Done and Done

Before: 

After:

Okay, I know my closet is still a mess, but what else would you expect for an apt in NYC? And in any case, it's a definite improvement. Every little bit helps. 

I did end up finishing off the skein of yarn I was using, and the end result was about 20" (it stretched another inch or so when I stuffed it), and it fit 25 plastic grocery bags. Here's a close up of the top and the bottom.