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The bottom drawer of my yarn organizer, like the neglected shelf space at the back of the refrigerator, is reserved for leftovers. It’s a multicolored cubic foot of tangled scraps of yarn. If I’m lucky, the socks I made last spring will wear through, and I can go straight to that drawer and find the exact same yarn for darning, justifying my hoard of leftovers. But most of the time, the tangle sits untouched. Even if I find a few amigurumi or knitted flower patterns to use up some of the scraps, these well-meaning knitting project plans inevitably give way to more exciting endeavors requiring miles upon miles of pristine yarn.
If you’re having trouble motivating yourself to work on stashbusters, this post is for you! My first bit of advice is to stop buying yarn until you really need it. You have a list of projects to do, you have an entire spare bedroom full of yarn, and it’s time to get knitting. This strategy will seem simple as you busily click your needles along for the first week or two and start burning through that stash. But when you get within a mile of your LYS, the closest Hobby Lobby, or eventually even the local Wal-Mart, you will begin to experience yarn-shopping withdrawal. I’ve been doing this challenge since October, and I often find myself standing in front of yarn displays and dreaming of new projects, with no recollection of how I got to the store.
This brings us to my second piece of advice: find some stashbusting projects you are truly enthusiastic about. Don’t even try to knit knick-knacks you’ll never use. Find projects that make you smile or patterns that seem functional, and your stashbusting projects will become just as exciting as the lacy, cabled masterpiece you spent the past 3 months on. As an added bonus, you can often complete stashbusters in just an evening. They’ll provide a welcome break from time consuming or repetitive larger patterns. Here are just a few of the easy knitting projects I’m planning for leftover yarn:
This fashionable cuff can be made with different yarns or beads to vary the style and match with different outfits.
The stripes and polka dots make these especially useful for very small scraps of yarn. Hang them on an arrangement of pussy willow branches for a cheery Easter decoration.
3. Baby Mitts
These mitts are a fast and easy knitting project because you don’t have to deal with tricky thumbs. The adorable striping also lends itself to creative stashbusting.
Washcloths are a great way to use leftover yarn, especially if you have scraps of cotton. Plus, you’re guaranteed to use something as practical as a washcloth!
5. Boxes Full O’ Seeds Neck Warmer
This knitting project is a little bigger than the others, so you might want to use a ball of nicer yarn leftover from a bigger project. The buttons let you fasten this neck warmer snugly without adding extra fabric.
Now it’s your turn! I’m challenging you to pull out your drawer of yarn scraps and get creative. What are your favorite patterns for stashbusting?
AllFreeKnitting
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I have to stay organized or I can not craft at all…
mcwooten1999@carolina.rr.com
I love your ideas…especially the little baby mitts! I’m not too creative when it comes to scraps. I usually just make booties or potholders.
One good yarn storage tip…clamp the end of the yarn in a clothespin, slip a paper sleeve over it to cover the hinge, then wrap the yarn around it. Keep the clothespins in a giant glass jar or ziploc bag to locate colors easily.
i love these allo of them .i knit but only straight lines nothing fancy would love to learn how these ladies make such beautiful things with yarn , i like the handmade lace ,beautiful work ladies
I knit double thickness reversible hats for the homeless out of larger amounts of left over Wool-Ease.
Smaller amounts of any yarn are devoted to knitting Mother Bears for orphanages in Africa. They are quick, fun and knit like a scarf, which you then fold over, add arms stuff and stitch closed! http://www.motherbearproject.org/
AFGHANS or AWFUL-GHANS – wild like the one my mother and I did in 5″ squares – half knit,half crochet. Crochet ripple, 1 of 2 90% done. A granny square, I took a break from tying off endless ends. Navahoe and Navahoe squares. I haven’t tried the Navahoe squares yet, but have an order for another crochet ripple. Wish our Walmart still sold yarn…too many $pecialty shop$
I’m guilty of buying, buying, can’t pass up a sale, some yarn in bags of leftovers from garage sales.. Now my winter project will be using your ideas for Craft sales and Christmas presents. Love the idea of thumbless mittens, also the neck warmer.. Thanks.
So far my I’ve made finger puppets and catnip whales for my cats
Ilove these allo of them. Ilike the handmade hats