If you are a maker or crafter of any sort, you learn really fast how staying organized is KEY to taming the yarn chaos.
Today I’m sharing with you some of my favorite ways to keep yarns, neat and tidy!
There will be frugal options plus some that are a bit more $$ investment. But these are options for anyone looking for ways to keep the yarn-tastrophy completely under control!
Option 1: Organize Your Yarn By Color
Some makers love to keep the cohesive color look. Whether it is by bright, playful hues are whether it is by warm, earthy neutrals. Organizing by color can be both visually and emotionally satisfying!
Remember the ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) to keep your colors cohesive and flowing with one another.
Of course you have to keep in mind, tweed yarns, variegated and fades. These can easily put a bump into your yarn display! However, don’t let them scare you from a color coordinated effort to get organized!
Option 2: Organize By Fiber
I have found a lot of weavers, spinners and knitters tend to organize this way. Fibers impact a lot of things: stitch look, garment design, seasons, allergies and more!
I don’t personally organize this way, however I can completely understand the thought behind it.
If you are someone who really knows their stuff when you’re able to distinct an alpaca blend from a pure lambs wool. I don’t think I could do it at this point. But I would love to get there!
Being a yarn dyer can help you stay organized too because different fibers dye very differently. Another group of makers who tend to organize this way!
When I was dyeing yarns a few years ago I only dyed with one fiber. I was “technically” organized by fiber but it was solely by default!
Option 3: By Retailer/Seller
I have a friend who loves to organize their stash by retailer and yarn dyers. I sort of incorporate this into my stash organization especially when I have a company I do commissions for quite frequently.
It helps me know what I have to work with when creating certain designs and helps the design process overall be a bit easier on the front end.
The neat thing is you can really take all three of these options and create a unique configuration of organization which works for you personally!
Ways To Organize Your Fibers!
My top three ways I keep things organized are:
- Baskets, bins, tubs
- Bookshelves, closets, shelves/cabinets
- project bags both big and small
I’m going to link several different ones I love and have used or are currently using!
I will say, two places you need to look first to save the most money would be (1) your local thrift stores and (2) Facebook marketplace.
You will save a lot if you can buy used! I always find incredible baskets at our local stores and if I can’t find anything there my next favorite places would be Walmart and amazon!
Let’s Start with Storage Containers:
These are absolutely adorable and I love that they come in a set of 2! The linen look with the leather handles make it easy to carry around plus can fit just about any decor style!
They would look good on an open shelf or would fit in a closet too.
Lot’s of good options with these!
Large Woven Felt Basket With Leather Handles (comes in 2 colors)
Felt is incredibly durable! If you have kids this is a great option that could handle the wear and tear of lots of “action”.
The color options are great with a black version and then a lovely neutral grey. The handles are my favorite too!
Wooden Storage Crate (great option for cube storage shelves)
This is a slightly more expensive option but can fit inside of those cube shelves.
These will be a lot more sturdy, look great on a shelf, or even on the floor next to your making chair.
A classic style which will fit any decor style!
Storage Shelving & More!
12 Cube Organizer (8 cube option as well)
I have personally owned this brand of cube shelves in the past! They are VERY high quality and great for organizing all sorts of things!
You would have the option of storing your yarns in the shelves openly or you could pair them with the bins shared above.
You could also mix and match with containers and open shelves. These are most definitely a bit more expensive but I believe worth the investment if you’re looking for something more long-term.
If you don’t have a lot of yarn or maybe you’re looking for something that’s easy to keep things organized but you can also move it about the house. This cart would be a great solution!
I have a slightly smaller one but I think this one is next on my list to purchase! It has more room and could keep 3-6 projects depending on their size. Plus it’s really cute and inexpensive!
Industrial Farmhouse Wall Shelves
I absolutely ADORE these shelves! They are so cute and timeless. You can make them look cool in just about any space!
I also love how they don’t take up valuable floor space!
When you have a smaller living space you always can go up on the wall to create more space for storage etc. This shelving system is perfect for a smaller living room, basement or the like.
Do You Have More Tips?
You all are so smart! I would love for you to share with us down below other items you have come across to stay organized!
Tips, tricks and the like would be great!
Let’s encourage and inspire each other in whatever ways we can. Especially when it comes to our precious fibers.
For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to contact you directly, so am trying this! I have your The Beck Cable Throw pattern, but have questions. Can we email directly?
I am interested in more crochet advice. Yarn, hooks, patterns etc.
Hey there! I am working on your orange black sweater pattern. Idk if I should ch 1 during the stripe section or not when I turn. I tried finding you insta but no luck! Thank you and miss your content!
Fourth major first pass option – by yarn weight. It fits the bill when you have a project in mind and need to see if you have something on hand that will work.