Scrap Yarn Projects

We love to waste not want not.. and are always looking for projects to use up odds and ends of craft materials. Since embarking on our crochet crafting frenzie… we have a lot of scrap yarn and therefoe need some good Scrap Yarn Projects and Ideas to use these up with too!

The most obvious ways of using up leftover yarns is in simple weaving projects, as well as this fantastic set of more “general” yarn craft ideas. Similarly, I have a wonderful set of yarn Christmas ornaments to make, which generally only needs small pieces of yarn – but often in specific colours. However, here I have picked out projects that are especially suited to smaller rembrands of yarn or help you work through your yarn stash!

Things to keep in mind when working with scrap yarn

As with all craft projects, but especially crafts that use up scraps or recycle “old” things, it is worth making the point, that a little careful planning goes a long way. You can make recycled yarn look really great or really bad, depending on how you mix and match your left overs. So, I would keep in mind:

• Colours – often sorting your yarn by colours and using scraps along a colour theme can make it look really great vs “just ok”. Think about the colour wheel when matching yarns, or go with one colour in different tones and hues.
• Textures and yarn thickness – these can make a huge difference – e.g. if you choose to crochet with your yarn scraps, you are likely to want to work with the same yarn weights.. however if you are creating a weaving projects, different yarns, can make it look quite different and make your designs pop (eg if weaving a landscape etc) or as in with this pom pom fairies, different textures where chosen on purpose to give a very differnt look to the final craft

How to use up your scrap yarn – cute DIY ideas

Scrap yarn and wool stuffing

As a general first (and no picture provided, ha!) – scrap yarn, makes great stuffing for crochet projects, sewing projects and knitting projects! Some people love to have a little bag for all their yarn trimmings that they use up as they go along! So that is something always worth keeping in mind!

Blankets, Scarf, Coasters and Baskets

If you are into knitting or crochet there are a ton of fabulous blankets, scarves, shawls, baskets and coasters out there for you to knit and crochet. So many great crochet patterns and tutorials (that I could write about separately). I however, wanted to focus on “real” wool scraps or wool scrap projects for “those of us” that don’t knit or crochet!

Make classic God’s Eye weaving projects

Make a classic God’s Eye Craft or up your skills and make the patterned Flower god’s eye craft. I think these are a wonderful craft for using yarn scraps.

Make fabulous friendship bracelets

Many people think you can only make friendship bracelets with “special embroidery yarn”, not so, wool and yarn scraps are perfect for friendship bracelets too. And as you can see here, I mixed and matched the colours to go with different colour themes. But you don’t need much wool or yarn for each bracelet. Perfect!

Doll Weaving Projects on homemade looms

Weaving of course is another popular way for using up scrap yarn. You can simply make some woven wall hangings (with pom poms and tassels) or up your skills and make pictures or even Doll weaving – any weaving project is suitable for scrap yarn, but these doll’s are particularly cute.

Worry Dolls Big and Small

Worry dolls are another childhood classic and a perfect little craft for using up those oods and ends of yarn and wool. You can make them in “big” with these peg doll Worry Dolls or make teeny tiny ones using match sticks or twigs.

More weaving – Paper Plate weaving

Another example of weaving, is paper plate weaving or “sewing”. Here are two lovely examples our paper plate weaving flowers or yarn hearts.

Lacing cards

Lacing cards are fantastic for fine motor skills and hand eye co-ordinations. And there are so many cute DIY lacing cards you can make (we have many free printables for you too or you can use old greeting cards with hole punch holes). If you add a little tape to the end of your yarn, you have a “shoe lace” that children can work with easily.

Make multi coloured pom poms

We love making pom poms – here we combined it with our free Unicorn Pom Pom maker. But of course you can make pom poms for any decoration (including the backpack charms up next!).

Make fun DIY Tassels

We love making tassels too! And of course you can combine all sorts of colours to make some fun multi colour tassels. We made a fun tassle for our for our Elephant Bookmark, but they also look great as back of backpack charms.

Yarn Wrapping Crafts and Activities

Yarn wrapped crafts are super fun – they make adorable ornaments for lots of different occasions, but we particularly love yarn wrapped stars at Christmas and yarn wrapped hearts at Valentines when using yarn scraps, as both of these look great in multi colour too!

Yarn Heart Cards

Similarly this cute yarn card making technique is a fun way to use up yarn scraps. You can go with one colour theme as in the image shared, or use a multiple set of colours! Also.. though this was made as yarn heart card – you could cut out other seasonal shapes – e.g. simple long triangles as Christmas Trees, or an apple shape for Back to School etc.

Yarn Bowls with Natural Fibres

If you have lots of yarn scraps with natural fibres in them, these work well for making yarn scrap bowls.

Make a Yarn Scrap Ball for bigger projects

My Poppet has a super clever technique for connecting yarn scraps to make one neat continous ball of woll for bigger crochet or knitting projects! This is also a great example of choosing colours to that work well together, rather than “just” making a crazy multi coloured ball of wool to crochet or knit with!

Make some multi colored wash cloths or dishcloths – knitting or crochet

We have a Waffle Stitch Wash Cloth pattern for Knitters (free pattern).. and of course you can crochet wash clothes too. Here is a cute crochet dishcloth by A More Crafty Life. For both of these, I would make a big ball of yarn as per the instructions above, first, in order to avoid having to “sew in ends” etc. Needless to say these work as wash cloths, dish cloths or potholders!

Have a go at latch hook projects (great for funky cushion covers)

Scraps of yarn are of course perfect for Latck Hook Projects! Hands Occupied gives you some fantastic top tips to get you started. These samples shared in the photo are another great example of showing you how to match colours to make your final scrap yarn project look great!

Granny Square Projects

Granny squares are a “classic” scrap yarn crochet projects. So if you are after some fabulous Granny Square Projects, check out this collection!

I hope you are inspired by this set of yarn craft ideas and that you now going to give this stash busting challenge a go! Goodbye leftover yarn scraps!