craft ideas

Ok.  You knit that really cool shawl for Aunt Cattie and now Aunt Bill wants one.  You can remember the pattern but can’t remember the yarn.  Here’s a tip for remembering.  I keep all (I’m a little obsessive) my yarn labels.  Eventually this can become really massive.  Unless you use the same yarn over and over (which is very possible).  I keep them in 2 Ziplock bags  One bag has labels and the other has labels with a yarn sample attached.  Some labels have 1 sample attached, some have more depending on whether there is a pattern or like in the case of Lion Brand Homespun is really cool when it unravels.  I also write on the label with the sample what I made using that yarn.  Use a Sharpie… and if it’s a really glossly label try to write on the inside.  On certain glossy labels Sharpies aren’t as permanent as they would like you to think they are.  This way you can take the label and sample of the yarn to the store to buy the yarn for Aunt Bill.  Also if you have a favorite yarn, you don’t have to try to remember the name and the manufacturer.  You can just go to your baggie and pull out the label and get some more.  And that’s what it’s all about… more yarn!

I put all my knitting “stuff” in ziplock bags.  I have a bag for tools & stuff, bags for projects on needles, a bag for current yarn wrappers/labels, a bag for old labels and a bag for old labels with samples.  All of this is in a lovely quilted tote bag.  Mom made the total bag.  She a great quilter!  There’s a couple of reasons for the zip bags.  1) they are clear – I can see what is in them.  2) the stuff is contained for when I dump the tote bag – accidentally or on purpose.  and 3) the stuff is kept clean and free of cat fur or other dirt that just might fall into the bag.  And they are inexpensive and if they get a whole in them, toss ’em and get a new one.