Today's post is a long one! I thought it was time I shared my favourite yarn hacks with you to make your projects so much easier.
In my time as a happy hooker (10 years) and a new knitter, I have employed lots of these little hacks and charts and they really do help to make a project easier.
Some can even stop cats from picking up your ball of yarn and wandering off with it!
Which is something that happens to me every single time I start a project. I can also never leave it unattended lest Pooperses thinks they're free toys for her.
On To The Yarn Hacks!
DIY Yarn Bowls
There are so many ways you can organize yarn and create your very own inexpensive yarn bowl.
Some of these projects are fabulous.
The CD holder is especially genius and cat-proof.
1. Colander yarn organiser
I bought myself a cream enamel colander, like this one and it's stunning but the cat still loves to eat the yarn coming through the holes. Go figure.
One for yarn and one for the kitchen but they can also be transformed into vegetable planters.
- 2. Shoebox yarn organiser
- 3. CD Holder Yarn Organizer
- 4. Plastic Basket Yarn Organizer
This is an amazing way to organise your yarn for a project that requires a lot of skeins.
My cat hates it because she can't steal the yarn and booby trap the house! Especially since I found these baskets with lids so I'm able to store my WIP's with their yarn and she can't steal anything. Bahahahhahaa.
If you want to see the trail of destruction she likes to leave, check out this project: Love Crochet: How To Crochet a V-Stitch Blanket.
5. Plastic storage tub yarn organiser
This blogger did an amazing job of hacking those little Tupperware style tubs but I would recommend using glass bowl versions with the hole punched in the lid, unless you have containers you can already use or upcycle.
All you need is an eyelet setting tool, some eyelets and use with a floral hammer like this one (or a regular hammer) to make sure that the plastic doesn't catch on your yarn as it's fed through.
6. Binder clip yarn hack!
Get yourself a small glass bowl and some large binder clips to organise the yarn you have for different projects.
7. How To Soften Yarn
This is a great tutorial to get your yarn all fluffy.
Since a lot of yarn projects in my house are blanket-related, I stopped using acrylic yarn because of its scratchiness and moved to the more expensive 100% cotton yarn like this stuff.
I would be tempted to use this tutorial on some acrylic yarn (like this) from my old stash and see how it goes. Incidentally, my favourite acrylic yarn to use is Stylecraft DK.
Let me know if you decide to try it.
8. Unravel a sweater and make sweater yarn
There's nothing worse than your favourite sweater starting to unravel.
Or, you might find a wooly jumper in a charity shop that is the most gorgeous colour you have ever seen, this tutorial will teach you how to unpick the sweater and get a gorgeous skein of yarn.
9. Create your own T-Shirt Yarn
You might also have a big collection of cotton t-shirts that you want to turn into a rug or a little basket!
With this tutorial, you can make t-shirt yarn quickly and easily (or go the lazy route and buy this stuff).
I actually went and did a little bit of research to find the best t-shirt yarn, because I've purchased t-shirt yarn in the past and made my own. The stuff that I purchased was much easier to use but that just could have been the material make up of the t-shirt that I used.
Top Tip: Zpagetti is the original T-Shirt yarn that is available on the open market and their make up is 90% Cotton, 10% Synthetic so if you plan on making your own t-shirt yarn, you should look for that makeup on the laundry label.
If you've got glue and bits of tape caught in the scissors, you will end up with straggly yarn.
10. How To Translate Laundry Labels
This is possibly one of the best infographics you will ever see, containing all the info you need to know when picking yarn for projects.
11. A Repurposed DIY Yarn Stand!
An alternative to the yarn bowls is a stand made from a toilet roll holder (I like that you can store extra yarn in the bottom with this stand).
This is another cat proof one (sort of, they can still pull the yarn until it is all over the floor unless you cover it with a shower cap or something).
I think this is a gorgeous yarn holder and the perfect height for when you're sitting on the couch. You could use a toilet roll holder and store extra yarn in the bottom. With a little spray paint, you'll be all set.
The best spray paint IMHO, is Montana Gold Matte Spray Paint, look at all the lovely colors--
12. Blocking Your Crochet Squares
This is one of my FAVOURITE tutorials!
When I first started crocheting granny squares, they were all different sizes and looks insane. I tried joining them together and well, you can imagine. Just laugh, it was laughable!
This is a great tutorial that teaches you how to make them the same size. I usually use for this type spray starch of blocking now.
13. Crochet hook conversions
Crochet Hook conversion is something I tend to google regularly when I'm looking at patterns or choosing my next project.
14. How To Pull the centre of a ball of yarn
Learn how to wind a ball of yarn with a centre pull! I just roll it in a ball and let the yarn bounce everywhere when I'm working, I will definitely be trying this tutorial.
15. Organize Your Yarn Stash
Organising our yarn stash can be a time-consuming exercise but it's totally worth it.
Especially when you want to start a new project and you recall a gorgeous yarn you used two years ago and you wish you could remember what it is.
That's when this type of organiser comes in handy!
16. Protect knitting needle ends
If you're stopping a knitting project mid-row, sticking two corks on the end is a genius idea to make sure you don't drop any stitches by accident.
Quick! Grab the wine!
17. Yarn Colour Combos
I am the worst when it comes to having the vision required to choose colour combinations for a project.
This guide is great! There are many ways you can figure out colour combinations but this little chart is very handy.
18. How Much Yarn Do I Need For A Project?
It's handy when projects already tell you how many you will need but if you're changing sizes or making it up as you go along, this chart is handy to refer to.
19. Make Gigantic Pom Poms!
If you're planning to trim a blank with pom-poms, this tutorial will help you figure out how to do it in a relatively painless way! (It saves a lot of time!)
20. More Gigantic Pom Poms!
I don't know why I would possibly need gigantic pom poms but I'm going to keep this in mind.
Finally
You can view lots of crochet inspiration here and free crochet patterns right here on the blog!
Cheyanne
What do you use in place of a yarn bowl? I was thinking of making one out of some clay I have on hand but I don't know. Not sure what the best option is. I could get a colander but it's kind of bulky, etc. Ack! Thanks for this post though. I was just trying to figure this out! Super timely 🙂
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
I use a vase! Or a lantern - it's one of the lace effect ones from ikea. You can see it in this post ---->http://bit.ly/1GG4NiH
McKaila v
I made my own out of Sculpey polymer clay and it seems to work nicely.
Mariann
A decorative tea pot looks great on the table next to your chair.
Sandi Price
A teapot is a pretty option also and you can find at a second hand shop for nearly nothing!
Lynn Venghaus
I've used a plastic trash can about 10-12" in diameter & 14" high. I cover the top with plastic wrap to keep out pet hair while corralling the yarn. Just leave a small bit of the edge free for the yarn to come through while you're working & store your project inside when you're not crafting.
Sherrill
I found a metal wine bottle holder thingy at a Goodwill. It sets on like a table top, etc, In my case, it sets on a stool beside the couch. I have skeins in it for whatever project I'm working on.
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
that's an excellent idea!
Ledonna
I use a tea pot if the skeins are wound into balls and put the end of the yarn in the spout, pull it through and viola' a yarn bowl!
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
genius! As long as it's sturdy. 🙂 I can only imagine either myself or the cat knocking it over and breaking it. She just helps herself to whatever is in the yarn bowl anyway. She whacked me up the face with a ball of yarn I was working with once. They're surprisingly heavy when they fly off claws!
Nan Claypool
My cat weaves in the night with any yarn she can reach.
She now just has her own ball and I try to remember to keep everything else UP!!
Lou Lou Girls
Great hacks! Pinned and tweet. Thank you for being a part of our party. I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm, because we love to party with you! Happy Halloween~Lou Lou Girls
McKaila v
I made a lovely yarn bowl out of polymer clay. It was pretty cheap too! Check it out here: http://danceswithyarn.net/diy-yarn-bowl/
Regards,
McKaila v.
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
I love that bowl!!
Leslie
The link for the color combinations goes to something about carving pumpkins. You might want to check on that.
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
I will do, thank you!
Barbara Lavell
I buy plastic containers from the dollar store in different sizes. Most of them have handles and the yarn goes right through just like the expensive yarn bowls or you use a large paper clip on the side of the container as shown in this article. Works great and I can afford many different sizes as they are only one dollar each (in some cases I only paid 25 or 50 cents - 2 or 4 to a pkg!
Carolyn
The scratchy yarn problem can be solved by not buying cheap Red Heart yarn. You get what you pay for.
And 1250 yards for a sweater? Maybe an extra small. That is misleading. If you go by the fact that the average is woman is a size 14 there is no way 1250 yards would be enough for a sweater for that woman unless she she wants a sleeveless crop top.
Claire
Not everyone has the money to buy the expensive yarns,I know I don't but I love to crochet so acrylic yarn it is for me. Although I feel I should also mention I'm in the UK and have never tried red heart.
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
yes, it's worth remembering that not everyone can afford to spend more money on yarn. So a solution is what is provided. If you're lucky enough to be able to afford more expensive yarn then good on ya, more power to your projects! Having never made a jumper before, I wouldn't know about that. I'm also a size 14 and a giant of a lady so I would never assume that a chart like that had my size in mind (purely for length though not my dress size). You should take up your complaint with AllFreeKnitting who created the chart, I think they're American. Can I ask what you would recommend for a jumper? I'm a UK 14/US 12.
Eleanor
I made a yarn bowl with a gourd from my garden. I love it and it was super easy. Find it here: http://www.sweetdeviation.com/diy-gourd-craft/
Angela
I love the CD case yarn holder and agree, perfectly cat-proof. I'm always wary of having any yarn out where she may eat it and the CD case will work great and keep me from feeling like a meanie telling her not to touch or to go away! Thank you so much for this tip and many others!
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
I usually have a few balls of yarn ready to act as distractions!
Michelle
What is the best way to "soften" toule so it is easier to crochet with
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
Hey, I'm not sure I know the material you're working with, is it a yarn or strips of tulle?
Joann
The guide to colors is fantastic. I've tried to do it on my own, and I end up hating the colors I've chosen. I just got rid of some old projects that I absolutely detested when I went back to them.
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
I can relate to that. Have always been useless at choosing good colour combinations!
Mary
Some great adivce.
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
Thank you Mary! And welcome along 🙂
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Thank you for the clever and inspiring ideas!
Thara
Everyone needs giant Pom poms!
Claire Heart Handmade UK
I completely agree!