one is outfitted with gold snaps and a wide handle to drape over your arm as you work. On the front, "La Rouge" is embossed in her grandmother's real handwriting.

Shop Now: Jésabelle B. "La Rouge" Leather Knitting Project Bag, $166.69, etsy.com.

Joji & Co.'s Pampa Buckets are perfect for holding your projects while sitting, standing, or on the go. The two handles can rest comfortably on your arms or in your hands for carrying. Offered in colorful leathers, their bags are assembled in a women-owned, women-operated shop.

Shop Now: Joji & Co. PAMPA Bucket, $88, jojiandco.com.

What could be a better carryall than one you made yourself? This pouch lives up to its name with ample pockets for spools of thread, scissors, pins, needles, and other notions. The front pocket unzips to reveal two vinyl zippered pockets—perfect for storing smaller items in view of where you can see them. Download the pattern, start your project, and you'll be ready to tout all of your work in transit in no time.

Shop Now: Aneela Hoey All-in-One Box Pouch, $12, comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk.