How to create a DIY Yarn Storage Shelving Unit – Best and Cheaper Solution

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This tutorial will show you step by step how to create your own Yarn Storage Shelving Unit. These shelves are also ideal for books or displaying other creative things such as toys, memorabilia, or even clothes.

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When I recently went through my yarn storage I realized I had way too much yarn, because I could not find certain yarn colors or certain yarn anymore. It is so frustrating, I came to a point where I almost went to the craft store to buy the yarn I needed for a certain project rather than organizing my own yarn stash.

I do love the cheap storage unit I bought, and I will continue to use it, but I just needed to figure out how to get my yarn organized and visible for me to see and get inspiration from.

So, I remembered my friend Jess from Make and Do Crew who created her awesome new yarn storage shelves from wooden crates. Well, after looking around and trying to find a cheaper or better situation for me, I was not pleased with the possibilities out there.

I called my local Costco that has free wine crates all the time. I really wanted to get those as they are so nice and perfect for a project like this. But they don’t receive wine crates very often and I did not want to wait so long as I am very impatient.

In the end, I fell in love with Jess’s solution and went to my local Joann’s Craft storage where they had these wooden crates on sale. On top of the sale I was able to use a 20% off total purchase coupon and saved over $150! Wow

Need more tips and tricks? See my huge list HERE!

I loved the color of the wood of the wooden crates so much, I did not want to stain them at all. The only extra items needed were some zip ties, a drill and a wall anchor to prevent my kids from getting hurt or even myself as I am in an earthquake prone area.

Let me list all the materials I used for you, so you can easily access them.

Materials used for the DIY Yarn Storage Shelving Unit:

• Wooden Crates (I used 24)
• zip ties
• a drill
• wall anchor
• scissors
• my hand vacuum
• screws for the wall anchor

Once you have all your materials, you will need to decide whether or not to stain it. If you do, you will need an extra brush, stain and sandpaper. I really liked the beige color of the wooden crates as it really warmed up my room. So I kept it unstained. The surface was also really nice and smooth, so I did not want to mess with it at all.

Next I stacked them in different directions on top of each other. I also have a large TV where I placed my yarn storage shelving unit. So it was ideal for me to use wooden crates for this project rather than buying book cases that were to large or could not frame the TV.

Once I was satisfied with the way it looked, I started drilling holes right by the handle, so i was able to use zip ties to connect the crates with each other. Once I was done with that, I used my hand vacuum to get rid of all the wooden particles that were produced when drilling holes.

I then connected the crates to each other by using simple, but long zip ties. Of course you can also use nails or screws. But I wanted to be able to make my shelves mobile and modular, so I can redo and change it any time I wanted to.

Be sure to cut off the overhanging of the zip ties so your yarn does not get tangled in it.

Before I added all my yarn into the shelves of the storage unit, I also attached it to the wall using a wall anchor to prevent anyone getting hurt in case it tumbles over due to an accident or earthquakes that happen in my area a frequently.

Organize my yarn into the Storage Shelving Unit

Now, I was finally ready to get my yarn and organize it into the wooden crates. I decided to organize them by color, rather than yarn company, which I had done previously. And I am so glad I did. It looks so nice and much better having them organized that way.

Furthermore, I do have a lot more yarn in my other cheap but good storage unit , but as some of it is tangled I still need to wind them up using my awesome yarn winder. I will do that as I have time.

Also, I was asked what I would do with the paper if I wind my yarn. Well, I just fold it up and add it to the center of the yarn ball. That way I won’t lose it and will always know which yarn it is.

In addition, I do have my photo and video, as well as computer station right across from it. So if you ever watched me on Facebook LIVE you will probably know that. I really like my small but easy to use motivation board where I can create crochet memes that keep me happy and motivated if I have a bad day.

I am curious, how do you organize your yarn? Leave me a comment below. Here is another section of my great Yarn Storage Shelving Unit. Now, my yarn is nicely organized and I will sure keep it that way.

I love how the colors will now keep me from buying yarn I already have. Unless of course, I need a lot of the same one. Then my hubby can’t be mad at me, right?

I hope you liked this tutorial and I sure hope you will share with others. Tag me on social media with #nickishomemadecrafts.

Please share this tutorial as a link on social media as well, so you can encourage others to create their own DIY Yarn Storage Shelving Unit and get their wonderful yarn organized and in visibility.