Let’s be honest — yarn multiplies. One day you have a neat little bin of worsted weight, and the next you're swimming in skeins, half-used balls, and mystery yarn with no labels. Sound familiar? Whether your stash is the size of a drawer or a dedicated closet, organizing it can feel like a daunting task. But don’t worry — with a little planning and some honest decision-making, you can tame your stash without losing your mind.
Here’s some suggestions, one step at a time.
1. Gather It All in One Place
Before you start sorting, bring all your yarn together. Dig it out from drawers, totes, baskets, and project bags. Seeing it all laid out will help you figure out how much you’re actually working with — and may even inspire some long-forgotten ideas!
Tip: Set aside a few hours (or even a whole afternoon) and give yourself permission to take breaks.
2. Sort by Weight, Fiber, or Colour
Now that you’ve got everything in one place, it’s time to sort. Choose a system that works for you — here are a few popular options:
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By Weight: Fingering, DK, worsted, bulky, etc.
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By Fiber: Wool, cotton, acrylic, blends.
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By Colour: Especially helpful if you’re visually inspired or working on a color-based project.
You can even combine systems (e.g., sort by weight first, then organize each category by color).
3. Be Honest: Will You Ever Use It?
Every yarn stash has a few “what was I thinking?” skeins. Now’s the time to let them go. If a yarn doesn’t spark joy, suit your current style, or fit your go-to projects, consider:
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Donating to local schools or craft programs
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Trading with friends or local crafting groups
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Listing it for sale or giveaway in a destash forum
Decluttering makes room — mentally and physically — for yarn you do love.
4. Label and Bag the Unlabeled
Unlabeled yarn can be a mystery. If you remember the brand or fiber content, jot it down on a label or tag. If not, try a burn test or gauge swatch to estimate fiber type and weight. Store small remnants in zip-top bags or clear pouches with notes.
Pro tip: Use yarn ball bands or printable stash cards to keep track of important info.
5. Choose a Storage System That Works for You
You don’t need a fancy craft room to store yarn well. Consider these options:
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Clear plastic bins for easy viewing
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Drawer organizers for smaller stashes
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Hanging sweater shelves in a closet
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Baskets or cubes for quick access and portability
If you’re storing natural fibers like wool, add a few cedar wood blocks or sachets to your storage area. Cedar is a natural moth repellent and can help protect your yarn from pests without the use of chemicals. Just avoid placing the wood directly on light-colored yarn, as it may cause staining over time.
Avoid direct sunlight and moisture — yarn loves a cool, dry, dark place.
6. Go Digital (Optional but Helpful!)
If you want to go full-on organized, try tracking your stash digitally. Tools like Ravelry, Google Sheets, or yarn-specific apps let you:
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Note yardage and weight
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Add photos
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Link yarn to future projects
It’s especially helpful when shopping — no more duplicate skeins!
7. Make a Plan for Using It
Now that your yarn is sorted, take a look at what you have and plan a few stash-busting projects. Group yarns together by color or weight, find patterns that match, and keep a little list of what you want to make next.
Try:
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A temperature blanket
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Multi-strand scarves or shawls
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Striped socks, mitts, or hats
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Grannies or scrappy crochet projects
8. Kit Up Projects in Your Project Bags
Want to take it one step further? Try kitting up a few ready-to-go projects in your project bags. It’s a great way to turn your newly organized stash into inspiration you can actually use. And on the plus side, they look really cute all lined up on a shelf ready to go!
Here’s how:
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Choose a couple of patterns you’ve been eyeing. Think small to medium projects: socks, shawls, hats, or even a baby gift.
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Pair them with yarn from your stash that suits the project.
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Add the extras: needles or hook, printed pattern or notes, stitch markers, and a darning needle.
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Tuck it all into a project bag, so it’s ready to grab whenever the mood strikes.
Having prepped projects at your fingertips makes crafting on the go, at knit night, or during downtime easier than ever — and keeps your WIPs neat and organized.
Final Thoughts
Organizing your yarn stash doesn’t have to be a chore — think of it as rediscovering the treasures you already have. Take your time, be gentle with yourself, and enjoy the process. You might even fall in love with a skein you forgot you owned!
Got any stash-taming tips of your own? Share them in the comments — we’d love to hear how you keep your yarn happy!