Yarn Storage Ideas
How to Organize Scraps and Bits of Yarn
What do you do with your bits of yarn when you’re done with a project? Once you’re done crocheting, there’s usually lots of yarn leftover, whether it’s from trimming your ends after finishing off or from color changes, or just from unused skeins of yarn in varying degrees of fullness. Do you save all your ends or do you just toss them all away? And how do you organize everything, anyway?
Well, we don’t have all the answers either, but we really wanted to know so we polled our Facebook audience, and thanks to them, we have quite a few suggestions to work with!
How do you organize your yarn? Most of you were split between keeping your bits organized in clear plastic bags for future projects and simply throwing them out. There were also lovely suggestions to use them as display pieces or work them into future projects, and still others were focused on donating your work.
Yarn Storage Ideas from Other Crocheters
Many of you suggested we keep our yarn bits in clear plastic bags to reuse for future projects. These can be recycled later into embellishments such as flowers or keychains, scrap projects and even as stuffing for rag dolls or amigurumi. This way, you don't have to buy whole new skeins when you just need a few yards - it's practical AND economical!
You can also use this storage system as a way of keeping track of what yarn you’ve used and what to buy later or see if you're in a color rut. You can choose to save ALL scraps, or just scraps of your favorite yarns (for future purchases). Many readers suggested you separate yarn into color shades, weight or fibre type to help keep yourself organized.
For more full skeins of scrap yarn, you can display them on shelving or in clear jars as a fun and easy way to brighten up a room.
Donating Your Leftover Yarn
Some of our other favorite suggestions included donating the bits of yarn to elementary schools for art projects, donating substantial leftovers to homeless shelters or thrift stores and donating for special projects. Just because you have no use for the yarn doesn’t mean someone else can’t use it!
As you're working, keep a bag going where you can keep a running collection of yarn scraps and partial bins so you aren't constantly running back and forth to donate, and so you can keep everything in one spot.
You can also donate scrap projects, which seems to be a favorite of some of our charitable Facebook fans. Instead of simply donating your skeins or partial skeins, spend some time and use your scraps to work up scrapghans or hats and scarves for the homeless or for senior centers.
Scrap Projects to Love
Why not use your leftovers in a way that everyone can see… by making scrap yarn projects! Whether you slowly work up a scrapghan from little bits and pieces here and there or you use any leftover skeins to make hats and wearables for the homeless, reusing your yarn goes a long way!
Add to your scrapghans as you finish projects, or choose a few times a year to dig out all your scrap yarn and make some progress - there's no wrong way to do it. It's a nice way to keep a running tab of everything you've worked on, and it provides a nice way to reminisce over your projects!
Plus, if you happen to have any bulky or super bulky scraps, or any more fashion-type yarns, they're a fun way to add some visual interest to your work-in-progress.
4. Just throw them out!
Of course, you might just not want to deal with any extra yarn around the home, so go ahead and trash your scraps! If you have the smallest bits and pieces, just throw the scraps out.
That way, you aren't drowning in extra yarn, and you can keep your home clean and tidy!
Do you have any other tips for organizing or storing your yarn? Let us know in the comments!