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The Best Trick for Keeping Yarn Cakes from Tangling in Storage
Have you ever wondered the best way to store yarn cakes without getting them tangled? In this post, I’m sharing my favorite trick for keeping my yarn cakes from tangling using a surprising item you may already have in your house.
What is it, you ask? Pantyhose!
The nylon is stretchy enough to accommodate most yarn cakes, but not tight enough to squish them too tight to be used. You can use any old pair you have around, as even itty bitty baby pantyhose could stretch enough to fit a small yarn cake (the 4oz size).
Looking to wind more yarn with your winder? Try this Method to wind double the yarn!
I like to buy the biggest sizes I can find because then I can cut them and get more uses for my money. They all cost the same! The pantyhose pictured is the waistband portion of a pair of 2T sized leggings that no longer fit my daughter (waste not, want not!) but I buy adult XL pantyhose when I need more.
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Here’s what you need to keep your yarn untangled:
- Pantyhose, any size.
- Scissors to cut to the desired length
- Yarn to be stored.
- Thread or sock yarn to tie off, if desired.
How to Store Yarn Cakes with Pantyhose:
- Wind your Yarn into cakes using a yarn winder.
- Cut a section of pantyhose a little bigger than twice as tall as your yarn cake. This will allow it to make a neat little container for your yarn cake.
- Tie one end shut- you can use a knot or tie off with sock yarn as I’ve done.
- Gently stretch your pantyhose sleeve over your yarn cake.
- You can still work from the center of your yarn cake while it’s in the pantyhose sleeve.
You could theoretically use the outer strand of yarn, too, but depending on the yarn you choose, you may get a bit of pilling on the beginning of your cake because it will be rubbing against the nylons as you use the first part of the yarn. I would simply take the yarn cake out before using the outside strand, as it takes just a moment.
How do you store your yarn?
Did you enjoy this tip? I would love to hear if you have any better ideas for storing yarn. Let me know in the comments below, and I just might feature your method in a blog post.
Annie says
That’s Brilliant! I’ve been crocheting for decades and never have heard of doing that. Thank you
Katie says
Glad it’s helpful for you! It definitely helps keep those cakes from falling apart into a tangly mess!
Happy crocheting,
Katie
karen mccormick says
socks that get a hole in the heel, save the cuff, works great for wrapping around yarn
Katie says
Oh perfect, socks would be great for this, too! Lord knows we have plenty of holey socks in my house between kids and puppies, LOL.
Thanks,
Katie
Cindy Brandt says
LOL I am always looking for innovated ways to make my life easier. I have a medium woven basket I keep my yarn (of the project I am doing at the time), whether it is a cake or skein in a red folgers coffee container (like the ones at costco-they are tall). In my basket I also keep smaller separate containers for my scissors, hooks, and what nots instead of just throwing everything in there. I also wrap rubber bands around my yarn skeins and cakes too.
Merry says
What a brilliant tip and I sure will be using it a lot as soon as I get my ball winder. Thanks so much for sharing this
Thanks again
Merry
Katie says
Hi Merry! You’re so welcome! I’m glad this is helpful for you, too! Hopefully your winder arrives soon so you can get to stash organizing- it’s one of my favorite chores. 🙂
Katie
Debby says
How do you keep track of the info for the ball?
I.E. brand, color, #, etc.
Katie says
Hi Debby!
That’s a great question. I usually keep the yarn jacket close with my yarn cakes- sometimes I put it in the center of the ball when I take it off the winder, but if I plan on using a center pull, I can keep it stashed inside the pantyhose with the yarn cake- to the side or underneath works if you fold it small.
Hope that helps!
Katie
JoAnn says
Hello all! I gently pull a bit of the yarn from the center, put the yarn into the label, fold it up, and tuck it back in the center. It’s a place to keep the label, and makes it easy to grab my yarn end.
Katie says
Agreed! This is a great way to do it. You could also wind it into your yarn ball- just put it around the shaft of your winder after you’ve made a few rounds, then continue on. You can’t center pull if you do it this way though, so I will often just tuck it in the stocking with the cake.
Katie
Tawni Brown says
That is a fantastic tip! Now I have to run to the store and get some pantyhose! I also like that you used your daughter’s white pantyhose so it doesn’t make the color of the yarn “read” differently.
Katie says
Oh good call on the white! I never would’ve through of that, but you’re right it would affect how the color looks. Thanks for your comment!
Katie
Sonja says
i just picked back up my hook this year and I invested in a yarn winder as well.
I’ve tried different things, but had never came up with such a clever solution to an
annoying problem.
I can’t wait to try it out.
Thank you for sharing.
I hope that you and lovely family have a happy and safe 2021.
Katie says
Thanks so much Sonja! I’m so glad you’re excited to try this- hopefully it works out well for you!
Love, and Yarn,
Katie
Maru says
Thanks!!! Really useful because it’s happen almost always. Very good idea.
Sharon says
Thanks for the great idea! I followed your direction and it really helped to keep away the tangles. I’m interested in the yarn winder. Do you have a yarn winder that you recommend?
Katie says
Hi Sharon!
I have the knitpicks yarn winder- from crochet.com. (affiliate link) There are more expensive models out there, but this one has served me faithfully for over 7 years now, they’re really great quality!
Patti Nyhart says
A question if Ok
I have a crocheted afghan (acrylic yarn) & wonder the safest way to store. I am crocheting an afgan for each gandchild to be given at a later time, possibly a bridal shower.
Katie says
Hi Patti!
What a lovely gift idea! That sounds like such a special project, and so smart to get a jump on it early.
When I stored my crochet baby blankets that are no longer in use, I just make sure they’re clean and dry, and stored in a plastic tub. I keep them in the house, where it’s climate controlled/Air conditioned. We don’t have problems with moths or other pests, but if you’re worried about that, you could add a cedar sachet to your bin, or even store them in repurposed plastic zipper bags from sheets and blankets you’ve purchased.
Some people I know keep their blankets in vacuum sealed space saver bags, but if you’re gifting them I would worry they’d come out creased or wrinkled, so I wouldn’t.
Hope that helps! I think this is a great question, and I’ll probably talk more about it on the blog later.
Happy Hooking,
Katie