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Apr 2, 2012

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Yarn?

Every single yarn crafter has an (ahem) issue of yarn. Yarn is like rabbits. It multiplies. I'm not sure if it's breeding, or somehow splits magically in half. Amoebas also do that sort of thing, no? Anyway. There's also the issue of yarn non-self control. Most yarn crafters are unable to walk away from a beautiful skein of yarn once we have snuggled it. (Yes. We snuggle yarn. It's not weird.)

Yarn organizing ideas... yarn snuggling picture
mmm... yaaarn

Now that you have tons and tons of yarn in every shape, size, and color, what do you do with it? Since nobody likes yarn barf, we have to try to keep it neat... a little. I currently have wall bins and canvas bins holding my yarn. There's also the shelf spanning the room for my crochet cotton rolls. Let's not talk about the bookshelf filled with things other than yarn that really should have yarn in it. I'm really not happy with my current yarn storage situation. I need to organize, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Let's explore what we can do here.

Idea number one: Bookshelf storage.

yarn storage on a bookshelf
not practical for my yarn and knot by gran'ma needs

I tried this out and don't like it. I don't see this staying neat for very long. The top bins are nice, but don't make it easy to find yarn.

Idea number two: Clear bins.

clear bin yarn storage
my favorite. yes, i am making a scrap yarn blanket on a c hook with sock yarn. madness.

I like clear bins. They stave off dust and can easily be labeled. You also can sort them by color, or yarn type, or whatever way makes your yarn needs easier. I need more bins I have this one... which holds my sock yarns that aren't scraps.

Idea number three: Chuck it all in a closet and hope for the best? (Yeah, don't do that.)

Idea number four: Clear hanging shoe racks.

hanging clear shoe organizer
the lighting is so poor in this room... please excuse the picture!

I really do like this idea, and currently am using this system for my uncategorized yarn. Notice the fun fur and weird unnatural fibers. I'm trying to use them up.

Do you all have ideas? What's worked for you in the past?

4 comments:

  1. I don't have as much as you do, but I have a lot. It's not well organized, but I keep some in an old trunk, some in a HUGE basket, and for all the Doll Hair yarn, I use the same shoe thingy like you have there. That's the best for stuff you need to "browse" regularly for inspiration.

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    1. I'm going to try to have more "clear" organization. I need to see things. I like to pull out the yarn and see what colors are nice together... the shoe thing is great for that. Hopefully more clear bins will help.

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  2. Hi i am a crocheter and i love doing amigurumies too.So in the end,i am a yarn hoarder too,just can't walk away from the store without buying new yarns ;) organizing so much yarn was a big problem for me until i find my solution,"plastic Zip-lock bags of bigger sizes".yes,they are very handy to store yarn balls or skins,and i can see what i have inside each bag.I mostly sort my yarn by colors.I put like colored yarns in zip-lock bags and then store them on shelves of a cupboard,which i use only for storing craft related things.Its very easy,cheap and effective way of storing yarns :)hope i help.

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    Replies
    1. That's a great idea. I will have to remember that next time I'm at the store.

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Thanks for reading. Please share your thoughts with me. I love reading them!

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