Whether you're cleaning out your yarn stash, or just looking for ways to use up leftover bits of yarn while spending more time indoors, today's blog post shares 7 ways use up leftover yarn and make sure that no yarn goes to waste!
Idea #1: Make Wool Dryer Balls
Tip: Use our nostepinne to start winding your dryer ball to create a perfect round shape!
Image source: louisetilbrookdesigns.net
Idea #2: Use As Stuffing
Idea #3: Decorate Gifts
Idea #4: Make a Magic Ball
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| Image source: shinyhappyworld.com |
Idea #5: Make Do and Mend
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| Image source: Spin-Off Blog |
Perfect Patterns for Leftover Yarn
There are so many patterns that are written for leftover bits of yarn, many of which are available for free. Here are a few of our favorites.
Free Knitting Patterns
Leftover KAL by Tina v/d Berg is an any-weight, any yardage pattern for a brioche scarf. For those who prefer cowls, check out I Love Trash by C.B. Williams for an in-the-round cowl that you can easily customize. If you have lots of leftover sock yarn, try Dr. Frankenscraps by Fran Singer to make a unique mismatched pair of socks. Keep hands warm with the Drops of Spring Mitts by Quinn Reverendo, which uses small amounts of Aran-weight yarn to create a pixelated design. Mash it Up by Babs Ausherman uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together to create endless color combinations.
Free Crochet Patterns
Magic Monday by Brenda Grobler uses fingering weight yarn and several crochet stitches to make a delightfully wearable cowl. Elizabeth Pardue's Scrapadelic Scarf coordinates with her Stripey Mitts pattern to put your leftover worsted weight yarns to good use. The Scrap Buster Beanie by Esther Thompson is a great way to practice a few new-to-you crochet stitches while also using up leftover yarn. Casapinka's Blanket of Calm can be easily adjustable depending on what yarn you have on hand and how big you'd like your blanket to be.
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I like to use leftovers for coasters and mug rugs. One can use any weight and any fiber. I like to experiment with patterns in knit or crochet. Whether they are round or square, rectangle or hexagon, they make wonderful pops of color on my coffee table.
ReplyDeleteOops! my ravelry id is myzbarb!
ReplyDeleteI save all my scraps down to about 5 inches. I use them to tie my veggie plNyTs to stakes and trellises. I keep strands in my knitting bag to use as quickie stitch markers when I didn't plan ahead, or lose a marker, and for holding underarm stitches. I also have an old empty cylindrical candle holder I've filled with colorful scraps as a funky decoration.
ReplyDeleteI use my cotton scraps to tie up my plants outside. I use the smaller balls as stripes in projects. I am saving my sock yarn leftovers to make a log cabin pillow.
ReplyDeleteknittingdancer on Raverly
As a grandma to three little girls, my scrap bowl is destined for Barbie clothes. The tiniest of trimmings are added to my fabric scraps for stuffing footstools. My ravelry name hjordisperkins
ReplyDeleteI've used my scraps for stitch markers as well as sometimes felting my wool scraps into beads, which I haven't actually done anything with yet, i just like making them.
ReplyDeleteOops, I'm tedebayer on Ravelry. Thanks very much for the opportunity, take care
ReplyDeleteI save the extra bits to use as fringe
ReplyDeleteGoblinqween on Rav
I tie my scraps into a mystery ball and crochet catnip mice for local shelters.
ReplyDeleteI use scraps for stuffing and also for small projects like amigurumi - jani22 on ravelry :)
ReplyDeleteI make blankets for dolls, they are greatly appreciated by my granddaughters.
ReplyDeletelulufree on ravelry
I keep a stash of smaller bits for provisional cast-ons and to make stitch markers as needed. Longer pieces go to felting bags for walking the dog. Rav ID:caffeine72
ReplyDeleteSimilar to your # 4, I have a little tool that cranks out I-Cord, so I'll work up a length and use that instead of ribbon to tie packages, or as a decorative bow on a gift bag.
ReplyDeleteI also use short bits as stitch markers and stitch holders, as a previous commenter said, and also longer ones as a lifeline.
Yarn can be separated ply by ply and used as thread in decorative needlework like embroidery, cross stitch, or needlepoint. This is especially nice in a variegated thread. If the ply is sturdy enough it can be used for hand sewing a pretty seam that will show. If it isn't that sturdy, machine sew the seam, then hand stitch over it.
I'll use a length of scrap yarn to count rows or stitches by moving between the wrong and right sides every 5 or 10 rows or stitches. Great for watching that your increases are shaping up properly on shawls.
I also use scraps to clutter up my craft area (i.e.: the whole apartment), because the more surfaces that are completely covered, the fewer that need dusting!
And finally, now that I'm stuck here alone so much, I play games with them. They're no good at Poker or Jacks, but they always beat me at Chess and Living Room Ice Hockey.
KittenWhiplash on ravelry says "Thanks for your continuous generosity, and for making my favorite knitting needles!"
I've actually given quite a few gifts wrapped in brown paper with pompoms attached! I use a lot of scraps to tie up new skeins of handspun. My Ravelry ID is Dorothy.
ReplyDeleteWell, since this isn't a random draw, and a couple other folks have left two comments, I hope it's all right to add another use that Dorothy reminded me of. I use scraps to tie off sections of a hank when I'm dying yarn with long color repeats. KittenWhiplash on Ravelry says "So many good ideas here! Thanks everyone."
ReplyDeleteMaking crocheted and knitted flowers is a great way to usa scraps. I can add them to gifts and tassels and make headbands for my friends
ReplyDeleteon Ravelry my name is asteride
Thanks, the prize arrived today, and WOW! Two sets of needle in sizes I use a lot - REALLY a lot, two cords - sweater size and blanket size, AND a set of Vibrance Bags! This is a great prize, Thanks so much!
ReplyDelete