How to Store Your Wool & Projects Safely
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If you’ve ever pulled out a favourite sweater, a ball of yarn, or a half-finished project only to discover moth holes, tangles, or missing needles, you’ll know how heartbreaking it can be. Caring for your finished and current projects properly keeps your yarn beautiful — and ready to use whenever inspiration strikes.
Here are our bop tips for storing your precious sweaters & other wool garments, and your knitting or crochet projects safely.
1. Protect Your Wool from Moths 🦋
Moths love natural fibres — especially the luxurious softness of alpaca, wool, and cashmere. The good news is, with a little prevention, you can keep them away.
🧼 Keep it clean: Moths are attracted to oils, food, and sweat. Always wash projects before long-term storage.
🪻 Natural repellents: Lavender sachets, cedarwood blocks, or cloves add a gentle scent and discourage moths. For an extra layer of protection, try Eucalan liquid wool soap, with eucalyptus, a natural moth repellent
🛍️ Airtight Storage: Plastic boxes, zip-lock bags, or vacuum-sealed storage bags stop moths from sneaking in.
🌞 Air regularly: Every so often, take your yarns out to air in daylight — moths hate disturbance and light.
🎁Inherited stashes: If you’re given someone else’s yarn collection, pop it in the freezer for two weeks first — this kills off any moths or eggs.
2. Organise Your Stash 🌈
A tidy yarn stash makes crafting more enjoyable — no more hunting for that missing skein or untangling a messy ball.
⚖️ Group by weight and fibre: Keep DK with DK, alpaca with alpaca, cotton with cotton.
🥃Clear containers: Transparent boxes or jars let you see colours and textures at a glance.
🏷️Label everything: Note the brand, fibre, and meterage on each skein (if you’ve lost the band, write it down and tuck it in with the yarn). You think you will remember ... but will you!
Display wth style: Pegboards, cubby shelves, or hanging storage bags can turn your stash into a colourful feature wall. We love the Ikea Kallax range - if you are on a budget, look out for second-hand Ikea Kallax units (Facebook Marketplace).
3. Storing Work-in-Progress (WIPs) 🧶
There’s nothing worse than picking up your project to find stitches dropped, needles gone missing, or a ball of yarn chewed by the cat!
👜 Project bags: Fabric drawstring bags or zip-pouches are ideal for keeping each WIP together with its yarn, needles, and pattern.
🍏 Needle stoppers: Pop them on the end of your needles to stop stitches sliding off between sessions.
📜Pattern storage: Keep a printed copy of your pattern in the bag with your project, or a QR code link if you’re working digitally.
🐕🦺 Pet and child-proofing: Store projects off the floor and away from curious paws and toddlers👶!
4. Seasonal & Long-Term Storage 🍂
When the seasons change, you may need to put away your woollies until next year. Here’s how to do it safely:
🧼Clean first: Always wash and fully dry garments before packing them away.
👚Fold, don’t hang: Hanging stretches wool out of shape — fold gently instead.
🛍️Breathable bags: Cotton garment bags or acid-free tissue help wool💨 breathe 💨 while still protecting it.
❄️ Choose the right spot: Store in a cool, dry place - avoid damp basements or hot attics.
Final Thoughts
Taking a little extra care with your wool and projects keeps them looking beautiful and moth-free for years to come. Whether it’s a neat stash wall of colourful skeins or simply keeping your latest project safe in a bag by the sofa, good storage makes crafting smoother, easier, and much more enjoyable.
✨ Top tip: Treat yourself to lavender sachets and pretty storage bags — they’ll keep your yarn safe and smelling gorgeous.