DIY cord keepers from yarn scraps and spare buttons

Before our trip, I saw a great tip on Apartment Therapy about storing your cords in a sunglass case. Since sunglasses are so large right now, I was able to get a case that held two pair of earbuds and 3 charging cords.

Since so many cords were going in there, though, I still wanted to make sure they didn’t get tangled with each other. So I made cord keepers for each of them out of extra yarn and buttons.

For most small cords, you only need about 6-8 inches of yarn.

1. Fold your yarn in half and tie a knot just big enough for your button to slip through.

This will be your button hole.

2. Twist your yarn into a rope.

Fasten your knot down to a surface (tape it to your desk or pin it to your pants).  Take the two strands of yarn, one in each hand and twist each one a few times in the same direction the strands are already twisted.

Then twist the two strands together with each other in the opposite direction you twisted them individually.  (If you twisted the strands clockwise, you will twist the two together counter-clockwise.)  Continue twisting until an inch or so from the end, one twist individually in one direction, one twist together in the opposite direction.

3. Attach your button.

When you get towards the end of your yarn rope,  thread your button onto one of the strands.

Then tie the two ends together in a double knot.

That’s it!

Wrap it around your cords and put the button through the loop.

Ah, tidy cords.  Perfect for traveling or just for everyday storage.  I’ve had a small button collection for years and it’s great to finally be able to use my favorite ones on a regular basis now!