9.06.2007

DPN Project Holder Tutorial

I love knitting accessories; no matter how many I have there is always something new to try out. Unfortunately, there are a few knitting accessories that don't get the attention they should and the double pointed project holders are one of these. Double pointed project holders are point protectors that hold your project safely on the needles while keeping your needles from punching through your bag. I have seen a few versions of these, but they were either not vegan or really ugly. After searching for something better with little luck I decided to make my own version. I found some cute pencil toppers for the smaller sock needles and some finger puppets for my larger needles. These are really easy to make and cost about $1 so you can make a pair for every set of dpns you own. If you make a set, send me a link to the picture and I will add it to this post. Enjoy!


Materials and Tools:
2 pencil toppers or finger puppets
1 ft heavy elastic cord cut in half
1 small pointy needle
1 large tapestry needle
1 pair of pliers (optional)



Directions:
1. Using the smaller needle, make one hole in each side of both of the toppers or puppets.


2. Thread the elastic cording through the large tapestry needle and pull it through the hole on one side of the topper. You might find it easier to pull the needle through with the pliers. Repeat on the other side of the topper with the other piece of elastic cording.


3. Knot the cord on the inside of the topper as shown and trim the ends.


4. Repeat steps 1-2 using the unknotted end of the elastic cord.


5. To determine the length of your cord, place one of your dpns in the toppers and pull the elastic cord until it is tight enough to hold your needles in place yet loose enough to get them in and out of the protectors with ease. Make a little mark on the cording on each side.


6. Place your knots in the cording on the marks. Since you are dealing with elastic, this doesn't have to be perfect.


7. Trim your ends and for added security you can use a lighter to melt your knots.


8. Grab your needles and try them out!!


Anne's version (and these)

56 comments:

Ann said...

I love it! These are so adorable, and I just can't get enough of them.
~Ann

Anonymous said...

Very Cute!

Janis said...

Awesome! Thanks Robyn!!

Unknown said...

Wow! Those are ROCKIN'!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, really clever idea!

Anonymous said...

This is a FABULOUS idea!

I'm going to seriously be on the lookout for pencil toppers now...might mean a special trip to one of those teacher supply stores....

Agnes said...

Very creative! I love the idea! Thanks so much for sharing.s

VeganCraftastic said...

So cute, I MUST make some!!!

Sarah / Blue Garter said...

Genius! I've totally got a pirate duck and a Buddha floating around at home - now they can be together in functional bliss forever!

Anonymous said...

what a fantastic idea!! Usually I wrap the ends of the needles around with the yarn, and spilce one though, so much more efficient!

Courtney Suzanne said...

You, my friend, are awesome! This is just what I've been looking for. The devil ducks are awesome, too, btw. :)

Alyson said...

dude, awesome - and I just so happen to be sitting at a desk with a drawer containing six or eight lonely, unused devil ducky pencil toppers. sweeeeet.

Valerie said...

Holy monkey, how genius!!!!! Sell them, sell them. So I can buy one. Just cuz they are so damn cute!

debbie said...

that's ingenious!

Renee said...

Not that it needs repeating, but you are so damn fabulous.

L. Marie said...

Those are too brilliant!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe how smart this is! I've been struggling for years with my DP needles in rubber bands. Too much trouble to fit them into the little cloth holders. Going out & doing this today.

Dr. Steph said...

Tonight I'm raiding my kids' stash of stupid plastic toys. Thanks for the great idea.

knittingjuju said...

Oh these are so groovy. Hey I put a plug for this post on my little blog. Do you mind if I snag one of your photos to put there too, to encourage people to head over here?

Tikkunknitter said...

Just delightful! Thanks for sharing your instructions. The kids I teach will just love them.

Unknown said...

Where o where can I find pencil toppers & finger puppets? No luck at Wally world, the teacher supply house, the office store?

Unknown said...

I bought the ones I used at an independent bookstore, but I have seen them at party supply stores. Online you might try Oriental Trading Company or Archie McPhee.

Sheila said...

Cool! I made some of my own. Thanks for the great idea!!!

CraftyCarole said...

Brilliant! I found you via ravelry... I MUST try these... with my dd's stationery store inventory, I'm sure to find something for the tops.

Thanks SO MUCH!

Ilix said...

That is AWESOME ! A friend from Ravelry mentioned you on her blog... now I have to see if I can find you on Ravelry!
Thanks for sharing this great idea!

Chrispy said...

oh my goodness. you made my little frog dudes. Thanks so much.

Wendy said...

Your a GENIUS! Thank-You for sharing. I can't wait to make some!!!

Ssplam said...

I love the idea, thanks for the inspiration.

my version is here:
http://flickr.com/photos/ssplam/2201955060/

Montreal Mama said...

That is so great! What a neat idea. Where on earth did you find those duck pencil tops?

Janice in GA said...

What an amazing, simple and EFFECTIVE idea! Thanks!

Sarah O G said...

Love it. I so need to find me some devil ducks :D Thanks for the way easier solution then the felted homemade ones. These are less work and that can't be bad.

Anonymous said...

super cute! I featured this over at craft and found today (craftandfound.com)

noricum said...

Fantastic!

Montreal Mama said...

I've been running around my city trying to find pencil toppers like this.... where on earth did you find them?! I just love the ducks. I'd like to find any kind tho! If you have a moment, let me know where you got them - graphicdesignchick at hotmail.com

Thanks!

fab said...

Apologies if I've commented before, but I had to gush about these again. You don't know how many compliments I've had on mine, and you'll probably never know how many knitters I've sent your way! I've made about 10 pair (honestly!) and you can see some of my results (and a credit for you, of course!!) on my blog. Thanks for sharing this great tip! :D

Anonymous said...

One way to make them adjustable, is to use the maximum amount of cord you think you'll need, add about an inch extra, and then use one of those shoelace sliders they sell near the shoes in Target. Perhaps there's one to compliment your pencil topper.

Anonymous said...

That is so cool! This means I might end up trying that out one weekend or another. Yay! Thank you lots!:)

Ceylan said...

This is freaking genius!

Josette said...

I.totally.love.you! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I love the idea.

This Elf Knits said...

Cute, but I would never get them away from my daughter LOL!

Anonymous said...

Hi Robyn

I found your tutorial by following a link on a Ravelry toolgroup. I live in Holland and love your DPN-holder-idea. I would like to make them myself, but am a bit confused about the pencil-holder item you've showed on the pics. I am not sure if such a thing does excist overhere. What is the original function of a pencil holder?? Is it something to pimp one's pencil with or should one put it on the writing side of the pencil, to protect a (sharp) point?
The more info I can get, the better my chances are to succeed on my pencil protector quest in the local office stationers.

thanks!
Ravelry Tjoan Nio

Emma said...

Wow, these are so cute and clever! I just got a whackload of DPNs off of eBay and they were just held together with masking tape.. This is a much more interesting way to keep the sets together and hold onto your projects! I hope I'll be able to find some appropriate toppers around here!


Marjory, the pencil toppers are indeed meant to pimp your pencil. They're little figures that sit on the eraser end to make your pencil that much cooler than your friends'.

Anonymous said...

I love this!!!

I finally managed to make a holder, too - it's here!

Jackie said...

I was browsing thru Misselle's blog, with her hand-made DPN (it so cute) holder and she linked to your blog.

Thank you both for the great idea. I would try making for my dpns once i find those cutie pencil holder.

KarenK said...

Awesome idea. I found pirate and devil duck pencil toppers at Archie McPhee's online site.

Anonymous said...

Woohoo!!! Love these!!! You'll have to add a tag for crochet as well, since I constantly loose my hook in the bottom of my bag!!! Can't wait to go and grab a bunch of pencil toppers!!!

Ria said...

totally cool idea

Deb said...

love these, thank you.

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea. Thanks for posting it.

Anonymous said...

These are so cute. I am not a dpn knitter, do magic loop, but can totally see how these would be great as stitch holders, if I get a bit creative.

BernieB said...

Wicked.
I keep looking for these and even the ones you get free with knit mags are £5 each.

Do we have MUG tattoed on our foreheads?

Shelly said...

This is AWESOME! I got some LaLaLoopsy Pencil toppers at KidsRus and made a few sets and they are to die for cute!! Thank you for sharing your awesome idea!

Michelle said...

Could it be . . . a valid excuse to start buying Squinkies??? Disney Princess Point Protectors ahoy!

Anonymous said...

This is the best thing since sliced bread! Thank you so much.

Xintara said...

Outstanding! Thanks for the tutorial!