January Stash Reset: How I sort, store & evaluate my yarn

January is the month of new beginnings, goal setting, and, of course, organization. If you have been looking at your yarn stash thinking that it could be better organized, then you are in the right place. This is because today I am sharing what I like to call my January Stash Reset!

If you have never done a stash reset in January, it’s basically where you sort, store, and evaluate your yarn stash. Doing a reset is great because it can help you to see what you have, how much you have, and what you really no longer need. Plus, by doing this reset in January, you are getting yourself prepared for the rest of the year, since we all know that once summer hits (for us fiber friends), we’re going to be out of the house and busy crafting for the cold weather!

So, if you are ready to do a stash reset with me, below is my five-step process.

Step 1: Prepare for the reset

Before you dive headfirst into your yarn stash, you first want to get prepared for the reset. That means thinking about your space (like if you want to reorganize it), gathering up bins for organization, or gathering up boxes for donating.

This also would be a good time to think about how you want to sort your yarn, if you don’t already have an ‘’organization system’’ in place.

Finally, pick a day (or days) to do your reset, and add it to your calendar.

Step 2: Sort yarn

Next, sort your yarn. Sorting your yarn can be done in a variety of ways, so you can do what works best for you. However, if you need some help, below are some ways you do this.

• By fiber type (wool, cotton, acrylic, blends)
• By weight (lace, fingering, DK, worsted, bulky)
• By color
• By brand
• By project potential vs. “unknown future use.”
• By amount – This is good if you have scraps or those skeins that are almost fully used.

The goal in this step is to SORT, not ORGANIZE. So, don’t feel like everything has to be perfect or labeled.– We will be organizing in step 4, don’t worry!

Step 3: Evaluate yarn

Once all your yarn is sorted, you will want to look at each yarn skein, ball, and scrap and do the following:

Ask key questions:

• Does this yarn fit my current style?
• Do I still love this yarn?
• Do I have enough for a project?

Assign the yarn to be:

• Kept in your personal stash
• Prioritized for a future project.
• Reproposed
• Donated
• Gifted
• Sold

This part might not be fun for everyone, but remember that we are making room for new yarn to buy later in the year!

For myself, I made a plan for the skeins I no longer wanted. First, I listed some on Ravelry (mostly sweater quantities and rarer skeins), then I created a box for Yarn Saver and submitted an assessment. – If you are unfamiliar with Yarn Saver, you can learn more about them by reading our interview with them here!

Finally, I took yarn to my coffee shop! Yes, I said the coffee shop!

I have a neighborhood Facebook group, and I posted that I was going to be at my local coffee shop for two hours on Saturday with a bag of yarn and that people could stop by and pay what they wanted (I suggested around half price). It went really well, and I sold 2/3 of the bag!

It was also a really nice way to meet other crafters and self-proclaimed yarn hoarders, and I’m likely starting a local stitch group soon!

Step 4: Organize yarn

Now that you have sorted and evaluated your yarn, you can reorganize it and put it away in your space.

Depending on your space and the way you organize, this will look different for everyone. However, below are some basic things that I like to do in my own space.

• Organize yarn by project.
• Keep yarn scraps by themselves.
• Keep sentimental or special skiens in a designated bin.

If you are looking for more ways to organize your yarn, you can use the categories you created when sorting your yarn in step 2.

Finally, regardless of how you organize your space, I highly recommend choosing storage options that will protect your yarn from light, pests, moisture, etc. I store my yarn in 13”x15”x13” bins (Deep Sweater Boxes from The Container Store) in an IKEA Kallax.

Step 5: Make plans for your yarn stash

After you have organized all your yarn and have put it away, it’s time to ‘’make a plan’’ for your yarn going forward in 2026!

Having a plan might sound boring, but it’s really designed to help you 1) use your yarn in the best way possible and 2) save money (if that’s a goal for you). For example, your plan could involve the following:

• Setting stash boundaries (like, no-buy, low-buy, etc.)
• Creating a “shop my stash” list for yourself
• Matching yarn to upcoming projects
• Tracking stash usage throughout the year

The other thing you might want to consider is your “souvenir skeins.” For example, instead of tucking them away, why not set them out in a fun way? Personally, I’m considering displaying different skeins somewhere in my craft room so I can regularly see and appreciate them. 

Regardless of your plan, remember that it doesn’t have to be set in stone and can change throughout the year!

In 5 easy steps, you too can have a stash reset this January (or really anytime of the year)! If you have never tried anything like this, I highly recommend that you pick a date on your calendar and give it a go. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish, how you will feel, and what you will learn about yourself.

Have you ever done a stash reset? If so, I would love to hear your experience in the comments below. Also, if you have any yarn stash tips, share those as well!