Lots of us crocheters and knitters aren’t the only ones who like to play with yarn – our pets, cats especially, seem to love it, too! I’m sure if they could, they would pick up the craft as well. As cute as they are when they play with loose strands, it can become extremely bothersome when our favorite little animals tear apart our stash that we spent money on! I can imagine a lot of us have had this problem. So what can you do about it?
Well, I asked the yarn punk community (Head to the Facebook Group HERE) what their fixes to this problem were! Down below you can find some of their answers and hopefully some of their advice can help you, too!
The majority of my stash is actually in a nice wicker hamper with a lid. Not the best way to store yarn since I have to dig to find what I’m looking for but it does the job and looks nice in the corner of my bedroom. I also have some yarn stored in plastic bins with lids. – Lindsey M
If you make sure you have plenty of cat friendly toys, they should leave it alone. – Claire R
I actually have a set of plastic drawers that I keep everything in so the cats can’t get it. 🙂 – Sara J
I keep all the yarn I’m using at the moment in project bags with zippers. He can’t get into it there and they’re easy to pick up and move when he’s a jerk. I keep all my yarn in sealed bins. – Cait F
Amazingly enough, my cats do not get into my yarn. At least not enough to do any damage to it. One of my cats likes to knead on my yarn while I’m making something. But other than that they really are good at leaving it alone. Unless I am winding a ball and the skein is rolling around on the floor. Then they can’t seem to help themselves. – Jennifer R
I store my projects and yarn in my craft closet or sealed bins and sturdy project bags with zippers. – Dorien V
I have taught my cats my yarn is NOT to be messed with.!!!!! They are NOT allowed to touch it!!!!! How did I do this?? By first saying” no”, then I would say no while lightly pinching their front feet. Only took a couple days for them to know what I wanted. Then occasionally I would have to make an angry noise. Now, I just have to look at them when they’re walking close and they go way around it. Hope it works for you too!! – Ellen E
My older cat isn’t interested, but Cinder, the 3 month old, is. I keep a ‘fishing pole’ strapped to the table by me so the toy on the end is dangling an inch or so off the ground and re-direct him if he gets too nosy… No matter how interesting what I am doing is, a few wiggles of the toy(I give the string it is on a tug or 2) always gets him playing with his own toy lol – Christina C
I used an old folders coffee container, the plastic ones. Cut holes in the lid. Perfect! – Sandra B
I have two pantry cupboards that I fill up, and I had to put a small lock on the handles that consist of an s hook and a zip tie! – Caitlin H
It took a lot of “No!” and some squirt bottles to get to this point but all three of mine know to leave my yarn alone for the most part now. There are the occasional mishaps but they’re cats. It happens. – Bethie K
My dogs only get into my yarn if I’m not home – so i just keep the door to my craft room closed. – Caitlin H
My boyfriend made me wall mounted storage high enough where they wouldn’t jump from the ground (lower spots have to be filled to stop them). The door to my yarn room also stays closed and they’re only allowed if I go in with them. Usually, they just nap when allowed in while I’m working on something … which is adorable. – Meriah M
From kittens, I ABSOLUTELY NEVER let them play with yarn. Or strings for that matter. Yes, it’s cute when they do, but if it’s okay for them to play with it sometimes, they aren’t going to understand why they can’t play with it all the time. It takes time, but eventually they learn. In the mean time, if I’m not around my work or I’m packing up for the night, it gets covered up by a pillow or blanket or it gets put into a bag. I keep most of my stash in my closet and the kitties aren’t allowed in the bedroom due to my husband’s allergies, so they can’t get into it that way either. They will eventually learn. Now mine don’t use my yarn for anything more than pillows (this one LOVES laying on my yarn) but I still put away my needles and yarns balls (they don’t mess with skeins at all for some reason) away when I leave the house or am done for the night. Good luck and happy training! – Alexis S
Haha! I put all my WIPs away in the guest/craft room and close the door. Cat not allowed in there no matter how much he whines. Also, I made him a catnip toy out of an old sock and he plays with that, leaves my boring yarn alone. – Dimitra T
I hope something here has helped you to keep your precious yarn safe, happy crafting!
Be sure to tag @knot.bad and @yarnpunk on your socials and use the hashtag #yarnpunk!
