All about yarn storage + 20 must-see real-life examples!
Do you love to crochet? Knit? Craft? If so…you’ve got yarn—and plenty of it! Maybe your collection could once fit in a cute little basket, but let’s be real: your yarn collection overflowth. 😉
Whether you like hiding them away or prefer proudly displaying your favorite skeins in full view, this post has a storage idea just right for every crafter out there. Let me start by giving some tips on yarn storage, then onto the storage ideas so you can decide which of these fun solutions is best suited for you!
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Yarn Storage Tips
1. Don’t be afraid to show off your collection.
You, of all people, already know this but yarn is really pretty! That means it can be used decoratively around your crafting space as it adds both texture and color.
2. Store your yarn in the right climate.
There are several things that can harm the quality of your yarn, including improper storage. Don’t simply toss you yarn into the attic and call it a day! It needs to be protected from extreme temperatures as they can break down the fibers within.
3. Keep your yarn away from pests.
Unfortunately, you aren’t the only one obsessed with your skeins! Pests like moths and mice love to pull apart the fibers and snack on them, causing the fibers to split. Lavender and cedar can help deter pests and keep your collection safe.
4. Don’t wind your yarn too tightly.
First of all, yarn needs to breathe to stay fresh. Keeping it tightly wound and knotted prevents air circulation, which can lead to damaged and brittle threads. Plus, the last thing you want is to grab a skein only to see it full of knots and tangles!
20 Smart Yarn Storage Solutions
For all those yarn lovers, hoarders, and addicts out there – pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy a tour of how others in the crafting community have corralled their yarn! These yarn storage and organization ideas are easy on the eyes, too.
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1. Wine Cabinet Yarn Storage | Pretty Prudent
Using an open-storage wine cabinet for yarn storage creates organization AND a colorful focal point. The colors really pop against the black background!
The natural structure of the wine cabinet keeps the yarn separate and tidy – and the top two drawers are perfect for stashing other crafting supplies.
2. Crib Rail Yarn Storage | Crochet By Darleen
Do you have access to an old crib that is no longer needed? If so, you’ve got yourself some yarn storage! Here is a SIMPLE and CLEVER way to repurpose the old crib for yarn, with no hardware needed!
Second-hand stores are not able to sell cribs that have been recalled or that are no longer safe, but they receive donations all of the time. This gave Crochet By Darleen a great idea!
She reached out to a thrift store and asked to be notified when they received one. Since she wasn’t planning to use it as an actual crib, they let her buy it (for a steal!). That’s what I call smart thrifting!
3. Wooden Crate Yard Storage | Make and Do Crew
I am kind of smitten with this clever matrix of wooden crates! I love how it corrals the yarn while also creating texture and interest on an otherwise blank wall.
Grouping the yarn by colors definitely would let you know what colors you need to splurge on next time you’re at your favorite craft store too.
4. Wire Basket Yarn Storage | Caught on a Whim
Here is a yarn storage idea that lets you see a cascade of all the beautiful colors at once! If your skein supply is currently squirreled away in boxes, this is a great way to bring them out into the light. No skills or supplies (other than the wire basket!) are needed!
Using an open basket like this for your yarn supply will keep them all together – while also giving you a fun polychromatic splash to admire!
You could also easily turn this into a rolling storage cart like I have before. It’s super easy (and versatile).
5. Yarn Holder in a Cup | Sewlicious
Sometimes you need to keep your yarn supply organized for on-the-go needs, too! Using a travel cup like this (or any see-through cup with a straw hole) means you can take your yarn with you for any kind of car, bus, or train commute! As long as you aren’t driving (hah!), feel free to knit away.
6. Mobile Yarn Cart | Repeat Crafter Me
Here is another great idea for mobile storage. If you like to break out into yarn projects all over the house, try keeping your supply tidy and handy in a wheeled utility cart.
IKEA used to have a monopoly on this product, but now tons of other retailers sell similar products. Keep your eyes open and maximize a local store’s sale, or use a coupon that you’ve saved for a big-ticket item.
And, if you can’t find the perfect color, you can always break out some spray paint! 😉
7. Shoe Pockets Yarn Storage | Felt 4 U
Using the surface area of the wall is a great way to store your yarn supply, and to keep organized! This idea would be perfect for crafters who tend to work solely out of one room.
8. Hanging Organizer Yarn Storage | Craft Yard Council
I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but….I’m totally judging the owner of all this beautiful yarn. Based upon the shades of hue collected, I have decided that whoever owns this closet of yarn is a well-balanced, cheerful person, who brings an element of calm to any gathering. Too much?
Using the hanging clothes shelves is a simple, clever way to keep that yarn tidy and organized. And taking command of ALL that vertical space is a great way to maximize yarn storage!
9. Yan Stored in Glass Jars | Raising Up Rubies
If you want to catch a glimpse into what I can only describe as a an eye candy store of craft supplies, look no further. Treat your eyes to some colorful, fun, VINTAGE ideas on how to keep things organized.
I love the use of glass jars for storing yarn. I definitely feel like I’m in a candy store – but one that won’t affect my waist line!
10. Pegboard Organizer | Morthunder
Remember when pegboards were only found in dark garages and workshops? Lately, they are really finding new life (and light) in all parts of the house!
Maximize this idea by getting the largest pegboard your wall surface area will allow. Then, cut up some wooden dowels into 5-inch segments, and prepare to play a fun and functional game of creating your wall-canvas of yarn. Because each skein or ball of yarn has a different circumference, you’ll have a chance to be creative and strategic – while also storing your yarn in a beautiful, functional, and organized way!
11. Cube Organizer Yarn Storage | Mama In a Stitch
If you are in the market for a way to store your yarn and keep it organized, and you liked the look of the modular wooden crate storage (#3 above), here’s an idea for you that doesn’t require sanding, staining, or designing.
Choose to sort by color, style, or any other thing that catches your fancy. I like how the yarn here was organized by both weight and color. My favorite square is housing the super-chunky, fluffy ones!
By the way, if you are looking into even more ways to use a storage cubby like this, check out this list of 37 Ikea Kallax ideas that will blow your mind!
12. Strawberry Container Yarn Storage | Sewlicious
Reduce, reuse, recycle! This yard storage idea does all three “R’s”! Plus, it is also perfect for on the go crafting to take your yarn with you on vacation, on a commute, to a book club meeting, the pick up line or anywhere else you’d like.
13. Yarn Wall Cabinet | Jen Joyce Design
If you find crafting therapeutic, then you probably love the apothecary vibe that this yarn storage idea is giving off! If yarn was medicine (and it might as well be), it would definitely be housed somewhere like this!
I love how a rough find is cleverly transformed into something that looks like it would be sold at Anthropologie for hundreds of dollars.
14. CD Tower Yarn Storage | Morrgans Creatures
Let me give you a quick age test: do you recognize the structure below? If so, high five! And if not…it’s a CD tower. CDs are like these shiny mini records we used to play music on before Spotify and all that came around. 😉
If you have a tower like this stored away from your college days, or come across one at a second-hand store, grab it!
Next, give it a new lease on life as an amazing vertical yarn storage behemoth! Because of the height, you can have the whole rainbow (and more!) for display. I think it would be fun to spray paint the particle-board “wood” a fun sheen, too!
15. Large Woven Basket Yarn Storage | Repeat Crafter Me
Take a look at how loose yarn was transformed (using a yarn ball winder) back into perky pops of tight color! Plus, corralling the partially used skeins together into a large woven basket is easy on the eyes, too!
16. Colander Yarn Bowl | Heart Hook Home
Love life hacks? Here’s a brilliant one! Use a colander as a yarn bowl – it is almost like it was designed for it!
17. Side Table Yarn Storage |Charissa Pray Designs
For when you need to keep that cup of coffee AND your yarn near you…voila! A see-through basket for yarn that is also a side table. While you drink your coffee, you can dream up other amazing ideas for future yarn projects.
18. Bookshelf Yarn Storage | A Pretty Fix
Do you have some old Billy bookcases from IKEA idly wasting away? Or any kind of old bookshelf hiding away, waiting for a new life?
Then grab some furniture sliders and move that shelf to your crafting room or corner! The shelves provide lots of vertical (and horizontal) space for keeping your yarn stored and tidy.
Also, want even more ways to use this furniture piece? Check out these 26 genius Billy bookcase hacks!
19. Tall Vase Yarn Storage | Little Lady Patchwork
The perfect “flower bouquet” for the yarn lover (or hoarder!) in your life. Plus, this would be a cute way to gift yarn – and it’s also a clever and effective way to store it, too!
20. PVC Pipe Yarn Storage | Abavellar
Modern art on wheels! This idea could be adapted for wall storage if you like to keep your crafting central to one space.
But, if you like to be mobile, then creating a PVC yarn tower on a wooden base with wheels is a creative way to keep your yarn stored and organized. (Like this storage idea? Check out a similar method we use here for shoes!)
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed my curated list of yarn storage and yarn organization hacks. I’m completely inspired by all of the creative souls out there!
Need more storage and organizing ideas? We’ve got you covered!
Pin this post for later! And if you use one of these yarn storage ideas, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try one of these ideas, too!
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