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…
- 1×1 Rib Stitch Knitting Pattern: Easy How To for Beginners - September 29, 2022
- Happy Halloween Stocking Cap Knitting Pattern - September 27, 2022
- Top 5 Craft Tips for Successful Craft Projects - September 22, 2022
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.