The longer you knit, the more knitting-related supplies you accumulate. Yarn, needles, notions, books – you can easily get overwhelmed with the amount of supplies you collect over the years! I’ve tried a lot of different ways to keep things organized, and my current methods seem to be working pretty well for me lately so I thought I would share some of them!
Where do I keep everything?
I have a small office that I use for both knitting design work as well as my other work, and in it is a small closet. A couple of years ago we installed some shelving in it and it was a game-changer in terms of my knitting organization! The shelving is nothing fancy – just the standard wall-mounted with brackets.
There is A LOT of stuff in this closet, so I’ve come up with a few different methods for containing the chaos!
Clear Bins for Yarn
I haven’t had a moth problem (knock on wood), but I don’t want to take any chances, so for any yarn that’s not in my immediate use, I store in bins with a secure lid. The ones in the photo below are the perfect size for my closet shelves. And they’re clear, so if I’m looking for a particular yarn, I can eyeball the whole bin without having to either a) take it out or b) open it and cause a mess.
If you are short on space in your home, they also have clear bins that can fit under a bed that are great space savers.
The other thing I like about storing my yarn this way is that I can close the closet doors and this way my yarn isn’t sitting in the sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Direct sunlight can potentially bleach yarn so it’s important to remember that when thinking of storage places for your yarn.
Circular Needle Organizer/Hanger
I had tried LOTS of different methods for organizing my circulars. Storage boxes, ziplock bags, foldable cloth organizers, etc. For me, this wall-hanging organizer has worked best for my needs and space. You can hang it in a closet, on shelving, or on a wall or door hook. It’s both out of the way and easily accessible all at the same time. It’s called “Circular Solution” and it’s available online or at local yarn shops (here is one that is very similar at my LYS). If you sew you may even be able to make something similar yourself!
If you like the idea of a hanging circular needle storage but don’t have the closet space, you can also hang it on the back of a door or on a wall, like pictured below:
Double-Pointed-Needles Container
Ever since I learned the magic loop method for knitting small circumferences I haven’t knit with double-pointed-needles as much, but I still do from time to time. The easiest way to keep them together for me has just been using a mason jar. I’ll also store crochet hooks in here as well. They’re easily accessible, and look nice displayed this way as well:
Current Work-In-Progress Organization
The other storage item I like to use are these rope baskets (another Target find). This is how I store my different work-in-progress projects…
It really helps to keep each of my work-in-progress projects organized – I keep the yarn, pattern, needles, etc. for each project in one basket. I tend to have multiple projects going on so I have quite a few of these baskets, and in different sizes! The other thing I like about them is that they are pretty – if I leave them all around the house (which I always do!), they look nice – whether they’re left on a table, floor, closet, book shelf, etc.
All the little stuff…
Stitch markers, removable markers, tapestry needle, scissors…there are so many little accessories you need easily accessible when you’re knitting. My favorite way to keep them together lately is in this cute little tin, a present from my friend and knitting technical editor Karen…
I keep a small selection of different small notions I may need in this little tin and it either lives on the side table next to my knitting spot in our family room, or I put it in one of my knitting baskets or knitting bags if I’m on the go. I love that I can close it too – it keeps everything nice and secure.
Another little holder I use for extra stitch markers are these mini bowls (yet again, another Target find from years ago). It can sit on your desk or side table, or on a shelf. I don’t tend to keep this little bowl out in our family room area, as I imagine I’d knock it over more (or the dog or cat would, for sure). But it’s a nice little spot to keep the extra stitch markers that looks nice on my office book shelf or table.
Miscellaneous Gadgets
In my closet, on top of my yarn storage cubes, I also have small, shallow rectangle bins with snap lids. They sit nicely right on top, stack well and are perfect for all the other miscellaneous gadgets such as pom-pom makers, needle gauge, cable holder, extra markers, stitch holders, etc…
I also have a similar shallow container that’s a bit bigger (more of an 8.5 x 11″ size) and it’s where I store all of my miscellaneous buttons. I used to have a button jar, but found it hard to search for buttons that way because of how deep the jar was. Having a shallow bin like this makes it much easier! Plus it stacks nicely in the closet too.
I hope seeing some of my yarn and accessory organization ideas has inspired you! Do you have any methods or tools you use for organizing all of your knitting “stuff”? I’d love to hear what may be working well for you – send me a message if you have anything to share!