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Knitting & Crocheting with Yarn Scraps: Tips & Pattern Inspiration

Even in just a few short years, the average knitter or crocheter can accrue a surprising amount of yarn scraps. Those leftover bits of yarn from past projects never seem to be big enough to make a project all on their own, but when you combine them with other oddballs, something magical can happen! On this post, we'll share 3 time-saving tips for knitting and crocheting with leftover bits of yarn along with some great free patterns to knit and crochet with yarn scraps! 

Tip #1: Keep a kitchen scale handy.

A kitchen scale can be an invaluable tool for using up every little bit of yarn! Start by measuring the weight of your yarn(s) in grams before you begin knitting or crocheting - then, weight the yarn as you work to see how many grams are needed to complete a pattern repeat, row, or other motif. You can use this information to predict when to change yarn colors, as well as determine whether or not you have enough yarn to finish the section you're about to work on (or are currently working on). While going by yarn weight is not 100% accurate, it allows you to make an educated guess, especially when you don't know the exact yardage of the yarn you're working with.

Tip #2: Sort yarns by weight. 

Chances are, you've lost the labels for most of your leftover bits of yarn. Even if you remember which yarn is which, it's still a good idea to measure the weight of each yarn you plan to use to make sure it will work in your pattern. Here's an easy way to measure your yarn using our SmartStix needles (you can also use a ruler or a special tool called a Wraps Per Inch (WPI) tool): gently wrap you yarn around the needle until an entire 1" section is covered, as shown below. 


Then, count the number of times you wrapped your yarn around the needle. This number is the Wraps Per Inch for your yarn, and you can use it to determine the weight of the yarn by matching the number to the corresponding weight on this chart.

Tip #3: Weave in yarn ends as you go.

The one downside to making a project with lots and lots of yarn bits is all those ends you have to weave in later - luckily, there are some ways to do this as you work! We recommend experimenting to see which technique works best for your project, but once you find something you like, it can be a real time saver! 

If you need to join the same color (or similar color) of yarn, try using the split splice or Russian join method. This video tutorial from Very Pink Knits shows how to weave in ends on the back of your work as you knit, and is a great choice for striped projects. Crocheters can use this clever technique for working in yarn ends as you go.

Scrappy Knitting Pattern Inspiration

Do you have a lot of yarn scraps and don't mind a long-term project that could take months or even years to complete? Check out these free patterns for eye-catching blankets: the Stained Glass Blanket, which is a series of video tutorials from Ladybug Laboratory or the Sediment Scraps Blanket by The Knitty Professors. If you prefer a smaller project, there are still plenty of great options for using up leftover bits of yarn, such as the Mash It Up hat by Babs Ausherman or the Hygge Hat (Ravelry) by Petra Black; Linus by Annett Cordes or Shockwaves by Beata Jezek; Blender Socks by Heather Sebastian or Scrap Bag (Ravelry) by Frankie Brown. 


Scrappy Crochet Pattern Inspiration

We know that a lot of crocheters enjoy making granny square blankets with their leftover scraps, but when you're ready for something a little bit different, check out the Scrappy Corner to Corner Blanket by Cintia Gonzalez, Neat Ripple by Lucy of Attic 24 or A Spicier Life Blanket (Ravelry) by Sandra Paul, all of which are available for free. For smaller stash-busting projects, try these free patterns: Magic Monday by Brenda Grobler, the Nobody's Perfect Shawl by Potter & Bloom, the Scrappy Granny Shawl by Regina Weiss, the Scrap-busters Hat by Jenna Wingate or the Scrap Yarn Basket by Cintia Gonzalez.


We hope you feel inspired to use up your scrap yarns this fall - make sure to share what's on your Knitter's Pride needles and hooks by using #knitterspride in your posts!

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