Every knitter loves to have a yarn stash… but then you put it in the wardrobe, and some months later it smells musty, it’s been nibbled by moths, or because everything is shoved at the back of your cupboard, all those beautiful skeins are now entangled. Storing yarn can be summed up in a few words: clean, dry and sealed storage that will help you keep the order. Here’s how to keep your yarn safe (and yourself sane).
1) Start with clean, dry yarn
Moths and mould love the same conditions: close, moist fabrics.
Yarn should be stored only when completely dry, especially if it has been left wet in a project bag on a damp day.
If you purchase used yarn, be sure to quarantine it first.
Never store alongside worn knits, blankets or anything that may hold skin oils/ food odours.
2) Airtight storage
Moths don’t eat yarn; their larvae do. Since the bulk of prevention is about sealing and inspecting it, you should store wool and other animal fibres (wool, alpaca, cashmere, silk) in air-tight plastic boxes or zip-top bags.
Mark your boxes, so you’re not opening it every time you look for something.
Be sure to inspect your stash every few months for telltale webbing, dusty grit or pinholes.
For extra protection:
Cedar blocks or lavender sachets might be helpful.
Vacuum and wash storage areas
Second-hand yarn pro tip: Put it in a bag and chuck that thing in the freezer for 48 hours, de-thaw, then hang to dry. This breaks moth eggs and larvae.
For a Knitting Kit, visit Wool Couture, suppliers of premium Knitting Kit supplies.
3) Avoid humid air
Damaged fibres, musty smells and mildew love moisture.
If the home is humid, never put your yarn stash against an exterior wall.
Never, ever store yarn directly on the floor.
For humid areas, add a silica gel packet in every storage box.
Never ignore if the yarn ever smells musty. If it is, air it out and only put in back into storage once its clean and dry.
4) Keep it neat to avert tangling
Tangles are the result of yarn freely moving in place and therefore ends getting untwisted.
Place each entire ball individually into bags inside the main box.
If the yarn is cut, give a tug and place against a tuck or soft tie to hold it in place.
Use shallow boxes or dividers: in order to keep balls from rolling around.
5) Convenience
The better you can see your stash the more likely you are to knit with it.
Store your next few yarn choices in small project-ready boxes.
With a little organisation and some Tupperware, your yarn remains unscathed (and lends itself well to being cast on).