Happy Sunday friends! It is snowing this morning Maine, teeny tiny little flake that melt as soon as they touch the ground but it’s snow all the same! It really makes me want to bust out the winter crafts like knitting and crochet. I was getting a bit aggravated with the snarl of yarn that was forming in my travel bag and home storage rack so I spent some quality time this week untangling, sorting and winding the mess into submission. I thought you might want some yarn storage tips too so here is a quick video on how I store my yarn and I’ll show you what is in my yarn tote I bring with me to class.
If you are a beginner you might want to keep a list of the sizes of knitting needles and hooks you own, that way if you happen upon a sale you can pick a few needles and not duplicate. I have to say I think the Denise interchangeable knitting needles (while a bit pricey) are a great investment because you get every size from 5-15 in strait or circular needles and it is so compact. I saw on their website that they have a crochet set too…I know what I am asking for for Christmas! After I posed my yarn storage video I had a couple of comments from savvy knitters who did not know how to make a center pull ball so I made a quick tutorial for that too. Winding those loose floppy skeins of wool into neat tidy (and useful-non rolling) balls is a space saver and makes your yarn stash look so pretty! I am still in the process of winding loose balls but it is a good project to pick away at when I am not feeling inspired. 😀
I used to store my yarn in metal grid cubes, the trouble with that is I could not see what was buried in the back. By using these shallow baskets on the upcycled library paperback rack I have all my yarn visible and within reach. You might not have an old paperback rack kicking around but see what you do have and make it work! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
Thank you for the information on how to make the center-pull ball. I never knew there was such a thing and have been using yarn that rolls all over for years (frustrating, yes.)
🙂
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Lindsay, You said something in one of your Youtube vids that was just so wise, I had to leave you a comment. You were advising a crafter about the best type of supply for a particular purpose, noting the difference between student and artist grade. Then you said, “But remember in the end it’s not the supplies, but the artist that makes the difference.” I’m paraphrasing you just a bit, but that was the essence. Ever since you I heard that I have looked at my stash completely differently. Like a lot of us, I am a girl who LOVES to shop. But it really struck me… the latest thing isn’t going to make me a better crafter. Some tools,etc are very useful, but it comes down to me. Period. Appreciate all your vids and posts. You really are a ray of sunshine.
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thank you so much for writing Andrea, sometimes we think we have to have the latest and greatest or we should not even bother trying to craft, that is not the case, the only reason there is new stuff coming out is because we are buying it, in most cases it is not that different or better than what we already have. I’m so glad this comment inspired you! Happy crafting!
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How easy!!!!! Thank you for sharing this great tip Lindsay!!!!!
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LOL!! I thought I was who thought of putting knitting needles in a vase I from a very special neighbor. My new neighbor gave me about 100 different knitting needles someone gave her….she doesn t knit. My short ones are also in a mason jar!! Great minds think alike…and oh yes rolling the ball, so that’s what my mom was doing!! She left me with 3 bins of unsorted balls of wool! Guess this will keep me busy this winter although I did sort it out by color!! lol tfs
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interesting storage – I’ll look for a rack! right now I have mine sorted by color in clear bins from Staples, stacked neatly in the closet. but out of sight. But that’s not why I a mcommenting. SNOW? In Orrington? yikes. I am in Orland and we just had rain, I guess we were lucky.
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I think it turned to rain 10 minutes after I wrote that because it has been raining here ever since although we are a few degrees cooler than you guys I think:) Stay dry neighbor!
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You too! And keep the great posts coming! I saw one of yoru articles in Card Maker, and when I saw you were from Orrington AND you blogged, I had to check it out. My sister in law is from Orrington, and she is the one who got me hooked on rubber stamping. I’ll forgive her someday, lol.
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Thanks for this video but most of all, thanks for mentioning Alpacas! My husband and I raise 30 alpacas on the plains of New Mexico. Hope to get my spinning wheel to whirring for the winter soon! Need alpaca fiber? Let me know.
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I’m jealous–you have snow. I was raised in snow country, but have spent the last 32 years living in the south and deep south where snow is not common unless you live in the mountains of NC, TN or VA. Thanksgiving and Christmas are not the same when it’s warm/hot outside. Glad to know how to make a center pull ball of yarn…tfs.
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1st of all, I’ve been meaning to compliment you on your beautiful hair. I’ve pretty much given up knitting and crochet because I have a tremor and I’m into different things now, but before I gave it up, I had almost entirely changed over to circular and dp needles because they were easier for me sitting in a chair, or in a car or plane. I used the canvas needle holders from here: http://www.schoolhousepress.com/tools.htm
Meg Swanson is the daughter of Elizabeth Zimmerman and is carrying on the business with her grown children. I do the ball windup in a siimilar way, but after I make the butterfly, I leave the top of it sticking out and wind around the bottom of the butterfly in different directions, then when I’m ready to use it, I pull out the butterfly. Glad you’re working with kids – it’s always good to start off a new generation.
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After I saw your granny square, I thought maybe you would be able to help us. I homeschool my two girls, and they love to sit and make granny squares whenever there is some down time…in the car, watching tv, etc. I think they love them because they’re a pretty quick project. But, we have soooo many. We’ve used them for coasters, doll blankets, ornaments, decorations, you name it. But, I was wondering if you might know how to join them together to make a bigger blanket? I’ve tried joining them with a crochet needle and some yard but I always wind up with a raised ridge wherever they come together (I’m not even sure which stitch I’m doing). Anyway, any help would be great! Thanks!
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Line the squares up side by side and use a yarn needle to weave them together. Just sew side to side into the edge stitches. It will not add bulk and should be invisible when you are done:)
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So timely! Finally it’s cooler here and I bought some yarn for a new cowl project I want to knit. Always love storage ideas!
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great ideas Lindsay, thanks for sharing. ~Diane
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