Get 75 new ideas for using up those leftover yarn scraps you have after you finish your latest crochet or knitting project!
Hey friends, today we’re talking about what to do with leftover yarn. I do not mean clearing your stash or donating full skeins that you’ve decided not to use. I specifically am talking about leftover yarn. Those partial balls left after you finish your crochet projects. Those scraps leftover that aren’t enough to knit anything else with.
I literally have a shelf devoted to these little bits of yarn. Personally I use them to finish up small parts in many of my knitting pattern designs, but I recognize that that’s not doable for most normal people, ha!
So I sat down and thought up a bunch of ideas so you don’t have to just toss those tiny balls of yarn out! And yes, I know there are tons of lists of small scale knit and crochet projects that use small amounts of yarn, THIS list is mostly out-of-the-box ideas for all those scraps!
Why to Use Up Leftover Yarn Scraps
- It’s better for the environment
- You get to enjoy working with more yarn
- It forces you to be creative and creativity is always a good thing
- You’ll have more room in your stash for NEW yarn
Tips and Tricks for Using Leftover Yarn Scraps
- Sort your yarn leftovers by yarn weight.
- Wind your leftover yarn into small balls so they won’t get tangled.
- Consider attaching a tag to the leftover ball to remind you what kind of yarn it is and what it’s made from.
- Be creative!
What To Do With Leftover Yarn Scraps
- Save them to add faces and details to hats you make from my patterns!
- Weaving
- Knit a temperature blanket
- Knit a striped scarf with tons of colors
- Granny squares
- Log Cabin blanket
- Knit Christmas ornaments (they’re small!)
- Make pom poms
- Make yarn tassels
- Use it to gift wrap presents instead of ribbon
- Use it to stuff amigurumi or other yarn projects like ornaments
- Use it for embroidery
- Wrap a little bit around a scrap of carboard and store it with the sweater you made in case it ever needs mending
- Save it to use for lifelines in your knitting projects
- Make a braided yarn bracelet
- Make a yarn friendship bracelet
- Make a scrap yarn cake (this is totally genius)
- Make a macrame plant holder
- Make a macrame wall hanging
- Use scraps as stitch holders (for sleeves, for example)
- Use it to decorate a charging cord for your phone
- Give it to your kids (they’ll definitely find a use for it!)
- Craft a pom pom wreath
- Use it to string noodles or cereal for kids necklaces
- Use it to string large beads
- Try yarn bombing
- Knit baby headbands
- Knit or crochet a mug sleeve
- Make a yarn ball wreath
- Make chair legwarmers so your chair legs don’t scratch the floor
- Make animal pom poms
- Knit handwarmers
- Knit dishcloths
- Make a tiny pumpkin
- Make boot cuffs
- Donate it to a school (ask first)
- Donate it to a senior center or nursing home (also ask first)
- Make multicolored pom poms
- Use it to mend things
- Do a God’s Eye craft with your kids
- Knit or crochet flowers
- Knit or crochet hair bows
- Experiment with new stitches or techniques without using “good” yarn
- Use it for string art
- Use it to wrap a wreath or a monogram letter
- Make teeny tiny scarves to use as bookmarks
- Baby booties
- Make Easter eggs
- Make coasters
- Amigurumi
- Tie it around your finger to remember something (do people do this anymore?)
- Use it to tie plants to stakes
- Use to add crochet edging to things like dishtowels or pillowcases
- Tie it around ponytails or braids
- Wrap it around a block and use it to stamp with
- Wrap a vase, can or a planter in yarn (secure with glue)
- Let your kids make a yarn painting with school glue
- Use it for hair for paper dolls or stuffies
- Tie it around a bouquet of flowers
- Make cat toys
- Crochet hanger covers
- Compost it (natural fibers ONLY: wool, cotton etc.)
- Make potholders
- Use it for finger knitting or icords
- Attach a scrap to a project card, project planner or diary if you keep track of what you’ve made
- Use short scraps as stitch markers
- Use it for a provisional cast on
- Put scraps inside clear globe christmas ornaments
- Make felted dryer balls out of wool scraps (no superwash)
- Knit hats for preemies
- Make icords or crochet chains and use them like garlands or streamers
- Use it to tie on a gift tag
- Rug hooking!
- Spin them together into new yarn
- Make yarn dolls
Do you have any other good ideas for using up little bits of yarn? Share them with me!
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- What To Do with a Total Craft Fail and How To Redeem Yourself - June 1, 2023
- Pom Pom Bow Hat Knitting Pattern - June 1, 2023
- It’s Easy! How To Turn Acrylic Paint Into Fabric Paint - May 23, 2023
Charlotte Payne Wright says
What do I do with yarn scraps??? Well, I have a great grandson, who became interested with my use of Red Heart yarn and my doing needlepoint on plastic canvass. He was under two years of age. I held yarn scraps, perhaps 24 inches long, and he put my eight inch, pointed, scissors on his little fingers and cut the yarn into little pieces. After he had tired of this (after at least 30 minutes) he would gather the now tiny scraps and put them on his head and prance around (dropping pieces). Then he would gather the pieces and throw them away. As this continued, I would ask him to identify the color of the yarn. He is now five – he knows his colors, he still cuts yarn (I did buy “kiddie” scissors), he and his older brother know how to carry scissors, and he has graduated to “sewing” – longer pieces of yarn on plastic canvass – doing a running stitch. He is very serious about this. I don’t think cutting yarn was on your list. It has been a special time for us – when he comes to me and so seriously says “cut”.
Cassie May says
I think this might be my favorite comment ever, that sounds delightful, he’s a lucky grandson!
Anne W says
Knit a Fiddle Muff for Alzheimer patients. Knit a double length tube using several textures of yarn. Attach washable objects (buttons, braided ribbons, etc. be creative)securely to the outside half of the tube with dental floss. Secure the open ends & pull to the inside of the tube.
Cathy L Stevenson says
I sort leftover yarn by weight and make lots of multicolored yarn balls and make baby/lap blankets. I’ve made several that I’ve given as Birthday gifts. They are so beautiful with splashes of different colors throughout.
I love all you fabulous ideas 💡 ❤️
Cassie May says
That’s a great idea, thanks for sharing!!
Suzanna says
I use scrape yarn as fringe on scarves I’ve knitted or crocheted for donations to shelters.
Lucinda says
I use yarn to make baby blocks with plastic canvas. I spell out baby’s name and make a block for each letter.
I usually give them to baby on First birthday.
Cassie May says
This is a GREAT idea, thanks for sharing!
Cassie May says
this is a fantastic idea, thanks for sharing!
Karen says
Fabulous list.
Rozelynn says
Excuse me if you’ve already said this as a way to use up yarn scraps, and I didn’t see it.
Fill up a suet holder with yarn scraps in the spring, and hang it outside where it won’t get rained on. The birds will find the scraps and use them in their nests.
Thanks
Rozelynn
Cassie May says
Hi!
Thanks for the suggestion. I actually didn’t include that one because I recently read some warnings from several places including the Audubon society, that strand materials like yarn or twine aren’t safe for birds. Out of an over abundance of caution, I decided to leave that one off the list, but of course, it’s up to you. 🙂
Tahnks for stopping by! Cassie
Lucinda says
I use yarn to make baby blocks with plastic canvas squares. I make the blocks, and then give to family members with new babies. I have been doing this for several years and my great nieces and nephews love them. They are very easy to make.
Vivette Janice Ashen-Brenner says
I knot bits together and wind into a large ball. Using another strand of “whole” yarn I knit charity scarves, Comes out sort of tweedy and shaggy and warm, I use a broken rib pattern on 21 sittches on size 10 needles.