Stashing Your Yarn Stash: the Final Answer Is Here

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1. 

   Becky W March 13, 2018

   I am so glad to know I am not the only one who hides yarn. My husband doesn’t even care about what I buy and I still do it. Does yarn get stale? Should I impose a seven year timeline on it, like keeping documents for the IRS? There is some that is no longer in tune with my current yarn interests. Yes, I have become a yarn snob. Like other respondents, I have a lot of yarn. Most of it is in the basement, somewhat organized until DH moved everything while doing a home improvement project. Now my embarrassment of riches is in disarray and even I have to admit, some must go. I love the room with the various cabinets and cubbies. Someday.

2. 

   Becky W March 13, 2018

   I am so glad to know I am not the only one who hides yarn. My husband doesn’t even care about what I buy and I still do it. Does yarn get stale? Should I impose a seven year timeline on it, like keeping documents for the IRS? There is some that is no longer in tune with my current yarn interests. Yes, I have become a yarn snob. Like other respondents, I have a lot of yarn. Most of it is in the basement, somewhat organized until DH moved everything while doing a home improvement project. Now my embarrassment of riches is in disarray and even I have to admit, some must go. I love the room with the various cabinets and cubbies. Someday.

3. 

   FrancesU March 9, 2018

   While I LOVE the idea of these pretty storage shelves, I must admit my yarn stash is so big that I could easily open a small yarn shop of my own. I would need to line several rooms of my house floor-to-ceiling with these shelves to hold it all lol. My solution after moving into a house with very limited closet space, was to just build a very large storage closet just for my yarn. It’s almost 8 feet wide, 8 feet tall, and 2 1/2 feet deep. I bought sliding wardrobe doors at IKEA to make what’s inside super easy to get at. All my yarn is organized by weight and fiber content in large clear plastic tubs that stack inside. Everything stays neat and clean, and no moths because I toss in a few cedar blocks in each tub. When I’m feeling inspired I just slide open the doors and shop my very own mini yarn store lol. This behemoth stands along one wall of our living room in plain sight and no one needs to know what’s in it. Luckily Hubby doesn’t complain. He’s glad my stash is no longer clogging up all the closets and we have an agreement that he won’t complain about my yarn stash and I won’t complain about his collections of tools and guns!

4. 

   FrancesU March 9, 2018

   While I LOVE the idea of these pretty storage shelves, I must admit my yarn stash is so big that I could easily open a small yarn shop of my own. I would need to line several rooms of my house floor-to-ceiling with these shelves to hold it all lol. My solution after moving into a house with very limited closet space, was to just build a very large storage closet just for my yarn. It’s almost 8 feet wide, 8 feet tall, and 2 1/2 feet deep. I bought sliding wardrobe doors at IKEA to make what’s inside super easy to get at. All my yarn is organized by weight and fiber content in large clear plastic tubs that stack inside. Everything stays neat and clean, and no moths because I toss in a few cedar blocks in each tub. When I’m feeling inspired I just slide open the doors and shop my very own mini yarn store lol. This behemoth stands along one wall of our living room in plain sight and no one needs to know what’s in it. Luckily Hubby doesn’t complain. He’s glad my stash is no longer clogging up all the closets and we have an agreement that he won’t complain about my yarn stash and I won’t complain about his collections of tools and guns!

5. 

   Karen A March 8, 2018

   I used to you simple, screw together metal shelving, plainly it if you want, and dozens of clear plastic sweater boxes. Everything was closed up with lavender and everything was visible which pleased my eyes and made finding what I had easy! Decades later a few of those boxes are still intact and holding some of my stash in the back of closet. ( More space nowadays)

6. 

   Karen A March 8, 2018

   I used to you simple, screw together metal shelving, plainly it if you want, and dozens of clear plastic sweater boxes. Everything was closed up with lavender and everything was visible which pleased my eyes and made finding what I had easy! Decades later a few of those boxes are still intact and holding some of my stash in the back of closet. ( More space nowadays)

7. 

   Susan C March 8, 2018

   I don’t hide my yarn from my spouse or anyone else for that matter. Let’s all get over the idea that our beloved yarn collection is a source of embarrassment, or worse, shame. I use stacked crates from the hobby store to create shelving, a few wire baskets for balls vs skeins, lovely handmade African baskets, and glass bowls and jars for what will fit in my craft room. Also have plastic drawers in the closet for spinning supplies and overflow yarn and fiber. You can see it all from the living room and I love to show it to interested friends and family. Rigid heddle loom and WIP’s share living room space with other essential household furniture and items. Celebrate your passion!

8. 

   Susan C March 8, 2018

   I don’t hide my yarn from my spouse or anyone else for that matter. Let’s all get over the idea that our beloved yarn collection is a source of embarrassment, or worse, shame. I use stacked crates from the hobby store to create shelving, a few wire baskets for balls vs skeins, lovely handmade African baskets, and glass bowls and jars for what will fit in my craft room. Also have plastic drawers in the closet for spinning supplies and overflow yarn and fiber. You can see it all from the living room and I love to show it to interested friends and family. Rigid heddle loom and WIP’s share living room space with other essential household furniture and items. Celebrate your passion!

9. 

   Grace B March 8, 2018

   This is actually the direction my organization is going. I haven’t bought any of Organize.com’s stuff, but I do have a bookshelf with baskets, jars, etc. I love this idea, and hope to use it, or continue to use something like it.

10. 

    Grace B March 8, 2018

    This is actually the direction my organization is going. I haven’t bought any of Organize.com’s stuff, but I do have a bookshelf with baskets, jars, etc. I love this idea, and hope to use it, or continue to use something like it.

11. 

    Linda M March 8, 2018

    You got me! I should have known this was just leading up to an ad. Duh, of course lovely storage units would be great – just like my LYS! Not exactly hiding that stash, though, are they? And, unless you are using and restocking regularly (like your LYS), they don’t protect your yarn from dust and moths.

    My solution: lots of clear plastic shoe boxes inherited from my dear shoe-loving mother-in-law (her shoes didn’t fit
    me). They stack neatly in my cheap IKEA bookshelves and are kept clean and insect free. I can quickly browse through to find what I want. I don’t know if I would have bought these for the purpose but am lucky to have them.

12. 

    Linda M March 8, 2018

    You got me! I should have known this was just leading up to an ad. Duh, of course lovely storage units would be great – just like my LYS! Not exactly hiding that stash, though, are they? And, unless you are using and restocking regularly (like your LYS), they don’t protect your yarn from dust and moths.

    My solution: lots of clear plastic shoe boxes inherited from my dear shoe-loving mother-in-law (her shoes didn’t fit
    me). They stack neatly in my cheap IKEA bookshelves and are kept clean and insect free. I can quickly browse through to find what I want. I don’t know if I would have bought these for the purpose but am lucky to have them.

13. 

    Betsy S March 8, 2018

    A weaver friend in Houston told me about the newsprint trick years ago. I think that it is the smell of the newsprint that makes it work, anyway , I still do it and the moths stay away. The moths can’t smell, but they don’t get in my yarn.

    Betsy Story

14. 

    Betsy S March 8, 2018

    A weaver friend in Houston told me about the newsprint trick years ago. I think that it is the smell of the newsprint that makes it work, anyway , I still do it and the moths stay away. The moths can’t smell, but they don’t get in my yarn.

    Betsy Story

15. 

    wanda c March 7, 2018

    I have thought about renting one of those PODS storage units so I can clean out my craft room and organize my yarn. Has that ever crossed anyone else’s mind? Someone please say it has. Yes I have a problem. But hey, in my defense, there is way too much fabric in there taking up valuable yarn stashing space! I need a lot of those cubes! Really big cubes!

16. 

    wanda c March 7, 2018

    I have thought about renting one of those PODS storage units so I can clean out my craft room and organize my yarn. Has that ever crossed anyone else’s mind? Someone please say it has. Yes I have a problem. But hey, in my defense, there is way too much fabric in there taking up valuable yarn stashing space! I need a lot of those cubes! Really big cubes!

17. 

    Margo F March 7, 2018

    I few years ago we were packing up our household to move. There I was in my sewing/craft room trying to get it packed up without my hubby seeing. No such luck! He came in to “help”! My secret was out! He helped get all my stash ready to move, most of which was in plastic tubs, as well as my stash of tubs of fabric! (Yes, I have 2 stashes!) I have beautiful skins of yarn that I have saved since the 80’s when I was to busy working to get it knit. Then I gained weight & the yarn is still in storage. My bins of yarn have increased, with every new project having leftovers as well. Now here I am, husband seeing it all! He tells me I’m a hoarder! LOL Later that day, we were packing his tools in the garage and shed and he confessed that he was a hoarder too. I agreed he was! LOL In our new to us smaller home I have half the space for my sewing/craft room. What yarn isn’t in tubs I have organized in my antique chest of drawers. Every drawer has a different collection, baby yarn, cotton/craft yarn, worsted yarn, etc. The rest is in tubs in the closet. I’ve promised myself not to try quilting until I get one stash under control first! We’ll see!

18. 

    Margo F March 7, 2018

    I few years ago we were packing up our household to move. There I was in my sewing/craft room trying to get it packed up without my hubby seeing. No such luck! He came in to “help”! My secret was out! He helped get all my stash ready to move, most of which was in plastic tubs, as well as my stash of tubs of fabric! (Yes, I have 2 stashes!) I have beautiful skins of yarn that I have saved since the 80’s when I was to busy working to get it knit. Then I gained weight & the yarn is still in storage. My bins of yarn have increased, with every new project having leftovers as well. Now here I am, husband seeing it all! He tells me I’m a hoarder! LOL Later that day, we were packing his tools in the garage and shed and he confessed that he was a hoarder too. I agreed he was! LOL In our new to us smaller home I have half the space for my sewing/craft room. What yarn isn’t in tubs I have organized in my antique chest of drawers. Every drawer has a different collection, baby yarn, cotton/craft yarn, worsted yarn, etc. The rest is in tubs in the closet. I’ve promised myself not to try quilting until I get one stash under control first! We’ll see!

19. 

    Ruth L March 7, 2018

    Of course there is yarn in my car (and several WIPs). What else would I do while waiting in a student pick-up line or fuming at an 18 minute stop at a train crossing?!

20. 

    Ruth L March 7, 2018

    Of course there is yarn in my car (and several WIPs). What else would I do while waiting in a student pick-up line or fuming at an 18 minute stop at a train crossing?!

21. 

    Betsy S March 7, 2018

    Crumpled up newspaper put in with your yarn will keep the moths out——-I have done it for years.

    Betsy Story

    1. 

       Lilly H March 7, 2018

       Love the concept, but how does that work?

       1. 

          Betsy S March 8, 2018

          If you don’t like the smell of moth balls but put up withit just to not nave moths——may I suggest an old solution to your problem. This was a tip given to me years ago by a weaver . News paper works beautifully. The news print ink does not agree with the nose of the moths. Just crumple up the news paper and put it in the drawer or basket or plastic bag where you have your yarn “stashed” and the moths will leave it alone. The neewsprint will not rub off on th e yarn and wii last aI think thatII

22. 

    Betsy S March 7, 2018

    Crumpled up newspaper put in with your yarn will keep the moths out——-I have done it for years.

    Betsy Story

    1. 

       Lilly H March 7, 2018

       Love the concept, but how does that work?

       1. 

          Betsy S March 8, 2018

          If you don’t like the smell of moth balls but put up withit just to not nave moths——may I suggest an old solution to your problem. This was a tip given to me years ago by a weaver . News paper works beautifully. The news print ink does not agree with the nose of the moths. Just crumple up the news paper and put it in the drawer or basket or plastic bag where you have your yarn “stashed” and the moths will leave it alone. The neewsprint will not rub off on th e yarn and wii last aI think thatII

23. 

    March 7, 2018

    That’s great with unused skein if you have adorable colors but when it gets to oddballs then what I guess you could make your own variegateds (use russian joins very sturdy youtube.com)but if you don’t have enough for yarncakes or worse a ball winder sooner or later this will become an eyesore UNLESS you attach a curtain rod add some cute curtains and add to nosey people touch that and you won’t have much of a life expectancy, truthfully it’s just better to have no bigger a stash than you can use in one year which for most people truthfully means a rectangular bin about 3foot by 1.5 foot then you have always the excuse to start buying more when it’s half empty and the organizational units shown are better used for seamstresses or bookshelves or even knicknacs I personally am 58 hate cleaning let alone dusting (HEY IT”S WHITE)while I have a basement and have organized my yarn I am disabled and knit or crochet all day it would be very unusual to see my house with out afghans on chairs and couches or my kids and grandkids asking for more whether they need them or not would I take one or two of those organizational units if I was given some in a heartbeat I just don’t think they are practical for the average knitter or crochet addict

    1. 

       Karen A March 8, 2018

       I used to you simple, screw together metal shelving, plainly it if you want, and dozens of clear plastic sweater boxes. Everything was closed up with lavender and everything was visible which pleased my eyes and made finding what I had easy! Decades later a few of those boxes are still intact and holding some of my stash in the back of closet. ( More space nowadays)

24. 

    March 7, 2018

    That’s great with unused skein if you have adorable colors but when it gets to oddballs then what I guess you could make your own variegateds (use russian joins very sturdy youtube.com)but if you don’t have enough for yarncakes or worse a ball winder sooner or later this will become an eyesore UNLESS you attach a curtain rod add some cute curtains and add to nosey people touch that and you won’t have much of a life expectancy, truthfully it’s just better to have no bigger a stash than you can use in one year which for most people truthfully means a rectangular bin about 3foot by 1.5 foot then you have always the excuse to start buying more when it’s half empty and the organizational units shown are better used for seamstresses or bookshelves or even knicknacs I personally am 58 hate cleaning let alone dusting (HEY IT”S WHITE)while I have a basement and have organized my yarn I am disabled and knit or crochet all day it would be very unusual to see my house with out afghans on chairs and couches or my kids and grandkids asking for more whether they need them or not would I take one or two of those organizational units if I was given some in a heartbeat I just don’t think they are practical for the average knitter or crochet addict

    1. 

       Karen A March 8, 2018

       I used to you simple, screw together metal shelving, plainly it if you want, and dozens of clear plastic sweater boxes. Everything was closed up with lavender and everything was visible which pleased my eyes and made finding what I had easy! Decades later a few of those boxes are still intact and holding some of my stash in the back of closet. ( More space nowadays)

25. 

    Kerry C March 7, 2018

    Great looking storage set. The only thing I worry about when it comes to yarn storage is dust and protecting my wonderful collection from moths without smelling like a moth ball factory. Is there a cedar storage system?

    1. 

       Karen A March 8, 2018

       Yes! Mothballs aren’t the only thing that reads as “inedible “to the critters. I live where the winters rarely freeze so the beasts are a year round problem. Everything must be stored in closed containers. Then I use lots of lavender! Sometimes bringing it in and drying it
       Sometimes with commercial sachets which I refresh with lavender essential oil. Out of season woolen also get plenty of lavender. My only fail has been the summer I failed to put my sweaters away.

    2. 

       Karen A March 8, 2018

       Lavender is interpreted as”inedible” by the critters. I think mint is another but I won’t swear to.it. Tho k essential oils here!

26. 

    Kerry C March 7, 2018

    Great looking storage set. The only thing I worry about when it comes to yarn storage is dust and protecting my wonderful collection from moths without smelling like a moth ball factory. Is there a cedar storage system?

    1. 

       Karen A March 8, 2018

       Yes! Mothballs aren’t the only thing that reads as “inedible “to the critters. I live where the winters rarely freeze so the beasts are a year round problem. Everything must be stored in closed containers. Then I use lots of lavender! Sometimes bringing it in and drying it
       Sometimes with commercial sachets which I refresh with lavender essential oil. Out of season woolen also get plenty of lavender. My only fail has been the summer I failed to put my sweaters away.

    2. 

       Karen A March 8, 2018

       Lavender is interpreted as”inedible” by the critters. I think mint is another but I won’t swear to.it. Tho k essential oils here!

27. 

    Trudie B March 7, 2018

    I don’t know why there is so much stash shaming! I find beautiful yarns and often will buy when a texture or color really appeals to me even if I don’t have a project in mind. Lately, I found several patterns online that I bought because, guess what!? – I had a perfect yarn in my stash ready for duty!! I sometimes put myself on a yarn diet due to finances but never because I have too much yarn on hand! I do like these storage solutions – especially the drawers with the see through fronts!!

28. 

    Trudie B March 7, 2018

    I don’t know why there is so much stash shaming! I find beautiful yarns and often will buy when a texture or color really appeals to me even if I don’t have a project in mind. Lately, I found several patterns online that I bought because, guess what!? – I had a perfect yarn in my stash ready for duty!! I sometimes put myself on a yarn diet due to finances but never because I have too much yarn on hand! I do like these storage solutions – especially the drawers with the see through fronts!!