7 Best Storage Portfolios For Finished Boards To Organize
Keep your finished boards safe and organized with our top 7 storage portfolio picks. Click here to find the best solutions to protect your creative projects today.
Blocking is the final, essential step that transforms a pile of stitches into a professional-grade garment. However, once those blocking mats have served their purpose, they often become an awkward, bulky nuisance in the studio. Choosing the right storage solution ensures your boards remain flat, clean, and ready for the next intricate lace shawl or stranded colorwork sweater. This guide evaluates the top storage options to help maintain your gear and reclaim your workspace.
Knitter’s Pride Portfolio: Best for Large Projects
This portfolio is specifically designed to accommodate the oversized blocking mats required for large-scale garments. When working with expansive pieces like circular shawls or heavy wool sweaters, standard storage often falls short.
The sturdy construction ensures that your modular mats remain aligned without curling or warping over time. It is an ideal choice for those who frequently block multiple tiles at once, as the dimensions comfortably house a full set of interlocking foam boards.
While it is significantly larger than traditional craft bags, the trade-off is the protection of your equipment. For those who prioritize space for bulky mats over portability, this is the definitive gold standard.
ArtBin Mat Folio: Top Budget-Friendly Choice
The ArtBin Mat Folio serves as a practical, no-frills solution for knitters who need a dedicated space for their tools without a high price point. It offers a sleek profile that slides easily into a closet or between furniture.
This folio is surprisingly resilient for its material weight, making it excellent for storing lightweight foam mats or even rolls of blocking wires. It lacks the heavy-duty reinforced structure of premium bags, but it succeeds in keeping dust and debris away from your clean blocking surface.
If the goal is simple organization and basic protection, this choice is hard to beat. It is a functional, economical path to keeping your craft room organized and tidy.
Cocoknits Project Portfolio: Stylish & Durable
Cocoknits has cultivated a reputation for pairing functional design with high-quality materials that withstand years of use. This portfolio is constructed with the aesthetic-minded knitter in mind, utilizing sturdy, sustainable materials that feel good to handle.
Beyond just holding boards, the internal layout is intuitive, allowing for the storage of pins and wires alongside the mats themselves. It functions more like an organizational hub than a simple sleeve, which justifies its higher investment.
For the knitter who appreciates the tactile quality of their tools as much as their yarn, this portfolio offers longevity. It remains one of the most reliable options for keeping a complete blocking kit in one centralized location.
WeCrochet Travel Case: For Knitters on the Go
Frequent travel requires a storage solution that balances protection with mobility. This case is designed to hold standard-sized mats securely while remaining compact enough to slip into a suitcase or a large project bag.
The lightweight design means it adds minimal weight to your luggage, which is crucial for makers who take their gear to retreats or workshops. It effectively prevents mat corners from fraying during transit, a common issue when boards are packed loosely.
If there is a frequent need to transport blocking equipment between home and class, this is an essential companion. It proves that heavy-duty protection does not always require an oversized, cumbersome footprint.
Itoya ProFolio: Best Heavy-Duty Protection
Originally designed for artists, the Itoya ProFolio is a hidden gem for knitters requiring rigid protection for their mats. The professional-grade, acid-free construction ensures that your boards remain perfectly flat, regardless of how they are stored.
The archival quality of the materials is a major bonus for those who store their blocking gear in potentially humid environments like basements or attics. It resists moisture better than most fabric-based organizers, ensuring that foam mats do not degrade or trap odors.
This is a serious investment for the dedicated knitter. It provides the most structural integrity of any option on this list, making it perfect for long-term storage of expensive or custom-sized mats.
Everything Mary Tote: Features Notion Storage
Organization is often about more than just the boards; it is about the pins, T-pins, and blocking combs that inevitably go missing. The Everything Mary Tote includes dedicated pockets that turn a simple storage bag into a comprehensive blocking station.
Having a specific place for T-pins is a game-changer for maintaining a tidy workspace. By keeping sharp metal tools in a zippered pocket, you prevent them from puncturing your mats or damaging your other knitting supplies.
If your workspace is prone to clutter, this all-in-one approach is highly recommended. It creates a “grab-and-go” system that ensures every accessory is accounted for when it is time to block a new project.
Star VAST Portfolio Bag: The Minimalist Choice
For the knitter who wants a clean, unobtrusive way to keep mats off the floor, the Star VAST portfolio provides a straightforward solution. It avoids unnecessary frills, focusing entirely on clean lines and secure closures.
The fabric is durable enough to hold its shape, yet flexible enough to slide into tight gaps between cabinets or shelves. It is an excellent choice for those living in smaller spaces who need their storage to be invisible when not in use.
The bottom line is effectiveness through simplicity. It keeps your gear shielded from dust and physical damage without requiring extra space or complex packing procedures.
How to Pick the Right Portfolio for Your Mats
Selecting the right portfolio requires an honest assessment of your typical project size and living space. Measure your largest mat configuration first, including any overlap if you use a specific grid layout.
Consider the environment where the portfolio will live. If you store items in a garage or basement, seek out moisture-resistant materials like nylon or polypropylene. For indoor closet storage, simple fabric sleeves provide more than enough protection.
Always account for accessory storage. A board-only sleeve may be cheaper, but if it lacks a pocket for your pins and wires, those small, easily lost items will eventually vanish into the bottom of a drawer.
Storing Your Blocking Boards to Prevent Damage
Proper storage is the best defense against warping, which is the most common cause of uneven blocking. Always store your mats in a strictly horizontal or perfectly vertical position to maintain their flatness.
Avoid leaning boards against heat sources like radiators or vent registers, as extreme temperature fluctuations can cause foam to brittle or warp. If boards have become slightly misshapen, lying them flat under a heavy book for a few days can often reset the material.
Keep your boards clean before putting them away. Residual lanolin from wool or dust from the floor can transfer to your next project if the mats are stored while soiled.
DIY Storage Ideas for Your Blocking Board Set
For those who enjoy crafting their own solutions, a DIY approach can be highly effective. A simple heavy-duty canvas zippered pillowcase can act as an excellent, low-cost sleeve for standard square tiles.
If you have a wall with available space, consider mounting two long, narrow shelves or heavy-duty hooks. This allows you to slide your mats in vertically, keeping them flat while utilizing “dead” wall space in a utility room.
Another clever method involves using a large binder clip and a sturdy hanger. By clamping the mats together, you can hang them securely in a closet, ensuring they remain perfectly straight without taking up valuable floor or shelf room.
Investing in proper storage for your blocking boards is an investment in the long-term quality of your finished handknits. By choosing a solution that fits your space and project habits, you ensure that the time-consuming process of blocking is never hindered by damaged or misplaced equipment. With your mats protected, you are always ready to put the perfect final touch on your next masterpiece.
