40+ Stash Busters To Use Up Those Bits Of Yarn

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If you crochet or knit, chances are you have accumulated a large stash of yarn with partially used skeins in a variety of colors, many too small to use for most projects.

Instead of gathering dust in your craft cupboard, here’s a list of free projects you can make featuring a variety items, some useful while others are more decorative or just for fun.

If your skills are at the beginner level, small items like these are great for practicing new stitches or techniques (and reading patterns too).

So far there are just over 30 projects listed below, I’ve separated them into two groups (crochet, knitting) for easier browsing.

I’ll be adding more goodies to this collection as I find them so you may want to bookmark this page for future reference. Have fun!

PS: Interested in thread crochet? You’ll find a few vintage patterns at the bottom of the page (for a bread tray ruffle and a bun warmer).

Crochet

lorajeansmagazine.blogspot.com

Nesting Cups: Beginner friendly, these cuties can stash buttons, paper clips and other random nick knacks.

Chair Socks: Helps protect floors, these are made with two different colored yarns and a size 3.75 hook, begins with a magic circle.

plus3crochet.blogspot.com

stefanina.blogspot.com

Granny Covers: Made with fingering sock yarn, these are sized to fit a jar or cup with a 6 cm diameter, 20 cm circumference and 9 cm high.

Jar Covers: Here’s another design for jars, this has a straight rather than scalloped top rim.

thestubbornknitter.blogspot.com

cutoutandkeep.net

Ice Cream Sweater: Fun project to make for ice cream lovers, this little cozy will be sure to protect hands from the cold.

Keyboard Duster: A handy little guy, this can be used to clean keyboards and small spaces around the home.

favecrafts.com

dishclothdiaries.blogspot.com

Cup O Joe: Keep a double roll of toilet paper dust free and “out of sight” with this quick project.

Curtain Tie-Backs: Pretty flowers in assorted colors are scattered along crocheted ties.

sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.com

violetbellasworld.blogspot.com

Envelope Pouch: Finished size measures 6″ x 6″ (flap closed), ideal for holding stationery or delicate items when traveling.

Knob Covers: Three different designs available (mushroom, flower and cat), uses the Bosnial Crochet technique so they’re nice and tight.

pickles.no

foothillhomecompanion.blogspot.com

Winter Berries: A smooth rock cozy? Sure, why not! These would make great paper or pattern weights.

Felted Door Knob Organizer: Pattern via free pdf download, this features a little pocket to hold keys or other small items.

joann.com

annettepetavy.com

Flowers: Made with a fingering weight cotton or cotton blend yarn and a 2.5mm hook. You’ll find several more ideas here.

Dishcloth: Nice and scrubby, you’ll find several more patterns here.

reesedixon.com

yarncrazygirlpatterns.blogspot.com

Purse Organizer: An insert to keep totes and purses organized (two pockets on the ends and two in the middle).

Hanger Covers: For standard wooden hangers, can be worked in solid or multi-color patches. More ideas on this page.

karenmandersen.typepad.com

goingsewcrazy.typepad.com

Coffee Cup Cozy: Made with worsted/light worsted yarn, more patterns on this page (for both crochet and knit).

Dish Scrubby: (Tawashi) More ideas are found on this page (both knit and crochet).

craftstylish.com

myrosevalley.blogspot.com

Granny Square: These are an excellent stashbuster and can be used to make so many things. You’ll find more designs here.

Baskets: Made with worsted weight cotton yarn with stripe in a different color or hemp twine.

diyods.blogspot.com

mariesmaking.com

Butterflies: These can be used to embellish any number of things, starts with a magic circle and stitches used are ch, dc and tr.

Boot Cuffs: If you like the look of knit socks or legwarmers peeking above your boots but find they’re too warm to wear, these cuffs are a great solution.

compulsivecraftiness.com

deerlittlefawn.blogspot.ca

Crochet Buttons: Made just with yarn, start and end tails are used as either stuffing or to attach to garment/embellished item as needed.

Boot Liners: Features a stirrup so they stay in place, can be folded over the boot edge or pull them straight up.

acraftyhouse.com

suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.ca

Broom Handle Duster: Made with either cotton or acrylic worsted weight yarn so they wash up nicely, this slips over the broom handle so you can reach up into those high places.

Flask Carrier: A simple project that can be easily adjusted to fit any size thermos, features a handle for easy toting.

honeyanddaisy.wordpress.com

adaiha.blogspot.ca

Simple Crochet Bows: Use these to embellish hair accessories, as appliques or whatever else you like.

Granny Bottle Cozy: Made with 4-ply worsted weight acrylic or cotton, sized to fit a small 8 oz. water bottle.

hooksandyarns.blogspot.ca

Knit

simplynotable.com

Gift Card-igans: Just the right size to hold gift cards, these little pouches are worked on straight needles (US #6) and have a button & loop closure. Pattern via free pdf download.

Mug Rug: Finished size measures 4″ square, uses leftover sock yarn and features a fun fringe on either end.

girlontherocks.com

bareyourthreads.blogspot.com

Key Sweaters: Make tiny sweaters in different colors for each key so you can see at a glance which one is which.

Playing Card Holder: Nice little buttoned case to hold standard playing cards or collectible card sets.

dailyknitter.com

kaylaksthriftyways.com

Checker Square Garter Dishcloth: Finished size is a generous 10 1/2″ square, more patterns are found here.

Phone Case: Fun pop tart design, beads are used for the sprinkles. More ideas on this page (including crochet).

bittersweetblog.wordpress.com

krisknits.blogspot.com

Posey Pincushion: Three tiers of flowers, you’ll find more patterns here (including crochet versions).

Crayon Bookmark: Knit flat on straight needles (US #4), more bookmark projects are on this page (including crochet).

twinsknit.blogspot.com

clickertyclick.blogspot.com

iPod Hoody Pattern: Cute or what! More projects found here.

Balls: Made with bits of worsted weight yarn, stuffing material (yarn scraps, batting, plastic grocery bags) and worked on DPNs.

i-like-lemons.blogspot.com

goldenbirdknits.com

Miniature Knitting Bag: Complete with miniature skeins of yarn and wee knitting needles. Use this as an ornament or embellishment.

Punchinello Caps: Two tiny pom-pom caps are knit with fingering-weight wool on DPNs and connected with a braided cord, these fit snugly over corks as needle protectors. Pattern via free pdf download.

interweave.com

greeneyed.com

Sweater Soaps: Nice gift-worthy idea, knit covers for homemade bars of soap. Made with 2 strands of wool yarn (will felt with use).

Cabbage Rose: A sweet little item that you can use to embellish hair accessories and any other items you wish.

craftyarncouncil.com

simplynotable.com

Tea Toters: Make these cute little buttoned pouches to hold bags of tea with scraps of worsted weight yarn.

Mason Jar Cozy: Giving a gift of homemade jam or preserves? Here’s a nice idea to dress up the jar a bit.

plain-jane-remembrances.blogspot.ca

knittinginflashes.wordpress.com

Olive Oil Drip Catcher: Has a ribbed cuff folded down to add an extra layer of absorbency. Pattern via free pdf download.

These are not only a great way to use up your yarn stash leftovers, the items you create are actually useful .

Bun Warmer Linen: Vintage Crochet Edging

Supplies Needed:

Vintage Bun Warmer Linen

• J.& P. COATS BIG BALL BEST SIX CORD MERCERIZED CROCHET, Size 30: 1 ball of White; or
• CLARK’S BIG BALL MERCERIZED CROCHET, Size 30: 1 ball of White
• Milwards Steel Crochet Hook No. 10
• 1 piece of linen (14×14 inches square)

Gauge: 5 sps or bls make 1 inch; 5 rows make 1 inch.

Crochet Edging Pattern

Corner
(Make 4)

Starting at “A” on chart, ch 69.

• 1st row: DC in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (22 bls made). Ch 5, turn.
• 2nd row: Skip first 3 dc, dc in next dc (sp made over bl), (ch 2, skip next 2 dc, dc in next dc) 20 times; dc in next 2 dc and in top of turning chain (bl made over bl). Ch 3, turn.
• 3rd row: Skip first dc, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc (sp made over sp), 2 dc in next sp, dc in next dc (bl made over sp), make 9 more bls, 1 sp and 8 bls, 2 dc in next sp, dc in 3rd ch of turning chain. Ch 3, turn.
• 4th row: Follow chart across. Ch 3, turn.
• 5th row: Follow chart across, ending with a bl over last sp (1 bl decreased at end of row). Ch 1, turn.
• 6th row: Sl st in first 4 dc, ch 3, 2 dc in next sp, dc in next dc (1 bl decreased at beginning of row), follow chart across. Ch 3, turn. Follow chart to “B”. Now repeat last row of chart 26 times more. Break off. Sew 4 corners together to form a square.

Edging

• 1st rnd: Attach thread to any corner, ch 8, dc in same place, * ch 2 and, working along side, dc at base of next dc. Repeat from * across side to within next corner piece, (ch 2, skip 2 ch, dc in next ch) 21 times; ch 2, make dc, ch 5 and dc in next corner and complete other sides and corners the same way. Join to 3rd ch of ch-8.
• 2nd rnd: Sl st in next sp, in same sp make sc, ch 2 (dc, ch 2) twice and sc; * ch 2, in next sp make (dc, ch 2) twice; sc in next sp. Repeat from * around, working corners as before. Join and break off.

Pin edging in place on linen. Cut out material in back of corners and edge, leaving 1/4 inch for hem. Sew neatly in place. Starch lightly and press.

Source: Vintage pattern sheet from J. & P. Coats

Bread Tray Ruffle

Here’s a pattern for a bread tray ruffle (and ruffly it is!) from a vintage pattern magazine (1948):

I’ve uploaded it in a pdf file for anyone who’d like to have it: Bread Tray Ruffle (pdf file).

For starching doily instructions, here’s what they advised:

Directions for Starching Doilies

Starch: Dissolve 1/4 cup starch in 1/2 cup cold water. Boil slowly over a low flame, as it thickens stir in gradually about 1 1/4 cups of cold water. Boil, stirring constantly until starch clears. This makes a thick pasty mixture.

As soon as starch is cool enough to handle, dip doily and squeeze starch through it thoroughly. Wring out extra starch. The doily should be wet with starch but there should be none in the spaces. Pin center of doily in position according to size and leave until thoroughly dry. If steam iron is used iron ruffle after it is dry. If regular iron is used dampen ruffle slightly before pressing. Pin folds of ruffle in position and leave until thoroughly dry.