Workspace Redo

Monday morning after getting everyone off to school and work I headed for my office to tackle some of the many items on my list. I started looking for some paperwork and 3 days later I'm finally done. Good news is, I have a fun, organized, cozy workspace to spend my days in. Bad news is, I never did find what I was looking for and my to do list has grown. Totally worth it.

Are you ready for the photos? There's lots so you may have to get a cup of coffee. Here we go.

As you come in the door. Notice the knitting machine on it's own table, the ameba lamp, yarn where I can touch and see, and tissue paper flowers made with my daughter.

Around the room we go to the left. My workstation, printers, lots of file drawers, more yarn, paper, and when the blinds are open a view of the backyard.

This is a close up of the corner. The clock is an Ikea find I bought 2 years ago and never hung up, it says "Knit like the Wind" in chalk, the middle item is my clip board and sketch pad (with a drawing I did of our dog Jubilee), and a set of hooks. I  speared balls of yarn (all STR and Hazel Knits) on the top set and hung all my project bags from the bottom.

Moving to the left we have the bookshelves. It was impossible to get everything in one shot so bare with me. This photo shows the entire top half of the wall. Notice the hangers for my knitting bags on the far left, I think this it the only shot they made it into.

Bookshelf number one has my large WIPS (in the basket on the bottom), Crochet thread, drawers, boxes, and tins labeled with the crafting supply inside, some Artfibers yarn on cones, and my swift and ball winder.

Bookshelf number two holds more craft supplies, my camera, my good chocolate stash (hidden for the rest of the family) and all my sewing supplies (including my machine).

These tiles are from a Michigan artist named Pat Denison. My in-laws introduced me to her many years ago. I'm happy they finally have a home and I can see them everyday.

Wall number 3 has the wall o' yarn, my worktable, all my knitting books (that's them in the bottom cubbies), all my not large WIPs, and more crafting supplies. I love the yarn! Love, love, love it! I even made the neighbor kids come in and admire it, I was so excited. The only down side is that now every time I want to knit with some of it I'll feel like I have to replace it. Good thing I have some extra.

That wall also holds this..

the door to even more crafting supplies. If we have a state of emergency and craft supplies reach dangerously low levels you know where to go. I may run out of clean drinking water, but by golly I'll be able to knit and craft. You know, the important stuff.

We've come full circle. Fresh bulletin boards waiting to hold some inspiration. All my silk and cashmere extra special skeins. The knitting machine and lots of space for patterns, magazines, and catalogs. None of the furniture is new or even moved. In fact the only things I purchased were the 2 lamps, a whole bunch of hooks, and the cork boards. Lots of work to hang everything, but only $128 spent. I really focused on making the things I use daily easy to find and use, and making the space more fun.

One of my favorite additions is my scarf curtain. It hangs on the inside of my door giving me a little privacy, displaying some of my favorite knitting, and making it easy to choose one before I walk out the door.

It's the details that make all the difference. Yarn sorted by color (no it's not my whole stash, I have another closet for that), books sorted by type and in easy reach, and projects all bagged and ready to go. Even my huge cashmere warp hanging on the back of the door to keep me cozy.

Every time my mom comes for visit she tells me she just wants to do ordinary things with us, so that when I'm telling her about dance class, the grocery store, or a visit to the park she can imagine us there. Now you know where I'm sitting when I write a post, hang out on Ravelry, listen to podcasts, or talk on the phone. If I could figure out how to get a fridge, a squishy chair and a fireplace in here I'd probably have to be dragged out.

Comments

[Alli]

Please, can I move in? This summer I'm going to do up a craft room. I love all your hooks and thing hanging from the walls. I'm definitely going to steal that idea. :)

[alice]

I am sooooo inspired! It looks AWESOME!!!! Haha David has no idea, but our 'spare room' is so going to become a craft room!!!

[Priscilla]

You are so organized! It's beautiful, and I am in awe.

[Buffalodharma]

Love it! I'm finally getting a craft room of my own when we move next month and am excited beyond words. Yours is so lovely and fun! What type of hooks (or is it hooks?) did you use with the yarn on either side of the cork boards? and the wall o'yarn. I want to use that idea to display my sock yarn.

[Cathy]

Wow, very impressive! You did a really good job organizing everything and it looks great too. Inspirational!

[Mya]

Fabulous! Such organization! Such an inspiration!

[Marisol]

I think I have just died and gone to HEAVEN! OMG I love everything! Hey all your ideas are divine--I am especially loving those awesome colorful file boxes on top of the cubbies.... Please do tell me where you got those and the brand etc. Purdy Please Sam:)

[jmcmjoan]

I love your organization! The scarf curtain is my favorite...convienent to grab and go.

[linda]

Oh, your workspace is lovely! I'm in the middle of creating a space for myself. I love all of your storage ideas, especially the yarns/project bags on hooks. Thanks for the inspiration!

[cupcakewatson]

where did u find the bookshelves and the wall cubbies?

[Susan]

I love that room Sam!!! You've inspire me! Thanks so much for sharing the cookie recipe. I will be wearing sweats next time you see me.....because that's probably all I'll be able to fit into. I could have eaten every cookie in that box! How sweet of you to make them for Miss Alice! : )

[Julie]

How much do you charge for organizing craft rooms?? Wait, I don't have a craft room, just a craft corner. So. Jealous! It looks fabulous. I claim Ally's room in 9 1/2 years when she's off to college.