Whether you have one or two balls of yarn for your current project or you’ve achieved SABLE (stash acquisition beyond life expectancy), organizing your yarn stash can be the difference between enjoying the yarn in your collection and being overwhelmed by it. But organizing doesn’t have to be difficult. Let’s start with a few basic steps and learn how to spring clean your yarn stash.
This is one of those questions where if you ask 100 different people you get 100 of the best ideas and solutions ever. Of course, the answer to this question lies in the kind of space you have and your organizational preferences. Do you prefer to see everything you have? Do you just want it all neat and tidy and out of sight?
How much yarn do you have, anyway?
Before you organize your stash, take a long weekend to catalog your collection (yes, even those bags of yarn in the closet). If that’s too overwhelming, spend an hour each day looking for yarn until you know what’s on hand. I find it helpful to photograph my yarn and post it in my Ravelry yarn stash.
Keep it on display or out of sight?
Once you know how much yarn you have, choose your favorite storage approach. Do you want to hide your stash, or do you prefer to have it on display?
For hidden storage, plastic bins are a great option since they can be stored in a basement or closet. Airtight storage can even help keep out moths. A disadvantage to hidden storage is that you may forget what you already own, so posting your stash to Ravelry will give you a quick visual reminder of what’s in your stash. Others sort their yarns by color, fiber content, or weight into clear plastic bins. Everything is easily seen but is safe from tangles and dust. You can stack them, store them under a bed, or place them on shelves. If you are worried about bugs, you can toss some cedar balls into each bin to deter them. Another option that works is to sort yarn into the large space saver bags that you can remove air from. I have a few bags of yarn stored this way; I removed some of the air but not enough to compress the yarn completely. I did this when we moved recently and it worked so well that I left the yarn in the bags and stored it all under my bed.
If you have a closet to work with, hanging organizers are indispensable. You can use the shelves to sort in any way you please. There are even some specifically designed for your yarn stash and have pockets to help organize your needles and patterns. I have a few of these and I just love them.
If you’d like your yarn collection front and center, consider dedicating a bookcase to your stash. You can stack yarn up on the shelves, just as you might see in a local yarn shop, and your crochet books can help to prop up yarn. This approach requires more maintenance, as you’ll need to protect your yarn from dust, pet hair and critters, but it allows your collection to shine.
If you have the space to make a display, cubby style shelving units are very useful. Your stash and books can all be neatly organized. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, and there are endless options for organizing the shelves. Fabric bins, dividers, drawers, doors are all great options. In my craft room, I use stacks of wire cubby shelving. It’s very inexpensive and can be taken apart and reconfigured if you feel the need to rearrange your space. This versatile method is great if you have an oddly shaped area to utilize, like under stairs for example. I have even seen them used to build a display around a bed or couch!
Perhaps you want to take a more balanced approach with storage baskets. Fabric or woven storage baskets are now available in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes, and they can be stacked in bookshelves or left on a table for display. A behind-the-door shoe organizer stuffed with yarn can allow flashes of color from your yarn collection to peek into your room. Keep an open mind during visits to thrift stores and antique shops; a large ceramic or glass bowl makes a great yarn centerpiece. A vintage storage chest can also be a great storage container – but be sure to clean it thoroughly so you don’t introduce any yarn-eating bugs into your home.
An organization system
Once you’ve picked the right storage approach for you, decide on the best way to organize the yarn. The four major methods are by color, by fiber, by yarn weight and by project type. The best approach for you will depend on a combination of the type of yarn in your collection, your storage approach and the type of crocheter you are.
Many utilize large Ziploc bags to keep things neat and tidy. The Ziplocs have an additional benefit off keeping bugs at bay. There are some who sort yarn by project. I do this with yarns that I buy with a very specific pattern in mind. I will often print out the pattern and include it in the bag as well. If the yarn comes in hanks, I will wind it so that when it’s time to pick the project up, it’s ready to go and there are no excuses not to start.
Organizing by color looks wonderful if your storage approach includes some open or clear containers. You may even choose to store different colors in different rooms, based on your décor.
Organizing by fiber, yarn weight and/or project type makes it easier to “shop your stash” before starting a new project. You may also use a combination of these approaches based on your personal crocheting habits.
Planning ahead before organizing your stash, by cataloging your yarn on Ravelry and choosing a storage approach and organizing system, will help you keep your yarn orderly for years to come.
One of the best ways to get ideas on how to store your yarn stash is to jump into the Pinterest rabbit-hole head first. Be warned: once you start, you may need someone to grab your feet and pull you up for air. You will eventually find a style that appeals to you, trust me.
We have a “bonus” room above part of the garage that isn’t heated. It has bookshelves on two sides, and one side has my tables (2 folding tables 48″ x 48″) that can be set up for blocking. I am very slowly getting my stash organized in fabric bins from Dollar Tree. Mostly by project type/fiber.
I have a large laundry room which includes a counter for my sewing machine and serger. There are cabinets around 3 sides of the roughly square room, minus the area above the sink where I have a bar for hanging clothes. I put all of my plastic bins full of yarn on top of the cabinets on 1 long and 1 short sides, while the other side has a long piece of upholstery fabric awaiting a time when I finally make those pillows for the sectional in the basement. So I guess I have a SABLE in a couple of categories. I determined a few years ago not to buy any more yarn than what I could fit above those cabinets, then to not buy anything unless it was for a specific project. Then I discovered that the blanket yarn I’d been buying to make crocheted water balloons was being discontinued so I bought out all that my local Joann’s had on clearance. Fortunately that was after my son and his wife moved out and cleared some space they’d been using in the game cupboard down in the basement. So that’s where my blanket yarn resides. The rest is categorized by type of yarn, with basic acrylic in the one large bin. But I keep the Christmas colors I traditionally use for the grandkid’s little stocking ornaments every year in a separate clear zippered bag, from a king sheet set, so if I ever need more room in that bin I can take it out and set it in the bit of space I have between bins.
I too am sable.
I use cubes for what is on hand.
Hats, scarfs and small project use my stash and now I simply only buy what I need for projects.
Barb R
When I was working I purchased a lot of yarn that was on sale. I would go to garage and estate sale. Now I’m retired and I fit into the SABLE category. I have a closet full, a six foot tall shelf desk and a wall stacked halfway up with boxes and totes. I go through them every now and then to remind myself what I still have and how much I can use on certain projects.
I retired last year and the house I bought was specifically because it has a HUGE room that is completely dedicated to my sewing, yarn, spinning and any other craft I enjoy. Now to just get it all organized…..
Great ideas. ????????
I absolutely loved your storage article. I sat here laughing out loud when I read the meaning of SABLE. I even read it to my husband and emailed it to my daughter who is also a crochet person. I’m 76 and I am positive I’m in the SABLE category! Thanks for the article.
My stash is definiteley of the SABLE variety. We recently moved and I was shocked to discover just how much yarn I have. I’ve made a decision to not buy anymore until I’ve used hal of what I have. Some of my stash is in polythene bags on book cases and some is in clear bins. Can anyone tell me why when ever I start on a new project I never have exactly the right colour/yarn weight. Yarn just makes me happy!
I decided to forgo buying more yarn too… that lasted a couple days until I got an email from Hobbii and yet something else on sale caught my eye!! I’m hopeless! 🙂
I,too, get into trouble with the Hobbii emails. I love their yarns. Little Knits is another one that get me into trouble. Bottom line, I’m definitely a SABLE person. ????
I have a whole room in my basement that I painted and got shelves, have a couple dressers and plastics bins. It’s my happy space:) Definitely at the SABLE level. It is nice to see the yarn on the shelves, some of my more special ones.
The challenge is when ppl give you more yarn when they are cleaning out loved one’s houses. That is separate in boxes and bags and I plan on giving most of it away when I teach some ppl at work how to crochet. Plan to use it for the cancer patients at work.
Yes, the struggle is real. But I have not bought very much yarn in the last year, able to use what I have for gifts. “Someday” when I retire and the kids are out of the house, I will make items to sell again. For now, there are always gifts that need to be made…
What great ideas in the article and also in the comments. I must add, seeing that there are many Sable people out there gives me comfort and makes me smile! Matter of fact, I am so encouraged that I am heading to the yarn shop…anyone want to join me?
Oh my, I so relate! I just love going to a yarn shop. The colors make me smile as I go in the door.
Absolutely loved this article as I made some shelves for my craft room specifically for my huge bags of yarn I bought when a local shop had an amazing offer on. It was lovely having it where I could see it but the dust problem was something I never considered. Also my shelves are not as deep as I would have liked but I have come up with a solution for both of these problems. I am going to sew some fabric ‘boxes’ with clear plastic panels in the front and a piece of fabric fastened to the back panel that will act as a lid. This means I can squash both the yarn into the box and the box onto the shelf so whatever shape I have will fit and a slight overhang won’t mean I am forever picking up fallen balls and dragging my ladder out so I can put them back on the shelf. Wish I had seen this article before I made my shelves last year. Thank you
Liked all ideas just have to make a decision.
After my son moved out, that became my craft room. Since I have mostly worsted yarn, I put those in clear totes by color (if I don’t have enough to fill a tote, there might be 2 or 3 colors in a tote. Bernat Blanket yarn in 3 other totes, speciality yarn in another tote. I used his stand-up closet for “future projects” with yarn/pattern together. I use an old trash can with a lid for small balls of yarn for accents on hats, sorted by color into ziplocs. A large basket for partial skeins.
Also full on SABLE here! LOL Thanks for the tips. I try to work on stash every once in a while. Lately it has been getting away from me. Winter is tough for me.
I do have clear totes and open shelving and cubes. I wish I could have it all in one place though. Someday (is NOT a day on the calendar!).
To discourage moths and such you can place lavender sachets in your yarn storage items. Just a suggestion.
Thanks so much for mentioning the lavender sachets!!! I had forgotten this, but went searching and found that bag of lavender that I bought especially to do this (and it’s also edible, so double duty ????. Also got out those little organza drawstring bags I keep on hand for a billion reasons and voila! 30 minutes later and my stash cubbies and bins are protected. ✔️
I hung a shoe organizer on the inside of my closet door and inside a spare closet. I can see everything and it is at my fingertips
I am definitely a SABLE! Right now I have all of my yarn in large clear storage bags. I have them stacked against one wall in my craft room but I plan to organize by color one of these days ????
GREAT IDEA……..now to get motivated
I organized all mine a few years ago. Color in plastic see thru bins. They are in the closet in the extra bedroom. Makes it so easy for me.
Well my stash has become overwhelming. So I found an 8 drawer rolling plastic bin, it is almost 6 ft tall. I can see what I have at a glance. These tips will help me get it all organized. Thank you so much!
I bought a large China cabinet (used) for $150 and it stores most of my yarn. It’s away from dust but I can still see most of it.
Cool idea….may have to borrow that one…thanks.
Can do one better! Bought an old tv cabinet at Habitat for $20. Gutted the sliding tray out, repositioned the doors, added a shelf and painted it red! It now stands in the corner of my bedroom and looks like a piece of real furniture. When open, I can see every skein at a glance. Another SABLE addict here!
Thanks.
I desperately need this. I’m also thinking of generating a spread sheet that lists each yarn by Brand, name, content, weight, color, and amount. That way when I see a pattern I want to make I can search under weight 2 yard, for example, and see what I have already.
GREAT IDEA……..now to get motivated
This is exactly what Ravelry will do for you under the Stash heading. It is all free with your free Ravelry account. I love it!
Ravelry is also my go-to for stash cataloging. It takes awhile to get started, but now it’s a breeze to keep updated. I take pics and enter all new stash and keep track of projects as well. You can search for patterns, yarns, groups, you name it. It’s such a valuable tool, highly recommended.
Pictures of the different ideas would be really nice. Thanks for the suggestions though.
I have a wine bar with glass doors where I stash a lot of my yarn. I used clear vases turned backwards in the 9 slots for bottles of wine. I also have some in 5 gallon pickle jars. Photos on Ravelry. (k4tog)