What do you do with yarn labels? I’m a sucker for record-keeping and organization in just about every part of my life, and crochet is no exception. When I remove the label from a skein of yarn, I staple a short length of the yarn to it and file it away. I’ve been doing this for years. Besides being a fun source of nostalgia (“I remember that yarn!”), it’s actually useful to know what the fiber content was for a certain project and it’s especially helpful for looking up care instructions.
Yarn Labels v1: Janky Pouch
A long while back, I gave my yarn labels a home by using scraps of yarn to crochet a rudimentary pouch. I had previously stored labels with their works in progress and then put them in a box once the yarn was used up, but I didn’t like having the labels in multiple locations. I stuffed the stack of labels inside my new janky pouch, folded the top down, and threw it in my supplies bag. Done!
Not really done, though. As I worked on different projects and found myself needing to reference my labels, I kept losing track of which yarns I was actively working with and which ones were long gone. This annoyed me, so I split my labels into two groups: “Yarn I Still Have” and “Yarn I Used Up.” I used more scrap yarn to crochet a pocket directly onto the side of the pouch, and this time I added a strap to help keep it shut. (The strap was too long, though, so I used a big safety pin to keep it tight.) I put the two stacks of labels into the pockets, and presto: an even jankier pouch!
Yarn Labels v2: Clear Binder
Recently, I decided I wanted to be able to see my yarn labels easily, without digging through those stacks… I wanted to be able to put them in a certain order, but I also wanted the ability to move them around when that order changed. Which brings me to my latest version of yarn label organization: a binder! I found a binder at Goodwill for less than a dollar and ordered some four-pocket sheet protectors online. I had a binder at home I was planning to use, but I loved the see-through cover on this one.
Now I can flip through my collection to find exactly what I’m looking for. I’m still dividing them into “Yarn I Still Have” and “Yarn I Used Up,” but I grouped the labels in an order that makes sense to me. When I change my mind, I can easily re-order them. Perfect! For now…
Now that I have a pocket for each type of yarn, I might start including note cards listing extra details. Maybe the project(s) I made with that yarn and the price I paid. When I sorted the labels to put them in this binder, I discovered that I couldn’t remember which projects I used some of them for, so I need to keep better records!
Options, Options
I’ve seen a few different ways people organize their yarn labels, such as in a journal or in envelopes. There’s even a Yarn Passport designed specifically for yarn-lovers. I adore journals, but what kept me from putting yarn in a journal was a lack of flexibility. I don’t want to attach yarn to a specific page, because I know I’ll want to change the order later. This is what makes a three-ring binder a good fit for me, and I can definitely see myself including journal-like elements within it.
Do you keep your yarn labels, and do you keep them after the yarn is used up? How do you store them?
— Kelsey
