Having a fiber stash is a constant source of joy—unless you can’t find what you’re looking for. Spending hours searching for a braid or a fleece kills your energy and creativity. To make finding what you want a breeze, labeling your boxes, bags, and bins is key!
Don’t let this be a stressful task or make it a contest—instead, turn it into a creative break. Take 10 minutes and create one label. Play and experiment. For example, use an index card for the label and a Sharpie for the first line, writing clear letters that are easy to read. Then, take another writing implement and add some more information. Just add the amount of detail that suits you and your stash.
Designing Useful Labels
Here are a few tips that I’ve found to be helpful.
Make the words big enough and readable from some distance. Put the most important information in the first line: breed, fiber prep, color, or project.
Add more information, using smaller letters, in the next line. List information in order of importance.
1. Amount/quantity
2. Farm/supplier
3. Shearing date
4. Date of purchase
5. Project ideas
6. Fiber qualities (prep, soft/strong, clean/dirty)
Be creative. Use a computer and printer or whatever art supplies you have on hand.
1. Print labels made on your computer.
2. Handwrite labels with markers, colored pencils, or watercolor paints.
3. Try different fonts and lettering.
4. Draw, paint, or make a little sketch.
5. Take photos of what’s inside your bin or bag.
Make the labels different to help you quickly identify what is inside a container without opening it.
Play with colors. Use the color of the fiber as a color for the label or the letters.
Maybe you have only two or three storage bins of fiber. If so, you may not need to add tons of details about the fiber. But if you have an attic or basement filled with fiber, you may want to add more information to the labels, reminding you of what is inside without having to open up the bins.
Remember to make the labels distinguishable and recognizable. And most of all, have fun!
A. Sabine Schröder-Gravendyck, D.V.M., makes her home on Germany’s North Sea coast, where she works as a naturalist and educator in sustainability and ecology. She is always looking for new ways to help people merge their personal spaces with nature. You can find more about Sabine on her website, www.florafauna.pro.
Originally published July 15, 2020; updated October 21, 2024.