UniKeep™ View Case Binders™ for Yarn Lovers
By Judi Kauffman for UniKeep™

The people in my knitting group have one thing in common: We’re constantly trying to stay organized.  Patterns disappear; gauge swatches get stuck between cushions in the easy chair.  The precious leaflet for a favorite pair of mittens starts to look frayed and yarn labels we need to save for the care instructions get carried off bythe cat. 

There is an easy solution to this problem - UniKeep™ View Case Binders™  help even the least organized yarn lovercanget control of the situation.  Once the Binder is snapped closed, even little things like a crochet hook or yarn needle won’t fall out; that stack of patterns is secure.  Of course, those who enjoy being organized (I admit it, I’m a card carrying Virgo) will love the dividers and pockets that make it easy to categorize the contents of our Binders - swatches, yarn inventory, photos of projects, you name it!

Whether you simply want to store half a dozen pattern sheets or a lifetime collection, there are lots of options.  View Case Binders™ are available in 8 translucent and opaque colors with .5”, 1”, and 1.5” spines.  They have clear or tinted full wrap overlays under which a decorative insert - or the pattern on which you are working - can be inserted.  There are also Extreme Case Binders with multiple compartments for those with large collections of patterns.  Extreme Case Binders do not have clear overlays but they are easy to customize with stickers.

The key to these projects is to create a custom “wrap” for each person that reflects his or her interests.

If you like to design on a computer, scan balls of yarn, socks, a portion of a sweater, choose fonts and backgrounds and create the “wrap” on screen.

If you prefer traditional paper crafts, use color copies, photo prints, patterned paper, and dimensional embellishments to create collage “wraps” as shown.

Project A - Jamie Knits
My friend Jamie knits nearly non-stop.  She made me socks for my birthday this year.  I took them to the copy center, got a color copy of them, and used them as the focal point for a UniKeep™ View Case Binder™ “wrap” for her but if you have a scanner and color printer you can skip the trip.The project is very easy: Cut scrapbook paper to fit the View Case Binder™.  You will need to overlap and glue together more than once piece.  Measure carefully.  The dimensions of the “wrap” depend on the thickness of the spine on the Case Binder you select.  Cut around the photo of the socks, mittens, hat, or whatever knitted item you are using for the wrap.  Glue it in place on the background paper.  Sand the edges of chipboard letters, wipe the edges with a tissue or paper towel.  Glue letters in place. Jamie sent me some extra yarn in case I ever have to mend my socks.  I tucked a long swirling piece of the yarn under the clear overlay - no glue needed.   I’m going to suggest to Jamie that she add a piece of yarn from each of her projects so the memories build with every one!If you like to design on a computer, scan or shoot a digital photo of the knitted project that is the focal point of the “wrap” and create the entire project digitally.

Resource Guide:
UniKeep™ View Case Binder™ with clear overlay
Background paper, Hot Off The Press, www.paperpizzaz.com
Game Board (chipboard) letters, Making Memories, www.makingmemories.com
Beacon PaperTac glue, Beacon Adhesives, www.beaconadhesives.com

Project B - Kathleen Crochets
My friend Kathleen crochets every chance she gets, both as part of her day job working for a yarn company and in her spare time.  Her UniKeep™ View Case Binder™ with an orange tint overlay celebrates her love of yarn, thread, and color!  I took one of my mother’s creations to the copy center and got a color copy made, layered it onto a solid color background “wrap” and added three actual crocheted motifs, each one topped with a yo-yo made of fabric to turn them into flowers.  The tint in the overlay unifies and softens the colors.  The crochet motifs are actually bright white!
If you like to design on a computer, scan or shoot a digital photo of the crocheted projects that are the focal point of the “wrap” and create the entire project digitally.Instructions:
Follow the same general instructions as those for “Jamie Knits” and refer to the photo for ideas and layout.

Resource Guide:
UniKeep™ View Case Binder™ with tinted overlay
White or ivory background paper
Beacon PaperTac glue, Beacon Adhesives, www.beaconadhesives.com

Project C - Having a Ball
This is the UniKeep™ View Case Binder™ I designed for my own use.  I love self-striping sock yarn and although I rarely knit socks, I decided to use balls of Sassy Stripes (from Coats & Clark) for the cover.  Like the other Yarn Lovers’ “wraps” this one is a paper collage.  If you like to design on a computer, scan or shoot a digital photo of your favorite yarns, create a background pattern, tabs and text, and create the entire project digitally.

Materials:
UniKeep™ View Case Binder with clear sleeve
Color copy or photo of yarns
Patterned and mottled texture scrapbook paper and border strip
(colors to coordinate with yarn photo)
Heart-shaped brads
Tab-shaped punch
Rub-on letter

Instructions:
1. Follow the same general instructions as those for “Jamie Knits” and refer to the photo for ideas and layout.
2. Cut a rectangle from striped paper for each category stored inside the Binder.  Punch tabs from mottled texture scrapbook paper and glue to the end of the rectangles.  Add a heart-shaped brad to each tab. 
3. Glue the rectangles in an evenly spaced row next to the vertical border strip. 
4. Use rub-on letters on these rectangles to spell out the category names (patterns, swatches, etc.).  In the sampleshown, there are three, but you can add more or use fewer.  
5. Option: Add names, dates, or more information about the contents to the spine or back of the Binder wrap.

Resource Guide:
UniKeep™ View Case Binder™ with clear overlay
Hot Off  The Press “Finished In A Flash” patterned paper, border strip, heart-shaped brads
Rub-on letters, Karen Foster Design, www.karenfosterdesign.com  
Beacon PaperTac glue, Beacon Adhesives, www.beaconadhesives.com
Tab shaped punch, McGill, www.mcgillinc.com