I’m working on a Color Affection shawl right now, and, while the knitting is super-easy, several weeks of juggling three separate balls of a particularly cranky linen/cotton blend has been just about enough to make me cry. So, after the 23rd time or so that the center-pull ball of my main color went supernova without warning (read: collapsed, then exploded around everything else in my project bag), my fiber-addled brain started coming up with some rather elaborate yarn-containment solutions. Luckily, before I went too far down the crazy invention rabbit hole, I remembered that tights existed, and my sanity was saved.
Is your yarn running amok? Do you have a drawer full of old tights (or stockings or hose or nylons) that should never again see the light of day? Perfect—we’ve just solved both your yarn and your tights-hoarding problems! Because, turns out, there’s no better place for your misbehaving balls of yarn to be than nestled snugly in the toes of old [clean] hosiery.
Here’s how it’s done:
Here’s how it works:
When you insert the ball of yarn into the toe of the tights, the remaining stretch in the nylon gently compresses around the yarn, keeping everything in place and preventing those maddeningly disastrous mid-project yarnsplosions.
Storing each ball of yarn in its own little pouch also keeps it from snagging, pulling, or tangling with other balls of yarn while knitting and crochet projects are bouncing around in a purses or project bags.
Don’t you just love a simple, smart solution?
Brilliant
Awesome idea. I tend to pull from the outside of my cakes, just because I don’t like the tension on the yarn pulled from the inside, but if I ever change my ways, I’m raiding my stocking drawer.
Re: linen and linen blends, have you tried either of the Quince & Co 100% linens? If so, curious as to what you think.
I haven’t used Quince & Co linens, but they look lovely!
I’m currently working with a gorgeous linen/cotton blend from Bergere de France, though, and it’s wonderful.
hi just read your post , what a great idea!! i have been using zip lock bags, and yes they work in keeping the yarn from going amuk with other yarn, it doesn’t always play well with itself. (can get amuk in the bag all by itself!) but this way it will solve both problems!!! Thanks!! Oh and you could still use the rest of the tights but cutting a length off and stitching one end closed and, there you have it another pocket to hold your yarn.
I have used old knee-hi’s for the longest time. After wrapping each ball I THEN put them all in a Ziploc bag when traveling.
Tying a knot at the end would work also.
Could you use ankle high or knee high hose?
Of course! Any similar material/shape will work just fine.
33 ¢ at Wal-Mart if you don’t wear nylons. The knee highs will hold a 16 oz. skein of yarn. I’ve been doing this for years.
I just happened to get your website information on Pinterest, and I’m so glad I did! I don’t sew or do crafts, but I do a lot of knitting and crocheting. Thank you for all the hard work you put into your
website and blog to make them so informative and entertaining.
Even if I didn’t knit, I would be a devoted fan: your pictures and your
writing give a very clear message–“I am having such a good time!”–
That’s what makes it so much fun to read about you and your work.
Continued success,
ER