Crocheted, Crochet Hook Storage Case

Recently, I found a pattern of an Aluminum Crochet Hook Case here:  http://web.archive.org/web/20010820230737/members.aol.com/lffunt/alhookcase.htm., by Priscilla Hewitt.  It made me really happy.  Only one problem, none of my hooks would fit into pockets as narrow of the ones in this pattern.  I have rheumatoid arthritis. I have put a layer of Sugru on all my hooks so that they are less painful to hold.  So I spent several days thinking of how to make these pockets, large handle, friendly.  I finally came up with an idea and it worked.  Hurray!  I have made 3 cases and all my hooks are now organized.  Double hurray!  I will be showing my version of the above pattern.  My thanks to Priscilla Hewitt, for her inspiration.

Supplies:
110 gm 4 play worsted yarn
4.5 mm crochet hook
Plastic canvas
Yarn needle
Button
Scissors

You will need to know how to do the following stitches:
Sc-single crochet
dc-double crochet
ch-chain
dct- double crochet turn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8)

Case lining and pockets:

Ch31 turn

Row 1_sc in 2nd chain from the hook, sc 29,ch1, turn (30 stitches)

*Row 2-dct the first stitch, then dc9 more stitches, next stitch, dc in the back loop repeat for 19 more stitches (20 stitches), to form the back of the hook pocket; turn clockwise; dc in the  free loops of the previous 20 sc to form the front of the hook pocket; ch 1 turn

next stitch, dc in the back loop repeat for 19 more stitches (20 stitches),

to form the back of the hook pocket; turn clockwise; dc in the  free loops of the previous 20 sc to form the front of the hook pocket; ch 1 turn

Row 3- sc, back along the front of the hook pocket (20 sc) and then turn and sc the 30 stitches going back to the other end of the pocket back, ch1 turn

Row 4- sc in the first 10 stitches, starting stitch 11 sc the top most stitches of each top of the pocket and back of the pocket together, for 19 more stitches, ch1 turn (total 30 stitches)

Row 5-sc 30 stitches, ch1, turn (30 stitches)

Rows 6-21, Repeat from * 4 more times to create 5 pockets.

Lining spine:

Row 22- sc 30 stitches, ch1, turn

Row 23- sc on the back of the loops, 30 stitches, ch1, turn

Row 24-25, repeat rows 22 & 23

Second half of lining with pockets:

Row 26 - sc, 10 st, sc in the back loop repeat for 19 more stitches (20 stitches), to form the back of the hook pocket; turn clockwise; sc in the  free loops of the previous 20 sc to form the front of the hook pocket; turn

Row 27 - dct the first stitch, then dc29 more stitches, turning clockwise after the first 20 inch and finishing the last 30 stitches. Ch1, turn

Row 28 – Repeat Row 4

Row 29 – Repeat Row 5

Row 30 – 45 Repeat Rows 2-5, for 4 more times, total of 5 pockets on this half.

Outer Casing (first half)

Row 46- dct, *skip 1 stitch dc in next stitch, dc in skipped stitch,  repeat from * 13 times to create 14 X’s, dc in last stitch.

Row 47 – 56,  repeat Row 46 (10 times)

Outer spine:

Row 57- sc 30 stitches, ch1, turn

Row 58- sc on the back of the free loops on the back of the lining, 30 stitches, ch1, turn

 

Row 59-60, repeat rows 57 & 58

Second half of Outer Cover

Row 61- dct, *skip 1 stitch dc in next stitch, dc in skipped stitch,  repeat from * 13 times to create 14 X’s, dc in last stitch.

Row 62 – 71, repeat Row 61 (10 times)

Using the hook, sc the edges of the lining and the outer cover together, go 15 stitches and ch20, continue sc to the corner (15 more stitches) sc3 in the corner, turn  and sc the two halves together until you reach the end.  Tie off last stitch, cut a short tail and weave in the tail.

Cut two pieces of plastic canvas to fit into the 2 pockets left by the open end.  (My pieces were 43 squares by 32, you mays be different determined the size of yarn used and how tight or lose you crochet.) 

Sc across the open ends closing it off.

Fold the two half together and figure out where your button will need to be.  Use yarn and the needle to sew the button on.

Almost done, for you need to put you crochet hooks in the pockets. Done!

Variations:
To make the pockets larger, use a second row of dc instead of sc crochet.

For Knitting needles, make it 55 stitches long and do 35 of the stitches for the pocket. 

Sc sround the outer edge a couple of times, and you could hand sew a zipper in place to close the case.

The possibilities are endless, Enjoy!