Most stitchers I know either have a floss box, nicely carded threads, or little skeins thrown in a sewing box. I am a floss box girl because that's what my mother did. I love the little DMC boxes and bobbins because they are cheap ($4) and have one compartment that is a little larger to hold a small pair of scissors and a pack of needles. I like the numbered stickers, too, to keep track of my colors so I know what to buy when I run out of a color. Of course a fine point sharpie would work if you are using Anchor floss or another brand. These boxes are also great for beads and buttons, too.
I recently found an amazing new shop in Savannah, Georgia call French Knot. They specialize in needlepoint and embroidery. It is owned and run by a Savannah College of Art and Design Fibers Grad. She is truly an artist but still very down to earth. Luscious wools, silks, cotton, rayon, ribbon . . .To. Die. For. With no set project in mind I had to leave the shop with these. It is shocking how much money you can spend on things that will fit into a ziploc bag.
My floss box wasn't going to cut it with these lovely wool/silk yarns. The skeins are larger so the bobbins just don't work. They had mother of pearl rings to store yarns on but I had hit my budget max. I went to the local bead shop and found some that were the same size (about 1.25 inches) but half the price. I ended up paying $0.50 a piece for these. I am sure they are even cheaper at the big chain craft stores.
To use the rings, simply open the skein. You will have one long loop that is about 18 inches long. The perfect length for a working thread.
Cut the loop at each end with sharp scissors. I used my dress maker shears. This will be the only time you need to cut a thread for your needle.
Find the center of your length of yarn and loop a simple clove hitch through the ring.
I also set aside one thread and neatly wrapped it around the yarn label. I left the color ID number and price exposed. I can stick this directly in my sketchbook for future reference.
Perle cotton and other embroidery fibers skeined like this can also be organized this way.
These can now live tangle free in a sewing box or bag. I think they would even be nice hanging on the wall in sewing space. They are just too pretty to hide.
