"Leftover" Yarn Projects

If you've been knitting or crocheting for any length of time, you probably have little bits of yarn left over from your projects. Or maybe you just pick up a skein or two whenever you see something you like.

Then when it's time for a new project, you check your "stash" and find that you don't have enough of any one yarn to make anything. What do you do? How can you use up all those small balls of yarn?

Small projects
The first way is to use that "little bit of yarn" to make something little.

Make a couple of squares or rectangles, then sew (or knit or crochet) them together. What can they be? Well, an amulet bag is what many crafters come up with; you can leave the top open and tuck a charm inside. But there are other options. How about a small purse for parties and clubs? Or, you can stuff your "bag" with dried herbs or potpourri, then seal it on the remaining side, and turn it into a sachet or an herb pillow.

Dolls and puppets are another choice. Finger puppets don't need much yarn, but they can be provide hours of entertainment for small children - and even some pets! And dolls don't have to be for children; small ones make great decorations, and can even be used as Christmas ornaments.

And speaking of Christmas - holiday ornaments don't have to look like anything specific. You can make them ball-shaped, just like regular glass ornaments, then fill them with batting and decorate the outside with beads or other small objects. And if you've saved just a really small amount of yarn - maybe a foot or two - because it was so special, here's a use for it - embroidery! Thread your yarn through a tapestry needle and make a few fancy stitches on the outside of the ornament.

As for wearable items - how about a pair of baby booties? You don't have to make an entire outfit. New parents are always grateful for all the handmade gifts they receive when the baby is born. But later on, when the baby has outgrown them or lost one (it's usually just one, isn't it?), a new set would be really appreciated.

Bigger projects
If you have more than just a tiny amount of yarn, or if you can do some creative combining, you can make bigger items. Wearables like headbands (decorated, if you like), hats, and socks easily come to mind; they don't have to be a solid color, and in fact may be even more attractive if they aren't.

Big projects like sweaters, ponchos, afghans, and even rugs all can be made with odds and ends of yarn. They can be harder because of the combining involved, but if you don't mind a challenge, they can be very satisfying, especially if you have a lot of leftover yarn.

Tips for combining yarns
Sometimes it's possible to randomly pick and choose yarns for your projects. However, your project has a better chance of being successful if you pay attention to a few details, like yarn size, content, and care.

You can use yarns of different sizes in the same project, especially if the project has some areas that are open and others that are more solid. But a more reliable way of getting these yarns to work together is to knit or crochet with more than one strand at a time. That way, your project will more consistent in size and "drape" and will wear more evenly (if it's going to be used a lot). Also, if some of the yarns are fancy, using them with a strand of something smoother will make them easier to work with.

The fiber content and care of the yarn can be harder to match, and yet they're both important to the success of your project. For example, some fibers absorb water better than others. If you're making a winter hat, combining a yarn made of cotton (which is very absorbent) with one of wool (which isn't) may not be a good idea. The cotton will absorb the water from melted snow, getting heavier and colder - which won't help the person wearing the hat stay warm. On the other hand, a hat made of wool and silk, or wool and mohair, will stay warm for a long time.

Fiber care can be the most important consideration when you're making something with many different kinds of yarn. Some yarns can be washed in a machine; others need handwashing because they shrink or felt if machine washed. Still others must be dry cleaned. Always keep the labels with your yarns so you'll know whether it will be possible to use them in the same project.

There are lots of things you can make with little bits of yarn. If you just pay attention to a few things, like fiber content and care, you can create some very special items. You may find that they're completely different from your other projects, just because they use yarns you wouldn't normally put together. But they won't be boring. And they may get you interested in exploring other, even more creative, directions for your knitting and crocheting.