How to Use Your Scrap Yarn to Create Beautiful Projects
There are many ways to be more conscientious and mindful of the things we use when we’re doing our favorite hobbies. One of these ways is to make sure that we don’t just throw yarn away but rather use up the scrap yarn to make something beautiful.
While you can keep all your scraps to make a blanket or lap blanket, this often takes up a lot of space while you gather enough yarn to make a good start on the work. That is why we’re looking at some of the other projects you can make — that aren’t scrap blankets.
From half skeins to only a few yards — these knitting and crochet projects are simply begging to be tried!
StarsStarsStars by Doreen Blask —
(Knitting, free pattern)
These cute, knitted stars are perfect to use as bunting or as part of a baby nursery mobile.
The pattern may be a bit fiddly depending on the weight of yarn that you use — for example, lace weight would be more difficult to work with than worsted or even sock yarn.
“Granny Square” Bunting by Attic24 —
(Crochet, free pattern)
This easy crocheted bunting is perfect for those colorful pieces of scrap yarn you don’t know how to use.
This pattern is great for beginners and uses the same principles as a granny square. Celebrate the seasons by using different colors or add other motifs like flowers in-between the triangular flags for a whimsical look.
(Crochet, paid pattern)
Set the romantic inside you free with this boho bunting. This bunting pattern is more lacy than the granny square bunting and will give a feminine touch to any room. You can also use it as part of party decor.
Promenade, Easy Doily & Dishcloth by Linda Browning —
(Knitting, free pattern)
This knitting pattern can be made to be either a dishcloth or a doily, depending on the yarn used. Opt for cotton or bamboo yarn (or a blend of the two) if you want to use it as a dishcloth.
Mini Almost Lost Washcloth Knitting Pattern by Sandy Tieman —
(Knitting, free pattern)
Another knitting pattern that can be used as either a face scrubby or even a dish scrubby, is this small flower design.
They’re not only great for removing makeup when made of soft cotton or bamboo, but is also reusable and great for taking small steps to become greener.
Crocheted Scalloped Face Scrubbies by Cream of the Crop Crochet —
(Crochet, free pattern)
This cute scrubby pattern starts out with a simple circle design, but the scalloped edge makes it stand out from most other scrubby patterns.
Not a big fan of the scallops? Then simply stop before you reach the last row and bind off. Make these scrubbies from cotton or bamboo and use them to lightly exfoliate your skin or remove make-up (or that mud-mask you love to wear while taking a long bath). Then simply throw them in the wash and they’ll be good as new for next time!
(Knitting, free pattern)
These yoga socks will help to keep your ankles nice and snug while busy with class. Because they have no heel or toe section, you won’t have to worry that you’ll slip while wearing these.
Scrapalicious Scarf by Creative Crochet Workshop —
(Crochet, free pattern)
It’s beginning to look a lot like free-form crochet! This fun crochet pattern uses a range of designs and stitches to create a one-of-a-kind, colorful scarf. You could definitely try this as a free-form knitting exercise as well!
Some more ideas for using scrap yarn:
There are some other ways that you can use up shorter pieces of scrap yarn that doesn’t necessarily include making a small project.
For example, you can use the shorter pieces for seaming. A color that differs from the main color can even become a statement.
You can also use odd pieces of yarn for your lifelines instead of specifically buying yarn to serve as your lifelines.
In the same vein, you can use shorter pieces of yarn for different types of edgings. You can also use the shorter pieces for embroidery and add an extra dimension of color and texture to items like gloves, hats, or headbands that have been crocheted or knitted.
Another way to use a few yards of yarn is to make pom poms to add to hats or other items.
When you're making small items like cat toys (which also use very little yarn), you can use small pieces of yarn for stuffing to make sure that nothing goes to waste.
Waste not, want not with KnitPal kits
We know how infuriating it can be to have leftover yarn taking over space in your stash that could be put to better use. Therefore, at KnitPal, we make sure that you only get the yarn you’ll actually use in every kit.
What Makes KnitPal’s Hand-dyed Yarns So Special?
KnitPal’s merino yarn mainly comes from Peru. There the merino sheep are raised by small farmers in the Andes of Southern Peru — at an altitude of 11 500 — 16 000 ft above sea level.
At this height, temperatures can differ by more than 50 degrees in one day. For this reason, the sheep grow dense coats of fleece that are not only extremely durable, but also has a high thermal quality. KnitPal supports women-led farms buy buying their yarn from them.
But that’s not the only thing that makes KnitPal’s yarns so very special; it is also the way in which they are hand-dyed with love and happiness.
When it comes to the actual dyeing process, it is a labor of love to get each skein dyed to perfectly match your team’s colors because we know how important that is to you. You can’t support your team in faded colors! We test the colour a few times before applying it to the yarn and we make sure that we use the established Pantone and CMYK systems to ensure the colors are matched perfectly every time.
