Recently, I went through my yarn stash and organized all of it. I came across yarn that has been there for probably 10 years now. It’s about time I use it before I begin collecting any more new yarns.
Stash busting projects are crochet projects that are intended to use up small bits of yarn leftover from other projects.
I have compiled a list of 10 project ideas (that don’t include blankets) that use up small amounts of yarn so you can go through your stash and create new projects with old yarn. Included are several patterns that fit each project category. Some are free and some are not, but I am not associated with any of these designers. I just found patterns that I really like and wanted to share with you. I hope you find a project you like!
1. Pouches
Pouches are a great way to use up leftover yarn. Sizes can vary, depending on the amount of yarn you have at your disposal. You can add different colors to use up a variety of yarn, and use up small scraps. Plus they are a quick and easy project to whip up, making them great gifts!
Moss Stitch Zipper Pouch by Sarah Ruane
The Moss Stitch Zipper Pouch can be purchased through Ravelry, or follow the link to gain access to the free version on the website Ned & Mimi.
Yardage. This project requires about 120 yards total of yarn. You could use a single color or as the photo displays, 4 colors. The benefit of using more colors is you need less of each color, therefore small bits of scraps can get used up.
Yarn. The pattern suggests DK weight cotton. Although, I would say any DK weight yarn would work. Just keep care instructions in mind for your yarn choice. Also, you could use a different yarn weight, just keep in mind the pouch will be either bigger or smaller if following the written pattern.
Other Notes. The pattern also includes instructions and pictures for how to add the lining and zipper.
Classic Coin Purse by Ashlea Konecny
If you are into vintage and crochet, this is the perfect combination for you. The crocheted pouch has a kiss clasp sewed to the top to make a super cute coin purse. You can shop this design on Ravelry or find it on the Heart Hook Home website.
Yardage. About 42 yards are necessary to make one of these cuties.
Yarn. Worsted weight cotton is what is recommended in the pattern. Although, I could see just about any worsted weight yarn working.
Notes. The coin purse is constructed first by making a circle then adding stitches to make it a tube. The final step is to add the clasps. There is a picture and video tutorial for how to sew the clasps onto the pouch.
2. Hair Ties
Hair ties use up very little yarn and make for cute gifts. Plus they are a great accessory whether you use it or wear as a bracelet.
Scrappy Hairband by Inga Skeie
I recently saw Inga from the Knitting Traditions Podcast knitting up a cute hair tie (she calls them scrappy hairbands). This is really what inspired me to try a crochet version of a hair tie (see photo below!). But if you knit, definitely check out her Instagram page to find her “Free Pattern” highlight with the written instructions for knitting.
For the crochet version, which is pictured (measures about 14 inches), here are the instructions:
chain 41
Row 1: hdc across
Row 2: inc in 1st st, hdc across, inc in last st
Row 3: inc in 1st st, hdc across, inc in last st
Row 4: inc in 1st st, hdc across, inc in last st
Yardage. I used about 8 grams of yarn for this size.
Yarn. Any yarn will do. I made mine with some acrylic scraps I had leftover.
The Aquin Velvet Scrunchie by DeBrosse
Scrunchies made a comeback and so did velvet. Why not make a velvet scrunchy? They look sleek and work up really quickly. Check out the kind designed by Debrosse which is available for purchase through Ravelry.
Yardage. About 30 yards is needed to complete one scrunchy. But let’s face it, you’ll need more because they might become addicting to make.
Yarn. Bernat velvet is the yarn that was used in this pattern. But there are other velvet yarns out there now that would probably work.
3. Slippers
Slippers are some of the most fun things to crochet. I spent much of my time crocheting slipper socks when I first learned how to crochet. They worked up quickly, used little yarn and I could wear them immediately after! And since yardage requirements are low, I figured they would be a perfect stash busting project!
Sunday Slippers by Jess Coppom
This is a free pattern from Make & Do Crew which you can find here. This is a pattern that I have crocheted myself. I made them one evening when I was in undergrad and I still have them. Although, I do regret not adding the faux leather to the toe and heel because I wore out the toes on both slippers. So keep that in mind.
Yardage. 110-135 yards is suggested depending on the size you choose.
Yarn. The pattern uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn which is a #6, super bulky weight yarn.
Other Notes. I made mine using a worsted weight yarn. I think I used Lion Brand Heartland and a 5 mm hook. It required more rows, but it worked nicely with the pattern.
Magic Slippers by CrochetDreamz
This is a free pattern from the website Crochet Dreamz or you can also purchase it from Ravelry. It looks like a very simple pattern. You crochet a rectangle then you sew the fabric to close the toe and make the piece that wraps around the foot. I’m not doing well at explaining it, so you’ll just have to check it out for yourself!
Yardage. 160 – 200 yards, depending on the size you choose (there are 6 to choose from).
Yarn. Worsted weight yarn was used for the pattern. I believe any acrylic yarn will work for this project as long as it is a #4 weight.
4. Table Settings
Table settings include place mats, coasters, coffee mug rugs, and those sorts of items. They are easy to make, typically don’t require a ton of yarn and can spruce up your home. The only downside is that you have to make multiples. However, you can switch up the colors or stitch patterns to keep it interesting.
Color Block Placemat by Rebecca Langford
This is a free pattern from Yarn + Chai, which you can find here. It has a cute farmhouse vibe to it. The stitch pattern is really simple, just hdc and sc throughout. Mix and match colors to get rid of those little scraps of yarn, or use a solid if you have enough.
Yardage. 75-80 yards of each color.
Yarn. Worsted weight cotton yarn was used in the pattern. But you could also try acrylic too since that washes well.
Moss stitch table runner by In the Yarn Garden
This pattern is free from In the Garden, so click the link to check it out. This as a great stash busting project because of all the stripes. I see 6 colors in the table runner, but you could totally customize this and use as many colors as you want. Also, you can make it narrow, wide, long, short, it doesn’t matter. You could even turn this into placemats if you wanted.
Yardage. 547-766 yards, about 7 balls of yarn total, were used to complete the project in the photo by In the Yarn Garden. Although, if you changed the finished size to fit your table you might need more or less.
Yarn. An aran weight cotton yarn was used for the project in the photo. Acrylic would work as well and you could even swatch a different yarn weight to see if you like the fabric.
Notes. There is a color guide to follow if you want the stripes to turn out just like the one photographed.
5. Baskets
Baskets are a great stash busting project. They are useful items, whether you use it yourself or gift it to someone. Baskets use up as little or as much yarn as you have on hand. Get rid of more yarn by holding multiple strands together. And there is always the possibility of felting a basket made from wool. Really, the sky is the limit.
Herringbone Hanging Basket by Kathleen Hope
This pattern is available from Kathleen’s Ravelry page, which I have linked here. She includes 5 different sizes in the pattern, which not everyone will do, so I love that about this pattern. She took the time to really think about what you might want to use these baskets for and provided instructions for them. You can see all of the sizes in the photo she took. Plus, you can get more information from her website about all of those details.
Yardage. This will depend on the size you choose to make, but plan for 57-127 yards.
Yarn. A bulky weight cotton/nylon blend yarn was used for these. But I could see a thinner weight yarn held double work for these as well. Just depends what kind of yarn is in your stash.
Stash Busting Project Bags & Bowls by Molly Conroy
This is a free download on Ravelry, make sure to go check it out, I’ll leave the link here. There are 5 different sizes and styles. I like how versatile this pattern is. You can add handles, use a variety of colors, and choose from many sizes. I think my favorite style is the one pictured above. Oh, and the felting instructions for a washing machine are included.
Yardage. The pattern states 3-8.5 ounces of wool yarn is needed, but this will vary for the size basket you choose to make.
Yarn. Any worsted or bulky weight wool yarn will work. Just make sure that the yarn can be felted!
6. Wall Hanging
Beautiful tapestry’s can be made with leftover scraps of yarn. You can combine many colors to create one cohesive piece. Also, try different yarn weights and adding those together to create new textures. Once you are done, you get to hang it and show it off in your home!
Daybreak Crochet Tapestry by Two of Wands
I think it was about a year ago (at the time this was written) that I first saw this pattern by Alexandra Tavel. I was stunned. I had no idea crochet could be made into a wall hanging. It looked so gorgeous and it is inspiring to me as an artist how she took a photograph and made that into crochet wall art. Stunning.
Yardage. 700-800 yards total. She used 9 different colors, so you don’t need much yardage per color. Check out her blog to learn more about the yardage and yarn she used.
Yarn. Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick was used throughout her tapestry. This is a nice and chunky yarn. If you use this a lot in your own crochet, definitely think about turning your scraps into this beauty!
Moon Ridge Wall Hanging by Love & Stitch
Love & Stitch has a great selection of patterns for wall hangings. I haven’t ever crocheted them before, but I really liked the design pictured. It uses a few different colors, minimal amounts of yarn, and looks super cute! If you like this one, definitely check out all of the patterns listed on her Ravelry, I’ll link her page here. They would make for great stash busting projects.
Yardage. Only 200-250 yards total is required. And there are several colors, which means you need only a fraction of what is listed of each color.
Yarn. Worsted weight yarn was used both types used in the pattern are acrylic.
7. Gift Wrapping
Wrapping gifts in yarn is one of my favorite things to do. I probably take more time working on the wrapping than I do the actual shopping for a gift. But I am a person who likes to customize gift wrapping that relates to the person who is receiving the gift. It works out for me because I get to use up the yarn that I no longer love (or almost threw out) as well as create unique and thoughtfully decorated gifts.
My go-tos are tassels and pom poms. I add those on top of gifts that I wrap in brown paper. But I have seen others wrap boxes and weave the yarn on top into different shapes. I browsed through Ravelry and found a few great ideas as well, so take a look below!
Gift wrapping flower by Lorin Jean
How adorable is this idea? Just a little bit of yarn can make a plain brown paper wrapping look so cute! I could see this going on a gift for a birthday, baby shower or wedding. What’s great is that you can use any color you have, you can use up even the tiniest bits of scrap yarn, and you get a super unique gift to give. Find the free pattern on Two Girls Blog and find out why the title is “Brown Paper Packages”.
Yardage. Not specified. This type of project would require a very minimal amount of yarn.
Yarn. In the photo, worsted weight yarn was used. However, any kind of yarn will do. Using a thinner weight yarn will give a more delicate look while using a heavier weight yarn would give it a chunky look.
Gift Wrapping Ribbon by Lorin Jean
This pattern is also from Two Girls Blog, but I couldn’t resist. This is such a great idea for adding to gifts. I never thought to make a ribbon before. I really like the presentation. Adding a card in the middle makes it aesthetically pleasing because everything is so symmetrical. And, you can adjust the size of the ribbon, making it bigger or smaller depending on the box it goes on.
Yardage. Not specified. Plus this will vary because it can be made different sizes.
Yarn. Worsted weight was used for the ribbon in the photograph. But really, I think any yarn will do.
8. Amigurumi
Amigurumi make for some of the best stash busting projects. These type of stuffed toys do not require a lot of yarn. There are so many great free and purchasable patterns online. It was hard to choose just a couple, so I encourage you to look further and find what you are looking for. I like to make stuffed animal size versions of amigurumi (not sure if they are the same thing?) and gift them to the children in my life. Even the bigger sizes don’t use a lot of yarn.
Conrad Chameleon Music Toy by Lydia Tresselt
Is this not the cutest, most intricate crocheted doll you’ve ever seen? I am amazed at the detail that went into designing this piece. AND it’s a music box. I have never seen anything like this before. The website that sells this kit includes the yarn and music box that you need to complete this project. Go check it out here!
Yardage. 90-100 yards is how much yarn the pattern calls for.
Yarn. An aran weight cotton yarn is recommended for this pattern. Cotton is really good for amigurumi because you can really see the stitch definition.
Amigurumi Llama by Grace and Yarn
These are stuffed animal size and so cute! I know several kiddos who would love to have one of these. The little tufts of hair are the best addition to these. I love how its chains of yarn that curl and make it look like hair. This pattern does not require much yarn, making it a good stash busting project. Plus, it’s free from the blog Grace and Yarn.
Yardage. 100 grams of a worsted weight yarn. You could also make it with a DK weight yarn, it will just end up smaller than the finished measurements in the pattern. I’ve done this before and liked the results I got. Just an option if you have more DK than worsted weight yarn.
Yarn. There is not a specific yarn called for in the pattern. Acrylic works really well for stuffed animals though since you can throw it in the washer and dryer and not worry about it falling apart.
9. Spa Items
When gift giving season comes around, it’s hard to find the right item sometimes. Luckily, many love receiving at home spa sets so they can treat themselves. So, as I was looking around for stash busting ideas, I saw several patterns that fell into this category. Maybe the next time you need a gift, you can remember these and whip something up (while using up scrap bits of yarn!).
Sakura Face Scrubbies by K.A.M.E. Crochet
Who wouldn’t want to scrub their face with these? They are the most adorable! Much more fun than the generic round face scrubbies. Find the free pattern on Ravelry here.
Yardage. 60-65 yards is all these require. Not much, so if you have some extra cotton laying around, make these!
Yarn. You need a DK weight cotton yarn to make these.
Leaf Soap Saver by Roseanna Murray
I am in awe of the texture of these. Hold on while I go make myself one. I love that this pattern will work up quickly and you can use it straight away. Plus you can use your extra yarn! Go check out this pattern, it is a free download from Ravelry.
Yardage. 109-131 yards is all you need for this project.
Yarn. You will need a DK weight cotton yarn for this pattern.
10. Gloves
When I first learned to crochet, fingerless gloves were something I was obsessed with. Not sure where my infatuation for gloves came from, but luckily for me they didn’t require a lot of yarn. I liked to only buy 1 skein of a yarn that I liked. I didn’t know that most projects tend to use up more than 1 skein… Any way, gloves can be a great way to stash bust.
Elizabeth Stitch Fingerless Gloves by Jamey from Dabbles & Babbles
These gloves have really great texture. They look like a fun and easy project to finish in a day. This pattern also uses minimal amounts of yarn, which means you can blow through some of your stash! Find the free pattern here.
Yardage. About 140 yards is what the pattern calls for.
Yarn. This pair of gloves was crocheted with DK weight yarn and acrylic fibers.
Kreisel Fingerless Gloves by Sybil R
These fingerless gloves are so unique. It almost looks like a peacock the way this picture was taken along with the yarn choice. This is a very unique idea. This designer wrote the pattern so that you start at the thumb, then crochet the rest of the glove. This is a great way to use up any variegated yarn that you have. You can find the written instructions for free here.
Yardage. 190-240 yards is what is called for in this pattern.
Yarn. Fingering weight yarn was used to crochet the gloves pictured in the photo. And since it was designed for a variegated yarn, I guess that would be a strong recommendation for this pattern.
I really hope you found a pattern that suits your style or that interests you! You don’t have to keep those little scraps of yarn forever. Don’t let them take up any more space, get rid of them by crocheting one of these patterns.