Review: ArtBin Yarn Drum

r’s note: Affiliate links are used in this post.

A few weeks ago one of the blogs I read shared that the ArtBin Yarn Drum was on sale. After reading her review I ordered one for myself.  My norm is to carry my current WIPs in a huge tote which has been working well for me. With my multicrafting I usually have a few things I am working on plus some random yarn if inspiration strikes. With the ArtBin Yarn Drum I found that I had to be a little more selective about what I was carrying around.

I love the look of the bag. It’s made from plastic and its dimensions are 13 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches (tote); 3 x 8 x 3 inches (pouch). The description from the site says that it can store up to eight standard size skeins of yarns and other needlework supplies. This yarn tote features a textured PVC base to keep its contents dry even on wet surfaces. The convenient lid lets you place or remove the yarn with ease.

My experience:

The first time I used this bag I found that I had over stuffed it. I tried to pack it as it was advertised with eight skeins but the skeins along with the small bag that comes with the ArtBin Yarn Drum filled with hooks and my bag that use for needles was too much for this bin, Also, carrying the eight skeins meant that I kept losing things because the bag was too tightly packed bag. This bag works best for me when I scale down the projects, one or two skeins and the supplies I need for those projects.

I love the opening at the top. I can set the bag near me and control my yarn a bit better. With my usual tote, as I crochet or knit and pull yarn, I would find that my yarn would get pulled out of the bag and would go flying all over forcing me to spend as much time chasing the yarn as I was working up stitches. Also have two, one is a kitten and while my older cat leaves my yarn alone, the kitten thinks yarn in motion can and should be attacked. The drum helps protect my yarn from prying paws.

I am not too crazy about the plastic clips that are used to secure the straps to the bag. I mean, I *know* that I am carrying around yarn but those clips seem flimsy. There have been times when I have snapped these clips on other items and fear that my lack of grace would cause me to snap a clip off as I am trying to attach the small pouch that comes with the bag.

Overall I like my bag and use it for smaller projects. I will say that the smaller size of the bag forces me to actually complete projects instead of carrying multiple works in various stages of progress (or procraftination).

This is my affiliate link if you are interested in checking it out for yourself. If you have one, share you thoughts.