by 20 people |
Crafters know that sometimes you just can't throw stuff away. Take yarn for example...many people have tons of the stuff laying around in skeins, balls, Ziploc bags, and baskets, just waiting to be turned into something gorgeous. Or maybe you have your eye on an old sweater or botched scarf. Whatever it is, there are plenty of things you can do with those yarn scraps. Don't let it go to waste! Learn how to save it, dye it, skein it, and store it.
Interesting places to find yarn
If you don't have yarn laying around, or can't find the color you want at the store, the webmasters of the following links have some interesting ideas for finding and hording yarn.
- The Recycled Yarn Tutorial
- This great web page shows you step-by-step photos on how to turn a sweater back into yarn.
- Unraveling Thrift Store Sweaters
- This is another great page with photos that also includes tips on dying, skeining, and washing yarn.
- Keep a Cheap Yarn Stash
- If you're trying to get yarn instead of get rid of it, try garage sales and thrift stores.
Learn about neat new ideas at the MAKE blog
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Be responsible with your yarn
This video shows what can happen when people aren't responsible with their yarn...or their enthusiasm over yarn. (Who makes time to film stuff like this, anyway?)
yarn ball
a trip to walmart turns tragic when sonia finda a yarn ball and knocks emily down.
curated content from YouTube
Purchase yarn on eBay for a fraction of the original cost
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Organize and Store your Yarn
Keep small skeins and balls neatly organized, dust and pet-hair free, in plastic bags or boxes. Don't forget to label them clearly!
Cardboard Pencil Box (Sage) (3 1/4"H x 4 5/8"W x 10 1/4"D)
Fun photo-type boxes in many colors and sizes.
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 12/18/2009) 
Romanoff Pencil Box Clear
Clear pencil boxes are great for short pieces and scraps, and stack neatly.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
Ewins Forester Scrapbooking Hobby Cart - 9 Compartments - Office Storage
Serious crafters need a serious hobby cart. Use the shelves below for yarn, and keep knitting and crochet needles in the drawers.
Amazon Price: $139.99 (as of 12/18/2009)
DYMO 18134 Execulabel LM150 Labelmaker Desktop Or Handheld/ Uses D1 Tapes
Don't forget to label your yarn so you know what is inside each box.
Amazon Price: $37.58 (as of 12/18/2009)
Where else can you find recycled yarn?
Once you know what to look for, you'll see yarn everywhere!
- Garage sales - you can get basic colors dirt cheap here. Be prepared for small balls and maybe even some skeins in need of a washing.
- Thrift stores - sometimes you can find left over yarn from skeins or projects at thrift stores. Check for short pieces from plastic canvas or latch-hook rug making kits.
- Sweaters and afghans - if you see a sweater or afghan you really like, or at least the yarn part of it, you can pull it apart and make your own creation.
- eBay and other online auctions - yarn is a big seller on eBay. Find it in pieces, half-finished projects, or recycled balls.
- Crafter's clubs - swap materials with local crafters. You might have just what they want, and they might have something cool for you.
Leave a thread (hehehe)
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- Barb Barb Aug 6, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
- You can also sell your leftover yarn or trade for someone else's leftover yarn. Go to www.yarnfind.com to start! It's the Craigslist for Knitters.
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- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry May 22, 2009 @ 7:42 am
- Another great lens. Thank-you for all the tips.
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- poutine poutine Apr 29, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
- What a useful lens. I never thought of going to thrift store and
getting wool things and using the wool from them.
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- SjSO SjSO Dec 17, 2008 @ 11:26 am
- Really great lens.I've been checking out knitting-related lenses, and I was considering making a link list of Squidoo knitting lenses... either on my "Knitting on the Internet" lens or a completely separate one. What do you think, and would you like this lens or another to be on a list? Visit my lens & tell me what you think (about the lens and the list) Thanks,
http://www.squidoo.com/Knitting-1
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- Mortira Mortira Aug 23, 2008 @ 10:49 am
- Nothing goes together like recycling and creativity. Thanks for the great lens! 5 stars and a lensroll!
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Hand-made with Yarn
Great things I've found online
- Monetina - Hand-made Knitting Creations
- Awesome hand-made knitting creations by Kelli. She is one creative lady!
by KimberlyDawnWells
I'm Squidoo's Community Organizer, which means my focus is on building the community: bringing in new lensmasters, developing...
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