With the new year just about to land upon us, I’ve been hearing the same conversations over and over again in the shop. You all are talking about your WIPs. Your stash. Your plans to get organized… or maybe not get organized at all.
Some of you organize your yarn by weight.
Some by color.
(Some of you are very brave people.)
I tried organizing by color for a little while, but that didn’t seem to work for me. I’ve also tried storing yarn by fiber content, and by weight — not ounces or grams, but whether it’s bulky, DK, fingering, and so on. Many of you keep a detailed inventory of your yarn, either on Ravelry or in a notebook, and I truly admire that level of dedication.
Honestly, you — my customers — have inspired me. So here’s my plan as we step into the new year: first, I’m reorganizing my yarn. The WIPs? I’ll deal with those in the second half of the year. Let’s not get too ambitious right out of the gate.
My Planner Is My Brain
When it comes to store projects, kits, workshops, and all the things that need to happen at YSB, I rely heavily on my planner. It’s my to-do list, my reminder system, my external brain. I carry it with me everywhere. Once I write something down, it sticks — even if the sticky note disappears (and they always do).
I even bought a new see-through tote to help me stay organized. That way I can see exactly what’s in my bag and nothing can hide from me.
Or so I thought.
Julie and Dianne do a wonderful job trying to keep me organized, and I really do feel like I’ve been getting better at it… until the day I lost my planner.
When the Planner Disappears, the Brain Shuts Down
I went two full days without it. It was like my brain quit working entirely. I tore through every knitting bag I own — not once, not twice, but three times. I retraced my steps. I replayed my days in my head. I even called my sister-in-law thinking maybe I left it at her house, even though I knew I had used it after we got home. I was officially reaching for straws.
So I called my friend Connie, because Connie knows a very important prayer. I promised myself I would remember it, but thank goodness for Google. Here it is, in case you ever need it too:
“Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around.
Something is lost and needs to be found.
Jesus, Jesus, please lead the way.”
Connie and I said it together, and then… the memories started coming back.
I remembered that busy day at the shop. My planner had been sitting on the counter by the register. I knew I needed to clear it off because Dianne was working that day — and Dianne is a cleaner-upper (which we all appreciate). I remembered putting my planner, my fountain pens, and a small knitting project into a clear plastic bag.
Progress!
But where did I put the bag?
Julie checked both closets. I checked both closets. My husband helped me look. Nothing.
And then it hit me.
The pickup orders.
The closet where we hang all the customer orders.
Yes… that closet.
I had carefully hung my clear bag — planner and all — underneath a row of customer orders, where it blended in perfectly and hid from me the entire time.
Phew.
So What Does This Have to Do With Yarn and WIPs?
That little adventure got me thinking — about planners, about projects, about yarn organization, and about how our creative brains actually work. Because the truth is, there is no one right way to organize your yarn or keep track of your projects.
What I’ve learned from listening to all of you is this: the best system is the one that works for your brain.
Some people love organizing by color.
Some by fiber.
Some by weight.
Right now, I’m enjoying touching my yarn again, rediscovering what I already have, and remembering why I bought it in the first place. That feels like a good first step.
WIPs Aren’t the Enemy
I hear a lot of guilt around unfinished projects. But most WIPs aren’t abandoned — they’re just waiting. Waiting for the right season, the right mood, or the right amount of brain space.
Some of you keep a simple list in a notebook.
Some track everything on Ravelry.
Some tuck a note into the project bag with needle size, pattern name, and where you left off.
Even a small system can bring peace — not pressure.
Why Writing Things Down Helps
For me, writing things down is everything. Once it’s on paper, my brain can relax. Planners and journals don’t need to be fancy or perfect. They just need to feel friendly — a place to jot down ideas, project plans, yarn thoughts, or even a quick note to yourself so you don’t forget.
And yes… sometimes they even hold prayers to Saint Anthony.
Where Project Bags Come In
This is where it all starts to come together.
A good project bag isn’t just storage — it’s containment. One project, one space, everything it needs living together. Yarn, pattern, needles, notes. When things stay together, it’s easier to pick them back up without feeling overwhelmed.
And let’s be honest — a beautiful bag makes you want to open it.
A Little Encouragement as We Head Into the New Year
If the new year has you thinking about organizing, fresh starts, and all those projects whispering your name, take a deep breath.
You don’t have to finish everything.
You don’t have to organize perfectly.
You don’t have to stop being a squirrel (because squirrels are creative).
Start where you are. One skein. One project. One bag. One note written down so your brain doesn’t have to hold it all.
Creativity is meant to bring joy, not stress. And we’re always here to help you find the yarn, tools, planners, journals, and project bags that make your creative life feel lighter — organized just enough to work for you.
Oops… One More Thing Before We Go
Before I wrap this up, I have to fix a little “oops.” A sweet customer mentioned that in my last blog I forgot to include a picture of my husband — and she was absolutely right. Thank you Susan.
If you read the story about me losing my planner and spiralling just a bit, you should know that he was right there in the middle of it with me. Helping me retrace my steps, checking closets (more than once), calmly asking questions while I was convinced my brain had completely shut down — and never once telling me to “just relax.” Which, by the way, is a true gift.
So here he is. The steady presence behind the scenes. The one who helps carry yarn, hunt down missing planners, and supports every creative squirrel moment that comes with this life and this shop. No story about Yarn Store Boutique — or about me — is complete without him.
