How to Make a Yarn Organizer

Keep your yarn tangle-free with a handmade organizer.

The repetitive nature of crafts that use yarn, such as knitting and crocheting, is often considered relaxing. However, that sense of calm can turn quickly to frustration when the yarn tangles or the skeins roll away from your work area. A yarn organizer keeps everything in place and knot-free. You can make your own organizer quickly and get back to your project in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Metal can with lid
• Grommets and setter
• Plastic canvas or heavy cardboard
• Shrinkable plastic
• Marker
• Scissors
• Quarter
• Craft knife
• Oven or toaster oven

Instructions

Knitting or Crocheting Organizer

1. Punch four holes in the lid of the metal can, spacing them evenly, and insert the grommets according to the manufacturer's instructions for your setting tool. For larger tins, punch a hole for each section you plan to make inside the tin.

2. Cut two pieces of plastic canvas to fit securely across the diameter of the can. Trim the pieces to about 1/8 inch shorter than the height of the can.

3. Find the center column of one of the plastic canvas pieces. Cut a single-square column out of the grid to make a slit, leaving two to three squares at the top.

4. Place the uncut plastic piece into the can. Slide the divided piece over the first piece, at right angles, to form an X inside the organizer. Repeat with another slitted piece for larger tins.

5. Place a skein of yarn in each section. Feed the ends of the yarn through the grommets and place the lid on the can.

Crewel Embroidery Yarn Organizer

1. Trace a large oval or other pattern, such as a flower or a butterfly, onto a sheet of shrinkable plastic. Fill the entire sheet. Cut out the shape with scissors.

2. Trace a quarter to make several circles around the edge of your shape, about 1/2 inch from the edge.

3. Cut out the circles with the craft knife. These will be the spaces for the yarn.

4. Place the shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place it in the oven and bake it according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the organizer to cool completely.

5. Loop the yarns through the holes.

Tips & Warnings

• Select a tin sized to match your yarn project. While any size will work, one similar to a gallon paint can will easily hold four regular skeins. Larger tins can be divided into more sections. For a larger knitting organizer, use a 5-gallon plastic bucket. Make the dividers from heavy cardboard. You can divide this organizer into eight to 10 sections.

• Add paint, decoupaged pictures or other designs to the outside of the knitting/crocheting organizer can, if desired. Since the tins come in a variety of colors, your organizer will still look pleasing without extra embellishments.

• Use a 1-liter or 2-liter soda bottle for a single skein. Remove the black base of the bottle, cut off the bottom of the bottle and insert the yarn, threading the end through the top of the bottle. Insert the bottom edges back into the black base to hold the yarn in the organizer. If the bottle does not have a black base, reattach the bottom using tape.

• If you don't want a clear crewel yarn organizer, color your shape with permanent markers or paint before baking it.

• Paint the lid of the metal can with blackboard paint and use a chalk pencil to write the brand, color and dye lot of the yarn on top for quick reference.

• Glue a pencil pocket to the side of the organizer to hold needles, hooks and patterns.