Yarn enthusiasts, get ready to dive into a treasure trove of creativity with 63 unique ways to use up your yarn stash and leftovers.
Whether your stash is overflowing or you’re simply looking for eco-friendly projects, you’ll find innovative ideas to transform leftover yarn into practical, beautiful creations.
From cozy blankets and stylish accessories to charming home decor and projects with kids.
Knitting projects
1. Knitting: Scrappy blanket
Dive into a world of color and coziness with the “Scrappiest Happiest Knit Blanket.” This project is perfect for those yarn scraps, transforming them into a beautiful, soft throw.
It’s a beginner-friendly pattern that encourages creative freedom, letting you mix and match colors. Holding two strands of yarn together makes for an interesting color mix and adds a comforting thickness to the blanket.
With the ability to customize size, this blanket is a craft and a colorful addition to any room. It is a joyful, eco-friendly way to use up leftover yarn.
Scrappy Blanket from Mama in a Stitch
2. Knitting: Scrappy shawl
The Scrappy Knit Shawl Pattern from Morale Fiber is a creative way to use yarn scraps and create a unique, fringed shawl.
This beginner-friendly project encourages knitters to blend small yarn balls of various sizes and colors, using large gauge needles for a loose, textured look.
The shawl is designed with simple yarn over increases to create a triangular shape, perfect for adding a handmade touch to any outfit.
Scrappy shawl from Morale Fiber
3. Knitting: Bookmarks
Knitting enthusiasts, here’s a charming project for you: handmade bookmarks. These patterns are perfect for using yarn scraps to create something both beautiful and practical.
Choose from elegant designs like the “Victorian Patience” for advanced knitters or the adorable “Lavender’s Bookmark” with open work hearts.
These bookmarks are perfect as thoughtful, personalized gifts.
Bookmarks from Wool Patterns
4. Knitting: Washcloth
The tutorial from DIY Natural offers a step-by-step guide on how to knit a basic dishcloth, perfect for beginners. The project requires only a pair of knitting needles, cotton yarn, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.
Starting from a simple slip knot and progressing through basic knitting techniques like yarn over and knitting two together, this pattern results in a practical and gratifying creation. It’s an excellent way to practice knitting and make something useful for your home.
Washcloth from DIY Natural
5. Knitting: Earbud pouch
Creating an earbud pouch can be a neat, practical knitting project, perfect for keeping earbuds safe and untangled. Or, if you have fancy Bluetooth earbuds together and safely stashed in your purse.
This tiny project uses a small amount of yarn and can be knitted with different colors.
Earbud pouch from Hugs for Your Head
6. Knitting: Eyeglass case
Craft a sunglasses case from your yarn scraps. This quick knit is both stylish and practical, safeguarding your shades.
Mix and match colors or patterns for a personal touch. With just a small swatch, a button, and some yarn, you create a cozy, unique case.
This project is a savvy way to use leftover yarn, adding a handmade charm to everyday items.
Eyeglass case from Interweave
7. Knitting: Tiny hearts
Create heartwarming knitted hearts with this easy and versatile pattern. Perfect for beginners, these hearts can be used as sweet appliqués on clothing or turned into keychains, brooches, or garlands.
An excellent way to use yarn scraps, these hearts make charming gifts or decorations, spreading love and creativity.
Tiny hearts from We Are Knitters
8. Knitting: Coasters
Knit up a storm with these stylish coasters, a fantastic stash-busting project. Utilizing the herringbone stitch, they provide a thick, textured finish ideal for any table setting.
The pattern is accessible for advanced beginners and can be customized with or without fringe, making it a versatile addition to your home or a thoughtful handmade gift.
Perfect for using up various yarn weights, these coasters add a personal touch to your decor.
Coasters from Handy Little Me
9. Knitting: Scrappy socks
The Easy Striped Socks pattern from Knitgrammer is designed with beginners in mind, using beginner-friendly techniques such as the toe-up construction, magic loop method, and an afterthought heel.
This pattern is versatile, allowing you to use self-striping yarn for an effortlessly colorful effect. It’s a great project for those new to sock knitting, offering a simple way to learn while creating wearable art.
Scrappy Socks from Knit Grammer
10. Knitting: Toys
With two stitches, knit and purl, you can make these darling knit toys. And you can see the potential for busting the yarn stash as you make the tiny clothes and shoes to decorate your rabbit family.
Knit Toys from Elise Rose Crochet
11. Knitting: Scarf
Embrace the chilly seasons with a Mini Stripes Scarf, a perfect project for those new to circular knitting. This pattern is wonderfully straightforward—no counting stitches or rows, just knit away.
Use your yarn scraps by mixing colors as you go, making each scarf unique. For more on this easy-going knitting journey, visit My Poppet Makes.
Scarf from My Poppet
12. Knitting: Baby toys
Knitting up washcloths and hot pads is a great way to learn and practice knit stitches. But at some point, they become like zucchini; your friends and family hide when they see you coming in with another knit cloth.
Enter the bunny from a square by Studio Knit. This darling stuffed toy is another way to use your practice swatches. They are fun and satisfying. Make up a bevy to have on hand to decorate baby shower packages or tuck into gift baskets.
How to Knit a Bunny from a Square from Studio Knits
13. Knitting: Mittens
Get creative with the “Scrappy World’s Simplest Mittens” pattern, a playful approach to knitting unique mittens.
This project encourages using various yarn scraps to knit mittens that don’t necessarily match, offering a fun twist on traditional knitting. It’s a delightful way to explore color combinations and make each mitten an adventure in creativity.
Perfect for those looking to add a personal touch to their winter wear or seeking a whimsical knitting project.
Tin Can Knits has an app that enhances your knitting experience by offering a pattern format that is accessible on mobile devices. It features free patterns in multiple yarn weights, options to view only your size instructions, direct links to knitting tutorials, and settings to customize your preferences for units, text size, and theme. Check it out!
Mittens from Tin Can Knits
14. Knitting: Mobius hood
The “Red Heart Into the Woods Mobius” pattern transforms yarn leftovers into a versatile, oversized cowl.
It’s designed with textured stitches, offering warmth and style. Perfect for those chilly days, it can be styled in multiple ways, including as a hood, making it a fantastic addition to any winter wardrobe.
Mobius hood from Moogly
15. Knitting: Baby booties
The Garter Stitch Booties Knitting Pattern shared by Gina Michele is a simple, beginner-friendly project perfect for making cozy booties for little ones.
This pattern involves basic techniques and is knitted in a garter stitch on single-point needles. It is an excellent choice for those new to knitting or looking for a quick and satisfying project.
With an easy-to-follow design, these booties can be a delightful gift or a practical addition to a baby’s wardrobe.
Baby booties from Gina Michele
Crochet projects
16. Crochet: Granny square blanket
Bust through your yarn scraps with this infinity granny square blanket. Keep going until you run out of yarn. It’s a great project for beginners – there’s little counting, and you only need to know how to chain and double crochet.
There’s an excellent pro tip you have to see, as well as a hack for missed stitches.
This project is beautiful and satisfying.
Easy Crochet Blanket Project from Play Hooky with Me
17. Crochet: Hats and beanies
The “Pop of Color Beanie” is an easy, fun project that’s great for using scrap or variegated yarns. With a simple crochet technique, this pattern allows for a splash of color, making each beanie unique.
It’s a perfect way to creatively use leftover yarn while crafting a stylish and practical accessory.
Hats and beanies from Marias Blue Crayon
18. Crochet: Coin purse
The Classic Coin Purse pattern offers a vintage charm with a modern twist. It’s an excellent project for using yarn scraps, featuring a kiss clasp that adds a delightful retro vibe.
This pattern is perfect for creating personalized gifts with a touch of nostalgia.
Coin purse from Heart Hook Home
19. Crochet: Scrunchies
The Favorite Hair Scrunchy Crochet Pattern from Rich Textures Crochet is a quick and easy project for creating beautiful, functional accessories.
This two-round pattern, worked around a hair elastic, is suitable for beginners and offers a lovely ruffled effect.
Scrunchies from Rich Textures Crochet
20. Crochet: Sloth
The Easy Crochet Sloth Applique Pattern from Lovable Loops is a beginner-friendly project that’s cute and easy to follow.
With clear instructions and basic stitches, it’s designed for those just starting with crochet.
This project allows you to practice your skills and add a charming touch to various crochet projects.
Sloth from Lovable Loops
21. Crochet: Garland
The Triangle Granny Square Garland pattern brings a playful touch to home decor. It’s a simple crochet project, perfect for beginners and beyond, letting you turn yarn scraps into festive or everyday decorations.
Choose your colors to match any season or theme, crafting a garland that’s uniquely yours. This project blends traditional granny square charm with a modern twist, ideal for adding a personal, crocheted touch to your space.
Garland from Joy of Motion
22. Crochet: Napkin rings
The Crochet Napkin Ring pattern is a lovely addition to any table setting, offering a touch of handcrafted elegance.
With three different styles to choose from, you can personalize each place setting or mix and match for a whimsical look.
These rings are practical and a wonderful way to use yarn scraps, making them a great stash-busting project.
Napkin rings from Sunflower Cottage Crochet
23. Crochet: Coaster
The “Super Simple Crochet Coaster for Beginners” pattern from Sigoni Macaroni is designed for those new to crocheting. It employs basic stitches – single and double crochet – to create coasters that are both functional and decorative.
This project is ideal for using scrap yarn and is a quick, satisfying make for crocheters of any skill level.
Coaster from Sigonimacaroni
24. Crochet: Boho evening purse
The Easy Boho Evening Purse pattern is perfect for beginners. It is crafted with T-shirt yarn for a casual, boho vibe.
This quick project results in a mini evening purse that is also suitable as a makeup bag or beach essentials container. You can add fringing for extra flair.
Boho evening purse from King and Eye
25. Crochet: Scrappy scarf
The “Easy Super Scrappy Scarf” is a vibrant, stash-busting crochet project that utilizes leftover yarn.
Working with two strands of worsted-weight yarn creates a chunky texture with unique color block sections that resemble oversized stripes, adding a funky and artistic touch.
This pattern, perfect for beginners, mainly uses the half-double crochet stitch, offering a simple yet satisfying project. It’s a delightful way to turn yarn scraps into a stylish accessory.
Scrappy scarf from Carroway Crochet
26. Crochet: Face scrubbies
The Reusable Crochet Flower Face Scrubbies pattern is an eco-friendly and practical project, perfect for those looking to reduce waste.
These scrubbers, crafted in a flower shape using sport-weight cotton yarn, add a charming touch to your skincare routine.
They’re washable and durable, making them a great alternative to disposable face pads.
Face scrubbies from Made By Gootie
27. Crochet: Corner bookmarks
The Crochet Corner Bookmark, designed by Blue Star Crochet, offers a charming and practical way to keep your place in any book.
Crafted using a beginner-friendly combination of lacy crochet stitches, this bookmark is shaped as a right-angle triangle and features a delicate picot edge for a touch of elegance.
It’s a quick project that can add a vintage or personalized feel to your reading experience.
Corner bookmarks from Blue Star Crochet
28. Crochet: Amigurumi
The Free Crochet Baby Toy Pattern on Make & Do Crew is a delightful project, offering a creative and whimsical way to craft an amigurumi carrot rattle.
Perfect for baby showers or as an Easter basket filler, this pattern pairs beautifully with their crochet bunny hat for a charming gift set.
It’s designed with a unique solution for a clear, jingling sound, making it an engaging toy for little ones.
Amigurumi from Make & Do Crew
29. Crochet: Baby’s sun hat
Ellen’s Sun Hat, featured on Adorecrea, is a delightful crochet project perfect for the summer. Designed to protect a baby’s head, neck, and face from the sun, this pattern creates a sweet and airy hat with a wide shade.
The free pattern is suitable for 3-6-month-olds; options to purchase additional sizes are available. This hat pairs beautifully with Ellen’s baby dress, also designed by Adorecrea, making a stylish set.
Baby’s sun hat from Adore Crea
No needle projects
30. No Needle: Pompons
Discover three straightforward methods to create pom poms without any special tools. Whether you’re aiming for tiny accents or larger fluffs of color, these techniques utilize simple items like forks and cardboard to craft pom poms.
This project is fantastic for using yarn scraps and transforming them into playful embellishments for various crafts.
Pompons from Sum of Their Stories
31. No Needle: Tassels
The Fibre and Folk tutorial on making yarn tassels is a quick and easy guide for adding a modern touch to your projects. This DIY is designed to create tassels of any size by adjusting the thread turns, and you can play with colors by mixing them.
It’s a simple way to enhance handmade items with a unique decorative element.
Tassels from Fibre & Folk
32. No Needle: Dryer ball
The Interweave guide on making DIY Wool Dryer Balls shows how to create them using scrap yarn and details their energy-saving and fabric-care benefits.
Wool’s natural properties enhance drying efficiency and fabric softness, eliminating the need for fabric softeners. The tutorial covers material selection, creation, and felting process, aiming for a sustainable and practical household tool.
Dryer ball from Interweave
33. No Needle: Wrapping gifts
It’s an older but helpful video with great ideas for wrapping gifts with yarn.
This is a great way to use up lower-quality yarns that you’re not interested in anymore. Add a seasonal touch with your color palette and put a unique twist on a package.
What could be more ‘on brand’ for a fiber artist?
YarnPlay: Wrap Your Gifts with Yarn from Lion Brand Yarn
34. No Needle: Yarn hat ornaments
These adorable ornaments can be embellished with a pom-pom on top and are a fun, festive craft for decorating during the holiday season.
They offer a fantastic way to use leftover yarn and add a handmade touch to your Christmas decor.
Yarn hat ornaments from Easy Peasy and Fun
35. No Needle: Yarn-wrapped letters
The DIY Yarn Wrapped Letter project is a creative and personalized way to add a decorative touch to your space.
You can craft letters that match any room’s decor or theme using cardboard or wood letters, yarn in any color, and a hot glue gun. This versatile project can be adapted for door signs, holiday decorations, or personal gifts, making it a unique way to use yarn scraps.
Yarn-wrapped letters from 5 Out of 4
36. No Needle: Yarn-wrapped stars
The “Yarn Wrapped Star Ornaments” tutorial on Tidbits offers a festive and easy-to-follow guide for creating charming Christmas decorations. With simple supplies like yarn, cardboard, and a hot glue gun, this project is perfect for crafters of any level.
The tutorial emphasizes creativity and personal expression through the choice of yarn colors, making each star a unique addition to holiday decor.
Yarn-wrapped stars from Tidbits and Company
Unique projects
37. Unique: Yarn ornaments
These Christmas yarn ornaments are a creative way to use scrap yarn for festive decorations.
Add a cozy, handmade touch to holiday decor. Personalize the ornaments to match your Christmas tree or make unique gifts.
Yarn ornaments from AR Workshop and AR Design
38. Unique: Spin new yarn
Spin Off magazine offers an inspiring look at how spinners can transform their leftover fiber scraps into unique, one-of-a-kind yarns.
Through a challenge, readers were encouraged to dig into their stashes of miscellaneous fiber bits, combine them through spinning, and create unique yarns.
The creativity shown in blending different fiber types highlights an innovative approach to spinning, demonstrating the beauty and utility of reusing and repurposing materials that might otherwise go unused.
Spin new yarn from Spin Off Magazine
39. Unique: Visible mending
This post from Collingwood-Norris offers five tips on mending knitwear. It emphasizes the importance of material selection, technique choice, tension accuracy, surrounding area inspection, and personal preference in colors and patterns for visible mending.
It encourages crafters to be mindful and creative in repairing their favorite knit items, providing practical advice for novice and experienced knitters.
Visible mending from Collingwood Norris Design
40. Unique: Yarn garland
Create a tassel garland in 10 minutes.
What a fun and festive project you can whip up while watching TV. Customize it for seasons, holidays, or celebrations, and make good use of a rainbow of yarn scraps.
I’m always finding beads and twine like this at thrift stores, and now I know how to combine them all into something adorable.
How to Do a Tassel Garland from Vane’s Joyful Life
41. Unique: Latch hook
The DIY Shaggy Latch Hook Cushion Cover project on My Poppet Makes revives the 70s’ craft trend with a modern twist. This guide uses latch hook canvas and a mix of yarn textures to create a vibrant, shaggy pillow cover.
Ideal for those looking to add a pop of color and texture to their home decor, the tutorial includes tips on sewing the cover.
Latch hook from My Poppet
42. Unique: Weaving tapestry
Brittany’s tapestry weaving series offers an inexpensive way to make a loom with PVC pipe and common materials. Then, she continues the series with step-by-step instructions for beginning, stitching, and completing a tapestry.
Small tapestries are a great way to weave through your yarn scrap stash and make something beautiful for your home.
Weaving tapestry from Textile Indie
43. Unique: Yarn bowl
Make this fun and helpful bowl with leftover bits of macrame cord and yarn. For this project, you can use any thick yarn, cord, or even fabric strips.
This project also teaches the useful crochet technique of ‘cord wrapping,’ which you will find useful in many other projects.
How to Make a Crochet Coil Bowl Using Scrap Macrame Cord from Textile Indie
44. Unique: Tassel earrings
The DIY Brass Bead & Tassel Earrings project on DIY in PDX combines thread and brass to create unique, colorful earrings.
The tutorial guides you through making these stylish accessories using simple supplies like brass wire, beads, earring hooks, embroidery thread, and a few essential tools.
It’s a creative way to experiment with materials and colors, offering a personalized touch to your jewelry collection.
Tassel earrings from DIY in PDX
45. Unique: Crochet Ornament
If you are a plant mom or know someone who loves houseplants, you’ll love this tiny crochet ornament.
With a small amount of yarn, you can crochet this hanging pot and vine to decorate your home or give it as a gift.
Eye-Catching Crochet Home Ornament from Knitting Love
With kids projects
46. With kids: Scrap bags
When the kids were little, I made scrap bags for them to play with. I put a few sheets of cardstock and a glue stick in each bag, along with scraps of yarn, fabric, and other decorative objects left over from my projects.
When I wanted time to work on a project, I gave them a ‘scrap bag,’ they went to town gluing things to the cardstock to make beautiful mixed-media art!
As they got older, the scrap bag became more sophisticated. I added white glue, tape, scissors, different ways to fasten things, and sometimes a box or container to decorate it.
Scrap bags continued to be a favorite activity until they got old enough to create their stash of scraps from their projects.
47. With kids: God’s eyes
The “Ojo de Dios,” or God’s Eye craft, highlighted on ARTBAR, is a colorful and engaging project with roots in Mexican culture.
One can create beautiful geometric designs by weaving yarn around twigs or sticks. The blog provides steps for making traditional 4-pointed and unique 6-pointed versions, encouraging creativity and exploration of colors.
This craft is a fun activity for all ages and a wonderful way to integrate art and cultural history into crafting.
God’s Eyes from Artbarblog
48. With kids: Yarn Monsters
To make a neighborhood of yarn monsters, you only need a pipe cleaner, some scrap yarn, and a few googly eyes.
What a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon with a child!
Crafts for Kids | How to Make a Yarn Monster from Love Crafts
49 With kids: Lacing Cards
The DIY Lacing Cards for Toddlers & Preschoolers project on Live Well Play Together provides an easy and engaging way to create educational and fun crafts using everyday materials like cereal boxes, markers, and laces.
It’s an excellent activity for enhancing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in young children, as it allows for creative customization of shapes and themes.
Sewing cards from Live Well Play Together
50. With kids: Iron Yarn
Cut small pieces of yarn into even smaller pieces of yarn; use this iron technique, and you can make beautiful colored yarn collages in any shape and size.
The YouTube video is easy to follow, and the project is safe for any child old enough to manage a hot iron.
Iron Leftover Thread from Merry Craft
51. With kids: Straw weaving
Straw weaving is an inventive craft that turns ordinary drinking straws into tools for creating bracelets, necklaces, or hairbands. It’s great for older kids and tweens, requiring yarn, straws, and tape.
This technique is simple, engaging, and offers a neat way to weave fun accessories, possibly friendship bracelets.
Straw weaving from One Little Project
52. With kids: Yarn painting
As Picklebums shared, yarn painting is a creative, mess-free art activity perfect for kids. By arranging pieces of colored yarn on sticky, self-adhesive paper, children can create vibrant pictures or patterns without traditional paint.
This project encourages imagination and fine motor skills, allowing endless creative possibilities.
Yarn painting from PIcklebums
53. With kids: String art
The “Step by Step String Art Tutorial for Beginners” on Feels Like Home teaches beginners how to create string art using nails, yarn, and a wooden board.
This guide provides practical advice on selecting materials and offers a simple geometric pattern ideal for beginners. The tutorial encourages creativity and patience, making it a great starting point for anyone new to string art.
String art from Feels Like Home Blog
54. With kids: Friendship bracelets
The Neon Tea Party offers a comprehensive guide on crafting friendship bracelets, covering the basics from the four essential knots to creating patterns like the Candy Stripe and Chevron.
This vibrant and detailed tutorial encourages crafters of all levels to dive into the colorful world of friendship bracelets, blending tradition with fun, modern designs.
Friendship bracelets from The Neon Tea Party
55. With kids: Yarn dolls
My kids loved making families of these little dolls. You can use up all your crazy yarn colors, as you see here!
Even the smallest child can help you make up one of these dolls in a jiffy, opening their eyes to the art of transforming a pile of string into something magical.
How to Make Yarn Dolls from Sophies World
56. With kids: Paper plate weaving
The Paper Plate Weaving project on Red Ted Art introduces a fun and creative craft for kids, turning paper plates into beautiful woven flowers.
This activity is fantastic for developing fine motor skills and offers a great way to utilize yarn scraps. It’s perfect for crafting sessions with young ones and makes for a colorful, handmade decoration.
Paper plate weaving from Red Ted Art
57. With kids: Teach them to knit or crochet
One of the joys of being a maker is teaching others your craft. And nothing is more rewarding than introducing a child to something you love doing.
Brittany started knitting at six and took to it like it was her native language. For years, she pumped out dishcloths, scarves, doll blankets, and hot pads.
Not long after, she took up crochet and walked around chain-stitching miles of yarn.
All of this production burned through piles of yarn. Fortunately, Grandma is an Olympic-level garage saler and supplied us with bags of yarn.
If you have a lot of yarn and the desire to share your craft, look around for a child to pass it on to.
Recycle projects
58. Recycle: Donate
There are lots of places that would love to have your yarn.
The first place to look is a children’s museum. At some point, Brittany became aware of yarn quality and materials. In other words, like many of you, she turned into a yarn snob!
Suddenly, the piles of cheap craft store yarn did not inspire her creativity. We took 3 garbage bags of polyester yarn to our local museum, and they were thrilled.
Other places to ask are daycares, elementary school teachers, or senior centers.
59. Recycle: Stuffing
I’ve been saving my tiny scraps in a Ziploc bag. Yarn, embroidery floss, thread bits, and slivers of quilting fabric all go in the bag.
Whenever I have a small project, this is the first place I look. Yarn scraps are perfect for stuffing a piece on a stuffed toy or adding dimension to an applique piece.
I feel particularly virtuous and eco-conscious because, in the past, all of these micro-scraps went into the trash.
60. Recycle: Birds
It turns out this is a bad idea, which is why I included it. Spread the word that the time-worn idea that yarn is helpful to birds is not at all practical.
For starters, anything stringy is a choking hazard for birds. This includes pet hair and dryer lint.
Second, some yarn’s chemicals, dyes, and synthetic materials are harmful to tiny birds.
Brightly colored yarn, when used in a bird’s nest, can also become a calling card to predators.
Time to retire this one.
61. Recycle: Garden twine
Keep some yarn in your garden shed. It’s perfect for tying up vines; tidying bulb leaves, and many other little projects.
You can even match yarn color to its use if you want it camouflaged.
If you use natural materials, the yarn can be discarded at the end of the season in the compost pile.
62. Recycle: Stitch markers
Using scrap yarn as a stitch marker is a clever and resourceful crochet hack.
This method is particularly handy for projects requiring frequent counting or stitch marking, such as circular patterns.
It helps you keep track of your progress without extra tools and efficiently utilizes yarn leftovers, adding a layer of organization to your crochet work.
Stitch markers from Salty Pearl Crochet
63. Recycle: Compost
Any natural fiber yarn scraps can be composted. Be sure it’s in fairly small pieces, not the entire skein, or you will be fighting with the pitchfork for a long time.
Cotton will break down quickly. Wool takes longer, but it will eventually break down.
Hemp, silk, and linen are also compostable.
Two things will speed fiber breakdown: sitting them in the sun for a day or two to start the breakdown and then soaking them in water before tossing them in the compost heap.
