What’s in Your Notions Bag… Or Should I Say Notions Bags?
Ha! That really is the question, isn’t it?
Because if you are anything like me—and judging by the conversations I have every single day in the shop—you don’t have a notions bag. You have notions bags. Plural. Many. Each one promising to be the perfect solution for the next project.
And this is where the internal debate begins.
Will this bag work for all my projects?
Do I need something bigger? Smaller? More pockets?
Should this be the one I travel with… or is that a different bag entirely?
You all already know the answer.
We have multiple notion bags. Every single one of us.
Some hold more than others. Some are specific to one project. Some are “general purpose.” And all of them are entirely dependent on what we’re making now. Because who can resist a cute notions bag? Honestly. And if it’s not officially a notions bag, we will absolutely justify it by saying, “Oh, this would be perfect for my knitting tools.” We are very clever that way.
What I’ve discovered over time is that having a notions bag for each project bag is even better. Especially when travelling. Each project gets its own little ecosystem—yarn, needles, pattern, and its very own set of tools. No digging. No borrowing from another bag. No panic.
Well… most of the time.
Because let’s be honest—sometimes I’m running out of the house ten minutes before we need to leave, grabbing a brand-new project, and suddenly I’m throwing everything into a ziplock baggie while my husband is saying, “Doris, decide. You’re running out of time.”
He’s not wrong. But creativity does not run on a schedule.
What Goes into My Notions Bags
Over time, I’ve realized I really have two categories of notions bags:
- Local (everyday) notions bags
-
Travel notions bags
My reasoning is simple. When I’m local—meaning in my hometown—I can usually find a shop if I forget something. When I’m traveling? That bag needs to be fully self-sufficient.
General (Local) Notions Bag Staples
These are my everyday essentials:
- Scissors that cut yarn
(And yes, this gives me permission to own more pretty scissors. I also have a thing for scissors. Yikes.) - Darning needle
- Tape measure
- Removable stitch markers
- Stitch markers (yes, both—because they serve different purposes)
- Tip protectors
- Fix-It tool
- Row counter
Simple. Reliable. Ready for most projects.
Travelling Notions Bag Staples
Travelling requires a little more intention—and redundancy:
- Small, airline-approved sewing scissors
- Two or three darning needles
(Because if you drop one on the floor of an airplane, it is gone forever.) - Tape measures — two kinds
I love the sheep tape measure that tells me how much further I need to knit. Very convenient when you don’t want to keep stretching a tape measure in a cramped seat. - Removable stitch markers (several)
- Lots of stitch markers
(They drop. We lose them. It happens.) - Fix-It tool
- Sticky notes
- Tip protectors
- Pencil or pen
- Row counter
- Cable needle
- Stitch holder
- Safety pins
And one important rule: I never travel with my fancy scissors. Ever.
Honestly, as I was writing this, I had a realization that would make my life so much easier—why not have multiple travel-ready notions bags already packed? One for flying projects. One waiting in reserve. Because we always find the bag we thought we lost… after we no longer need it.
What Kind of Notions Bag Should You Use?
Besides the emergency ziplock bag, of course.
General Notions Bags / Boxes for Daily Use
- Small tin boxes — easy to spot, compact, preferably with a hinged lid, and usually inexpensive
- Lightweight zipper pouches
- Organza bags — lovely and often already in your house, though risky if the ribbon ties itself into a knot
Travel Notions Bag Options
When traveling, I look for:
- Zippers
- Pockets
- Snaps
- Enough room to add spare needles
Bags Within Bags (Yes, This Is a Thing)
When I travel, I often add project-specific tools into my generic travel notions bag. For example, if I’m working on a more complex project—like my Chained Cardigan—I may need extra needles or tools that aren’t part of my standard kit.
So, what happens?
The travel notions bag goes into a slightly bigger bag.
The project bag gets its own customized tool set.
And suddenly I have… bags within bags.
On my most recent trip, I took two projects on the plane. That meant two project bags, each with its own travel notions tool kit tailored to that project.
Do you see what’s happening here?
I love bags within bags.
This is who I am.
And it might be who you are, too.
If so, welcome. You are in very good company.
If you read this blog and purchase from the Collection “What’s in Your Notion Bags.”
Discount Code is whatsinyour – one-time use, expires February 15, 2026. 12% off.
