One of the questions I get asked most often is how I keep all of my crochet projects organized. Over the years, I’ve developed a few simple systems that help me keep track of everything. Here are the six that make the biggest difference:
1. Binder Rings Have Become One Of My Favorite Tools
One of my favorite things is finding a simple solution to a problem.
Whenever I am working on a project made up of multiple squares or motifs, I use inexpensive binder rings to keep everything in order. As I lay out the pieces, I clip the corners together so I can remember exactly where everything belongs.
It sounds like a small thing, but it saves an incredible amount of frustration when it is time to assemble the final project. Instead of wondering which square goes where, everything stays exactly where I intended it to be.
2. I Keep My Active Projects In What I Call My “Yarn-kin”
A while ago, I found a canvas bag online that immediately made me smile. I jokingly call it my “Yarn-kin” (because yes, it looks kind of like a Birkin) and it has become the home for all of my active projects.
The bag is completely stuffed with yarn, works in progress, hooks, and various odds and ends, but it works for me because everything I am currently excited about lives in one place.
I also like to have a few different types of projects going at the same time. I always keep at least one project that requires very little concentration. Right now, that project is a skirt made entirely of granny squares. If I am on a phone call, sitting in a waiting room, or listening to a podcast, I can pick it up without having to count rows or constantly reference a pattern.
Each project also gets its own pouch. Most of the pouches are simply bags that I have repurposed over the years. Having everything separated helps me keep track of where I am, and it prevents me from constantly starting new projects before finishing the ones I already have.
3. I Give Every Project Its Own Home
Recently, I repurposed some of my son’s old clear sneaker boxes and started using them to store larger projects.
For smaller projects, I often use these soft baskets instead. However, the container itself does not really matter. What matters is that each project has its own designated place.
When the yarn, pattern, hooks, and notes all live together, it becomes much easier to pick a project back up after a few days or even a few weeks away. I spend less time searching for supplies and more time actually stitching.
4. I Stack My Finished Squares On A Board
If you have ever made a project with dozens of granny squares, you know that keeping track of your progress can be half the battle.
Whenever I finish a square, I place it on a board and add it to a growing stack. This helps me stay organized, but the real reason I do it is that I genuinely enjoy watching the pile grow.
There is something motivating about seeing tangible evidence of your progress. A single square may not feel like much, but fifty squares stacked together tell a very different story. Every time I add another one to the pile, I feel a little spark of satisfaction.
5. I Keep Project Notes In Trello
My memory is not nearly as reliable as I would like it to be, which is why I keep notes for all of my projects in Trello.
Whenever I start something new, I write down the yarn I am using, the hook size, any modifications I make, and any ideas I want to remember later.
This habit has saved me countless times. There is nothing more frustrating than pulling out a project after a few months and realizing you have absolutely no idea which hook you were using or what adjustment you made to the pattern.
Having everything written down means I can step away from a project and come back whenever I want without having to start from scratch.
6. Packing Cubes Aren't Just For Travel
One of my favorite organizing hacks has nothing to do with crochet. It’s a mesh packing cube.
I love having my yarn organized, but I don’t love buying extra storage containers if I can repurpose something I already own, so I started sorting my yarn into packing cubes instead.
Right now, I have one filled with yarn I’m experimenting with for a long robe and a few scarves. I group similar yarns together, zip it up, and stack the cubes on top of each other. Because they’re mesh, I can still see exactly what’s inside without opening every single one.
Tip: I also tuck an anti-moth sachet into each cube. It helps protect my yarn while it’s in storage and keeps everything smelling fresh.
Take as much or as little from these ideas as feels useful!
At the end of the day, staying organized is not about having a perfect system. It’s about creating just enough structure that you can spend less time looking for things and more time enjoying the simple pleasure of making something with your hands.
All my love,
Vanessa