GADGET OF THE MONTH

Now we all know that craft is one of those things in life that comes with a plethora of accessories, tools and whatnots all guaranteed to make your creative life easier, neater and organised to faintly disturbing Martha Stewart style perfection. Most of mine end up on a shelf gathering dust in distinctly un-Marthaesque fashion, but once in a while something comes along that actually makes a difference... meet the Prym Needle Twister.


Oh, I hear you say, it's just another needlecase. No dear reader, it is not. Looks basic enough, but it's genius lies in it's simplicity. First up, it's a generous size. So along with embroidery, quilting and sewing needles, it will also comfortably store tapestry needles, wool needles, beading needles and bodkins. Excellent. Secondly, it's magnetised. Once your needles are in, they stay there, even if the lid comes off in your bag, you're not going to end up with a hand like a pincushion when you go rummaging. Although the lid won't come off because it extends all the way down the case. Like a lipstick.

So when you want a needle, are you going to have to tip them all out to find the one you want and then fiddle about putting the rest away? No no no. Back to lipstick, the base twists and raises your needles, still conveniently magnetised so no spilling, then when you've made your choice, twist the other way and they're all neatly stowed again. It won the Red Dot Design Award, and it's easy to see why. Like I said, genius.