How can I organize a large quantity of Yarn.?

Question

I would like to organize a large quantity of yarn. All of this yarn might fit in a 55 gallon outdoors trash can. I want to organize this yarn in different color groups. What would be the cheapest and most space saving way to store this where it's readily available to use at a moments notice?

Answer 1

I use "banker's boxes". They're inexpensive,they fold flat when
not in use and they have those great handles on them.

Answer 2

Get one of those 5-shelf bookshelf units from someplace let Wal-mart, put it together. Then if you, a spouse, or other family member or friend, is handy with a saw, purchase a thin sheet of
Luan from someplace like Home Depot/Lowe's or whatever you're local lumber supply place is. Cut the sheets into rectangles that will fit at a 45 degree angle, between the shelves. You will need to cut a slit in one piece so the other can slide into it making an x..you can actually space it, to make two-three x's, across the length of one shelf. Then each color has it's own 'cubby' in the V-part of the dividers you just made. You can easily see at a glance, which color or type of yarn you want.
Those shelf units run about $40.00, sometimes less, if on sale. The luan shouldn't be more than about $8-12 dollars a sheet. Only other costs are the time to cut the pieces and organizing the yarn.

Another way would be to buy those 24-unit shoe organizer shelf units(about $30.00) from Wal-mart, Home Depot, other shelf places, but each "hole" can only hold a few skeins or rolls of yarn. Might take more than one unit for the amount of yarn you have.

Hope one of these ideas helps.

Answer 3

I have a couple ideas that are pretty easy.

Can you get rid of any? No pressure, I know even if it sounds like a lot, if you are knitting etc, you use a lot on one project. If the whole collection is only a garbage can worth, it will be pretty easy to sort in a logical way and keep together.

I would also get them untangled if there are any by rolling it into balls. If it is in hopeless knots, it can probably be tossed.

Some sorting ideas:

By color, like you thought.
By fiber content (acrylic, wool, etc)
By use (small projects like mittens or potholder, crafts like friendship bracelet or clown hair, large projects like an afghan or a sweater)
By amount (scraps, little leftovers, new skeins)

Amount will usually dictate use, so these might be similar. For instance you can't make a blanket out of a half skein.

What I would do is arrange them as you sorted, in clear plastic underbed boxes. Whether you store them under a bed is up to you, they can also stack in a closet, or on a shelf. The underbed size is because you can spread them out in a single layer and see everything at a glance and choose what you want without disturbing everything else. There is no need to divide the sorted groups because you can see them, especially if it is done by color, but you can lay them in the boxes next to other similar items.

I like this idea because your collection is bound to change as you take on other projects and buy more yarn. I wouldn't let yourself accumulate anymore, because this is a nice sized collection of yarn. The total space you have allocated, can be shifted as your needs change. It will be easy to just slide items down and rearrange them to incorporate the new items into the system.

Answer 4

How about clear plastic bags. You can see the colours and textures and thicknesses. And as you use some the bag gets smaller, as you gain some the bag gets bigger or you get another bag and sub-group the colours. Perhaps they could hang on a series of hooks on the wall and create an interesting "wall treatment" display and they won't take up any floor space.

Answer 5

All good ideas, but if space is an issue (as in my case) bankers boxes is a good way to go. I use plastic storage boxes with lids so I can stack them or slip them under my work table.

Answer 6

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