Knitting

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Keeping Your Yarn Safe While You Knit

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CD spindle yarn holderI’m working on a little lace scarf this week, and it’s made with a linen and viscose blend that came in a cake (that’s a fancy word for a short, fat ball) that kind of wants to fall apart when I knit with it.

Which has me thinking about things you can use to hold your yarn while you’re knitting, to keep it safe from animals and children and to help hold fragile balls together while you work.

Of course you can buy gorgeous yarn bowls to hold your yarn, but I’m all about using what you have.

I have seen people use CD spindles and old soda bottles to hold yarn. Martha Stewart uses old cookie tins with holes punched in the top (add a metal grommet so the yarn doesn’t rub of the cut edges). You could do the same thing with a Mason jar, though I’m thinking I would cover the top with a circle of scrapbook paper with a hole punched in it to avoid the whole metal grommet drama.

A bowl with a binder clip attached to the side will work in a pinch, too. I’ve seen pictures online of people using stand-up toilet paper roll holders, which is totally brilliant. Or stick your yarn in a teapot and strand it through the spout.

Or you can just use a zip-top bag closed up except for the little space your yarn needs to get out.

How do you handle balls of yarn that need containment while you work? I’d love to hear your ideas.

[Photo via Geek Ware.]

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Comments

  4. I usually use a zip-top bag with a hole in it. Why does it not surprise me that Martha Stewart goes for “metal grommet drama”?

  7. I use a cloth drawstring bag to hold my project, and the yarn feeds out the top of the bag quite smoothly. If I need to knit while standing, the drawstrings loop over my wrist easily or attach to my belt.

  9. I couldn’t resist a hand made yarn bowl that a friend made me. She got a hand knit scarf on return.

  10. I use the old bottom-wipe containers ( the kind with a big removable lid and a starred hole in the center. I cut the star out of the hole and sand it smooth. One thing I don’t like about my system is the kinds of yarn that need containing frequently like to tie themselves in knots and still get pretty messy inside the container. I look forward to seeing other peoples ideas.

  11. I’ve used big old plastic snack containers, like the kind that cheese balls come in. Cut a hole in the plastic lid (make sure it’s a thin plastic) and install a grommet. Smooth edge but you don’t have to mess with drilling holes and adding grommets to metal.

  12. i use the stretchy bags from produce, red netted type that cherry tomatoes come in, best thing i have found

  13. These ideas are so cool love the CD holder. for bigger job. get an old wine box from the ABC store it already has the dividers in it. holds up to 6 big skeins. Neat ideas Ladies

Have you read?

Knits to Make for Your Labubu

Maybe it’s not your Labubu, but if you’ve ever looked at one of those creepy cute dolls and thought “what that thing needs is a sweater,” you’ve come to the right place. These Labubu knitting patterns are super cute and easy to make whatever your skill level. 

If you want to keep it super basic, there’s this Labubu sweater from flourish AND fiber. It uses sock yarn and is worked from the top down in the round with a bit of ribbing on the edges but otherwise in stockinette stitch. It says it’s meant to fit all current regular Labubu plush pendants. 

Another cute pendant project is the Bubu Cardi by Ginko B. This free Ravelry download uses fingering weight yarn and only uses about 35 yards of yarn, so it’s a perfect scrap knitting project. 

Give your Labubu some springtime flair with this sweet little dress pattern by About Yarn. It’s for a 6.5 inch/17 cm doll and is worked in the round using DK weight yarn. 

Or get them ready for cooler weather with this cute beanie from Stephanie Connolly. Available as a free Ravelry download, this pattern uses DK weight yarn and has a hole in the top for Labubu’s ears and pendant to pull through. 

If you want a more whimsical look, try the Labubu headdress by Shino Craft. This one uses sport weight yarn and makes your critter look like a flower. You can buy it on Ravelry.

Add a touch of colorwork with this adorable heart sweat for a Labubu. This pattern is from kelmadeSG and uses fingering or DK weight yarn (maybe depending on what size doll you have?) and is worked flat in pieces. 

Shirley Durmaz made this cute hoodie for a Labubu with two strands of fingering weight yarn (or you could use a DK weight). It’s available on Ravelry.

If your Labubu fan is also a Taylor Swift fan, you’ll want to knit the free Labubu V Neck Cardigan, inspired by Taylor’s Folklore sweater. It uses fingering weight yarn and you can find it on Ravelry.