My grandmother used her collection of old tea and cookie tins (generally with the Queen on them as she came from England!) and a wonderful old large brown purse made out of upholstery fabric, for knitting and crochet. I loved to look in them!
I, on the other hand, collect the handy clear-top plastic containers you get when you take home a 'doggie bag' from the restaurant. They work great for leftovers at home, and they are light and handy for the hand-sewing tools, including the felt catnip mouse I use as a pincushion, plus I can put them in the 12"x12" boxes I take to quilting class.