Brainwave!

I don’t know about you, but I’m not good at throwing things away. Something that’s obviously rubbish is easy, but it’s the other things … sentimental things, things that might come in useful one day, things that I might need to jog my memory about something … there are umpteen reasons why I’ve still got stuff in our house that somebody else might have re-homed a long time ago.

I’ve been making a start on the places that have accumulated the greatest number of these “treasures” (the garage, the airing cupboard and the attic are the worst) and I know that it’s not a job that’s going to be done in a few days. I’ve been taking it slowly, only clearing a shelf or a space at a time so that I don’t get everything out, feel overwhelmed by it all and just put it all back again without actually doing any tidying up. It’s going pretty well. I’ve also been trying to get to it most days so that I feel there’s a sense that something’s actually happening and the momentum will keep me going.

So I was very pleased to find these whilst I was tidying up in the garage earlier today. They are small plastic resealable polythene bags and pieces of coloured cardboard. I have no idea why I kept these but I’m sure I thought they would come in handy one day – and today is the day!

You’re wondering what grand plan I have in mind for these, and it is indeed a grand plan!

Yarn labels are one of those things that I’m not good at throwing away, and sock yarn labels in particular. I might need to look at them again later. I like to remember which yarn I made a certain pair of socks in, and whilst it’s all very well storing this information on Ravelry, I like to keep a small ball of yarn (with the label) in case I need to darn the socks in the future. The only problem is keeping track of it all. I’ve knitted so many pairs of socks now that there are almost more labels and half-used balls of yarn in my stash than full balls!

This is what’s left of the last three pairs of socks I made – two pairs of Neat Ripple socks and a plain pair for my Dad for Christmas. This is generally how the yarn sits in my stash box until I get round to using the leftovers for my Vivid blanket. I am actually getting on with it, you know. I’ll show you one day so you don’t think I’ve only done six squares. (Apologies for the rather washed-out colours here; it’s been a washed-out kind of day.)

And here it is! My brainwave moment! I have put a small ball of yarn together with the label and note of which pair of socks they belong to into the bag. Pure genius, even though I say so myself.

I can see quite clearly which yarn belongs to which socks, I don’t have to keep tying yarn to the labels to stop them from getting separated any more, I can see how much yarn I’ve got to knit my Vivid squares with – and best of all, I’ll only need a small space to keep the packets in. I’m very pleased with myself!

What’s your best storage genius moment?

PS I know that other people will have thought of doing this long before me, but because the idea struck me today without prompting from anybody else, I’m claiming the credit for this one 🙂

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10 Responses

  1. Mummy3+1dog says:

    What a fab idea hunny x

  2. Anonymous says:

    That is wonderfully organised! I'm desperately trying to think of any storage brainwaves I've ever had… But I can't!

  3. Campfire says:

    I've got lots of yarn bands too but sadly some of the yarn has disappeared. I have been looking on your blog for the idea of keeping the yarn samples handy but now think it was a Facebook comment. For the life of me I cannot remember what you used. This must be as my birthday approaches later this week and getting old! Will you remind me please?

    • Winwick Mum says:

      I've not been particularly organised up until now – I've tended to just keep the remainder of the ball tied to the band and left in a box. I usually keep a note of which yarn I've used for my projects on Ravelry but even that's been a bit haphazard lately. I hope you have a wonderful birthday – many happy returns! xx

  4. Angel Jem says:

    Oh, that is so scarily organised! And a perfect example of why holding on to something is sometimes a good idea…. although I really do need to clear out my cupboards!

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Sadly, for every one thing that turns out to be useful, I have a garage full of things whose presence there I'm still justifying! 🙂 xx

  5. Lisa says:

    Glad to see that those things you kept came in handy, a brilliant space saving solution.
    I have hung all my earrings from length of plain ribbon. This way I can clearly see what I've got and it makes it easier to decide which ones to wear.
    Thanks for popping by and leaving a message so I got to know you have visited.
    Lisa x

    • Winwick Mum says:

      It was lovely to read your blog! Your idea is a good one, too. I don't have pierced ears or that would be something else I'd be disorganised about, I'm sure! xx

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