For many years I’ve refrained from discussing the size of my yarn stash. It’s big, unwieldy, and well, my philosophy has always been:
Part of that denial was definitely related to my storage system, or lack there of. While I started valiantly with tote tubs, it quickly devolved into a chaotic jumble. Let’s just say this illustration rings particularly true, especially the last line.
Shopping bags and shipping boxes had become the default storage containers, which meant I didn’t know what I had and couldn’t find what I thought I did have. The point of having a stash is lost if you can’t use what you do have.
Clearly something had to change. I had visions of being discovered buried under an avalanche of yarn (which if you have to go would be a good way).
I’d been looking at the storage cubes from 31 Gifts for a while when they came on special in January. It seemed like the perfect time to make a resolution to improve the stash storage. I had an online party, and through the haze of flu-induced fever and associated drugs to combat other symptoms, I placed my order. Another weekend of sorting out what I ordered (there were some surprises in there) and voila: improved stash storage.
That little nook had been wasted space. The cubes fit in there perfectly with a little extra space to maneuver when needed. I thought I’d prefer the chalkboard squares, but I’m really liking the plastic fronts to be able to see what I have. It’s easier to believe I don’t need to visit the yarn aisle, store, or website when I have a clear picture of what I have (full disclosure: I still visit but I’m buying less). I’m hoping soon I’ll be able to see that I’ve managed to use some of the yarn that’s been hanging around a while. And even if I can’t, I now have a beautiful display of my yarn “collection”. 🙂
Windy Wonderings 
Wow! That looks great, Bonnie! I’m glad they were able to work for you. I prefer the window boxes, too, so I can see at a glance what I have. I’m slowly redoing my laundry room!
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LOL! Great illustration, I can relate so much to that.
Totally awesome yarn storage and yarn nook! That;s quite a stash you’ve got.
I wrote about my stash problem a while back on my blog, and I confess I am still working on reducing it significantly, Blankets help, and I can foresee the moment when I will no longer have sweater quantities of any yarn ( 3 or 4 more sweaters and that should be it). I will be left with weird leftovers and single skeins. Which is not the easiest thing to use. I am not buying anything, mind you, so it does help. I have to stay away from yarn stores though (my will is not that strong).
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Bonnie … I am speechless. Great post. I am glad you found your way through this conundrum.
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I have a spreadsheet with all the yarns listed and quantified. That way I know at a glance if I have what I need for what I want to make. It still doesn’t stop me from buying when I am in an actual store. But it does help me find a suitable stash substitute when I find a pattern I want to make.
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I’m both shocked and impressed! It looks great!! I like how you mixed the prints instead of going uniform!
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