Taming the yarn monster

I would like to approach this subject with a word of warning … There is no right way to organize YOUR stash. Each stash is unique to each knitter. Just think of it like your “yarn-print,” there are no two alike.

There are many ways to organize a stash. You can organize by brand, weight, color, project, etc. Do you look for color first? Do you find the pattern first? Are you one of those people who finds the yarn first? Basically, the best way to organize your stash is to make it simple for you to find what you are looking for with as little hassle as possible.

Stashes have a way of multiplying without your knowledge. When I first started out, I had the yarn, the needles and the pattern. That was it. It was simple, to the point and I had no problems keeping it in a small drawer and bag.

Somehow, it has grown over the past two years. It has multiplied and I have no idea how it happened. I am just simply running out of room. And to be honest, I have no idea what I have anymore.

There are the projects I am currently working on and the few that I have queued, but that is all I know about. There has to be a better way to keep me more organized so I don’t buy more of the same yarn. I can say with some certainty that I have yet to double up on yarn, but how long is that going to last? Needles on the other hand have multiplied without warning and I now have 4 sets of size 0 dpns. I do not use these often and have no idea how I got so many.

Some knitters and crocheters organize their stashes methodically. They know every detail of everything they own or at least, know where to look to find out that information. They know what size of needles they have, how many of that size, the material they are made out of and where they are. They know all the information about each skein they have, as well. Some even have all of their patterns and ideas organized.

How about those of you who organize your stashes by projects. You have a pattern, needles and yarn ready to go at all times. Your biggest decision is which project to start next, right? What an easy way to manage your stash.

Another way is to organize just like a yarn shop. Now, I know what you are thinking, “I do not have that much yarn, why would I go with that way of organization?” Well, there are some people who do have that much stash to call their own. Sadly, I am not one of those people, yet.

Others just don’t care and work with what they have, what they are getting next and whatever suits their fancy at the time. This is how my stash is at the moment. But in the spirit of the new year, I am going to get some organization into my stash. Whether it kills me or not is yet to be seen.

I am going to start with a methodical approach and get all of my stash written down in a knitting journal. I bought a graph paper notebook that I am keeping track of some basic information on my current projects.

I have another little notebook I could just keep track of my stash in. I can also keep track of other yarns that I would like to buy in the future, whether they go with a pattern I like or I have seen them on the shelf or in a magazine. This way, I can take it on shopping trips and know what I am in need of, what I already have and what I would like in the future. And maybe, write down some more.

OK, enough with the wishful thinking and on to more particle advice on stash management.

One way to keep your stash a little more under control is to store it where you can see it. All of it, not just the stuff you want to use soon. If you can see what you have, you are more likely to use it and less likely to buy more. Note the “less likely.” You will buy more but just more of what you like instead of more that will be stored away.

Another tip is not to buy yarns just because they are on sale. If you don’t use the yarn, you aren’t saving money on your purchase. These yarns are either sold for a loss or even given away to get them out of your stash.

Go through your stash and get rid of the yarns you don’t like or you don’t see yourself using. It is almost punishment to be knitting or crocheting something with yarn you do not like. Also, it will make your stash an unexciting lump of stuff and not an enjoyment.

Everyone has that odd ball left or the bits and pieces of yarn that didn’t get used. If there is no use for them later, get rid of them. Either give or sell them. These will also pull down the enjoyment of your stash.

A good piece of advice on stash organization is not to buy yarns to “make you feel better.” These yarns can have the opposite effect. They will be reminders of the bad day you had when you bought them.

Do not buy yarns with the idea that “they may not be there next week or they are the latest fashion.” These tend to be the ones that just sit in your stash and become the next nagging stash-buster giveaways.

I hope I have been able to help by giving you some ideas to start with. While there are just as many ways to organize a stash as there are people who knit, making it work for you is the only way to organize YOUR stash.

Or you could just give it all away and start over. I don’t really see myself doing that, either.

I enjoy discussing my yarn habit, sharing local and Internet resources and meeting fellow yarnsters. I can be contacted by e-mail at wovenpixel@yahoo.com. Please visit my blog at wovenpixel.blogspot.com or find me on ravelry.com as wovenpixel.