There are so many different ways to hold your pins and needles that are better than a simple container where they all get mixed together and you run the risk of pricking your fingers whenever you go in for a singular pin or needle. If you don't want to use the magnet or pin box or fabric pin cushion, you can always use a bar of soap to hold all your pins.
The soap makes for a great stabilizer for all of the pins. The only downside to this is that there may be some soap residue on the pins afterwards.