The stash is...well, out of control, even by stash standards. I'm anxiously waiting for ravelry, and I realize I'm going to have to inventory my stash when I finally do get accepted. Much of it is really hard to get to, buried deep in my closet, and in huge bins I have to root through to find a single ball of yarn. These bins often have other bins on top of them. Also, I've added to it considerably recently, which I will show you in a bit (though most of it is sock yarn, which we all know doesn't count).
Clearly, it's time to at least attempt some sort of system. The trouble is this. I like to over-organize. I know this sounds contradictory, but it's true. When I come up with a system, it's so complicated, I can never follow it. Yet I can't mess up the system, so instead of actually putting anything away and not putting it away perfectly, I pile them up and end up with a huge mess. I realize this makes no sense, but that's just how it goes around here.
Don't belive me? Here's what I've done in the past. I've sorted by fiber type, and then weight, and then color, reserving a separate portion for things that are current projects. Obviously, this is too complicated to keep up with, and I don't like having the yarn buried in the closet.
I need massive reorganization, but I can't really afford to buy those nifty shelves, which would probably be the best answer. I also wouldn't have the space for them if I could buy them.
This is going to be a huge project, and I'd like to get it done all in one sitting. So...any suggestions? Which is the best way to organize (fiber, weight, color, something completely different)? Is there a way to keep the yarn somewhat out of the way but easy to get to?
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If you find the perfect storage system - please let me know! My stash has gotten considerably out of control as of the past month, and I need something to help organize it all.
How about putting them in same sized clear plastic bins (with some sort of snap on lid) by color.
That might narrow things down a bit and then have 1 bin for yarn for projects in the making. Then at some future time you could inventory to what ever specifications that you wanted/ needed bin by bin attaching the inventory sheets on the front of the bin (Bever the lid as they can change)with the Fed-Ex label holders.
I have two...
1. Incredible Space Bags. You know, the ones that suck all the air out with the a vacuum cleaner? So totally useful, I discovered during the move.
2. I'd like to invoke a quote from Agent Booth on Bones: "Girls, they organize things alphabetically, but guys, guys are more organic. Good stuff, upper left hand corner. Crap - way down here, bottom right." Just a thought...
unrelated note... you need to check out this Guide to Geeky knitting page...
http://bajada.typepad.com/everybody_wants_a_rock/2005/03/calling_all_gee.html
I organize by project - as in I bought the yarn for "x" - and I have a "priority" listing for the projects - so, project "x", priority 1, is the next thing I want to do -
I use those snap together "cubes" and have them lined up (they don't take up much room) - the priority things are on the top bin -
I also (as you saw) have a spreadsheet with the yarn I purchased (includes all pertinent information- weight, st guage, needle size, yardage, type of fiber, etc) - then if I DO see a pattern I like, I can 'scan' my spreadsheet to see if I have yarn to match - if not, then I get to decide to purchase or just keep the pattern on file -
I have a separate "tab" in the spreadsheet for needles, yarn, project/priority, completed projects etc..
It's a snap to keep up on the computer - when I bring a purchase in our house I have to walk PAST my computer to my stash room - so, I log it before it gets to my studio -
Also, it's fun to peruse my list of stash, projects, etc.. so I can see what's next (or choose) what's next and before I get to it - make sure I have the needles, enough yarn, pattern or whatever else I may need - so once I'm ready to start - there are no hold ups -
Plus when we go yarn store hopping (just like when we went to Indiana) - I print off a copy so I know what I have, need or want -
Simple, organized and I always know what I have, what I wanted to use it for etc...
Instead of bins, what about those plastic drawer units they have at places like Target? The drawers are large and you can see through them. You can also stack them. At least you don't have to move stuff to get to your stash and you can still sort however you like!
I like mine personally... I have a 4 drawer massive cabinet, but you could use totes... I have my yarn arranged by colors only, warms, cools, nutrals/vari and then current projects (a few old UFOs I can't bear to part with). I also have my more delicate fibers in seperate containers in the drawers to keep them cleaner and seperate. Even in the drawers there is a bit for RoygBiv, but that is optional... I do have an inventory by drawer typed up and on the side so I know exactly what I have at any point. It is easy to keep up with and it looks really neat when you go to find things and I know what I have before I really get my heart set on a project.
Here's what I do (although I am starting to run out of room).
I have one of those clear plastic drawer things (I got mine at Target). Top drawer: sock yarn. Middle drawer: Worsted weight. Bottom drawer: Bulky yarns/yarn for baby knitting. Then I have a small square basket on my dresser, which I set on it's side and stacked all my super favorite sock yarn inside it, you know, so I can see it, sniff it, whatever. It works for me. :)
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