Keeping Yarn Organized and Untangled
For avid knitters and crocheters, keeping yarn untangled and well-organized can make crafting so much easier. When yarn is a jumbled mess, it's frustrating to find the right color or type for your project. With some simple storage solutions, you can keep your yarn stash neat and accessible.
Wind Yarn into Cakes or Balls
The first step is winding skeins of yarn into cakes (also called yarn cakes) or center-pull balls before storage. This serves several purposes:
- Removes kinks and tangles from skeins
- Makes the yarn easier to pull from the center while knitting/crocheting
- Allows you to see color transitions in hand-dyed variegated yarn
- Lets you organize by color family when caked
You can wind balls by hand, but yarn swifts and winders speed up the process. A swift holds the skein taut while you wind, and winders quickly wrap the yarn into evenly wound cakes.
Store by Weight and Fiber
Grouping yarn by weight (or thickness) means you can easily grab the right yarn for a project. Use shelves or dividers to separate sport weight, DK, worsted, bulky, and other weights. You may want to subgroup by fiber within each section, such as wool, cotton, acrylic, etc.
Clear Plastic Storage
Clear plastic bins, bags, or containers are ideal for storing yarn so you can see contents easily. Some options include:
- Plastic totes or bins of various sizes to hold yarn cakes
- Hanging shoe organizers with clear pockets to store yarn balls
- Clear plastic bags to protect silky or splitty yarn
Cubbies and Shelving
Installing shelving units or cubbies provides plenty of space to neatly organize yarn. Consider:
- A bookcase with adjustable shelves for larger skeins or cones
- Cubbies for smaller balls of yarn
- Hanging wall storage with hooks or shelves
- Over-the-door storage to hang over closet rods
Keep Tools Handy
Store your knitting needles, crochet hooks, and other notions in pouches or cases near your yarn stash. Consider hanging magnetic strips to hold needles and small tools for easy grabbing. You'll save time hunting down the right supplies for your latest project.
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Tips for Avoiding Tangling
- Always store yarn balls/cakes vertically, never laying horizontally piled.
- Use yarn bowls to hold balls and prevent them rolling away.
- Keep WIPs untangled by wrapping yarn ends around the needles or hook.
- Consider bags or bins you can label for each project's yarn.
By caking your yarn and using storage solutions that allow visibility and organization, you'll have a tidy and usable yarn collection that makes crafting a pleasure.
Types of Yarn Storage Solutions
For crafters with a stash of yarn, finding ways to neatly organize all those skeins, balls, and cakes can be a challenge. Thankfully there are now more options than ever when it comes to yarn storage solutions. Here are some popular types of storage to consider.
Plastic Storage Bins
Plastic bins come in a range of sizes and can be a great option for storing yarn. Look for bins with lids to keep yarn clean and dust-free. Clear bins allow you to easily see contents. Labeling bins is helpful for organization. You can group by yarn weight, fiber type, project, or color family. Some options:
- Stackable bins - Allows stacking to save space and add vertical storage.
- Iris bins - Available in small to extra-large sizes with snap tight lids.
- Underbed bins - Fit neatly under a bed with low clearance.
Hanging Organizers
Hanging storage is great for smaller balls of yarn:
- Over-the-door shoe organizers have clear vinyl pockets suitable for yarn.
- Multi-tiered acrylic yarn organizers hang from a closet rod or rack.
- Pegboard with hooks can hold yarn balls or attach baskets.
Yarn Bowls
Yarn bowls provide an easy way to prevent yarn balls from rolling away while you work. Options include:
- Ceramic, metal or wooden handcrafted bowls
- Bowls with notches or slots for thread ends
- Desktop bowls or bowls with stands
- Bowls large enough for multiple yarn balls
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Storage Furniture
Furniture such as bookcases, cabinets, shelves, and dressers can house yarn beautifully:
- Bookcases with adjustable shelves are great for cones or large skeins.
- Cubbies, like a cube storage unit, nicely corral small and medium yarn balls.
- Dresser drawers organize WIPs and tools.
- Armoires or cabinets keep yarn dust-free behind doors.
Yarn Winders and Swifts
Winders and swifts are essential tools for managing yarn and keeping it tangle-free:
- Yarn winders quickly wind hanks or skeins into evenly wound center-pull cakes.
- Swifts hold skeins taut for easy unwinding and winding into cakes.
- Together swifts and winders create the ideal setup for smooth winding.
With a variety of storage solutions available, you can create an organized system tailored to your yarn collection and crafting style.
Tips for Winding Yarn into Cakes or Balls
Winding yarn into evenly wound balls or cakes makes for easier knitting and crocheting with smooth, tangle-free yarn. Here are some tips for getting the job done right.
Choose Your Wind
Decide whether you want to wind your yarn into:
- Center-pull balls - Yarn pulls from the center of the ball.
- Cakes - Round, flat discs of yarn.
The winding method you use will depend on the final form you want.
Estimate Yardage
Check the yarn label for wrap per inch and total yardage to estimate how much yarn you can wind into each cake or ball. Winding too much yarn can stretch it out.
Use a Swift
Hold skeins in a yarn swift to keep the yarn untangled and taut for easier winding. A swift allows you to smoothly pull from the center of the skein.
Wind from the Outside In
When winding center-pull balls, wrap the yarn around your fingers from the outside end towards the center, then carefully slip the wound ball off your fingers onto the winder or holder.
Wind Tightly
Maintain consistent tension while winding. Winding loosely can cause lumps and uneven pulls. If winding a cake, go side to side without gaps.
Control Speed
Wind at a moderate, controlled speed. Winding too quickly stretches the yarn.
Use a Winder
A yarn winder quickly creates evenly wound center-pull balls or yarn cakes:
- Secure end of yarn and wind into the slit.
- Guide yarn back and forth across winder.
- Maintain even tension.
Wind Multiple Cakes
Wind more than one cake to split up very large skeins.
Store Properly
Winding is wasted if yarn gets tangled again. Store cakes vertically in bins or bags.
With practice winding your own cakes and balls, you'll gain efficiency and enjoy tangle-free knitting and crocheting.
Solutions for Storing Different Weights of Yarn
The weight, or thickness, of yarn can vary greatly from bulky roving to fine crochet thread. Storing these different weights properly ensures you can easily access the right yarn for each project.
Sport, DK, and Worsted Weights
These mid-range weights, including sizes 3-5 yarn, are likely the bulk of many stashes. Store sport to worsted weight yarns together on shelves or in clear plastic bins. Use dividers, baskets, or shelving units to subgroup by weight and fiber content. For example:
- One shelf for wool yarns, divided into sport and worsted weights.
- A bin for cotton DK weight yarns.
- Baskets on a shelf holding acrylic sport and DK weight yarns.
Bulky and Super Bulky Yarns
The large skeins and thick textures of these yarns require more space. Store bulky and super bulky yarns weighing 120-250+ yards per 100g in roomy baskets or extra large bins. Wire shelving units work nicely to hold the weight. Or store horizontally in underbed bins or cubbies.
Lace and Fingering Weights
Delicate lace, sock, and fingering yarns under 400 yards per 100g can tangle easily. Use small bags or boxes to contain each ball separately. Group these bags together on shelves or in drawers labeled “Fingering Weight Yarns.” Keeping each hank or ball separate prevents tangling.
Novelty and Uncommon Weights
Novelty yarns like fur, beads, or ribbons need contained space. Store each ball individually in zipper bags to prevent snagging. Uncommon weights like 0-1 yarn can also be bagged separately. Dedicate a bin or shelf for these specialty yarns.
Properly storing the diverse range of yarn weights keeps your stash neat and accessible for every type of knitting or crochet project.
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Ways to Organize Yarn by Color or Project
Organizing your yarn stash by color or project makes it easy to find the perfect yarn for your next knitting or crochet creation. Here are some methods to try.
Color Families
Grouping yarn by color family helps you locate a particular color quickly. Some options:
- Store each color family in a separate bin or shelf. For example, blues, greens, reds, neutrals, etc.
- Use hanging clear shoe organizers, with a pocket for each color family.
- Wrap yarn around cardboard and label by family to store in bins.
Rainbow Storage
For a fun option, arrange yarn in rainbow color order. This works well with clear hanging organizers or open shelves. Options include:
- ROYGBIV - Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
- Pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple.
- Light to dark - Pastels to brights to deep shades.
By Project
Stash the yarn for each project together to keep all supplies in one place:
- Use large zipper bags to contain all yarn needed for one project.
- Dedicate a bin or cubby to each work-in-progress.
- Label skeins with painter's tape and the project name.
Variegated and Hand-Dyed
Variegated and hand-dyed yarns shine when organized by color flow rather than family. Ways to store:
- Wind into cakes and arrange by color gradient.
- Hang mini-skeins together with binder rings.
- Store each skein or cake separately in labeled clear bags.
By Weight and Fiber
You may want to group yarn by weight (DK, worsted, etc) and fiber (cotton, wool, etc) as your primary organization method. Use the above strategies to sub-organize within each weight/fiber section.
Organizing your yarn into a system that fits your crafting makes it a pleasure to start new knit or crochet projects.
Portable Projects - Taking Your Knitting On the Go
One of the great joys of knitting is its portability. With some planning and the right gear, you can take your knitting anywhere and enjoy projects on the go. Here are tips for making your knitting as portable as possible.
Project Bags
A project bag or tote designed for knitting provides safe transport of all your supplies. Features to look for include:
- Separate pockets or dividers to organize tools, pattern, yarn.
- Clear window pocket for keeping pattern visible.
- Zipper closure to prevent items falling out.
- Handle or shoulder strap for easy carrying.
Compact Tools
Pack small tools like:
- Mini or folding scissors like TSA-approved airport scissors.
- Retractable tape measure.
- Crochet hook or small needle for fixing mistakes.
- Point protectors to avoid poking through your bag.
Digital Patterns
Download knitting patterns onto a tablet, e-reader, or phone instead of carrying paper copies:
- Mark your place in the PDF pattern with digital highlighters or notes.
- Enlarge charts and graphs for easier visibility.
- Tap linked tutorials from digital magazines or books.
Compact Yarn Choices
Pick travel-friendly yarn like:
- Mini skeins or balls.
- Pre-wound yarn cakes instead of skeins.
- Smooth, snag-resistant yarns like cotton blends.
- Small amounts of different colors for colorwork.
Portable Needles
Options for moveable needle sets include:
- Interchangeable needles with short cords.
- Fixed circular needles instead of straight needles.
- Tunisian hooks, crochet hooks, or double pointed needles.
With some prep, you can knit anywhere - on planes, trains, road trips, and more. Don’t leave your knitting at home!
What is the Use of Amazon Prime for Yarn Storage Shoppers?
For knitters, crocheters, and other fiber artists who regularly buy yarn storage and organization products, an Amazon Prime membership can be extremely useful. Here are some of the key benefits Prime offers for yarn storage shopping.
Free Two-Day Shipping
Amazon Prime members get free two-day shipping on eligible items. This means you can quickly get your yarn storage purchases delivered right to your door.
No more waiting over a week for your yarn winder or organizer shelves to arrive. Prime makes re-stocking yarn storage supplies fast and convenient.
Free Release-Date Delivery
Excited about a hot new yarn storage product? Amazon Prime ensures you'll get it on the release date for no additional shipping charge.
When that innovative new yarn swift you've been eyeing becomes available, Prime members can get it delivered the same day it releases.
Try Before You Buy
The Prime Wardrobe feature lets you try certain eligible items before committing to purchase. This is helpful for storage furniture like shelves or cabinets.
Order the organizer, try assembling it and loading it up with yarn at home, then only pay for what you decide to keep.
Prime-Exclusive Deals
Amazon Prime members get exclusive access to special deals on select items. Keep an eye out for Prime Day events or Lightning Deals on yarn storage products.
You may find a coupon for 20% off your yarn winder or catch a Deal of the Day for storage bins.
For avid shoppers of yarn organization tools and solutions, the perks of an Amazon Prime subscription can take the headache out of stocking up on essential supplies.
