Storage Idea #2: Yarn Keepers

If you are like me then you likely have several works in progress (wips) going at all times. This post is dedicated to yarn keepers. They also act as small portable cases (because another post is going to be dedicated to those wips in hibernation, in non portable cases and larger portable cases).

 First there are the yarn keepers that hold single skeins of yarn. The knitting bag I use is by Chica Bags and it holds a single yarn cake. There is a single grommet at the top to feed your yarn through. I like this bag because it keeps the yarn clean and the clear top allows me to see how much yarn is left. There is also a little strap on the back that makes it easy to transport.

Next is another yarn keeper that is slightly larger. It is large enough to hold several yarn cakes in it at a time as well as the current project I am working on. As you can see, it currently holds the Shaw's Cove shawl that I am working on. It also has a single hole at the top to feed the yarn through, but as I store my projects inside, I rarely use it. It has a handle as well. You can visit their website Stitchin' Post and contact them to see if sell them anymore. I bought mine almost five years ago!

 Next are the yarn keepers that we've all seen sold at chain stores like Joanns here in the US. This is the very first case I ever bought. It is big and tall enough to hold a skein of Fisherman's Wool in it by Lion Brand. Also it has a hole to feed the yarn through at the top. At the moment I have a crochet color project in hibernation shoved in it. They also sell this particular yarn keeper in a bigger version as well.

Sometimes I store the project I am working on in this as well. However, I tend to use softer bags more-so because I can fit them in a bigger bag or set them on top of my purse. But this is perfect for a fragile project that you don't want to worry about anything smashing it on accident.

Lastly we have the infamous "bag". I think we all have stored our wips in a bag at some point, whether its been a plastic bag or a handmade one as pictured above. This was a crochet bag that didn't turn out as i'd imagined but it works great as a project bag. The handle makes it portable and being handmade, it cost me around $2 to make, so its a cheaper alternative.

There are many bags to utilize for making your wips portable. The few mentioned above just happen to be what I use. However if you look up Chica bags, Lantern Moon or any other yarn keepers you are sure to find one you like. In the future, once my sewing machine is working I also have some designs planned for these types of bags that I plan to sell.

In the mean time, what type of yarn keepers/ small portable bags do you use for your wips?

Storage Idea #1

An issue that always comes up is how to store yarn, notions and all of those extra little things that come with any type of fiber art. This is the beginning of a series of posts designed to give you some storage ideas.

Photo Storage Boxes are a great way of storing all sorts of items. They are uniform in size and relatively cheap (around $4 each), and you can always find them at any chain craft store. You can easily switch the description with the metal holders on the front of each box. Most come in a variety of fun colors and prints.

I don't have a small stash but I do love these boxes to store the small accessories that come with knitting. As you can see in the box on the far right, I use them for the extra notions that accumulate. I have several pairs of circular needles, but not enough to make a case to store them in, so I put them in here. I also store the labels, bobbins, dpn needle holders, gauge ruler, buttons, zippers, safety eyes and other small things in this box. Its a great way to keep everything "knitting" accessory related in one place.

Also, they make great places to store fabric scraps. I don't have a large fabric collection so they are the perfect size for the small amount I do have. I also store the trims in the box that I use to embellish my knits as well as sewn items.

Lastly, they are the perfect size to store the drop spindles with my current works in progress. I don't have to worry about anything happening to my spindle, and I can keep the roving in the same place.

However, I recommend first that if you are like me, and you hold onto boxes such as shoe boxes and makeup boxes, that you utilize these first. Why? Well for starters they are free, and you can purchase a fat quarter of fabric for around $1.50 at Joanns. And it is completely customize-able, and you are helping the environment by re-purposing a box that would otherwise be thrown away.

The above box is from a mascara set I bought from Sephora. The box had no functional purpose for holding the makeup. It was one of those large boxes made purely for display purposes. So I covered the lid in fabric with Mod-Podge and glitter. Then I painted the bottom black. You can't even tell that it used to be a makeup box. And it was made exactly the way I wanted it to look, cheaper... and you will never find another one like it.

So if you are like me, and have some extra boxes lying around, I highly recommend you visit Pumpkin Spin's blog post about Hiding the Stash and follow her technique for covering your own boxes. And if you don't have the time to make your own then the photo boxes above area always a great alternative.

Have you ever made your own storage boxes or used the photo storage boxes?