Kay's Korner - A Knitters Notes

January 14, 2008

Every knitter I know has a stash of yarn somewhere. As we progress in our craft, it is inevitable. It usually begins with the remaining yarn from our first project and continues with every trip to the local yarn shop. Even without a project in mind, a good sale on fine yarn tempts us to guesstimate how much we will need for a sweater. Of course, there are always those exquisite yarns that we just can't walk away from, but can only afford a skein or maybe two. They become our guilty treasures.

If we took the time to figure the dollar worth of our stash, I am sure most of us would be surprised. I see mine as a valuable resource. I can think of some use for every yard. I draw inspiration every time I fondle the fibers and every color speaks to me. Although I admire the women who de-stash on Ebay, I don't seem to be able to part with any yarn I have brought home. So, it is a concern for me to care for this trove of treasure. Moths, dust, odors, mildew, and UV rays, all will damage yarns.

There are many ways to store our stashes. The most popular way seems to be to leave the yarn in the bag from where we purchased it. Very bad idea! That crumpled bag in the bottom of the closet will probably go unnoticed till the next time you clean it out, which might be next season or even next year. Organizing our yarn will not only up the chances of it being used, it will keep it in tiptop condition for when it is called to duty. Many knitters decide to organize their yarn in baskets or as color accents on shelving. A large bowl of gorgeous fiber on a table is an interesting piece of decor. I decorated my Lantern Moon five tiered baskets with Christmas trim and paired them on either side of my door, this year and they remain eye candy year 'round (minus the trim, of course.) But for me, plastic equals protection, so, for my money, handy clear storage containers, stacked high on an easy assembly shelf unit, are the best bet for stash storage.

Plastic storage containers are available in craft stores, discount stores, and on line in a variety of sizes. (If you are cramped for space, there is a style that will slip neatly under a bed.) Although these containers are not totally clear, they are easily labeled, so you can peruse your yarn without opening each and every one. Some clever crafters attach a photo of the contents on the end of the container for easier organization. I take the initiative of tucking in the prospective pattern with the yarn, unless it would mean stashing a reference book. Whether you group by color, fiber content, brand, or weight, your yarn will remain untouched by the elements and needle ready.

Another option for storing in plastic are the heavy gauge plastic bags by ZipLok. They have an XLarge and XXLarge size, the latter holding over of yarn. Both have built in handles. They have not been as easy to find (they are fairly new) and are not as neat as containers, but they do protect from moths, moisture, and airborne contaminants.

Although I flip whenever I sight a moth in my home or workshop, few varieties will damage yarn. Clothes moths actually eat natural fibers in the larval stage and are difficult to rid from closets or storage areas, once they are infested. It is the protein keratin in fiber that attracts them, which is found in any animal fiber, fur, and silk. I have seen where moths have burrowed into skeins to lay eggs and although the fiber was not noticeably eaten, the remaining debris was unsightly and difficult to remove. I had to toss the yarn. I do not recommend moth balls or crystals. The lingering odor alone, drives me from it. Many knitters claim that lavender sachets will repel moths and they do leave a lovely scent. The old standby cedar works wonderfully. I pack my best sweaters in a Lane cedar chest and they are always perfect and fresh smelling, when I fetch them to wear. Cedar balls and blocks are handy, but be sure to use enough for the area you are trying to protect. They are best left for enclosed spaces, such as drawers or boxes.

Hopefully, all of you have found an inspiring pattern and some irresistible yarn to begin a resolution project. I have ordered some of On Line's Supersocke, a self patterning sock yarn that comes in a wide variety of both patterns and colors and am anxious to start my husband his first pair of hand knit socks. Until the package arrives, I am tackling my stack of UFOs. I finished a scarf for my Mum's birthday (on time!), that ended up being generous enough to double as a wrap. Using a combination of garter and double moss stitches, it knit up beautifully in DiVe's Mohair Kiss Ombre and the color coordinated Butterfly, distributed by Cascade Yarns. Both are available in a wide array of matching colors at your local yarn shop. Next week, I will discuss techniques for using hand painted yarns. Until then, Happy Knitting!

Copyright 2008 Karen Mather